I was actually looking for a second hand 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM, or 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 USM but unable to find them so far came accross 70-210 f/4. Can anyone share their experience on this lens? How does it compare to the other two I mention (there is quite a lot of info about them on the web but not on this one). Also reliability is of interest not only optical performance.

Thanks, Zig

-- Zig Klimont (klimont@iiasa.ac.at), April 04, 2000

Answers

I'm presently eagerly awaiting to have the lens, which I've just ordered from my favorite photographic shop. Reviews and MTF tests by a very professional Italian magazine (Tutti Fotografi) indicate that this lens may well be the best zoom ever produced by Canon, both optically and mechanically. As soon as I have the lens myself I will let you know more.

-- Rodolfo Gamberale (r.gamberale@tin.it), April 20, 2000.

I think that Zig and Rodolfo are talking about two different lenses. There have been two 70-210 f4.0 zooms from Canon -- a discontinued one and a new L lens that was just released.

-- Matt Orth (morth@erols.com), April 24, 2000.

Matt is right. My question is about the old, discontinued (not L) lens. In the meantime I decided to buy this lens as it was in a really good shape (although about 10 years old, I guess) and the price was right. I shot few films with it but have only few photos developed yet, more comes soon and I can write few words what I think about this lens, if anyone is interested.

The AF is of course slower and noiser than USM lenses but it is OK. The MF ring grinds a bit and feels like some sand is in there but the guy in the shop said it is no problem. He's been right so far. The MF works fine and one needs it fairly often in low light condition (the AF hunts quite a bit then). The minimum focusing distance is 1.5 m and it has Macro, but again in the Macro mode and low light MF is very useful. The constant f/4 is very convenient, although you need good weather to make use of it without a tripod.

I could add few more words about the photos when I see more results. From what I have seen so far this lens might be a good alternative for those amateurs that look for cheap (but resonable), second hand zoom lenses. I compared this lens (in the shop) with some newer Sigmas 70-300 (watch out, older models do not support DOF function if available in your Canon) and mechanically the Canon felt superior to those newer, more modern lenses. Also the 100-200 f/4.5 A lens felt worse than this one, but there was not much difference in price.

Best, Zig

-- Zig Klimont (klimont@iiasa.ac.at), April 25, 2000.

Zig, I owned one of the older 70-210 f4 lenses for several years, and found it generally satisfactory. It is especially good around 135mm, but the sharpness falls off a bit out around 200. It's a great value for the money.

-- Dave Jenkins (djphoto@vol.com), May 02, 2000.