How do you find the performance of R80-200/f4 at 200mm? Is the quality of this lens comparable to the apo 70-180/f2.8 only at 80mm f5.6 and f8?and far below apo 100/f2.8 when at 100mm?

-- Michael Fan (fanmichael@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002

Answers

The 70-180mm F2.8 is a masterpiece and is superior to the 80-200 at all focal lengths. The question however is: how much and does it matter for your work. I would suggest you rent both and test them out for yourself.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), April 14, 2002.

The 70-180APO is a huge, heavy lens and at least in my hands would require a tripod to extract performance equal to, let alone superior to the 80-200/4. The only real advantages I can see to the 70-180 is in finder brightness for focusing, and more limited DOF. I've shot with just about every 70-200/210 and 80-200/2.8 lens, I own the 80- 200/4. Personally there is one lens of this type that has given me far and away more keepers, and that is the 70-210/2.8 Canon Image Stabilizer. That will be the next lens I purchase.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 14, 2002.