Canon 70-200 F4L First impressions

[Tom Stanworth]

Hi,

Just a note to say how impressed I am with this lens. It is light, smooth as it gets, incredible AF, very sharp and handling is perfect. For anyone not wanting the bulk of a f2.8 lens and not needing the speed or cost (incl that of huge filters), it is perfect. There is nothing to indicate that this lens is a poor cousin of the 2.8 and so far results (digital only as the film has yet to be developed) suggest that performance is first rate even wide open.

The Ideal travel tele-zoom for Canon users as I am finding out.

Tom

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Those are very much the qualities (minus AF of course) of the earlier FD 80-200/4L. I got it mainly to use with a C-mount adapter on my Super-8 camera as bridge between the stock Schneider 6-66/1.8 zoom and the FD 300/4L, but I'm finding it has a few uses as well on my Canons.

 

[gnashings]

I had the FD version (80 - 200), and I have to say, not being one for lens tests and hard numbers, the incredible quality of the lens blew me away! Compared to the 70-210 non-L i had before (I traded it to a pawn shop owner for the "L" lens), there was a visible difference across all lengths. And the awesome part was the full-range pseudo-macro (the other lens only did it on the short end) that gave me marvelous ability for close up work, even if it was not true macro. I agree, Canon seems to have a perennial winner with that lens!
Of course (for the millionth time... I know, its pathetic, but I can't help whining about it!), it was stolen. I am certain to have another, perhaps the only zoom I am going to own.

Peter.

 

[Hamster]

I just had a friend took some portrait picture of me with that lens and it makes me look fat! Otherwise the mechanics were first rate.

 

[Fotoguy20d]

I bought one used, with a bit of fungus on the front glass, to use on a hiking trip instead of my 70-200 f2.8L IS. I'm quite pleased with it. There were a couple of times I wanted IS, and even the extra stop, but sharpness, color, and contrast all equal it's big brother. Now that I'm home though, I reach for the f2.8 as first choice. The f4 might come on another hiking trip next week.

Dan