Canon EF lens mount question - ~200 mm lenses

[dynachrome]

My Canon EF lens mount film camera collection is a modest one. I have a number of Rebel models and mostly used a G. I have a 35-80 III, a 50/2.5 with the Life Size converter, a 50/2.8 Sigma Macro, one of the Cosina-made 100/3.5 Macros and a Tamron 28-200 AF. I think I also have another 90 or 100 macro. I want something sharper at the 200 end but I am not yet serious enough with the EF mount to get an 80-200/2.8 or a 70-200/2.8 or a 200/2.8. When the AF era started, Nikon and Canon and Minolta did not make plain 200/4 non-macro fixed focal length lenses. I also don't know how secure the f/2.8 lenses would be on the plastic mount of a Rebel. Are there any original Canon EF lenses in the 80-200 range that are slower than f/2.8 but sharp at the long end? The same question for third-party lenses in EF mount.

 

[MattKing]

Thread title and first post tweaked at least in part to avoid confusion with the Canon EF camera which, confusingly, didn't fit Canon EF lenses.

 

[wiltw]

Canon 70-200mm EF f/4 IS USM, both the -I and the -II USM versions, is quite sharp! in fact, higher resolution measurements than the f/2.8 version of that zoom range, as tested by photozon.de

 

[MattKing]

FWIW, the lens mount is designated Canon EF, which fit on cameras in the Canon EOS line.
And yes, things could have been done more simply.

 

[dynachrome]

Sorry for the title confusion. I also have several Canon EF 35mm SLR cameras. I will look into the 70-200/4 lenses. In the interim, I ordered a Nikon F to Canon EOS EF lens mount adapter. A 200/4 'K', AI or AIS Nikkor shouldn't strain the lens mount of an EOS Rebel film camera too much. I know there would be no metering or AF so the combination would not be for action photography.

 

[halfaman]

The 70-200 f/4 IS is a stunning lens, one of the best zoom lenses Canon ever made. No need to look for II version.

 

[koraks]

I will look into the 70-200/4 lenses.

You may be able to find the initial 70-200/4 non-IS version for a modest price. I used to have that lens back in the day. It was quite likely the sharpest lens I've ever owned.
The IS version will be easier to hand-hold at somewhat longer shutter speeds. Optically, it will amount to roughly the same. But it'll command a significantly higher price on the second hand market. If you're budget-aware on this purchase, consider the original non-IS version.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

You may be able to find the initial 70-200/4 non-IS version for a modest price. I used to have that lens back in the day. It was quite likely the sharpest lens I've ever owned.
The IS version will be easier to hand-hold at somewhat longer shutter speeds. Optically, it will amount to roughly the same. But it'll command a significantly higher price on the second hand market. If you're budget-aware on this purchase, consider the original non-IS version.

I bought the 70-200 4L (non IS) when I was shooting only digital. By that time around €450, but prices fluctated quite a bit around that time, due to the rate of the yen. Non IS 2.8 and 4.0 IS where around 1000 and 2.8 IS €1900 or so. All above my budget as high school student. If I remember correct the 4.0 IS was optically a bit better than the 4 non IS but the non IS is as well excellent quality I would say. Maybe I time to take it out again, soon.