Compare Canon FD 80-200 f/4L and 80-200 f/4 SSC

I've read the glowing reviews here of the FD 80-200 f/4L, and am interested in

getting one, but I have a crack at a nice copy of Canon's 80-200 f/4 SSC and

know next to nothing about it, apart from being a two-touch with internal

focusing. Price is not really an object here. Thanks.

The FDn 80-200mm f/4 L is widely considered to be one of the best zooms Canon has ever made. It's certainly the sharpest, rivalling primes within its focal length range. Since acquiring one, I haven't used my FD 80-200mm f/4 SSC even once, as fine a lens as the earlier zoom is.

Fred, I forgot to add that the 80-200 L can be had relatively cheaply these days.

The only single advantage I can think of the 80-200mm f4.0 has over the L is that the end of the lens does not turn when it's focused so working with a polarizer is easier.

I have the 80-200 f4 and a Vivitar Ser. 1 70-210mm f3.5. I have problems of vignetting with these lenses and I really don't like a photo that has vignetting. The shade might be causing some of it I've read. Does the Canon 80-200mm f4 L have any problems with vignetting?

 

Rick

looking at photozone, the 80-200 L is one of the best rated of any lenses on the chart, regardless of brand, size, cost...

Average price today around $300 for 80-200L. IMHO, well worth it. Also has macro

feature which many overloook when describing lens features. Shoot slides & this lens

really stands out for a zoom. Sometimes vignetting caused by thickness of filters. You

may want to test slimline filters.

never had vignetting with this lens, never had anything but stnning results with the L lens. I sure do miss it... I have heard the old two-touch ssc referred to as the runner up - but those opinions vary. The ones on the L lens do not: they are all touting it as stellar, like someone said already, even when looking at lenses - period - Canon or otherwise.

Oh well, poop. I actually had my heart set on the SSC version, it being readily available, but you've convinced me otherwise. Thanks, all!

Good luck, Fred.

The 80-200/4 SSC is a two touch zoom, allowing more precise focusing than the one touch 80-200/4L. Both are excellent optically, with the L elns being superb.

Follow-up: I bought the SSC for cheap. It's in beautiful condition, possibly LN-. I think I'll still pop for the L though, when finances allow. I have a hankering now for a 300mm f/4 with a 1.4x converter. I tell you, it's a disease!

regarding the L version - is it a pull-to-zoom-in, or a push design? I have a Tamron SP 70-210 which is a push version, and i've never got used to it...