Optical performance of Canon consumer zooms

[samusiskin]

Hi

 

Can anybody give me any info on the optical performance of the Canon

70-210 f1:4 versus the later 70-210 f1:3.5-4.5? Is one significantly

better than the other? I realise the older lens is a push-pull and

lacks USM, but am interested to know how they compare in terms of

sharpness/contrast/distortion etc. Comparisons with the 100-300 would

also be welcome.

 

Many thanks

 

Sam.

[citizensmith1664875108]

Haven't ever held one but the f3.5-4.5 version is supposed to be much better than the f/4 version. In fact, from what I've read it's better than pretty much any of the Canon consumer zooms available at the moment. Pretty much the poor mans 70-200 f/4. Not as good, but if you can't afford the 70-200 f/4 its the best you'll get. This also explains why the f/3.5-4.5 is so hard to find used while the f/4 version is a dime a dozen. The f/4 version is supposedly equivalent to the canon 75-300s in quality (in other words very average).

[chip]

Hi Sam,

 

I bought a new an EF 70-210 3.5-4.5USM when I bought my first EOS body and it was a fairly good lens. IMO capable of comperable image quality and a very good match for Canon's EF 20-35 3.5-4.5USM and EF 28-105 3.5-4.5USM zooms. These lenses are all about the same in terms of build and image quality which on film is pretty good actually. The 70-210 3.5-4.5USM is no 70-200 4/2.8L but pretty good really.

 

HTH