Anyone shooting a Series 1 100-500?

How is the quality - how does it compare to a Canon 70-210 f/4 and Canon 100-300 f/5.6?

-- Rich Langer (teach_sci@yahoo.com), June 09, 2000

Answers

I haven't used the Vivitar 100-500mm, but their Series 1 lenses ain't what they used to be. Stick with those built between the late '70s and early '90s. They're well made (if heavy) and optically very good.

And I don't know about the 70-210mm f/4 one-touch, but the 80-200mm f/4 two-touch is legendary for top performance. Avoid the 75-200 f/4.5-5.6 one-touch. I owned one. It stinks.

I own the FD 100-300mm f/5.6 non-L series design with the "macro" feature. Actually, this is a true close focusing design from 100-200mm and doesn't require twisting a special ring or anything like that for the macro setting. It's very good from 100-200mm at all distances and apertures. Beyond 200mm it must be stopped down for best performance. I'd definitely recommend it. But for not a whole lot more money than its usual asking price, you can probably buy the "L" version, which is rated even better.

-- Lex Jenkins (lexjenkins@hotmail.com), June 10, 2000.

Hi Rich, fancy meeting you here. :)

If you want a truely awesome lens, look into the Canon FD 80-200 f4.0 L Series or the Canon FD 100-300 f5.6 L series. The L series Canon lenses contain special elements. These may be non-glass (florite) or aspherical elements or both. But they were designed to be the best that you could get, and in many cases they have not been topped by later designs.

The Canon 70-210 is not as good as even the non-L 80-200, but it isn't a bad lens. BTW all the Canon lenses are constant aperture. f8 at the long end will be limiting, not to mention hard to focus due to the dark screen.

For pricing the 70-210 goes for around $100. The 80-200, non-L for about $200, and the same for the non-L 100-300. The 100-300 L goes for about $400 and the 80-200 L for about $500-$600.

I have a 70-210 and a 100-300 L, and am looking at getting an 80-200 L. At that time, I will probably get rid of my 70-210.

Also, hi Lex.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), June 11, 2000.