Thanks for all the suggestions. I did end up ordering an 80-200 CY from KEH this morning. If it's close to the 35-70 in IQ, I will definitely be happy with it, and it does give me a really nice zoom range to work with.
Plus it should be a cracking lens for my 5D2 landscape kit - currently CY28, 35-70, and now 80-200. Hell yeah! Just seeing that lens set in writing makes me happy.
That is very cool, Michelle. I'm excited to see what you think of the 80-200. I want to pick up FlyPenFly's Alpha-converted copy he has on the boards, but I need to sell off some gear first.
mco_970 wrote:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I did end up ordering an 80-200 CY from KEH this morning. If it's close to the 35-70 in IQ, I will definitely be happy with it, and it does give me a really nice zoom range to work with.
Plus it should be a cracking lens for my 5D2 landscape kit - currently CY28, 35-70, and now 80-200. Hell yeah! Just seeing that lens set in writing makes me happy.
I really like mine wide open! Click for full size Herbst in Brüssel by Johann D, on Flickr
Smiert Spionam wrote:
What zoom is better optically than a $30 Canon FDn or $100 Nikon AIS 200/4?
Obviously, a 300mm is longer, but also obviously, they're bigger, and more expensive. For me, 200mm works well as a compact tag-along -- if I'm at 300mm or beyond, I'll probably want a tripod.
Bifurcator wrote:
I'll put several of my Tokina AT-X slash AT-X Pro or Tamron SP zooms up against any non L Canon nFD prime under the same FL and Aperture and there won't be a clear winner. Or either will pull ahead slightly in only one aspect or another. And really, while I appreciate the sentiment you'll not find a non-stolen or non-wrecked Canon nFD prime in the 150 to 250mm range for $30.
Smiert Spionam wrote:
I'm mistaken -- it wasn't $30. I paid $27, but now $25 will get you a 200/4 from the most reliable used equipment dealer in the US.
a) There are plenty of good, inexpensive options for lightweight teles, and it's hard to go wrong.
b) The higher end Tokina and Tamron stuff can be quite good. No argument there.
c) That doesn't change the fact that at 200mm, it's awfully tough to beat the value and compact size of a Canon FDn.
d) This "my lens is better than your lens" bluster is irritating when it's about state of the art, elite glass; here, it's just comical.
e) There are many good, cheap ways to fill this particular focal length. Shoot what you like. ...Show more →
a: Agree.
b: Agree.
c: OK.
d: Now I'm lost. __ There was no egotistical or emotional content in my remarks. Just like you can find an FD 200/4 for nothing so can you the Tokinas and Tamrons. It's just that I wouldn't go near them. At that low a price there's a very good chance IMHO that you're buying stolen property or there's something wrong with the lens they're not telling you about. Like they opened it up and removed a whole surface or two of coatings removing some bad ingrown fungus. For example the going rate as I see them, for the 200/4 is $65 ~ $95. At $27... uh-hu, and there's a guy in low-rider pants down at the beach selling a spray-painted Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 bycycle for $100 too. I ain't touching it! You can if you want. Hey it might even be legit! But it's too big a gamble for me. That was my only meaning - nothing about bluster or elitism.
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. KEH has a reputation as the single most reliable used equipment dealer in the largest market in the world. If you don't trust them, that's your business. I've bought from them for years, and will continue to do so.
jotdeh wrote:
Well one of those auto aperture E-mount --> EF would work. Pretty expensive solution though.
Thanks for responding didn't get to earlier, but yes Conurus has an adapter to adapt to nex. I forget the price of that adapter but I guess it is not super cheap but you still get AF for Canon and MF for Nex and it is better IQ wise if I read the MTF's correctly than the 80-200. It is nice and light for a Zeiss lens. Understand that the 80-200 will be a cheaper option.
Smiert Spionam wrote:
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. KEH has a reputation as the single most reliable used equipment dealer in the largest market in the world. If you don't trust them, that's your business. I've bought from them for years, and will continue to do so.
As to the rest -- cheers!
;-)
OK, I don't see where we're disagreeing though. And hey, don't say something like that and then just let it hang there. What do they do that's special? How does it work? What's the process? Do you work for them? Break it down brutha!
Smiert Spionam wrote:
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. KEH has a reputation as the single most reliable used equipment dealer in the largest market in the world. If you don't trust them, that's your business. I've bought from them for years, and will continue to do so.
+1. And if you have a problem with anything, they take it right back. You can't really go wrong buying something from KEH.
mco_970 wrote:
ps. Thank you for the info from everyone, and thanks to Jotdeh, Tim, Jay, and anyone else I missed that posted sample images.
There is no rule that There Can Be Only One, there is still room in my cupboard if I decide to add a 200'ish mm prime.
Before I bought the 200 AIS (for free since the FE2/MD12 AND the 200 were $75!) I went out and shot some with my old beater 200/F4 Nikkor-Q the older slightly larger version
Bifurcator wrote:
OK, I don't see where we're disagreeing though. And hey, don't say something like that and then just let it hang there. What do they do that's special? How does it work? What's the process? Do you work for them? Break it down brutha!
This is getting dumb.
Where we disagree is you said that it was impossible to buy a cheap 200/4 that wasn't either stolen or damaged. I said you were mistaken, and told you where you could buy one for yourself. You insisted on your characterization. You're still mistaken.
No, I don't work for KEH. I'm just one among hundreds of satisfied customers here on FM. I've been buying from them for at least 15 years. They have a broad inventory, and what is generally recognized to be the most conservative ratings system in the industry. Great customer service, too.
Just seeing that lens set in writing makes me happy.
_ There was no egotistical or emotional content in my remarks. Just like you can find an FD 200/4 for nothing so can you the Tokinas and Tamrons. It's just that I wouldn't go near them. At that low a price there's a very good chance IMHO that you're buying stolen property or there's something wrong with the lens they're not telling you about. Like they opened it up and removed a whole surface or two of coatings removing some bad ingrown fungus. For example the going rate as I see them, for the 200/4 is $65 ~ $95. At $27... uh-hu, and there's a guy in low-rider pants down at the beach selling a spray-painted Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 bycycle for $100 too. I ain't touching it! You can if you want. Hey it might even be legit! But it's too big a gamble for me. That was my only meaning - nothing about bluster or elitism.
