Lens Review - EF 70-210, f4

[trossit]

Has anyone owned this 1st generation 70-210 f4 from 1987?  What did you think of its performance?  Would it be a lens worth keeping?

[jrhoffman75]

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/eos/EF-lenses/EF80200mmf28L/index1.htm

[trossit]

John,

Does it matter what focal length you are zoomed too?  So....this switch allows a closer min focusing distance?  

[Tronhard]

John is absolutely correct. If you want a TRUE macro shot 1:1 on the sensor, you need a macro lens like the EF-S 60mm f/2.8, or EF 100 f/2.8 lenses.

[ebiggs1]

"For most Canon lenses macro just means close."

The word "macro", in this case, is a term created by the advertising department.  Probably the biggest issue with these old or very old lenses is the lube gets dried out or sticky and otherwise doesn't, well, lube any longer. Some can be cleaned and re-lubed.

One other big factor is fungus. It tends to grow on the lens's surfaces. It is very difficult to impossible to remove.