Inexpensive Telephoto Lens (70-210 F4) Photo Samples

[skyphix]

I was asked a question by another forum member as to whether I liked my 70-210 F4. The simple answer is "Yes, for the price". I paid $100 US for it, and it has served me decently. Sports shots arent quite as nice as I'd like them, but after taking several sample shots this afternoon, I believe that, for portraits, this may serve well.

Some History on the lens: It was never very expensive, and its ratings were generally low (2.8 out of 5), but when I stumbled across this one I needed something quickly.

Here is a good photo of the lens (I found on the internet, easier than snapping one of mine)

http://fotos.marktplaats.nl/fotos/foto/canon/56313.jpg


Although I didnt have any PERSON to take photos of, there are several willing inanimate objects around :lol:

I focused mainly on showing sharpness and bokeh in a portrait like situation. Click the photos for the images in the size they are out of the camera. All photos (unless otherwise noted) have had a minor amount of exposure correction and USM, and were taken in Large/Fine with a Canon 300D. All Images were also taken at F4 to show the WORST the lens will produce, it gets better the more you stop it down.

Lets start with the unsharpened photo

http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/Small/IMG_3289.jpg (http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/Big/IMG_3289.jpg)

Now, the next couple are just the better examples

http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/Small/IMG_3288.jpg (http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/Big/IMG_3288.jpg)

http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/Small/IMG_3309.jpg (http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/Big/IMG_3309.jpg)

http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/Small/IMG_3296.jpg (http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/Big/IMG_3296.jpg)

So, all in all, for the price these lenses go for on ebay or other used marketplaces, its not THAT bad of a lens to cut your teeth on for telephoto zoom. IT has its inherant problems, like softness, slow focusing, poor low light focusing, and a decent amount of CA in the right situations, but it was the cost of a 50mm Mk2! (though not nearly as nice). Of course, it just makes me want the 70-200 F2.8L even more :)

The rest of the photos can be seen at http://non.skyphix.com/2005/LensSamples/70210f4/ (Sorry, no thumbnails, just a folder list)

I hope someone finds this at least sort of useful.

[pixelcube]

thank you so much Eric!

The photos are perfect for valutate the lens quality, particularly for to understood if the lens is ok for the portrait shot.

The bokeh is soft and the chromatic aberration il lower than how much I thought.

For example the canon ef 75-300 USM have got more purple fringing than the old 70-210!!!!

Obviously, the sharpness insn't higher than the 70-200 f4L, but with a
little USM you can fix that problem.

Thank a lot!

Now I search for a zoom like this!

stefano

[Gordon S.]

I picked up this lens myself as my first add on to my XT. I picked it up off a former film shooter for next to nothing and so far I'm enjoying it. Its not the sharpest lens and its definitely a bit slow on the focus side but for the price I have nothing bad to say.

These shots are totally unprocessed other than the re-sizing.
http://pics.spoon.org/Cars//ARMS-Race-20050619/IMG_0935.jpg?ojnk

http://pics.spoon.org/Cars//ARMS-Race-20050619/IMG_0980.jpg?ojnk

A good portion of the pictures in this gallery (Pretty much anything of the track itself) was taken with the 70-210. http://pics.spoon.org/Cars//ARMS-Race-20050619/

[93octane]

I have tested this lens and I had a Canon 80-200 4.5/5.6 and I think the 80-200 is a better buy then the 70-210 its faster, lighter and less expensive sold it and bought me a 70-200 L F4

[aam1234]

I have that lens from the ancient days of film. It's not bad at all.

[skyphix]

I have tested this lens and I had a Canon 80-200 4.5/5.6 and I think the 80-200 is a better buy then the 70-210 its faster, lighter and less expensive sold it and bought me a 70-200 L F4

When I grabed this it was simply what the photo shop had and a complete impulse buy, but I'll have to look into that lens as well as another "cheap alternative". I like the constant F4 apature with this 70-210, which is one reason I was excited when I got it.

Glad Im not the only one that has used this lense. Once I step up to the plate with the better zooms I'll still keep this one for film duty.

Edit: Also remember that all of the photos other than the Tenant Parking Only sign have had a dose of USM and had some exposure correction.