Canon EF 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6II

Review Date
June 11, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
cmethot , Casual

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
21+ years

Summary
Can't beat Canon for a great zoom at this price.

Strengths
Light, small, versatile. The perfect cheap walk-around lens.

Similar Products Used
Canon EF 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 II
Canon EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 III USM
Canon 350D
Canon Rebel 2000

Customer Service
I have not found any company ANYWHERE that can rival the customer service of Canon. They support their products superbly and will do whatever it takes to satisfy the customer. I will only buy Canon because of their great service because the only 2 times I have had problems they have done more than I ever expected when they very easily could have brushed me off as most other companies would and have. With a heavily used video camera and a lens they have taken care of me and done so with incredible speed and courtesy. What a refreshing change in this day and age!!!

Review Date
August 21, 2005

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
RickP66 , Intermediate

Price Paid
$150.00 at Circuit City

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
Not a horrible lens for a beginner. Very soft at both ends, slow and built very cheaply, but it is capable of taking some good pictures in full daylight and it's very inexpensive.

Strengths
Very light and handy
Good color and contrast

Weaknesses
Slow
Soft
Cheaply built

Similar Products Used
Canon 70-200 f4L
Canon 70-200 f2.8

Customer Service
NA

Review Date
August 23, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
praxis0344 , Intermediate

Price Paid
$50.00 at pawn shop

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Other

Summary
this lens looks and feels very very cheap.
if i hadn't seen it in a pawn shop for $50.00 i never would have bought it.
i gave it a try and was surprised at how good the pictures came out.
sharp enough for 5x7's, color and contrast were faily good too.
it has a good and useful focal span.
it is small and very light.
i usually have this lens along with a 28mm 2.8, a rebel 200 with battery pack and a 220ex flash in a lowpro bag ready to just throw in the truck when i go somewhere not aiming to do any particular photography. it makes for a cheap, lightweight useful kit.
i also just leave it out when i do leave it at home. if the kit is stolen, i can easily repalce it, unlike some of my other gear, which goes in a safe when not in use.

Strengths
useful focal range
lightweight
small
sharp enough for 5x7's

Weaknesses
build quality sucks

Similar Products Used
none. cheapest built lens i own.

Customer Service
not needed

Review Date
January 28, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by
Camera mad , Expert

Price Paid
$120.00 at ebay

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Outdoor

Summary
This lens is a lot of bang for the buck. It's small and light, good value and covers a useful range. It's no 80-200 f2.8 L, but considering the price difference, it's a bargain. Nice contrast and decent sharpness particularly at f8. Pleasing bokeh in portraits wide open. Keep the background distant for best effects.

Strengths
Very good value, good performance when used correctly. Small and light. Useful range.

Weaknesses
No USM so focussing is not as quiet as with some other more expensive lenses. No hood included.

Similar Products Used
Canon 75-300 4-5.6 usm, Minolta 70-200 f4, Minolta 100-300mm, Sigma 70-210 f2.8 EX, Canon 80-200 f2.8 L

Customer Service
Not needed

Review Date
March 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.86 of 5, 14 votes

Reviewed by
Nick Roberts , Expert , from UK

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
It's cheap, and feels it. Optical quality isn't great, although it could be worse. I can carry this lens in my pocket, whereas I need an elephant to carry my Sigma. Did I mention that it's cheap?

Strengths
Cheap
Light

Weaknesses
Poorish optical quality
No true manual focus ring

Similar Products Used
Sigma EX 70-200 f2.8
and others.

Customer Service
N/A