Canon nFD 80-200mm f4 L - A Bittersweet First Impression
Canon nFD 80-200mm f4 L
As a longtime fan of vintage Canon glass, the Canon nFD 80-200mm f4 L had been on my radar for quite a while. It’s a legendary lens in the FD lineup. Canon’s first zoom to earn the coveted “L” designation, representing their professional-level optics. With its constant f4 aperture, push-pull zoom, and reputation for sharpness and color rendering, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one. So, when I spotted a listing on eBay for a copy at a reasonable price, I jumped at the chance. The seller disclosed that the lens had a little mold and I figured that was par for the course with older lenses. A little mould isn’t really a big concern. But when the lens finally arrived, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment.
LENS SPECS
Release Date: 1985
Format: 35mm
Mount: FD
Filter: 58mm
Aperture Blades: 8
Aperture Range: f4 - f32
Min Focus Distance: 1.5m
Weight 675g
Weather Sealing: No
Optical Design: 12 elements in 10 groups
APS-C Conversion Approx.: 128mm - 320mm
Gear Shots
Right out of the box, the lens looked pretty clean from the outside. The build quality felt solid, as expected from the nFD series. The previous owner had put some Canon decals on the lens. A carbon fiber sticker and Canon logo. It’s didn’t look so bad. I could always take it off if I wanted so it wasn’t a big deal. But when I took the nFD 80-200mm f4 L out for a test shoot, the images were really soft, far softer than what I’d seen from other reviews and sample galleries online. Something didn’t add up.
I decided to take a closer look under some good lighting and, to my surprise, the internal optics were absolutely riddled with mold. Not just a spot or two, It looked like snowflakes in there. Check the photos in the gallery for more. This wasn’t a “little mold.” This was a full-on fungal infestation that had likely etched into the coatings or even the glass itself. That explained the hazy, soft images. Unfortunately at this point, I knew I’d have to return it.
A Lesson in eBay Lens Hunting
This experience was a bit of a disapointlment. I’d been genuinely excited to finally try out this classic lens, and bring content about it to my YouTube subscribers. But this is part of the game when it comes to buying vintage lenses online, especially through platforms like eBay. Sometimes you get a gem, and sometimes you get a dud. In this case, it was a dud. But I don’t regret the attempt. I’m still on the lookout for a cleaner copy of the nFD 80-200mm f4 L. From everything I’ve read and seen, it’s worth the hunt. The optical quality, color rendition, and character of this lens are still highly regarded, and I’d love to give it a proper review once I find a version in good condition.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t the review I hoped I’d be writing about the Canon nFD 80-200mm f4 L, but it’s an honest one. If you're considering picking up one of these vintage gems, be diligent, ask for detailed photos, don’t be afraid to question vague descriptions, and always prepare for the possibility that you might have to return a lens. When I do finally get a solid copy of this lens, you can bet I’ll be back with a full hands-on review. Until then, this one goes back in the box and back in the mail.
