Any opinions on the Canon 75-300 f4-5.6III lens ??

RiDE · Feb 4, 2008

Is this lens terrible, decent, blah??? If I can pick up a used one for $100.. is that a good deal? great deal? bad deal?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004THCZ/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Thanks for any info.

EORI · Feb 4, 2008

It's an entry-level consumer zoom lens. Image quality is ok, but if you're serious about photography, I would recommend spending the extra money on the newer 70~300IS lens:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007Y794O/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Yes, it's a much more expensive lens, but the image quality is much superior, and it comes with the latest generation image stabilization system, which is a must for slow telephoto lenses like this, as camera shake can frequently ruin your images.

A problem with all of these Canon consumer zooms in this focal range is that the front element rotates when it focuses. If you ever intend to use a polarizing filter with this lens, it can be very aggravating.

ChrisF79 · Feb 4, 2008

Way to sneak that Amazon referrer link into a post. Nice work!

EORI · Feb 4, 2008

ChrisF79 said:
Way to sneak that Amazon referrer link into a post. Nice work!

And your point is?

RiDE · Feb 4, 2008

ChrisF79 said:
Way to sneak that Amazon referrer link into a post. Nice work!

What???? it's a link to amazon that has all the specs on the lens. I don't even know what you are accuseing me of.. spam? Or maybe you think I make money if you click a link. lol

Would you prefer I type all the info myself???

Village Idiot · Feb 4, 2008

You should really check out the photography on the net forums. If that's the lens I'm thinking of, it's of mediocre quality and you're better off spending the money on something else. Then again, purchasing a high quality telephoto lens can be expensive. If you really want a lens to be proud of, either save your money or just outright buy one of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...lSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

$539 after instant rebate. Used will probably be a little cheaper. It's a "pro" quality lens, has an excellent build, and despite the fact that it's 100mm shorter on the long side it's probably one of the sharpest zooms made for a Canon camera. I believe even the 70-200 f/2.8L (non IS) has to be stepped down a spot or two to match it, it's just a constant aperture of 2.8 which makes it more expensive and desired.

And you can always pick up a 1.4x tc for under $300 that will extend the range.

I don't know if you've looked at this lens before, but don't you hate it when some one shows you something like this.

O:)

;D

RiDE · Feb 4, 2008

Village Idiot said:
You should really check out the photography on the net forums. If that's the lens I'm thinking of, it's of mediocre quality and you're better off spending the money on something else. Then again, purchasing a high quality telephoto lens can be expensive. If you really want a lens to be proud of, either save your money or just outright buy one of these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...lSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

$539 after instant rebate. Used will probably be a little cheaper. It's a "pro" quality lens, has an excellent build, and despite the fact that it's 100mm shorter on the long side it's probably one of the sharpest zooms made for a Canon camera. I believe even the 70-200 f/2.8L (non IS) has to be stepped down a spot or two to match it, it's just a constant aperture of 2.8 which makes it more expensive and desired.

And you can always pick up a 1.4x tc for under $300 that will extend the range.

I don't know if you've looked at this lens before, but don't you hate it when some one shows you something like this.

;D

I have looked at it for quite a while actually... And I will probably end up just getting that... my question is this: In that link.. there are 2 different models that look to have the same exact specs.. other than country of origin... What is the difference???

EORI · Feb 4, 2008

Good recommendation Village. Apart from the 100mm deficit on the long end, the quality of the 70~200 will blow away the 70~300IS.

Only difference among the two 70~200 lenses is whether or not it was officially imported to the U.S. by Canon. They are both made in Japan at the same factory. With the "imported" version, you are getting what is referred to as gray market goods, which means that if you have to make a warranty claim, then the dealer (B&H) and not Canon U.S.A., will deal with any warranty repairs. In this case, get the cheaper version imported by and warranted by Canon U.S.A.

RiDE · Feb 4, 2008

Thank you both!

Village Idiot · Feb 4, 2008

NP.

Keep in mind though, that B&H sells imported versions of most lenses from foreign manufactures, the only reason the Canon's officially imported on is cheaper right now is because of the rebate. Normally the "USA" lenses can be $50-$100 more depening on the overall cost of the lens. Is it worth it? That's for you to decide.

Leukeh · Feb 4, 2008

I have it... I liked it when I first got it, but as I got into more advanced photography, I realised it was a pretty bad lens. So it's good for people just starting. Anything more than that and you won't be happy. Very slow focusing and it produces a pretty low quality picture - soft focus and what-not.

Village Idiot · Feb 5, 2008

Leukeh said:
I have it... I liked it when I first got it, but as I got into more advanced photography, I realised it was a pretty bad lens. So it's good for people just starting. Anything more than that and you won't be happy. Very slow focusing and it produces a pretty low quality picture - soft focus and what-not.

Fortunately my first experience with photography included a Quantary 70-300 for my minolta maxxum about 8 years ago, so I decided with the new DSLR obssesion to only buy cheap glass if it was completely justified. And it's gotten expensive from there. Fortunately I have two more pieces on my list and a 5D and then I should be good to go.

MacHeadCase · Feb 5, 2008

Leukeh said:
I have it... I liked it when I first got it, but as I got into more advanced photography, I realised it was a pretty bad lens. So it's good for people just starting. Anything more than that and you won't be happy. Very slow focusing and it produces a pretty low quality picture - soft focus and what-not.

Bad lens, you say? Youch!

Don't buy it RiDE...

RiDE · Feb 5, 2008

MacHeadCase said:
Bad lens, you say? Youch!

Don't buy it RiDE...

Great info!! Thanks MHC! I am passing... I think I'll get the 70-200 f/4 L in a month or two instead. I am heading to Las Vegas for a week, and thought a new lens would be fun while I'm there.

MacHeadCase · Feb 5, 2008

Good choice! Don't make the mistake I did!

Village Idiot · Feb 5, 2008

RiDE said:
Great info!! Thanks MHC! I am passing... I think I'll get the 70-200 f/4 L in a month or two instead. I am heading to Las Vegas for a week, and thought a new lens would be fun while I'm there.

Canon 70-200 f/4 L USM $26 a week.
http://www.borrowlenses.com/

RiDE · Feb 5, 2008

Village Idiot said:
Canon 70-200 f/4 L USM $26 a week.
http://www.borrowlenses.com/

Wow!!! That is awesome. Have you done this before?

Village Idiot · Feb 5, 2008

RiDE said:
Wow!!! That is awesome. Have you done this before?

No, but Borrow Lenses has one of their guys on the Canon DSLR forums all the time. He interacts with the community and often ask suggestions on what lenses they should purchase to keep in stock. Other people have been happy with them. It's a good way to test out an expensive lens before you put the money down. The shipping gets a little expensive though if you start getting into the heavier telephotos.

voicepipes · Feb 5, 2008

i have the 70-300 IS version and it's not a bad lens at all. It has it's purpose.

My 70-200 L is obviously much better, but you do get what you pay for.

The 70-300 was my first telephoto lens bought with the money I had available. I don't regret having bought it or keeping it.

Jeff

MacHeadCase · Feb 5, 2008

Yeah the 70-300 IS replaced the aging 75-300 III USM. In my blog article, I posted about switching to this lens after the major 75-300mm letdown. But if I would have had money for an L series lens, I would have gone with one of those instead. I was looking at the 100-400mm L for one time but couldn't afford it.

Any opinions on the Canon 75-300 f4-5.6III lens ??

RiDE

EORI

ChrisF79

EORI

RiDE

Village Idiot

RiDE

EORI

RiDE

Village Idiot

Leukeh

Village Idiot

MacHeadCase

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RiDE

MacHeadCase

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Village Idiot

RiDE

Village Idiot

voicepipes

MacHeadCase

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