??? about EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 III USM

[mtnwkr]

So I stopped by the local pawn-exchange today to see if they had any lenses that would work with my 10d.. What I found was an
EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 III USM..With a uv filter.. It looked in great shape, had both caps and came with 7 days money back if it diddnt work.. I was pretty excited to get a USM lens for $32.00!!! So, I shot with it all afternoon, and I dont know what I think of it yet. Most of the shots were really really soft, even though I used a tripod and the self timer. If I zoom up to 100% in ps, it looks pretty bad..my ef 28-80 3.5/5.6 II is crystal clear at 100%!! It also showed a whole lot of CA, a problem I never noticed with my cheaper lens... Anyone else use this lens? If I cant get the results Im looking for, this is going up for sale so I can get the new sigma 70-300 DG lens (Wich has a coating to reduce CA(any comments on that either?)). Thanks everyone!!

[Bob_A]

Well, it's a "value" lens that only costs $190 brand new. How is it stopped down to f/8 to f/11?

[cmM]

it varies from copy to copy I suppose....
It can take good shots too. I owned this lens some time ago
Here are some shots taken with it:
http://www.cmmvisions.com/other/other5.jpg
http://www.cmmvisions.com/other/other10.jpg
http://www.cmmvisions.com/other/other16.jpg

[ron chappel]

You might have a dud lens .These models sometimes (rarely) get fungus and/or a type of internal 'fogging'
Have a look through the lens while holding it up to a strong light.Zoom it back and forth.
There should be nothing in there but nice clean glass

As you are allready using a tripod then that takes care of the main variable. The 75-300should give VERY similar results to the 28-80 you have.Maybe abit less contrast but certainly similar resolution.
They do have abit of purple fringing but that depends on what's in the picture.Sometimes it's not there at all,sometimes it jumps out at you

Overall there are two lenses that are highly reommended by owners in this category -the sigma 70-300 Apo (the DG part is optional) or the canon 100-300usm.Try to get one of these if possible
If you have to go for a cheaper one,you just have to weigh the pluses and minuses of each:
The 75-300's are good basic lenses .The biggest complaint from owners is softness at the long end
The tamron70-300LD is actually sharper at the long end that most but it has slow focus

[mtnwkr]

Thanks everyone.. the glass is nice and clean, just soft pics at 300mm...I guess Ill just have to stop it down..or get something else..

[Dorman]

Hey for $32.00 stop it down, some UV filters cost that much. :)

[jediforce4ever]

I think you should just skip this.No point buying a lens that is bad though at a cheap price.

[mtnwkr]

yup. I plan to sell it and get something better.. Thanks all, Josh