Info on 2 lenses [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

Nascar Nut

8th of February 2004 (Sun), 19:04

My first post here. I been looking around the forum and found it very helpful. I am going to buy the DRebel and was looking at these two lenses:
Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 EF IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens
Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM Autofocus Lens
I like to shoot wildlife and action shots mainly. I just do this for fun, so I am not looking to spend tons of money. Any info on these two lenses would be great or some that are comparable that would be good ones also. Thanks for any info you might have.

Tom W

8th of February 2004 (Sun), 19:28

I don't own either one, but I saw some pretty crisp moon pictures in the "share photos" forum on this site that might give you an idea. There are some nice ones taken with the 75-300, but I'm not sure if IS was used.

RichardSimon

8th of February 2004 (Sun), 20:15

I would strongly recommend that you do some in-store side-by-side comparisons to be sure you are satisfied with the lens. I used my camera, and took a couple of shots with different lenses, and had the sales person bring them up on a computer.

In my case, I was thinking about one of the 75-300mm lenses; however, when I compared that lens to a used 100-300mm L lens, the quality of the L lens blew me away me. In particular, the 75-300 had noticeable color fringes and lower contrast, as compared to the 100-300L. I don't know if the 100-300L is still made, but the sharpness and contrast of the 100-300 L were a good tradeoff for IS, for what I had in mind. I also liked the fact that the 100-300L (used) was cheaper than the 75-300 IS - I added a good monopod and other stuff with the savings. :D

Of course, now the lens I really want is the 100-400 IS L lens!

Tom W

8th of February 2004 (Sun), 20:24

I don't think that the 100-300 lens he's referring to is the "L" version.

drisley

8th of February 2004 (Sun), 20:44

I've been wondering about those same 2 lenses.

I've seen some really nice pictures with the 75-300 IS lens, but I've heard so many conflicting stories. It seems people either love or HATE this lens.

Any idea where one can find the 100-300L in canada?

BTW, have a look at this page:
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon

There are some great sample pics from most of the canon lenses.

Motorsports Photo

8th of February 2004 (Sun), 23:02

I'll fess up to owning 2 of the 100-300 lenses. I think they work well and its light enough to pan motorsports with all day long.

WARNING! I had to put up with Canon NJ BS on this lens. They have placed it on the "discontinued" list and will no longer service it. However I did get mine repaired for ~$100. Unfortunately Canon raped me for service to my D30 when the lens was the real problem.

-Pete

RichardtheSane

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 03:04

OK, I have experienced both lenses.
The 75-300 IS in my experience was soft from 200mm-300mm wide open wheras the 100-300 was much sharper. Stop it down to F8 and you get a much crisper image, but that is often not good enough so my vote goes with the 100-300mm

thomascanty

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 07:44

I agree with that last comment. I've gotten a number of good shots with my 75-300 IS lens, but more often than not, I'm disappointed by shots at the long end of it's range. They're just too soft.

mvrekum

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 07:51

I asked for a good lens review site in another post, but there were not many replies.
Anyway this one has interesting info http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/lsurveyEOS.htm

RichardSimon

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 16:39

I don't think that the 100-300 lens he's referring to is the "L" version.

That's probably right. I can believe Motorsports comment that the 100-300 "L" has been discontinued - a few months ago, it was only available from a few retailers.

Nascar Nut

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 17:47

I don't think that the 100-300 lens he's referring to is the "L" version.
No, I was not referring to the L version. I have read on some reviews that both of these lenses were soft from 200 to 300. I am so confused on what to buy. This is just a hobby, but I want to get the best lens for my dollar. I have heard alot of good things about the IS lenses. But not on this lens. Do they make a 100 - 300 IS lens?

Motorsports Photo

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 17:47

That's probably right. I can believe Motorsports comment that the 100-300 "L" has been discontinued - a few months ago, it was only available from a few retailers.

My comment wasnt about the "L" lens, it was abou the 100-300 4.5-5.6 to be specific.

Heres a pic for you to check out and tell me if its "soft." I dont think so.

-Pete

http://web.raex.com/~speedy/IMG_0616.jpg

RichardtheSane

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 18:10

Nascar Nut

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 18:30

Nascar Nut

9th of February 2004 (Mon), 18:33

OK, they are both 'softer' at 300mm than they are at 200mm, however the 75-300 is quite a lot softer than the 100-300.

If you want a lens that is as sharp at 300 as it is at 100-200mm then you are looking at the serious money for a 100-400L IS

Well I am not going to spend serious money, so that lens is not an option for me. I wish I could. Maybe someday I will. Am I giving up much by not having the IS on the 100-300 lens?

Motorsports Photo

10th of February 2004 (Tue), 00:54

Am I giving up much by not having the IS on the 100-300 lens?

No, since the lens is lighter to begin with you can have a steadier hand without the benfits of IS.

Now I need to find my pics with the 100-400 IS that were CRAP. CPS said the lens probably needed repair, but they never confirmed it.

-Pete

ron chappel

10th of February 2004 (Tue), 06:53

I must say firstly that you are on the right track with either of these two.The standard 75-300 is just way too difficult to get good shots with.I owned several of them and now have an above average example but it still is rather lousy.For some reason i need ridiculously high shutter speeds to get sharp shots.
The 100-300 4.5-5.6 not only gives noticably crisper,more real-to-life shots,it also is MUCH easier to get sharp handheld shots as lowish shutter speeds.
unfortunately i can't help you decide which of them to choose.Do buy the 100-300 2nd hand though-the new prices are strangely way high.