Choosing the EF 100-300 for Drebel

[W_r_a_n_g_l_e_r]

Hi - although i've watching it for some time, that's my first post in this forum. I looked at many posts about good zoom lens for the drebel, so I finally decided to get a 100-300mm. However, there seem to be a few versions:


First one:

http://i22.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/ad/7a/08_1_b.JPG

On this one, the barrel does not extend when zooming in-out and seems to be smaller in size.

Second one:
http://www.dslextreme.com/users/markuspaek/ebay/canon100_300_1.jpg

For that one, someone told me that it is the L version? True? The aperture is fixed to f/5.6 - is that a drawback?

Can you give me an advice which one to get (in terms of quality of optics, pictures, durablity, speed). Size or weight are less important (just in that case :lol: )

Thanks a lot guys!

[drisley]

I would get the second one, the L version.
Although an older, expired model, it's optics are still very good.
Have a look at the ratings HERE (http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/). (select Canon EOS, Long Tele-Zoom, and sort by performance)

[ralee]

Hi

the first one is the current one available
http://www.canon.ca/english/index-products.asp?lng=en&prodid=240&sgid=7&gid=2&ovr=1
,it is rear focusing so lens does not change length - that is good

your second one is quite old and it is not L nor does it have USM motor for faster focusing see link
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/f_lens.html
note that lens came out in 1987


hope this helps

Rob

[ralee]

Hi Drisley,
Are you sure that that one is the L version the museum shows it as this one:
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/lens/f_lens.html
(note the red ring)

Anyways it still got a pretty good mark but I dont know how fast the autofocusing on it is


Rob

[W_r_a_n_g_l_e_r]

the Sigma solution?

http://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/b2/55/21_1.JPG

[W_r_a_n_g_l_e_r]

Tamron?
http://i7.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/ad/5c/e0_1_b.JPG

[Cadwell]

You need to be aware that Sigma make two 100-300mm lenses.

The "100-300mm f4.5-6.7 DL" which seems to rate poorly

and

the "APO 100-300mm f4 EX IF" which is reputed to be superb.

I believe the lens pictured is the "f4.5-6/.7 DL" which judging from reviews should probably be avoided. If you can get the f4 EX for a resonable price, go for it.

[jyrgen]

If you have/want to go very cheap and/or third party, then I'd consider Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6. Usable stopped down 1 stop, which limits it to daylight shooting of course. Very usable macro setting. Slow AF. I replaced it with your No1 choice though, Canon 100-300 f/4.5-5.6, because of USM and 58mm filter thread. Have not received it yet, so can't comment on quality. As for your second choice, I believe those oldies come in both L and non-L versions, both are technically very old-fashioned, but L-version is probably the only lens of the whole bunch which gives you sharp pictures at f/5.6. I considered this one myself too, but it was hard to find.

[msvadi]

there are two versions of 100-300mm f/5.6, L and non-L. The picture is not clear, I'm not sure if it shows L.

Anyway, I had 100-300 5.6 L for a couple of weeks. Quality of images was excellent, but f/5.6 was not for me. On bright sunny days I had to use ISO800 to get a decent hand-held shot. If you plan to use a tripod most of the time, then it's not a problem. The lens has an old design, push-pull, which was not a problem for me. Focusing was extremely slow and noisy.

You can find this lens used in good condition for about $300. In my opinion, add $200 and go with a modern 70-200mm f/4 L lens.

If you really have to have 300mm, start saving money for 100-400 L

[nosquare2003]

The second photo is definitely a non-L version. The L and non L have very similar appearance except the red ring.

Their autofocus speed are slow. Their optics are quite good for the used price. I like them because they are light-weighted.

You may also consider msvadi's suggestion for 70-200/4L or 100-400/L.

[767-300ER]

If Canon lens isn't a must have, i think you should consider Sigma 100-300/4 ex. I bought one year old used few days ago and I'am so satisfied by this superb lens. I paid 600€ for it.

[ron chappel]

Ok -the first one is a current model.It's a very good consumer zoom,definitely the pick of the canons unless you spend heaps more for an L lens

The second one,as some have said,is the 100-300 early version with the fixed 5.6 aperture and they also made an L version with better optics.The L version is very good optically but both of these models have VERY slow focus speed and the limiting maximum aperture at the wide end.

The sigma 100-300 DL shown above is OK.Just,nothing more.I have used it a fair bit and wouldn't recommend it at all


The tamron is one of several slightly different models.Some have had very good results with them but my experience has been bad :x

One you haven't seen yet is the very common canon 75-300.I wrote alot about it in another thread just a couple of days ago so have a look at it