I'm so ashamed... :(

Well folks,
in my moment of desperation, I broke down and purchased a Promaster 70-300 macro. IQ is ok, but am considering trying to return it and wait for the photo shop's shipment of Canon 70-300 USMs. Can't afford the IS version right now.

Would you make this same decision? The glass in the Promaster is from Tamron.

If you feel ashamed about the purchase, then perhaps you should return it, and wait until you can get your hands on the Canon.

Maybe try a Tamron 55-200mm? Has got pretty good reviews for a budget zoom:

http://www.ephotozine.​com …estdetail.cfm?t​est_id=411

If you're feeling buyer's remorse, take it back.

No point keeping a lens if you are not going to be happy with it. Take it back before its too late, since you can always buy it again if you wanted to.

If you're not happy with it, return it and wait till you can get the Canon.

Shoot if you're looking for a good inexpensive lens in that focal range grab a Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG Macro for a couple bills.

What kind of results are you getting from the lens? That's really the important factor here...

You will do fine with the Tamron (labeled as a Promaster) 70-300mm if you:

Use it where you have a lot of light like outdoor sports.

If hand held, use a shutter speed of at least 1/400 sec.

Always use F/8, and at or near 300mm F/11. Crank up the ISO if necessary.

I realize these are very very constraining settings, but if you follow the advice, you will be very pleased with the images.

You may not want to belive this, but this lens is likely better than the Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6. Do not sell this lens to get the Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 (the Canon EF 70-300 F/4-5.6 IS is a different story, that is a very good lens). The Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 will not improve your situation (the Canon does focus just a bit better, but in good light the lens you have works fine). The Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 is marginal at any focal length at any aperture. At least the lens you have has some setting that will give sharp results.

In addition, it is likely better than the Sigma mentioned above at or near 300mm. The Sigma is a better lens at 200mm and below (you can use other apertures with the Sigma at or below 200mm and get nice results.).

Enjoy! Lon

For the price of the promaster at Ritz you could have the 100-300mm EF-USM from BHphoto.

Take it back now while you can still get your money back. Otherwise you'll be stuck with it. Considering it's a Promaster, if you try to sell it later you'll find that it won't command no where near the price you paid for it. Why don't you just order from B&H or reconnoiter ebay listings? Not to mention the great deals you can catch on the B&S forums here and over at FM.

Honestly i'm not too surprised it gives OK image quality .You say it's a Tamron? (i didn't know that)-
The tamron telezooms perform rather well.I know for a fact that the Tamron 70-300 is sharper than a canon 75-300 at the long end! It's bad point is it's slow focus speed - the canon kills it

Should you return it?
I say maybe not if you are intending to buy the Canon 70-300IS usm later anyway.
Probably the deciding factor should be wether you can live with the focus speed of the Promaster

I picked up the tamron 70-300 LD Di Macro today, used it with 1.4x TC @ 420mm, the images were more than usable....

It certainly hunts horribly in low-light, and takes a while to focus(im spoiled with the L's focus motor), the zoom ring is rather tight as well, the only complaints i have...

I've just got the Tamron 55-200mm, and for the price - WOW!! I wasn't expecting much and I must say it's very good for the money. I'll post a review probably some time.

Definitely take it back if you are feeling bad about the purchase.
Do it now, while you still can.

But DON'T buy the 75-300mm canon zoom - it is not a great lens. if you have to get a lens in this range and cannot afford the 70-300 IS lens, then get the sigma 70-300 APO macro, which is the only consumer 7x-300 zoom that actually has good reviews (apart from the 70-300 IS lens from Canon, which is the best of the lot)

It is always better to wait and buy the right gear from the outset than get some dodgey bit of gear you aren't happy with. Take a few deep breaths, put your wallet away, continue your researches and buy when your wallet tells you the time is right!