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Canon 75-300 IS USM questions?

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Chuck A

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I am in need of a tele zoom in the 75-300 or 100-300 range for bird photography and general wildlife work. I am looking for reasonably fast AF. Having seen some results from the 300 mm end of the USM Canon versions of these lenses I was not very impressed.

Recently I have seen some results from the newer version of the 75-300 IS USM. It seems pretty sharp. It is running anywhere from $400 to $500 and I am willing to pay that if it is sharper than the other 75-300 Canon lenses. I have some questions though.

1) What are the differences in the older and newer versions of this lens? Is the newer one that much sharper? How sharp is it at 300 wide open? Is it useable above 8x10 enlargement size or for publication?

2) How can you tell the difference between the older and newer model? Are they both USM IS? I am a bit confused.

BTW, I can't possibly afford the Canon 100-400 L IS, although I would love it. So it is out of the picture. The 75-300 IS USM is pushing my budget to the limit. I am just looking for the sharpest lens in this comsumer category that I can find.

Any help and any full size examples would be much apreciated. I am mostly interested in wide open performance in the 200-300 range. I can't be the only person here in this dilema so I am sure that any answers would help others as well.

--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
 
Chuck A said:
I am in need of a tele zoom in the 75-300 or 100-300 range for bird
photography and general wildlife work. I am looking for reasonably
fast AF. Having seen some results from the 300 mm end of the USM
Canon versions of these lenses I was not very impressed.

Recently I have seen some results from the newer version of the
75-300 IS USM. It seems pretty sharp. It is running anywhere from
$400 to $500 and I am willing to pay that if it is sharper than the
other 75-300 Canon lenses. I have some questions though.
Click to expand...
I don't believe that there is such a thing as a new version of this lens. I did think there was until I, with the help of Igor, tested a brand new 75-300 IS. It didn't fair well at all. Click on my gallery link below and you'll see what I mean.
Chuck A said:
1) What are the differences in the older and newer versions of this
lens? Is the newer one that much sharper? How sharp is it at 300
wide open? Is it useable above 8x10 enlargement size or for
publication?

2) How can you tell the difference between the older and newer
model? Are they both USM IS? I am a bit confused.

BTW, I can't possibly afford the Canon 100-400 L IS, although I
would love it. So it is out of the picture. The 75-300 IS USM is
pushing my budget to the limit. I am just looking for the sharpest
lens in this comsumer category that I can find.

Any help and any full size examples would be much apreciated. I am
mostly interested in wide open performance in the 200-300 range. I
can't be the only person here in this dilema so I am sure that any
answers would help others as well.
Click to expand...
Then stay far away from the 75-300 IS. I'm afraid that to get the performance you're looking for you will have to spend some bucks.
Chuck A said:
--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
Click to expand...
--
Greg M
http://www.mocanu.com/gallery/index.php
http://dslr.mocanu.com
 
I guess I am going to have to go for a 100-300 L. The AF is poor but the optics are good.

Anyone else with a comment on the 75-300 IS USM?

--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
http://www.pbase.com/candrask
Chuck A said:
I am in need of a tele zoom in the 75-300 or 100-300 range for bird
photography and general wildlife work. I am looking for reasonably
fast AF. Having seen some results from the 300 mm end of the USM
Canon versions of these lenses I was not very impressed.

Recently I have seen some results from the newer version of the
75-300 IS USM. It seems pretty sharp. It is running anywhere from
$400 to $500 and I am willing to pay that if it is sharper than the
other 75-300 Canon lenses. I have some questions though.

1) What are the differences in the older and newer versions of this
lens? Is the newer one that much sharper? How sharp is it at 300
wide open? Is it useable above 8x10 enlargement size or for
publication?

2) How can you tell the difference between the older and newer
model? Are they both USM IS? I am a bit confused.

BTW, I can't possibly afford the Canon 100-400 L IS, although I
would love it. So it is out of the picture. The 75-300 IS USM is
pushing my budget to the limit. I am just looking for the sharpest
lens in this comsumer category that I can find.

Any help and any full size examples would be much apreciated. I am
mostly interested in wide open performance in the 200-300 range. I
can't be the only person here in this dilema so I am sure that any
answers would help others as well.

--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
Click to expand...
 
Mine is just as sharp between 200 & 300mm as it is for the rest of the range, there are Duff lenses all over the place, but there seem to be more good ISs than duff ones lately ............

Here's a report with samples I wrote a while back

75-300IS All shot at length from my usual rooftop test scene in rather dingey conditions (No newspapers - this lens doesn't particularily make a good Photocopier ;-) ----- These are all 100% crops at various different popular zoom lengths, WIDE OPEN, handheld with the IS on, No sharpening applied.. Please remember that this lens is NOT a 70-200L IS contender, it's a budget zoom with good range and the first (and rather clunky but very effective) implementation if IS - Shot on a D60 with it's more aggressive AA filter.. OK the 80-200L F2.8 blows it's doors off at F2.8 , but then that is probably THE sharpest Zoom canon made for the EOS system and the 75-300IS in the UK at least costs £150 - £200 less than the 70-200L F4 .. So don't say "That's soft" while sitting there with your 70-200L IS on a 1DS ;-) LOL .....

This lens has it's faults - Micro USM maybe quiet but it's just a Micromotor without the Zizzz at the end of the day so is rather slow focussing, unfortunately they didn't fit the 50mm F1.4's FullTime MF clutch in this and the end of the lens rotates (Silly for 1995!) making polarizers a pain - the lens is also the world's worst for zoom creep (no Zoom lock) .. but it WILL get the shot HANDHELD and do a good job when the 70-200L IS is too short and the 80/70-200Ls are short AND struggling at F2.8 to get the shutter speeds up enough to hold the drainpipe without blur. IF you can afford the 100-400L IS then go for it, but in the budget arena, this is IT until Canon make a 70-300L F4 IS that is ;-) ......

These of course respond well to Unsharp mask and the full frames they were cropped from make superb large prints.. Hope they are of some help - Please excuse any JPG artifacts........

First at 75mm .....



And at 100mm (Yeah it's no 100 Macro but......)



And at 135mm where it's at least as sharp as the 28-135IS which performs well @ 135mm



200mm and sharper than the 70-210USM at the long end - the 80-200L @ 2.8 Kills it, but then the 1DS kills the D60



300mm , no where near as soft as I've seen from posts of early examples, very usable indeed



300mm again



Here are some processed ones , and even then, the Starling and
windmill are 100% crops, just levels and mild sharpening .. All are
at 300mm bar the last one which is at 75mm and is a full pic resized









--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

My Ugly mug and submitted Photos at -------->
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=27855

 
the test shots (before the Photoshopped ones at the bottom) were alll 100% crops taken from full frames NOT Sharpened or resized examples

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

My Ugly mug and submitted Photos at -------->
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=27855

 
You've got two examples of new 75-300 IS lenses. One good and one bad. I trust Adam's opinion. I did not personally take the pictures in my gallery but Igor told me that he used a tripod and turned IS off. On the consumer IS lenses you have to turn off IS when using a tripod. Igor's pictures do coincide with my experiences with the 75-300 IS. I use to own one.

You could try one but make sure that you get it from a place that will let you return it. With the different samples that we have seen lately it could make you think that we are dealing with Sigma instead of Canon. I would say that the 100-300L would be sharper but if the AF is too slow for what you want then what good will it do?

Do you think that you could stretch to get the Sigma 50-500? I know that you said that the 75-300 IS was a stretch but it might be better to wait and get the Sigma. I have heard that that lens is every bit as good as the 100-400L IS except that it doesn't have IS.

Good luck with your decision.

--
Greg M
http://www.mocanu.com/gallery/index.php
http://dslr.mocanu.com
 
I appreciate the info. The problem with the 50-500 is that it is rather large and heavy compared to the others. I will think about what to do. That IS would be nice.

--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
http://www.pbase.com/candrask
Greg M said:
You've got two examples of new 75-300 IS lenses. One good and one
bad. I trust Adam's opinion. I did not personally take the
pictures in my gallery but Igor told me that he used a tripod and
turned IS off. On the consumer IS lenses you have to turn off IS
when using a tripod. Igor's pictures do coincide with my
experiences with the 75-300 IS. I use to own one.

You could try one but make sure that you get it from a place that
will let you return it. With the different samples that we have
seen lately it could make you think that we are dealing with Sigma
instead of Canon. I would say that the 100-300L would be sharper
but if the AF is too slow for what you want then what good will it
do?

Do you think that you could stretch to get the Sigma 50-500? I
know that you said that the 75-300 IS was a stretch but it might be
better to wait and get the Sigma. I have heard that that lens is
every bit as good as the 100-400L IS except that it doesn't have IS.

Good luck with your decision.

--
Greg M
http://www.mocanu.com/gallery/index.php
http://dslr.mocanu.com
Click to expand...
 
All shots were handheld.



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/10/2003 3:26:19 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/400
Av( Aperture Value )
7.1
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
-1/3
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
3/29/2003 11:42:06 AM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/350
Av( Aperture Value )
6.7
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
-1/2
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/1/2003 11:12:33 AM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/250
Av( Aperture Value )
5.6
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
285.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/1/2003 4:37:41 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/125
Av( Aperture Value )
4.5
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
120.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
AI Focus AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB
Chuck A said:
I am in need of a tele zoom in the 75-300 or 100-300 range for bird
photography and general wildlife work. I am looking for reasonably
fast AF. Having seen some results from the 300 mm end of the USM
Canon versions of these lenses I was not very impressed.

Recently I have seen some results from the newer version of the
75-300 IS USM. It seems pretty sharp. It is running anywhere from
$400 to $500 and I am willing to pay that if it is sharper than the
other 75-300 Canon lenses. I have some questions though.

1) What are the differences in the older and newer versions of this
lens? Is the newer one that much sharper? How sharp is it at 300
wide open? Is it useable above 8x10 enlargement size or for
publication?

2) How can you tell the difference between the older and newer
model? Are they both USM IS? I am a bit confused.

BTW, I can't possibly afford the Canon 100-400 L IS, although I
would love it. So it is out of the picture. The 75-300 IS USM is
pushing my budget to the limit. I am just looking for the sharpest
lens in this comsumer category that I can find.

Any help and any full size examples would be much apreciated. I am
mostly interested in wide open performance in the 200-300 range. I
can't be the only person here in this dilema so I am sure that any
answers would help others as well.

--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
Click to expand...
 
Used PS to adjust levels and USM.
Rick McGarry said:


Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/10/2003 3:26:19 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/400
Av( Aperture Value )
7.1
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
-1/3
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
3/29/2003 11:42:06 AM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/350
Av( Aperture Value )
6.7
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
-1/2
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/1/2003 11:12:33 AM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/250
Av( Aperture Value )
5.6
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
285.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/1/2003 4:37:41 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/125
Av( Aperture Value )
4.5
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
120.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
AI Focus AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB
Chuck A said:
I am in need of a tele zoom in the 75-300 or 100-300 range for bird
photography and general wildlife work. I am looking for reasonably
fast AF. Having seen some results from the 300 mm end of the USM
Canon versions of these lenses I was not very impressed.

Recently I have seen some results from the newer version of the
75-300 IS USM. It seems pretty sharp. It is running anywhere from
$400 to $500 and I am willing to pay that if it is sharper than the
other 75-300 Canon lenses. I have some questions though.

1) What are the differences in the older and newer versions of this
lens? Is the newer one that much sharper? How sharp is it at 300
wide open? Is it useable above 8x10 enlargement size or for
publication?

2) How can you tell the difference between the older and newer
model? Are they both USM IS? I am a bit confused.

BTW, I can't possibly afford the Canon 100-400 L IS, although I
would love it. So it is out of the picture. The 75-300 IS USM is
pushing my budget to the limit. I am just looking for the sharpest
lens in this comsumer category that I can find.

Any help and any full size examples would be much apreciated. I am
mostly interested in wide open performance in the 200-300 range. I
can't be the only person here in this dilema so I am sure that any
answers would help others as well.

--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi

I wanted to get the 75-300 too but I did not. I was afraid that it might be difficult to manual focus with a d60. I guess it should not be a problem for 10d owners since the autofocus of a 10d is light years ahead of d60. I notice that 75-300 manual focus focus ring is at the front of the lens near the filter thread and not like the 28-135 which is in the middle of the lens. I have no experience in using the lens. If anyone does, please comment on whether it is easy to manual focus with 75-300.
Rick McGarry said:
Rick McGarry said:


Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/10/2003 3:26:19 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/400
Av( Aperture Value )
7.1
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
-1/3
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
3/29/2003 11:42:06 AM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/350
Av( Aperture Value )
6.7
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
-1/2
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/1/2003 11:12:33 AM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/250
Av( Aperture Value )
5.6
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
285.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
One-Shot AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB



Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 10D
Shooting Date/Time
4/1/2003 4:37:41 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/125
Av( Aperture Value )
4.5
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
200
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
120.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
AI Focus AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB
Chuck A said:
I am in need of a tele zoom in the 75-300 or 100-300 range for bird
photography and general wildlife work. I am looking for reasonably
fast AF. Having seen some results from the 300 mm end of the USM
Canon versions of these lenses I was not very impressed.

Recently I have seen some results from the newer version of the
75-300 IS USM. It seems pretty sharp. It is running anywhere from
$400 to $500 and I am willing to pay that if it is sharper than the
other 75-300 Canon lenses. I have some questions though.

1) What are the differences in the older and newer versions of this
lens? Is the newer one that much sharper? How sharp is it at 300
wide open? Is it useable above 8x10 enlargement size or for
publication?

2) How can you tell the difference between the older and newer
model? Are they both USM IS? I am a bit confused.

BTW, I can't possibly afford the Canon 100-400 L IS, although I
would love it. So it is out of the picture. The 75-300 IS USM is
pushing my budget to the limit. I am just looking for the sharpest
lens in this comsumer category that I can find.

Any help and any full size examples would be much apreciated. I am
mostly interested in wide open performance in the 200-300 range. I
can't be the only person here in this dilema so I am sure that any
answers would help others as well.

--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Greg M said:
You've got two examples of new 75-300 IS lenses. One good and one
bad. I trust Adam's opinion.
Click to expand...
Thanks Greg :) - I test Lenses how they are most likely to be used in real life, in the case of the 75-300IS, handheld pointed at real subjects (as in my 100% crops in that test) , the only people who use lenses like the 75-300IS on a tripod with the IS switched off pointed at newspapers all the time either are measurebators or haven't room for a photocopier ;-) LOL ..

Lenses like the Sigma 50-500 (Sharp heavy but incredibly slow) NEED a tripod unfortunately Sigma haven't announced an OS version of this lens :(

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

My Ugly mug and submitted Photos at -------->
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=27855

 
davve said:
experience in using the lens. If anyone does, please comment on
whether it is easy to manual focus with 75-300.
Click to expand...
I don't find manual focussing a problem in itself, what IS a pain is that you have to switch to manual focus to do it - they didn't fit an MF clutch or equip the lens with Ring USM unfortunately, mechanically it could do with a re-Vamp ..

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

My Ugly mug and submitted Photos at -------->
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=27855

 
Rick McGarry said:
Used PS to adjust levels and USM.
Click to expand...
Hi Rick;

Can you remember what settings you used for UnSharpMask in Photoshop? Especially the squirrel and the cat?

Great pics BTW. I'm thinking of buying that lense.

Thanks for your time...

--

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'It's mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter'

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Love my Canon D60 and Nikon CP5000.... http://www.pbase.com/ruffler
 
Taken with an old Canon EF 75-300 lens at 300mm. Not IS, not USM, not II, not III. Just an old 75-300.

http://upload.pbase.com/image/16050465
Chuck A said:
I am in need of a tele zoom in the 75-300 or 100-300 range for bird
photography and general wildlife work. I am looking for reasonably
fast AF. Having seen some results from the 300 mm end of the USM
Canon versions of these lenses I was not very impressed.

Recently I have seen some results from the newer version of the
75-300 IS USM. It seems pretty sharp. It is running anywhere from
$400 to $500 and I am willing to pay that if it is sharper than the
other 75-300 Canon lenses. I have some questions though.

1) What are the differences in the older and newer versions of this
lens? Is the newer one that much sharper? How sharp is it at 300
wide open? Is it useable above 8x10 enlargement size or for
publication?

2) How can you tell the difference between the older and newer
model? Are they both USM IS? I am a bit confused.

BTW, I can't possibly afford the Canon 100-400 L IS, although I
would love it. So it is out of the picture. The 75-300 IS USM is
pushing my budget to the limit. I am just looking for the sharpest
lens in this comsumer category that I can find.

Any help and any full size examples would be much apreciated. I am
mostly interested in wide open performance in the 200-300 range. I
can't be the only person here in this dilema so I am sure that any
answers would help others as well.

--
Thanks & God Bless,
Chuck
Click to expand...
 
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