Is the Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM a worthwhile upgrade from the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III?
Asked 12/4/2018
7 views
2 answers
0
I currently use a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III (non-USM) with a Rebel T6. I like the reach, but I’m not happy with the sharpness and autofocus speed. I’m considering a used Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM from a reputable store that rates it 8+ with perfect optics and mechanics.
How does the EF 100-300mm USM compare to the EF 75-300 III in image quality, autofocus, and handling? Also, what are the main risks or drawbacks of buying such an old lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
7
The 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM is a better lens than the 75-300 III. It is sharper, has better build, and most importantly has very fast Ring Type USM Auto Focus. It also has a non-rotating front element which is great when using a polarizer.
A +8 rating from a reputable store means you should feel safe buying it and could always return it if there is a problem.
Still, I would NOT advise you to buy the 100-300 mainly because of it's lack of sharpness and lack of Image stabilization.
A MUCH better option is the EF-S 55-250mm STM. It will cost you $199 at that same seller, but it will be well worth it. It is much sharper, has great STM AF, and most importantly, it has Image Stabilization. It also has a non-rotating front element.
It is so sharp you can crop the 250mm image to match a 300mm field of view and you will still have a better image.
Originally by user39427. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user39427
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM is generally considered better than the EF 75-300 III: sharper overall, better built, much faster autofocus thanks to ring-type USM, and it has a non-rotating front element, which is useful with polarizers.
That said, it’s still an older telezoom with limits. The main drawbacks are that it’s not especially sharp by modern standards and it lacks image stabilization. Age also matters: even if a reputable store rates it highly, older discontinued lenses may no longer be supported by Canon, so parts and authorized service can be unavailable.
If the choice is strictly between these two lenses, the 100-300 USM is the better lens. But if you want a more meaningful upgrade on an APS-C Rebel body, the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is the stronger recommendation from the community: sharper, stabilized, and with very good autofocus. In practice, its better image quality can offset the shorter maximum focal length because cropping a sharp 250mm image may still beat a softer 300mm one.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI7y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Canon EF 75-300mm III USM vs EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM: is the 70-300 worth it?
Which is the better budget telephoto: Canon EF 75-300mm III or Tamron 75-300mm LD?
How does a Canon 70-300mm IS II with a 1.4x teleconverter compare to the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II?
Can Canon EF lenses be adapted to a Nikon D3400 DSLR?
Which Rebel T3i kit is better for sports: 55-250mm IS or 75-300mm III?