Canon EF 75-300 USM-IS

[RoyH]

Hi all

Has anyone used the Canon 75 - 300 USM-IS zoom lens with the Canon 10D. Also I would like to know if the none IS version works just as good or should I go for IS.

I would appreciate any comments or any other suggestions for a lens in this price range.

Thank you.

Roy.

[vigibill]

I use the Canon 300mm f4 (non IS) with 1.4x & 2x converters and have had good to mixed results. I don't feel comfortable using the 2x but a friend of mine with IS uses it all the time. I would advise going with the IS lens to reduce the number of culled shots due to camera shake when shooting handheld (flight shots). The IS really adds about 1.5 to 2 f-stops to your shutter speed limits. In otherwords, you can shoot with shutterspeeds up to 1/2 your total focal length and still get tack sharp images. For example, using the 300 - 1.4x combo your total focal length is 420mm. You can use shutterspeeds as low as 1/250s and still get sharp images.

[Adey Baker]

Haven't used either, but Canon don't recommend having the IS switched on when the lens is mounted on a tripod so it comes into its own when using the camera hand-held.

Thus if you always use a tripod there is no benefit from the IS version.

I have seen one test report which featured both lenses and I think optically they were very similar. They were, quite good, I believe, though not up to the quality of, say, the 100-400L zoom - which is what you'd expect at the price!

As for handling, I'll leave that to someone who actually owns one to give their comments

[RoyH]

I use the Canon 300mm f4 (non IS) with 1.4x & 2x converters and have had good to mixed results. I don't feel comfortable using the 2x but a friend of mine with IS uses it all the time. I would advise going with the IS lens to reduce the number of culled shots due to camera shake when shooting handheld (flight shots). The IS really adds about 1.5 to 2 f-stops to your shutter speed limits. In otherwords, you can shoot with shutterspeeds up to 1/2 your total focal length and still get tack sharp images. For example, using the 300 - 1.4x combo your total focal length is 420mm. You can use shutterspeeds as low as 1/250s and still get sharp images.

Many thanks Bill and Adey for your comments this is all useful info, I don't own a 10D yet but I am just trying to decide what to put in front. At this stage I am not thinking of birding with a 10D as I use the digiscope method Swaro 80 HD/Nikon 995. At the moment I am still price watching but I have my mind set on the 10D.
Pleased to hear vigbill has had good results using the converters with this combo.

Is it possible to turn the IS off Bill ? because I have heard this can be damaged when using a tripod.

Regards

Roy.

[Adey Baker]

At the moment I am still price watching but I have my mind set on the 10D.


From what I can gather on other forums, 'Stock Watching' seems to be the order of the day for the 10D rather than 'Price Watching!' In the UK, at any rate.

Most dealers are having to ration their deliveries to customers who pre-ordered them - not much chance of any price-war there.

Some are buying from Pixmania in France who will give Euro-wide gaurantee and an English-language instruction book if you request it when ordering.

I'm only quoting other forums here, so I'm not sure how correct it is (Pixmania price works out to just over a grand, apparently!)

[redshift]

Is it possible to turn the IS off Bill ? because I have heard this can be damaged when using a tripod.

Regards

Roy.

Yes, there is a big IS on/off switch on the lens.

[foto_wombat]

Hi Roy,

Do you intend using the 10D/75-300 combo for bird photography in the future Roy or do you just want this lens as an all round telephoto for general subjects?
On a 10D, with the 1.6x magnification factor of the small CMOS chip, this will give a zoom range equivalent to 120-480mm in 35mm full frame terms which, particularly at the longer end, is good for bird photography and worth considering.

Although I don't own the 75-300EF zoom I have seen images taken with this lens and I have tried this lens, borrowed from someone on one of my workshops. For it's price, it is a fairly good lens, it is lightweight and it covers a popular lens range, however, you get what you pay for and the quaility of the final image is nowhere near as good as that of a prime lens, such as the 300mm L series 1:4 which was suggested by the other posters. Adding a 1.4x or 2x converter to the 75-300mm would further degrade the image and you could not use the 2x converter with auto-focus on this lens.

The difference in price between these two lenses is more than double, so it's really "apples & oranges" (around US$400.00 compared to US$1,150 respectively) and only you can decide whether or not it is worth paying the extra.

I think that the Canon 10D plus the EF 300mm 1:4 L IS & 1.4x an excellent combination for bird photography and this combination produces stunning images which are sharp and clear, with excellent tonal range, colour and detail.

The IS (image stabilistation) feature on the Canon telephoto lenses is nothing short of fantastic, particularly the newer version 2 IS, which stabilises images when panning as well, allowing you to capture good images which would otherwise be trashed.
The IS can be turned on and off at will and although Canon suggest turning the IS off when the camera is on a tripod, I and many of my professional collegues keep the IS (non-panning mode) on at all times. Camera shake is also possible when the camera is on a tripod, especially when using a long telephoto lens (wind, vibration, etc) and it does no harm to have it on continuously.

There are some excellent lenses in the Canon range Roy, particularly their telephotos, and it's always worth considering price vs features but for excellent image quality, the L series primes are hard to beat.

I hope this helps with your decision making.

Kind regards
Peter
www.peter-brown-photographer.com
www.wilderness-images-gallery.com

[RoyH]

Hi Roy,

Do you intend using the 10D/75-300 combo for bird photography in the future Roy or do you just want this lens as an all round telephoto for general subjects?
On a 10D, with the 1.6x magnification factor of the small CMOS chip, this will give a zoom range equivalent to 120-480mm in 35mm full frame terms which, particularly at the longer end, is good for bird photography and worth considering.

Although I don't own the 75-300EF zoom I have seen images taken with this lens and I have tried this lens, borrowed from someone on one of my workshops. For it's price, it is a fairly good lens, it is lightweight and it covers a popular lens range, however, you get what you pay for and the quaility of the final image is nowhere near as good as that of a prime lens, such as the 300mm L series 1:4 which was suggested by the other posters. Adding a 1.4x or 2x converter to the 75-300mm would further degrade the image and you could not use the 2x converter with auto-focus on this lens.

The difference in price between these two lenses is more than double, so it's really "apples & oranges" (around US$400.00 compared to US$1,150 respectively) and only you can decide whether or not it is worth paying the extra.

I think that the Canon 10D plus the EF 300mm 1:4 L IS & 1.4x an excellent combination for bird photography and this combination produces stunning images which are sharp and clear, with excellent tonal range, colour and detail.

The IS (image stabilistation) feature on the Canon telephoto lenses is nothing short of fantastic, particularly the newer version 2 IS, which stabilises images when panning as well, allowing you to capture good images which would otherwise be trashed.
The IS can be turned on and off at will and although Canon suggest turning the IS off when the camera is on a tripod, I and many of my professional collegues keep the IS (non-panning mode) on at all times. Camera shake is also possible when the camera is on a tripod, especially when using a long telephoto lens (wind, vibration, etc) and it does no harm to have it on continuously.

There are some excellent lenses in the Canon range Roy, particularly their telephotos, and it's always worth considering price vs features but for excellent image quality, the L series primes are hard to beat.

I hope this helps with your decision making.

Kind regards
Peter
www.peter-brown-photographer.com
www.wilderness-images-gallery.com

Hi Peter
Many thanks for this useful info, I do not own the 10d but soon will and I would be using that combo for general photography but it was most interesting reading your comments, adding convertors. Don't think I can justify buying a prime lens at this stange but I could be interested later I was just wondering what to start off with when I buy the 10D and I am well aware, you only get what you pay for.

By the way, enjoyed visiting Australia 3 years ago despite the 3 days of rain in Sydney, no rain when we move up to Queensland.

Kind regards
Roy

[RoyH]

From what I can gather on other forums, 'Stock Watching' seems to be the order of the day for the 10D rather than 'Price Watching!' In the UK, at any rate.

Most dealers are having to ration their deliveries to customers who pre-ordered them - not much chance of any price-war there.

Some are buying from Pixmania in France who will give Euro-wide gaurantee and an English-language instruction book if you request it when ordering.

I'm only quoting other forums here, so I'm not sure how correct it is (Pixmania price works out to just over a grand, apparently!)

Hi Adey
Thanks again for this feedback, I agree the 10D is somewhat hard to come by but I would not fall for that trap of ordering when out of stock. I am sure they will drop in price as I have already mentioned..look what happened to the E20. I was told today the price of the E1 body had already dropped from £1700 to £999 in the short time its been on sale. 7dayshop on the channel Islands are waiting for new stock, two weeks ago the 10D body was only £999...look at their price of the 300D kit. I have already bookmarked Pixmania but that French manual put me off but thanks for pointing out they will supply and English version. Their price was down to £1035 the last time I checked so I disagree there is a war going on and I am not going to get shot too early this time like I did just over year ago when I bought my E20.

Many thanks to everyone who have taken time out to come back with this interesting feedback.

Regards
Roy.

[Adey Baker]

I think the price might drop in this country when the supplies start coming through more readily but at the moment some UK discounters are quoting higher prices than a month or two ago.

I'm not sure what's happening - if it's possible to buy them from abroad then there's obviously not a supply 'problem' but they just don't seem to be shipping enough to the UK - I wonder how many customers they're losing to Nikon, although I think the D70 is also in short supply. But that's probably more to Nikon underestimating the market than anything else - the 10D's been around long enough for the market requirements to be known.

Still, what do I know, I'm not an expert in marketing! Perhaps there is a genuine problem out there.

I think Olympus has had to 're-position' the E1 to try to boost sales for the 4/3 system! I don't know many people who've bought one. They certainly didn't do themselves any favours by denying that the adapter to take OM lenses would be made available and then when people had bought other systems they've suddenly changed their minds and introduced it!

BTW, I've got both Olympus and Canon 35mm cameras but I've decided to go with Canon when I go digital - I'm just arguing with myself over whether the 10D (which I'm struggling to afford) is worth waiting for over the 300D (which I can just about afford right now)!

[foto_wombat]

Roy & Adey,

It sounds like you guys have a worse time getting photo gear in the UK than even we do here in Australia. I thought prices here were bad until I saw what you have to pay for the same equipment in the UK.

A friend from the UK (Southhampton) who has been staying with us for a while had this same problem. I convinced him to buy from the USA or Hong Kong, where I have been purchasing equipment for years now, as the prices in Australia are also a ripoff.

After comparing prices from a number of dealers I have used over the years, we found that 17th Street Photo in the US was the best. The goods arrived within 7 days of ordering and savings on Aussie prices (even with the 10% GST added) were substantial and compared to UK prices, astronomical! He purchased a 300D, 17-40, 50, 70-200 & 1.4x.
Why don't you look at buying via the internet in the US or HK. If you are interested I can recommend some honest and reliable dealers for you.

Roy, the 70-200 1:4 L with the 1.4x converter produced some excellent bird images for him, even with smaller birds such as wrens and finches. We are lucky that on my property we are able to get quite close to the birds but even so, the 200mm end of the zoom coupled with the 1.4x gives you the equivalent of a 450mm lens in 35mm terms, and this has good pulling power. This is a good length for general bird photography and the L series f4 70-200 is lightweight and very sharp. Worth considering.

Kind regards
Peter
www.peter-brown-photographer.com
www.wilderness-images-gallery.com

[RoyH]

Roy & Adey,

It sounds like you guys have a worse time getting photo gear in the UK than even we do here in Australia. I thought prices here were bad until I saw what you have to pay for the same equipment in the UK.

A friend from the UK (Southhampton) who has been staying with us for a while had this same problem. I convinced him to buy from the USA or Hong Kong, where I have been purchasing equipment for years now, as the prices in Australia are also a ripoff.

After comparing prices from a number of dealers I have used over the years, we found that Pho17th Street to in the US was the best. The goods arrived within 7 days of ordering and savings on Aussie prices (even with the 10% GST added) were substantial and compared to UK prices, astronomical! He purchased a 300D, 17-40, 50, 70-200 & 1.4x.
Why don't you look at buying via the internet in the US or HK. If you are interested I can recommend some honest and reliable dealers for you.

Roy, the 70-200 1:4 L with the 1.4x converter produced some excellent bird images for him, even with smaller birds such as wrens and finches. We are lucky that on my property we are able to get quite close to the birds but even so, the 200mm end of the zoom coupled with the 1.4x gives you the equivalent of a 450mm lens in 35mm terms, and this has good pulling power. This is a good length for general bird photography and the L series f4 70-200 is lightweight and very sharp. Worth considering.

Kind regards
Peter
www.peter-brown-photographer.com
www.wilderness-images-gallery.com

Peter & Adey

Thank you Peter for your purchasing advice, I am well aware how we are getting ripped off...is was the same with ham radio gear. I have purchased 3 cameras in the Caribbean over the last 6 years and saved a bomb but you have to run the gauntlet for a year hoping you don't have to return the goods under warrantee. Canon and others don't not give cover for goods bought outside Europe but I will take this chance again if I have to. We maybe visiting the Caribbean or Hawaii at the end of October so unless the prices drop here in the UK I will be bringing a camera back. As far as buying direct from the Hong Kong or Stateside...UK customs and excise would rip us off so you would not save anything.
Peter, I would appreciate that Pho17th Street link or any others you have.

Adey

I was very disappointed the first time I handled the 300D it felt very cheap but it does perform well. 7dayshop - £679 free postage that is a good deal but I am still going for the 10D.

Many thanks for your replies.

Regards

Roy - G4WHQ active on Elink.

[Geoff Brown]

RoyH. Notice that you have still to buy the Canon 10D. I couldn't argue with any of the remarks regarding the longer focal length lenses but if you want a good alround general purpose lens when you finally do buy I can recommend the Canon 28- 135mm IS lens which I have on my 10D. It's a bit of a lump on the camera and also a slightly heavy weight around your shoulder but the results are excellent, and it covers a very useful zoom range. The image stabilizer is very effective allowing you to take sharp photos in dim light when flash would normally be needed. Have a demo as I know there are one or two good photo shops in N E Lincs.
P S I already have the 75- 300 non IS lens and hope to upgrade to the IS version some time in the future. ;)

[RoyH]

RoyH. Notice that you have still to buy the Canon 10D. I couldn't argue with any of the remarks regarding the longer focal length lenses but if you want a good alround general purpose lens when you finally do buy I can recommend the Canon 28- 135mm IS lens which I have on my 10D. It's a bit of a lump on the camera and also a slightly heavy weight around your shoulder but the results are excellent, and it covers a very useful zoom range. The image stabilizer is very effective allowing you to take sharp photos in dim light when flash would normally be needed. Have a demo as I know there are one or two good photo shops in N E Lincs.
P S I already have the 75- 300 non IS lens and hope to upgrade to the IS version some time in the future. ;)

Thanks Geoff for these comments the more advice before I buy the better but I am a long time off buying yet you will have read my reasons for waiting. I have not handled the 10D none of the local shops have them on demo, LCE at Lincoln said, they only take orders and the other shop down the high st. they are not interested unless you are buying from them all they say, we can order you one. Ok you find the 28-135 IS heavy...can't be any heavier than my E20 with attached 14b.

Regards

Roy.