- Possible to get excellent photos if under 200MM and good technique.
- Dirt cheap (an excellent value).
- Extremely light.
- Relatively short.

- Poor sharpness above 200MM.
- Cannot use Canon or aftermarket tripod/monopod attachment rings and so is not appropriate for use with battery grip on a pod.
- Easy to produce a blurry photo if you are not your technique is lacking.

This review is for beginners, because intermediates and pros already know the capabilities of the entire EF line by heart. I am a beginner and just went through building up a complete XS system with the kit zoom, 50MM F1.8 and this zoom lens. I bought this lens, because I kept the total cost of the bag to the absolute minimum. At first I was disappointed with the sharpness, especially at over 200MM. I then bought a Bogen Digital Monopod and a tilt head and that fixed 75% of the sharpness issue. As long as you don't go over 200MM, it is possible to get some excellent sports photos with this lens if you use all the tricks (pre-focusing, monopod with tilt head, isolated trigger press, center set focusing point, high shutter-speed priority, good sunlight, burst mode, timing, positioning, etc.) This lens is adequate for shooting the kids' games and related human interest. The other parents think the photos are fantastic, but they are pretty easy to please. I am planning to upgrade to the 70-200 F4L USM as soon as the economy turns around so I can get better sharpness, use the ring, and put on a battery pack (these are the major weaknesses of this 75-300 lens). If you are trying to keep the cost down and can compromise on sharpness, then this is a good choice. It is unbelievably inexpensive for the quality of the photos you can potentially get with it. This lens is perfectly fine for a beginner. If you outgrow it, sell it on ebay and move up to the L.

Similar Products Used:

- None.

Cheap, Bullet proof SO FAR. Cheap. Lovable, Cheap

Not enough space...

But for this price it WILL deliver better that you have any right to hope for.

O.K. I didn't buy this for myself. I bought it for my wife who had just bought an EOS 300 V film camera about 5 years ago....
My wife found it a little too capable for her needs and it has since been sold. But (I have no idea why) I kept the lens "Just in Case". When I bought my EOS 400D I had all the wide and standard bases covered but used this "until I could get a proper one"

Lets not be under any illusions, This is NOT "L" series glass. this is a cheap lens. Value for money wise it is an absolute belter (That's English for " A real Doozey").

It is a slow lens f4 at best. it is a noisey lens (By modern standards). auto focus will hunt and miss. fringing is a problem (CA). The quality of image could be better BUT it grows on you. there is an almost romantic softness . It IS focused but it has a "Halo" effect.

If you can afford it and if "Pin Sharp" is an issue. Stop reading this you are on the wrong page.

BUT if you want a good buget lens that will do the job, and if you are patient about missing a few shots while the lens finds out which end of the focus scale it is at . then it is a good lens. but it is NOT pro spec. Although the difference in price will let you buy this lens , a body, a bag, maybe a car, a small house. put your children through college. with just enough left over in change to buy a mac donalds . when you get out of your first class airline seat in singapore...

It will grow on you, if only because it's very existance prooves that perfect is not always the best.

P.S. As soon as I have the money it's going. I will shed a tear , but it's going.

Customer Service

When it dies it will go in the dust bin (Trash Can) so Geddling council will provide the customer service (so it will probably be awful)

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 120 - 300 f2.8 (NOT similar)
Canon 300mm f4 "L" (Also not similar)

Cheap

Sharpness at longer focal lenghts

Lens severely lacks sharpness at longer zoom ranges. Basically anything above 200mm starts to drop in sharpness. I thought it was my new EOS30D until I tested lense at different focal lenghts

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

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