a lightweight lens that gives sharp 8 x 10's at 300 f5.6 (where I always use it). small size

even though it is light, a tripod bracket wouldn't hurt when using slow shutters. slow focusing speed (tends to hunt).a bit weak in the corners at 300 f5.6.

I bought this used, so have no complaints about its cost, it is quite sharp for a telephoto zoom, similar image quality to the 70-210 f4.a good performing lens when shot wide open.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

vivitar 100-400 (optically sucks) minolta 70-210 f4

compact size, sharpness

Rotating front lens

It's a very good lens that gives sharp photos, and the compact size allow any photographer to take it everywhere. The only feature I dislike is the fact that it focuses rotating the front lens, which isn't good when using a polarizing filter.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

None

Great lens, very sharp in all focal length. Wide open performance is good.

Soft corners at 300mm f/5.6. Barrel tends to slide abit.

This is a very good performance lens in its class. The APO glass sure makes the picture looks sharper. If your budget is tight and want to do tele shot, get this one and happy shooting.

Customer Service

Not yet tried.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5
Minolta 50mm f/1.4

Great 100-300 zoom!
APO makes it sharp and usually good colour.
Light weight makes it easy for travel and backpacking, you can get some good nature shots with out a much heavier 300 f4 or 2.8
Zoom range allows for more candid people shots from a distance

Auto-focus could be a little faster, especially for quick moving subjects
Sometimes colour would be off for certain lighting situations (reflected light off lakes, clouds etc)
When at 300mm, viewfinder image doesn't seem very sharp.
Doesn't work well with 3rd party teleconverters, this isn't usually recommended anyways - poor results, stick with the 100-300 and try to get closer or recompose.

This is a great first tele-zoom lens for people who can't afford prime lenses. It allows you to explore tele- shots while getting good results. I got an excellent, sharp shot of a bird in a tree while hand-holding in a canoe with this lens. Light was good, but image very sharp and true colours. A lot of fun to play with while you save up for fixed primes.

Customer Service

bought used, lens is durable

Similar Products Used:

My first lens in tele-zoom category

well made and sharp and priced very fair.. lens hood is included.

none. not at this price with the results i have been getting

Shoot with a tripod and 100-200 asa film and you will be as amazed at the results as I have been. Before spending the big bucks on a 2.8 zoom, try this baby out. But tripod it for best results!

Customer Service

UNTESTED

Similar Products Used:

EOS 70-200 2.8
NIKON 75-300

Compact, Very consistently exellent optical performance interms subject distance, focal range, across the film, at any aperture, Best consummer grade telezoom, Brillant color, contrast, resolution, fast AF, and on and on........

AF hunt at f/5.6 like all other this type of the lens. But now I figure out avoiding it with little trick. Zoom barel was way underdamped.

Go anywhere Telezoom. Nice surprising quality picture.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Tried-->100~300/5.6L canon. 75~300/4~5.6 sigma apoDL. 75~300/4~5.6 USM IS

I own--> 35mm/2 maxxumAF
50mm/1.4 maxxumAF
85mm/1.4 maxxumAFD
100mm/2.8 maxxum AFD
24~105/3.5~4.5 maxxum AFD
100~300/4.5~5.6 maxxum AFD

1. Very consistently goog optical quality through whole range.
2. quick response for dynamic object.
3. very light and reliable body.

None

1. It is very good quality telezoom lens.
2. It quality is very consistent and reliable.
3. Quite sharper than other brand in this reange.

Customer Service

Never contacted

Similar Products Used:

1. Pentax SMCP F 70-210mm2. Tamron 28-200 IF Super II

Good built quality, very sharp and contrasty and good color rendition.

None

Very good lens and very good value

Similar Products Used:

Minolta AF 75-300 mm 4.5-5.6

Sharpness, build quality, compact size, name

Zoom barrel has a tendancy to slip

This superb lens produces the best results I have seen from a 35mm lens. Contrast is excellent, sharpness and resolution is brilliant and distortion is minimal. This applies to all focal lengths and apertures. The build quality is sturdy but there is a slight tendancy for the zoom barrel to slip if not held (i.e. if left on a tripod, pointing down). I paid £295 ($457).

Similar Products Used:

None - my 1st venture into 300mm territory