Pros
Outstanding for the price
Great telephoto capabilities
Takes great portraits at 75mm
Very inexpensive
Fairly well-built
Performs well in various scenarios
Good for beginners
Produces sharp photos when dialed in correctly
Good for wildlife photography
Fun to use
Cons
No image stabilization
Manual focus can be noisy
Heavier than most lenses
Main Product Advantages
10 Price
The lens is highly appreciated for its affordability, making it a great value purchase.
8 Zoom Range
Offers good telephoto zoom capabilities, making it suitable for wildlife and portrait photography.
7 Build Quality
For the price, the lens is considered fairly well-built though heavier compared to other lenses.
7 Versatility
Suitable for a variety of photography types such as portraits, wildlife, and landscapes, but requires manual adjustments for best results.
7 Bokeh Quality
Capable of producing pleasing bokeh, particularly at 75mm with an f/4 aperture.
6 Sharpness
Sharpness is best between 75-200mm, but significantly decreases at 300mm, especially when cropped.
6 Ease of Use
Beginners may find it challenging due to the lack of image stabilization and sketchy autofocus, but manual mode usage is a good workaround.
6 Weight
Heavier than standard kit lenses, which may affect portability, but not excessively cumbersome.
5 Focus
The manual focus is appreciated, but the autofocus can be unreliable, and it's noisier than newer systems.
5 Image Stabilization
The lens lacks image stabilization, necessitating the use of a tripod or high ISO and fast shutter speeds.
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens Review
The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras is a versatile and affordable option for those looking to expand their photography capabilities. Designed to capture distant action or close-up portraits, this lens offers a robust optical system that is shared with its USM counterpart but uses a DC motor for autofocus.
Optical System and Build Quality
The lens features a construction of 13 elements in 9 groups, delivering clear and sharp images across its focal range. With a maximum aperture of f/4-5.6, it allows for adequate light capture even in challenging conditions. Its diagonal angle of view ranges from 32 degrees at 11 feet to 8 degrees at 15 feet. The lens also has a closest focusing distance of 4.9 feet, allowing for detailed close-up shots.
Usability and Compatibility
Weighing in at just 16.8 ounces and measuring 2.8 inches in diameter by 4.8 inches in length, this lens is lightweight and portable, making it suitable for various shooting situations. It employs a rotating type zoom system and has a 58mm filter size. Furthermore, the lens is compatible with the Canon 58mm Close-up lens 500D for enhanced close-up photography.
Performance
The performance of the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III telephoto zoom lens makes it the most affordable in Canon’s long telephoto zoom range. Its capability to capture subjects from portraits to wildlife and nature makes it a good all-rounder. The DC motor-driven autofocus is quick, though not as silent as the USM variant. Close focusing at 300mm allows you to frame subjects as small as a dollar bill.
Creativity and Versatility
One of the key advantages of this lens is its ability to isolate interesting parts of a scene, something that our naked eyes often miss. Whether capturing an athlete’s intense expression, the intricate details of a classic car’s grill, or a portrait with a beautifully blurred background, this lens opens up a range of creative possibilities. Telephoto lenses like this also allow for creative image compression to produce dramatic effects, only limited by your imagination.
Conclusion
The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens proves to be a reliable and affordable option for a variety of photography needs. It offers a solid optical system, good build quality, and a range of creative possibilities. Despite the use of a DC motor for autofocus, it remains a highly functional lens suitable for both amateur and enthusiast photographers. Its lightweight and compact design further enhance its appeal, making it a worthy addition to your photography kit.
