Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6L user reviews

I have already reviewed this lens, hovever I have since bought a Canon L series 70-200mm. Why, well I have use for the 70-100 range, that is all really. Optically there is little or no difference, the 70-200 might be better as it is a stop faster. I.E at f5.6 it is stopped down whereas the 100-300 is wide open. At f8 they are the same. I like the one touch handling of the old 100-300 far better even though the focal length creeps when the lens points down. This makes no difference at all for wildlife but if you are waiting for the subject to arrive, such as a train it may be an irritation. I overcome this by a rubber band shoved up to the end of the lens. When the train came I simply pulled back on the zoom collar to the rubber band - simple. At the price I paid it was a real bargain. As I also own the 400mm l this lens sees little use now, but I love it and am reluctant to sell.

I bought this as it has a macro facility. I have a 400 f5.6L but no good for close work. - Neither is this lens -. It is 1:3 ratio and does not autofocus with extension tubes. The 400 works normally with the same tubes. A bit dissapointing as it is no better than the Sigmas at the close end. However it is a very good lens generally. No drop off at the 300 end as most do, tested against my mates 70-200 f4 L it is the same at 100mm and 200mm. Compared to my 400mm L, but moving closer to get the same in the frame there is suprisingly not a lot in it. Nothing that would be noticed on A3 or even twice that size. f5.6 is just not quite as good as f8, but very little difference. A keeper for me just to fill the gap below my 400mm. I obtained a mint unit from LCE for £240. Weight no problem, focusing a bit slow but faster than the Sigma's I have had, Noise, yes, but again, less than the Sigmas I,ve had.

Summary an excellent lens for the price you can get them for. Only a little difference between this and consumer lenses up to 200mm, but at 300mm biting sharp. This is the focal length most buy these zooms for.
It is a professional lens except at the very closest focus.

Very good lens, good build quality (hi-strenght plastic barrel with metal mount) and stellar image quality, it deservers completely its "L" designation: No distortion, absolutely no CA, very high definition and contrast.
Weak points? Focusing is done by a noisy (and not so fast) old arc-form drive and the front element rotates during focusing. Maybe many people dislike his push-pull zoom design, but for action photography it's faster than the nowadays fashionable ring type.

This is a very sharp lens. Its size may be a bit limiting for amature use, but if you don't mind the size and the primitive focusing, this lens will give you the sharpest and most realistic photos
of any zoom availible in this range at any price.