Canon 100-300 L

[Comfortably Numb]

Does anyone have experience of this lens?

I was considering getting one s/h & using it as a wildlife lens on a 40d.

I realise that it is not USM, will this mean very slow AF? It's subjective, I know,
I've been using a Canon S3 bridge camera so that's my current comparison.

My other option would be 100-400 L but this is a much larger investment, I know it's probably a big step up but if I can get similar sharpness & IQ then I may live with slower response etc.

Any thoughts welcome.

Daron

 

[oldgit]

My first thought was a What! 100-300L There isnt one. So I go check... and yep there is. Its black not white so was it developed a long time ago?? The forerunner to the 100-400L I'm thinking. Its not in their current line up thats for sure.

I'd be a lot more tempted to go for the 70-300 IS USM. Sure its not an L, but it pretty much up there for sharpness and its got IS

 

[Canon Bob]

Yes, it was replaced by the 100-400L.

Despite being a keen L man, I would agree with OG....this lens will be frustratingly slow to focus and, at f/5.6 throughout the range, is not the best option unless you see more sunshine than I do.

OG's suggestion of the 70-300 IS would be one route to take and the 70-200/4 and T/C would be another (at least you can use the lens at f/4 without the T/C)

Bob

 

[Comfortably Numb]

Thanks for your replies guys.

I would like to stick with L's if I can, otherwise I'll always wonder what I'm missing!

I will definately look into the 70-200 + tc combination, do you think the IQ would remain better than a non L 300?

 

[reddeathdrinker]

I would like to stick with L's if I can, otherwise I'll always wonder what I'm missing!

The same reason I love Sigma EX glass so much Build quality, sharpness, HSM motors....the list goes on! Saying that, I'm no purist - I've got the Tamron 90mm Macro lens in my sights next!

Sorry - I can't help myself...

(What is it about L that turns you Canon Monkeys into dribbling imbeciles?)

 

[dod]

The same reason I love Sigma EX glass so much Build quality, sharpness, HSM motors....the list goes on!

That's a good shout actually, the 100-300 F4 from sigma is a cracking bit of kit

 

[Canon Bob]

I will definately look into the 70-200 + tc combination, do you think the IQ would remain better than a non L 300?

It depends what you mean by IQ. I look at IQ as the overall image and don't just use sharpness as the benchmark.
The 70-200 + t/c is workable but certainly won't match the 300/4 for quality.
The 100-300 you're looking at could be 20 years old and have AF performamce of that era....something to consider unless you're wildlife is stuffed and mounted.

(What is it about L that turns you Canon Monkeys into dribbling imbeciles?)

Personally, I know that any shortcoming in the end result was down to me and not the lens....simple as that, I trust them to be spot on and robust.
I don't say that other kit isn't but I know that these are. I've got 16 of them and not had any issues at all (save for the well documented 50L focus shift problem).

Bob

 

[Comfortably Numb]

The same reason I love Sigma EX glass so much Build quality, sharpness, HSM motors....the list goes on! Saying that, I'm no purist - I've got the Tamron 90mm Macro lens in my sights next!

Sorry - I can't help myself...

(What is it about L that turns you Canon Monkeys into dribbling imbeciles?)

This will be my 1st lens.

Having looked at many manufaturers I haven't discounted their products at all, but decided that I can have complete confidence in L lenses in terms of their quality.

All manufacturers seem to be capable of producing top notch lenses but I also read about "soft examples", quality control issues & a myriad of initials to be deciphered (DG,EX,APO etc)

Now, I will no doubt get to the bottom of all this, in time & with experience, & will almost certainly be buying some 3rd party lenses, Sigma 10-22 for example, which is highly regarded by users, but I've decided that for my 1st lens I'm going to buy one that, in terms of optical & build quality is a match for any & better than most, Canon L series.

Thanks for your suggestion Canon Bob, I've just bought a 70-200 f4

 

[DinoS]

do you mean sigma 10-20mm

 

[Comfortably Numb]

Hmmmmm I think I may have done!!