Anyone tried the Canon 100-300mm USM with a full frame digital body?

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I'm looking for a cheap zoom for the very rare occasions when I want to go beyond 100mm, and I was wondering if anyone has tried the old 100-300 USM with a full frame Canon body?

Failing that anyone got any good suggestions for an alternative? I know about the 70-300 IS and the various 70-200 L lenses but I'm really after something a lot cheaper than those!

Thanks for your help! :)
 
I'd recommend the Canon 70-300IS if you are looking for something thats on a budget, but will still give you the results you want. I've not used the 100-300, but would be worried that it's not going to be up to the job that your body is capable of...

I've one for sale in the classifieds if it's of any interest

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=462825

If you want any more info, ask away...
 
If your after cheap for infrequent use it's worth considering one of the old 70-210mm lenses I have the 70-210mm f4 which is fantastic as long as you can live with the old fashioned arc drive AF which can be a little noisey and slow. If AF speed is important the 20-210mm f3.5-4.5 USM is supposed to be optically very similar with the addition of USM for quick focusing (there is one in the members market)

Couple of shots with my 70-210mm, first on a 30D at f8

The Louvre by a1ex2001, on Flickr

Second on my 5dmkii at f4
2012_08_03_16_04_44_zpsb368d685.jpg


Oh and the compulsory Ken Rockwell review, apply the usual bucket of salt.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-210mm.htm

I've really liked my 70-210mm f4 which I only paid 70 quid for and despite being tempted to replace it I simple don't use it enough to justify the cost of an upgrade.
 
andyred said:
I'd recommend the Canon 70-300IS if you are looking for something thats on a budget, but will still give you the results you want. I've not used the 100-300, but would be worried that it's not going to be up to the job that your body is capable of...

I've one for sale in the classifieds if it's of any interest

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=462825

If you want any more info, ask away...
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Thanks mate, but that's quite a bit more than I want to spend. I use longer lengths so infrequently that I don't really want to spend more than £100 on it.

a1ex2001 said:
If your after cheap for infrequent use it's worth considering one of the old 70-210mm lenses I have the 70-210mm f4 which is fantastic as long as you can live with the old fashioned arc drive AF which can be a little noisey and slow. If AF speed is important the 20-210mm f3.5-4.5 USM is supposed to be optically very similar with the addition of USM for quick focusing (there is one in the members market)

Couple of shots with my 70-210mm, first on a 30D at f8

The Louvre by a1ex2001, on Flickr

Second on my 5dmkii at f4
2012_08_03_16_04_44_zpsb368d685.jpg


Oh and the compulsory Ken Rockwell review, apply the usual bucket of salt.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-210mm.htm

I've really liked my 70-210mm f4 which I only paid 70 quid for and despite being tempted to replace it I simple don't use it enough to justify the cost of an upgrade.
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Fantastic, thanks for that. Cheap for infrequent use is exactly the situation I'm in. I'll have a look into the USM version, not sure I could live with AFD! :)
 
I have had the 100-300mm USM and the 70-210 F4.

Even with the slower AF it is still a very capable lens, and I would choose this over the 100-300mm any day. Sharper and overall nicer output.
 
RichardtheSane said:
I have had the 100-300mm USM and the 70-210 F4.

Even with the slower AF it is still a very capable lens, and I would choose this over the 100-300mm any day. Sharper and overall nicer output.
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Thanks Richard, that's really useful to know. I'll have to have a look on eBay and see what they go for.
 
What about the Canon 55-250mm if you're on a budget, IQs from users on here say its on par with 70-300mm IS, but not as good as 70-200mm f4 L
 
pete.rush said:
What about the Canon 55-250mm if you're on a budget, IQs from users on here say its on par with 70-300mm IS, but not as good as 70-200mm f4 L
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Yup the 55-250 IS is a good lens, but it's EF-S so won't work with a 6D.
 
iv'e also had the 70 - 210mm f4 and for the money it's not bad at all i wouldn't let the focusing type bother you too much it might not be as up to date as others but is still perfectly usable

it's one of those lenses that i wished i had hung on to although i have better lenses now

this was taken back in 2008 with a 350d and the 70 - 210mm at f4

3dc323a9.jpg
 
I bought a 70-210 f4 for the wife to use a few weeks ago from this very forum, for a princely sum of £60 delivered. After testing it out with her 650D, which gave some very good photos (centre is very sharp, gradually softening around the edge) I then gave it a bash on my 5D3. The IQ on that was really impressive, easily as good as a 55-250 IS on the 650D or a 7D. Although the lens was bought for the wife I've used it quite a lot as a walkabout lens on my 5D3.

Unfortunately I can't help with the 100-300 question as I've never seen one let alone used one. The only lens I've ever used to 300 was a 75-300 MkIII and that was also the worst lens I've ever had and I don't have any keepers from it. If the 100-300 is anywhere near as bad as the 75-300 then the 70-210 is the one you'd be better off with.
 
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Just checked out fleabay to see what the 70-210 f4 lens sell for and they go for bargain prices!! £10, £16, £11, £30 and on and on!! Got to be worth a look! Think I may have wrong lens!!
 
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mjb123 said:
Just checked out fleabay to see what the 70-210 f4 lens sell for and they go for bargain prices!! £10, £16, £11, £30 and on and on!! Got to be worth a look! Think I may have wrong lens!!
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You do... there are none of these lenses on ebay for less than £75

The lens is Canon EF 70-210mm F4
 
modchild said:
I bought a 70-210 f4 for the wife to use a few weeks ago from this very forum, for a princely sum of £60 delivered. After testing it out with her 650D, which gave some very good photos (centre is very sharp, gradually softening around the edge) I then gave it a bash on my 5D3. The IQ on that was really impressive, easily as good as a 55-250 IS on the 650D or a 7D. Although the lens was bought for the wife I've used it quite a lot as a walkabout lens on my 5D3.

Unfortunately I can't help with the 100-300 question as I've never seen one let alone used one. The only lens I've ever used to 300 was a 75-300 MkIII and that was also the worst lens I've ever had and I don't have any keepers from it. If the 100-300 is anywhere near as bad as the 75-300 then the 70-210 is the one you'd be better off with.
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Thanks for that. Don't worry I'm not going anywhere near the 75-300!

mjb123 said:
Just checked out fleabay to see what the 70-210 f4 lens sell for and they go for bargain prices!! £10, £16, £11, £30 and on and on!! Got to be worth a look! Think I may have wrong lens!!
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I think some of those are the FD rather than EF version, but anyway I've added a load of EF to my watch list (70-210 f/4, 70-210 USM, 100-300 USM) - let's see if I can get a bargain!

cosmicma said:
iv'e also had the 70 - 210mm f4 and for the money it's not bad at all i wouldn't let the focusing type bother you too much it might not be as up to date as others but is still perfectly usable

it's one of those lenses that i wished i had hung on to although i have better lenses now

this was taken back in 2008 with a 350d and the 70 - 210mm at f4

3dc323a9.jpg
Click to expand...
Well worth knowing - thanks!
 
pete.rush said:
:bonk: yep forgot that

The 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM ain't bad and not overly expensive

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...t-lenses/canon-ef-70-300mm-f/4-5.6-is-usm-18/
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That's a good price for that lens. Still a bit more than I'm willing to pay at the moment but thanks for the link!

RichardtheSane said:
You do... there are none of these lenses on ebay for less than £75

The lens is Canon EF 70-210mm F4
Click to expand...
I'm watching a few auctions... some of the BIN prices seem crazy!
 
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