11/26/2012

24-105mm f/4 L IS Tamron SP 24-70mm Di VC Olympus M. Zuiko Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

After reading several online reviews of the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM lens, I had nearly talked myself out of even looking at one. However, thanks to a local Canon demonstration, I was able to play with several lenses, the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 among them. I got to try it out alongside the IS version (which costs just under 3x as much), the non-USM version, and some of their L-series professional lenses.

That said, I found there to be less difference among the directly-comparable lenses (the non-USM, USM, and IS versions) than I'd have thought. On the test shots I took using a Canon Digital Rebel XT, I didn't find full-zoom telephoto shots to be appreciably softer in the non-IS version reviewed herein, nor were the images overly soft for my liking period.

The USM focusing didn't seem to make as much of a difference as I'd expected over the non-USM model, either. Focusing was still relatively slow (as other reviewers have pointed out), although once an initial focus has been made, adjustments aren't too slow unless changing to a subject substantially nearer or farther away. HOWEVER, the AF engine did make a number of "mistakes" when using this lens that it did not using the IS lens (or, of course, the L-series glass); more than once I had to either switch to manual focus or try multiple times to get the right focus "lock." Furthermore, the USM model doesn't get you internal focus, either, like with higher-end lenses, so the end still rotates during focusing, which can be problematic with a circular polarizer or other filters.

Overall, I'd say that you "get what you pay for"; this is a very inexpensive lens, and it shows in some areas. But it's not nearly as bad as some would make it out to be. I tried it out both on several indoors shots under less-than-ideal lighting conditions and was pleased in most respects, and outdoors, I got very good results on even moving subjects.Canon 40mm EF f/2.8Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G EDCanon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Nikon D7000 Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L IIPanasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L

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