Lens question - Canon EF 75-300mm III Lens

[codewarrior00007]

Is this a good lens? As compared with Sigme/Tamron and other brands? This is for Canon Rebel XSi

[OsmosisStudios]

Its a decent lens, but there are better. If you can swing it, the 70-300 IS would be a considerably better lens. If you cant, the 55-250is is better than the 75-300

[VegasMike]

Just out of curiosity, why would you need a 75-300 when you already have the Tamron 70-300 listed in your gear?

[codewarrior00007]

Thanks for replying.

Tamron is kind of soft for long range shots. Hopefully, Canon is better.

[inkista]

Not that one. The price is the giveaway--it's likely to be exactly on a par with the Tamron/Sigma 70-300s. Sadly, most of the time with lenses, you get what you pay for.

I would suggest that you not switch lenses unless you can afford the EF 70-300 IS USM (~$550) or EF 70-200 f/4L USM (~$650). You're not likely to see a ton of improvement with a 75-300 III. The EF-S 55-250 IS is probably better, but it's still not quite at the same level as the $500+ lenses, and it has no USM if you're shooting something fast-moving.

What will help improve the Tamron you've got, though, would be making sure you've got a fast enough shutter speed for the focal length you're using (if you're handholding), getting some form of stabilization (monopod) if you can't get the shutter speed to 1/focal_length or faster (i.e., 1/300s if you're zoomed all the way in at 300mm), and stopping the lens down to at least f/8 at the long end. And don't even think about using a teleconverter.

Those were the techniques that helped me improve the shots I got with my 75-300 III. I still got frustrated enough with it, though, to blow $1100 on an EF 400mm f/5.6L USM.

[codewarrior00007]

Thanks for detailed reply.

I'll try for a week and if I don't like I'll return.

[codewarrior00007]

Yep. Pretty much the same lens. Canon one doesn't get confuse when focusing far away items. Tamron one does. But going to keep both.