Lens: not impressed - DPChallenge Forums

08/05/2005 10:05:10 PM · #1

Bought a Canon 70-300 III USM - not impressed. too much CA. I thought I'd go with the Sigma 70-300mm APO super Macro II instead. How does this lens do compared with the Canon I'm returning? Opinions/advice anyone? I've got the Canon 100mm Macro on the way.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200 f/2.8L

08/05/2005 10:11:35 PM · #2

the macro will blow you away, the others aren't going to be great, no matter which you get in that price range. If you want a step up... get a used canon 100-300 5.6L or a new sigma 100-300F4.

08/06/2005 01:14:47 AM · #3

best in class in my opinion, the new DG version should have even less CA than what little, if any, CA that was on the older version.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

08/06/2005 01:35:19 AM · #4

Too much California? Too much Canada? Too much cauliflower aroma?

I give up. What is "CA"?

PhilipDyer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

08/06/2005 01:38:55 AM · #5

Chromatic aberration

I had that Sigma 70-300 and it was okay, but not great. The focus on the upper end is really soft, but it's pretty good under 250mm, especially at f/8 or more. If you can get the Canon 70-200 f/4 L lens, you would probably be much happier.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

08/06/2005 01:39:42 AM · #6

Originally posted by kpriest:

Too much California? Too much Canada? Too much cauliflower aroma?

I give up. What is "CA"?

Chromatic Aberration or purple fringing.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

08/06/2005 01:56:30 AM · #7

Originally posted by PhilipDyer:

Thanks Phillip - I have the Sigma 70-300 and I see the same problem. Good advice - now I'll see how it does under 250.

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

08/06/2005 02:08:01 AM · #8

I have the Sigma 70-300mm Macro Super II myself.. and I concur with the consensus in here. I rarely shoot it above 200mm simply for the fact that 200-300mm is very soft, although on a tripod, with a very steady hand, it can sometimes surprise you. between 85 and 200mm though, it really does some fantastic work. Also, if you use the Macro setting at 300mm, again, you can get some great work.

Still.. a better priced lens may make you happier.

Uusilehto

Canon EOS-1D

Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.4 Jena/Flektogon MC

08/06/2005 03:25:27 AM · #9

Wait.. So the sigma without the red stripe is the older version?
I have the red striped version, and it shows very little CA in the corners. Almost zero in the middle.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

08/06/2005 03:50:21 AM · #10

Originally posted by Uusilehto:

Wait.. So the sigma without the red stripe is the older version?
I have the red striped version, and it shows very little CA in the corners. Almost zero in the middle.

Hmmm - mine has no red stripe.

This one has no red stripe, but says it's a prime:
//www.dpchallenge.com/lens.php?LENS_ID=1110

This is the one I thought I have:
//www.dpchallenge.com/lens.php?LENS_ID=545

BlackDot

Canon EOS-20D

08/06/2005 04:26:35 AM · #11

I have the red lined one. Great Macro lens. Red for APO? CA on that lens? Not compared to f828.

No matter, see what you do is get some masking tape and some red cutex and ...

Uusilehto

Canon EOS-1D

Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.4 Jena/Flektogon MC

08/06/2005 04:29:24 AM · #12

Originally posted by BlackDot:

I have the red lined one. Great Macro lens. Red for APO? CA on that lens? Not compared to f828.

No matter, see what you do is get some masking tape and some red cutex and ...

Yeah. So i would figure. According to Sigma's site, the APO version has 3 SLD elements instead of just one like in the cheaper version.

08/06/2005 12:10:58 PM · #13

Remember, there are two or three versions of the Sigma 70-300. The DL is the cheapest at about $150 and is designated as DL, I think, and not APO. There is no red ring on the front. It also doesn't have SLD lens or it has less, so it's more prone to CA.
The APO, with the red ring, is about $200 and has, or has more SLD lens to reduce CA. There is a new APO model that looks the same but with "DG" which is a coating on an element to minimize CA and give nice colors. I think both are about $200. I don't know if the APO version is sharper at the tele end or not but it should have less CA and perhaps nicer colors. I thought the APO I had was very sharp at the tele end.

Message edited by author 2005-08-06 12:12:23.

Prof_Fate

08/06/2005 12:21:50 PM · #14

i have the APO sigma version as well. Had I known a DG version was coming i would have waited...maybe. Impatience.
I like it. I would probably agree that it is a bit soft at 300, but not terribly so. I find to get andheld shots without camera shake at 300mm I need to be 1/800 sec or faster.

168mm, F8
and these are at 300mm f8.

lyta

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

08/06/2005 12:28:03 PM · #15

OK - the one I'm considering is the one Ken linked to that said it was a prime lens - Is that the new DG one?

cpickett

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/06/2005 12:37:22 PM · #16

I have the Canon 70-200 f/4 L, I really like it, I did a lot of shopping (and even looked at the one you are returning), I decided for $575 it was easily the best lens in that category.

Prof_Fate

08/06/2005 04:49:20 PM · #17

Originally posted by lyta:

OK - the one I'm considering is the one Ken linked to that said it was a prime lens - Is that the new DG one?

This is the lens

cpickett - the canon 70-200 f4L is a great lens, but at about 3 times the price it is not in the samel class, and to get teh same reach you need a 1.4x TC, and that is another $270

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/06/2005 09:27:24 PM · #18

May want to look at the MTF at 300mm for the Canon here.
No wonder everyone says it's soft past 200mm.
//www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_75300_456is/index.htm

I don't recommend this lens, even to my enemies, ;)

phinbob

Sony DSC-RX100 IV

08/07/2005 02:26:11 AM · #19

I just purchased the Canon 75-300 4-5.6 USM IS lens. Although I am still getting used to it, I have to say that I am not impressed. As mentioned here, I find it very soft, especially between 200-300mm. I'm not sure I'll keep it. Can anyone suggest an alternative in that price range ($400)

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

08/07/2005 05:13:02 AM · #20

Originally posted by phinbob:

Just to be sure - you're using shutter speeds ~1/150-1/250 or faster with those lengths AND the IS turned on? That range certainly requires fast shutter speeds (sorry if you know this already - but just trying to help).

I also own it, and I agree that it's not that great.. but I'm still relatively happy with the results. My main dissapointment is actually the autofocus. This shot was taken with the Canon 75-300 (@ 300mm) at the zoo yesterday (EXIF data included). Granted, some PS work was done (including sharpening) and the format is small.. I suppose it fits my needs.

If you don't find the IS useful, the Sigma 70-300 (be careful about which version you get) mentioned in this thread is supposed to be a bit superior to the Canon in optical quality (and for $200 less).

phinbob

Sony DSC-RX100 IV

08/07/2005 12:20:03 PM · #21

Originally posted by brianlh:

Originally posted by phinbob:
I just purchased the Canon 75-300 4-5.6 USM IS lens. Although I am still getting used to it, I have to say that I am not impressed. As mentioned here, I find it very soft, especially between 200-300mm. I'm not sure I'll keep it. Can anyone suggest an alternative in that price range ($400)

Just to be sure - you're using shutter speeds ~1/150-1/250 or faster with those lengths AND the IS turned on? That range certainly requires fast shutter speeds (sorry if you know this already - but just trying to help).

I also own it, and I agree that it's not that great.. but I'm still relatively happy with the results. My main dissapointment is actually the autofocus. This shot was taken with the Canon 75-300 (@ 300mm) at the zoo yesterday (EXIF data included). Granted, some PS work was done (including sharpening) and the format is small.. I suppose it fits my needs.

If you don't find the IS useful, the Sigma 70-300 (be careful about which version you get) mentioned in this thread is supposed to be a bit superior to the Canon in optical quality (and for $200 less).

Nice shot! So far I haven't been able to come that close in sharpness at 300mm. I also find the sky is very washed out, even at 200mm.

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/07/2005 01:20:27 PM · #22

Originally posted by phinbob:

Nice shot! So far I haven't been able to come that close in sharpness at 300mm. I also find the sky is very washed out, even at 200mm.

Thanks :) - like I mentioned, there was definitely sharpening applied. But for me, as long as the final product is sharp it's okay with me. I just remembered that this is actually a pretty small crop (ie: I cropped off most of the picture to get this 'close').. but that may be further testament that it's usable. I've considered abandoning it, but the IS is far too useful for me to get rid of it quite yet. Of course, this is up to you.

Perhaps you can use a polarizer for the sky? Not the ideal solution, I suppose - but it should definitely help.