Canon EF 100-300 f4.5-5.6 USM review

I've used this lens for 4-5 years for many High School prom and senior photo shoots as well as sports and while there are slight limitations in aperture, most of the photography I've shot was with good light. I left a couple of pictures on the main page to see for reference. Even though I have several very fast lenses I use most of the time, this one always ends back on my camera at some point. It's a durable lens, have never had any dust in the lens and is built better than the price. Pros: Great glass and optics that give good Boque and brings out the shot you are looking for. Good price for such good optics. Focuses fast and is a worry free lens. Durable lens that was made with use in mind. Cons: A bit heavy (not compared to my 2.8 lenses). Zoom ring doesn't have good tension and if you let your camera hang with the lens down, it slides out. Over all it's a great lens at the price for novice to simi-pro photographers. I doubt I'll ever sell it even with the much higher priced lenses I have as it does give excellent results.

I've used this lens for 4-5 years for many High School prom and senior photo shoots as well as sports and while there are slight limitations in aperture, most of the photography I've shot was with good light. I left a couple of pictures on the main page to see for reference. Even though I have several very fast lenses I use most of the time, this one always ends back on my camera at some point. It's a durable lens, have never had any dust in the lens and is built better than the price.

Pros: Great glass and optics that give good Boque and brings out the shot you are looking for. Good price for such good optics. Focuses fast and is a worry free lens. Durable lens that was made with use in mind.

Cons: A bit heavy (not compared to my 2.8 lenses). Zoom ring doesn't have good tension and if you let your camera hang with the lens down, it slides out.

Over all it's a great lens at the price for novice to simi-pro photographers. I doubt I'll ever sell it even with the much higher priced lenses I have as it does give excellent results.

This is a great lens for the price. As others have said it loses some sharpness at 300mm, but it has the reach I wanted. It's not a light lens, so it feels substantial in your hands and the USM does provide quick focusing - much faster than lenses only slightly less expensive.

I have owned this lens since 2003, I purchased it along with my 300D (and the 28 to 105mm/3.5-4.5 that appears to be a regular combination). I've run thousands of shots through this lens. My typical use is for capturing outdoor family events like trips to the amusement park, and indoor performances.

Even when mounted on a tripod indoors the pictures do tend to come out softer, a lot of that is due to the lighting/use cases that I subject the lens too. I've got some great pictures with this lens indoors, stopped down to around f/8 but end up having to take several to get just a few keepers.

Outdoor daytime shots are a completely different story. Through the whole range of 100mm to 300mm outdoor shots come out great. Even on the aging 300D (the original Digital Rebel) this lens continues to perform excellent and give me shots that I can print out to 8x10 and beyond that look fantastic. The 8 blade aperture leads to very pleasant bokeh, and the AF is lightning fast (it has to be to keep up with kids, especially when you're far away and zoomed in at 300mm).

Finally, the build quality of this lens is fantastic. After 7 years of moderate to heavy use it's still solid, with no loose or wobbly parts, I'm as pleased with this lens today as I was when it first arrived in my mailbox so many years ago.

I have owned this lens since 2003, I purchased it along with my 300D (and the 28 to 105mm/3.5-4.5 that appears to be a regular combination). I've run thousands of shots through this lens. My typical use is for capturing outdoor family events like trips to the amusement park, and indoor performances. Even when mounted on a tripod indoors the pictures do tend to come out softer, a lot of that is due to the lighting/use cases that I subject the lens too. I've got some great pictures with this lens indoors, stopped down to around f/8 but end up having to take several to get just a few keepers. Outdoor daytime shots are a completely different story. Through the whole range of 100mm to 300mm outdoor shots come out great. Even on the aging 300D (the original Digital Rebel) this lens continues to perform excellent and give me shots that I can print out to 8x10 and beyond that look fantastic. The 8 blade aperture leads to very pleasant bokeh, and the AF is lightning fast (it has to be to keep up with kids, especially when you're far away and zoomed in at 300mm). Finally, the build quality of this lens is fantastic. After 7 years of moderate to heavy use it's still solid, with no loose or wobbly parts, I'm as pleased with this lens today as I was when it first arrived in my mailbox so many years ago.