Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

• Specifications
• Reviews
• Sample Images
• Initial launch information.

A long lens that's light and cheap. Unfortunately quality is only so-so and you'll get a lot more performance from the more modern IS option (IS makes a lot more difference when you get to 300mm if hand held). Although designed for full frame film use, a crop sensor will ameliorate some of this lens's more obvious distortions.

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	75-300mm 1:4-5.6
Lens Construction	13 elements in 9 groups
Diagonal Angle of View	32° 11' - 8° 15'
Focus Adjustment	Front group rotating extension system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance	1.5m / 4.9 ft.
Zoom System	Rotating Type
Filter Size	58mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	2.8" x 4.8", 16.8 oz. / 71mm x 122mm, 480g

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts) Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture. Blue lines show the performance at f/8 Thick lines indicate lens contrast Thin lines indicate lens resolution Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines. Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas. Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

Which 75-300? - a list of all versions

Canon EF 75–300mm f/4–5.6 lens
Attribute	(original)	USM	IS USM	II	II USM	III	III USM
Key features
Image stabilizer	No		Yes	No
Environmental Sealing	No
USM	No	Yes		No	Yes	No	Yes
Technical data
Maximum aperture	f/4–5.6
Minimum aperture	f/45		f/32-45	f/45		f/32–45
Filter diameter	58 mm
Physical data
Weight	500 g	495 g	650 g	480 g
Max. Diameter	73.8mm	71.1mm	78.5mm	71mm
Max. Length	122mm		138.2mm	122mm
Groups/elements	9/12	9/13	10/15	9/13
Aperture blades	7		8	7
Closest focusing distance	1.5 m
Retail information
Release date	March 1991	June 1991	September 1995	July 1995	March 1995	April 1999

EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM reviews and articles

• Canon UK / US Information Page
• Amazon
• Northlight Images
• Canon CPN article
• Fred Miranda
• Lens Tip
• Digital Picture
• PhotoZone
• SLR Gear
• Lens Review
• ePhotozine

Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

None available.

Product launch

No information available on the 1999 launch of this lens.