Hello, I am new to this group and I was wondering if anyone can tell me what is the difference between the versions of the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 lens?

I have seen the model II and the model III listed on different websites. I am also assuming there was a model I. What is the difference between these? Is a model III better than a model II or did they start making them cheaper and lower quality?

I have the chance to buy either a model III or II. Which is better, and what parts did they change? I have looked all over but can't find anything that would tell me the differences between these revisions and (more importantly WHY they were undertaken.)

Any help would be appreciated.

-- Scott Culp (dsculp@sympatico.ca), February 02, 2002

Answers

http://www.eos-magazine.com/News_10_EF75-300.html

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), February 02, 2002.

In my opinion, version I felt better. The differences in version II & III are minimal. All of them have the same optical formula, even the USM versions. The Image Stabilization version adds a few pieces of glass for the IS, but otherwise it's the same too.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), February 02, 2002.

This one of the great mysteries of the universe. That is, how 3 lenses are so similar nobody can tell the difference. I think Canon made tiny cosmetic changes so that Pop Photo would keep announcing and testing "new models."

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), February 02, 2002.

The cheapest model has no USM, no focus scale, no IS and the front lens element rotates. The next cheapest model adds USM. The next model adds IS. I think somewhere in there the front lens element stops rotating but I don't know where. There's not a dime's difference in the optical quality of any of them, I understand. It's almost as bad as trying to figure out what Nikkor lens does what function with which Nikon body. Yeah, I know all lenses since 1959 will fit but they don't all WORK!!! Mysteries of the universe.

-- Lee (Leemarthakiri@sport.rr.com), February 06, 2002.

>The next cheapest model adds USM.

And to confuse matters further, it's micromotor USM and not ring USM. Which means it's simply a slightly quieter motor. You don't get the real advantage of ring USM - full-time manual focussing.

>I think somewhere in there the front lens element stops rotating but I don't know where.

I'm pretty sure all the 75-300 lenses have rotating front elements. The 100-300, which has a very different and just slightly better optical formula, does not have a rotating front end.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), February 06, 2002.