Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM review - Build quality

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Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM

22 September 2007

Arkadiusz Olech

3. Build quality

As opposed to its cheaper equivalents, the Canon 100-300 mm can be complimented on its build quality. The material quality, metal bayonet, readable scale and comfortable focal length and focusing rings reminded of what can be observed in the Canon fixed focal length lenses of 1.4/50, 1.8/85 or2.0/100.

Taking into consideration its price and the universality of the lens, we find nothing to complain about in this category. It is worth adding that the front lens together with the filter thread do not move while focusing and changing the focal length.

Canon EF 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM - Build quality

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The lens size (73 x 121.5 mm) is typical for all the lenses of this class and is similar to other competitive lenses. However, the lens has a USM motor, which is not present in other lenses like Tamron or Sigma. Unfortunately, we have to complain about the lens’s weak aperture. At the 100 mm that we worked with, the wide open f/4.5 aperture decreases quickly and at the 200 mm it reaches f/5.6.

The Canon’s internal construction contains 13 lenses set up in 10 groups. The designers do not mention any aspheric elements or any other special glass being used. The lens is equipped with an eight-blade diaphragm and a 58 mm filter thread.