Canon EF 100-300mm lens explained

The EF 100–300mm refers to three telephoto zoom lenses produced by Canon. They are of the EF lens mount that is compatible with the EOS line of cameras.

The three versions are:

The two 5.6 versions were contemporaries, launched at the beginning of the Canon EOS system. The L version had a different optical construction which improved sharpness, color, and chromatic aberrations. Otherwise the lenses were physically similar. Canon decided to upgrade the non-L version in the early 1990s to the 4.5-5.6 version, not the L. It had improved styling, a ring zoom control instead of push-pull, and a larger (faster) aperture at the wider end. It also made use of a much faster and much quieter Ultrasonic ("USM") motor for autofocus control, instead of the Arc-Form Drive ("AFD") found on the 5.6 lenses. The L version never received this upgrade, and it lasted long after the 5.6 non-L had been discontinued. Following Canon practice, the L lens was sold including its lens hood and protective case.

Lenses

Attribute 5.6 [1] 5.6L[2] 4.5–5.6 USM[3]
Image stabilizer No
Ring USM No Yes
L-series No Yes No
Diffractive Optics No
Ultra-low dispersion glass element No Yes No
Synthetic Fluorite glass element No Yes No
Macro Yes
Short back focus No
Maximum aperture5.64.5–5.6
Minimum aperture3240
Weight685 g695 g540 g
Max. Diameter x Length75 mm x 166.8 mm75 mm x 166.6 mm73 mm x 121.5 mm
Filter diameter58 mm
Horizontal viewing angle20°–6°50'
Vertical viewing angle14°–4°35'
Diagonal viewing angle;24°–8°15'
Groups/elements9/1510/1510/13
  1. of diaphragm blades
8
Closest focusing distance2 m1.5 m
Currently in production? No
Release dateMarch 1987June 1987June 1990

References

  1. Web site: EF100-300mm f/5.6. Canon Camera Museum. Canon Inc.. 2016-05-18.
  2. Web site: EF100-300mm f/5.6L. Canon Camera Museum. Canon Inc.. 2016-05-18.
  3. Web site: EF100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM. Canon Camera Museum. Canon Inc.. 2016-05-18.