Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

[AndyA]

I've been loaned an older Canon 100-300mm zoon lense just to try out, I'm told that it's surplus to requirements and that I'm welcome to make an offer for it if I like it. It quite interesting using such a large lens, it certainly shows up just how much camera wobble I have using it hand held.

Other than checking ebay, I have no idea what this lens would be worth. I'm posting a few photos below in the hope that those of you with experience can keep me right. One of the photos shows what appears to be a broken or trapped gasket/seal. Should that be a concern on a lens of this age?

Many thanks in advance.



Some scraches on the front glass, doesn't show in the photos as far as I can see. This glass screws off, can it be replaced?





Link to larger gasket image. http://i.imgur.com/zpWju.jpg

[AndyA]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

I couldn't get all the images to show in the original post.



A bit of video. The tubes slide together under their own weight, should there be more resistance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJjYRovDIzo

[Trevoreast]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

Andy I think that's an older L lens with the red ring missing off it.
Does it say 100-300 5.6L on it ?

Trev

[AndyA]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

Hi Trev, on the front ring which unscrews, it reads 'CARL ZEISS JENA 58SL 1A'. This appears to be a glass cover that perhaps is there for protection? Further down the lens, I see :

'CANON LENS MADE IN JAPAN' & 'CANON ZOOM LENS EF 100-300mm 1 : 5.6

It look the same as this lens advertised on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CANON-ZOOM...item45fff4b048

[Trevoreast]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

Ah sorry Andy, the fixed 5.6 aperture threw me. In bad nick I would like to play with this lens; but not buy.
A word of caution, if there is dust in that lens it could end up on your sensor.

You could remove that filter and see what nick the front element is in.

Sorry if that all sounds a bit pesimistic.

Trev

[AndyA]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

Cheers for the info Trev, it sounds like it's one to avoid perhaps?

BTW I can adjust the aperture within my camera's settings.

[Hereford_EOS2]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

Just looking at the image I would avoid that lens.
If on a very limited budget then there a new Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III Lens for £199.00
or better still the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS II Lens for £209.00

[Trevoreast]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

BTW I can adjust the aperture within my camera's settings.

Yes.

Andy, if you’re shopping around for lenses, the numbers after the focal length are fairly important to get your head around.

For example

100-300 mm 1:5.6

1:5.6 Means that lens can maintain a widest aperture of F5.6 whether it’s at 100mm or 300mm.
Fixed aperture lenses are often more expensive when compared to other lenses in their class.


Another example

EF 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 USM

This lens has a variable aperture, will be F4.5 at 100 mm and F5.6 at 300mm.
Variable aperture lenses are generally less expensive than fixed aperture lenses of the same class.

The higher the F number the less light it gathers, making it less suitable for lower light – sometimes.

I hope this is not confusing, if it is, you can always ask more questions.
Trev

[AndyA]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

That's valuable information from you both, it's appreciated!

[colin C]

Re: Older Canon EF 100-300mm lens

Introduced in March 1987. Never one of the best performers in it's class, but useful in its day. Probably £50 - £80.

Colin