KenY Loc: Glenside, Pa

I'd like to get a telephoto lens for my Canon EOS Rebel T6/1300D.

Searching on Amazon, I see a huge range of prices for Canon telephoto lenses. I have $200-300 budget.

One item is Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens Kit with 2X Telephoto Lens, HD Wide Angle Lens and Accessories (8 Pieces) for $199 (Prime).

Another is Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Certified Refurbished) for $78.97

Another is Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. $78.90 Prime. One of the questions asked if it is Image Stabilized; answer NO.

Do I need Image Stabilization for night sky shooting (long exposures, tripod mounted or Celestron AVX tracking mount). Description includes the following: "Autofocus via front group extension system with DC micromotor." What does this mean?

What other specs should I be looking for?

Thanks for helping me navigate the mysterious path of lens purchase.

Ken
Glenside, PA

fyimo244 Loc: Arkansas

Quite frankly I would look for a used Canon EF 100-300mm 4.5-5.6 USM as they are not made anymore but are available on EBay for around $100 or less. This lens is sharper than the 75-300mm lens and they have the best USM motor for faster focusing speed. I own a bunch of L lens and I still have this Canon EF 100-300mm lens I mentioned because it's sharp, has great color rendition, and is light and works great at zoo's and sporting events.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Ken, to be blunt, don't waste time with any of the 75-300 models. They're cheap; sharp-ish at f/8 and needing a tripod for best results. Look at used copies of the 70-300L if your budget works. Or, the original 70-300 IS. KEH is a good place online for used equipment, check the EX and EX+ rated items.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The 75-300 is one of the cheapest lenses Canon makes. There are around half a dozen different models of that focal range. The 70-300 is a much better lens. The old 100-300 f/5.6L is also an excellent lens and they usually go for cheap on eBay. If you find one with dust for under $200, it's worth the $100-150 to have it cleaned. These lenses sold for around $825 when they were introduced in 1987.

No, you don't need/use IS for long nite exposures.

digitalexplr Loc: Central Missouri

The EF 75-300 f4-5.6 IS USM IS happens to be an excellent lens. Don’t confuse it with the 75-300 kit lens.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

If this is your budget, then you really can't go wrong with this lens for the money:

"Unlike its predecessor the lens is capable to produce a very high performance throughout the zoom range without the significant drop in quality at 300mm typical for most consumer grade lenses in this range. It seems as if the new UD element helps to lift the optical quality significantly. Distortions, CAs as well as vignetting are also very respectable. So in terms of optical quality the EF 70-300mm IS can be almost described as a hidden Canon L lens."

http://www.photozone.de/reviews/200-canon-ef-70-300mm-f4-56-usm-is-test-report--review

I would have no problem at all using this lens, until it broke, then I'd probably buy another.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Try the Canon Refurbished Site. They are lenses that are usually returns and are brought up to specs by Canon techs. They are cheaper than new Canon lenses, but carry the same one year warranty. Stay away from the 75-300mm lens, they are cheap, but not sharp. Look at the 70-300mm lens, it is alot sharper. Good luck.

royden Loc: Decatur, GA

Hello MikeMcK, what's your take on the 55-250 STM. I see that you own one. That may be an option for the OP. Lent my original to a buddy and he won't give it back😁

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Its a great lens. Love it. My only issue is lens creep. The lens does not have a lock, so the lens creep is bothersome, but outside of that, image quality is sharp.

wkocken Loc: McGregor, MN

To answer your other question... You do not need image stabilization if you're on a tripod our s tracking mount. If your lens has it, it is easy to turn off.
Ditto the other comments on the 70-300.

wkocken Loc: McGregor, MN

I have the 70-300. Love it, but probably not enough focal length for astrophotography. Your field of view at 300mm is about 2.9 by 4.3 degrees. The moon is only 1/2 degrees.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Some of your options from my experience:

Older Canon EF 100-300 L ---$250 + used - focusing will be relative slow. GREAT image quality. Contains Fluorite. No IS

Latest Canon EF 70-300 IS II nano - $400 used, $550 new - GREAT auto focus - image quality OK

Latest Canon EFS 55-250 IS STM - $125 used - GREAT lens

Sigma EX 100-300 f4- $400-450 used only - buy only from a dealer giving some kind of warranty like KEH - GOOD AF, but not quite as fast as a good Canon lens - SHARPEST affordable zoom in this range - no IS - large and heavy - takes a 1.4X very WELL - also takes a Canon 2X well.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

I would spend the extra money and go with the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. $499 on Amazon right now. I have this lens and can tell you that I am very pleased with it.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

What is wrong with you guys? Half mention a totally different lens. He asked about the 75-300, NOT 70-300!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi Ken,

My advice is DON'T BUY IT!

The EF 70-300mm III non-IS, non-USM lens is the cheapest telephoto zoom Canon makes and it shows! It has slow, noisy, erratic micro motor autofocus, isn't built particularly well, lacks image stabilization and has comparatively poor image quality, especially at the longest focal lengths.

In addition, the "bundle" you saw on Amazon for $199 merely adds several junk items that are next to worthless.

I also wouldn't put much stock in the "certified refurbished" one being offered, even though it's priced more fairly. Refurbished by whom? For several years Canon has been selling their own refurbished items directly from their Canon USA website. You very rarely see Canon factory refurbished items being sold by stores, any more.

You would be much better served to consider:

Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS STM.... costs a bit more but has better image quality, is closer focusing, has faster autofocus (STM) and image stabilization. If you shop used, there was an earlier, now discontinued, non-STM version (micro motor focus drive). I'd recommend holding out for the STM (faster, quieter "stepper motor") instead. I think it's also improved in some other ways... closer focusing, bettter image quality.

Or, choose one or another of the Canon EF 70-300mm. There have been various models of those made over the years and I think there are 3 or 4 versions are currently in production. Any of them with IS and USM focus will be a better lens than the 75-300mm. USM or "ultrasonic" autofocus drive is the fastest type and best for any sort action shooting. Most of the 70-300s have it. Typically the 70-300s are more expensive than the 55-250mm.

There are others such as the Canon 100-400mm, but they are even more expensive and i get the impression you are looking for a low cost lens. There may be some third party (Sigma, Tokina, Tamron) worth considering... but I can't advise about those.

Instant rebate discounts on brand new Canon lenses come and go regularly at the major retailers. If you consider used, Adorama, B&H PHoto and KEH.com all are pretty reliable sources who offer right of return if dissatisfied and, I think, a 90 day warranty on used items.

Canon refurbished direct from their website are also often a good way to save some $. Those come with the same warranty as new, too. See: https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/lenses-flashes/refurbished-lenses#facet:-8109841011081011121041111161113290111111109,-810984101108101112104111116111,-8109831171121011143284101108101112104111116111&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&pageSize:&

They currently have refub'd EF-S 55-250mm IS STM for $216 and a great deal on the latest and greatest EF 70-300mm IS II "Nano" USM for under $400 (normally sells new for about $600). If you decide to buy refurbished, be aware that stock there sometimes comes and goes very quickly... and it might be weeks or months until an item comes available again.

Regarding image stabilization... you may not need it when using the lens on a tripod, as you've described, and can simply switch it off. However, on longer telephotos like these it's VERY valuable to have IS (or Sigma OS or Tamron VC) to help steady your shots under a wide range of other situations! IS is one of the key reasons I switched to the Canon system 15 years ago.

Hope this helps! Have fun shopping.