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300MM lens testing

This is a quick test of my 300mm lenses.
Test camera was a stock Canon 1DMKII.
AV mode
White Balance = AWB
ISO:400, CWA metering.
Weighted tripod,"mirror lock up" and remote release were used.
Canon "IS" was turned OFF

The files are JPG's straight from the camera. NO post processing what so ever has been done. They are JPG "Large".

All focusing was centered on the red "egg" between the flowers.

Manual focusing was done through the view finder.

BEST VIEWED AT "ORIGINAL" SIZE.
300mm_Lenses.jpg
300mm_Lenses.jpg		 Canon 300L F/4 IS @ F4
Canon 300L F/4 IS @ F4		 Canon 300L F/4 IS @ F8
Canon 300L F/4 IS @ F8		 Canon 300L F/2.8 IS @ F/2.8
Canon 300L F/2.8 IS @ F/2.8
Canon 300L F/2.8 IS @ F/8
Canon 300L F/2.8 IS @ F/8		 Pentacon P6 300 F/4 MF @ F/4
Pentacon P6 300 F/4 "MF" @ F/4		 Pentacon P6 300 F/4 MF @ F/8
Pentacon P6 300 F/4 "MF" @ F/8		 Pentax Super Takumar 300 F/4 @ F/4
Pentax Super Takumar 300 F/4 @ F/4
Pentax Super Takumar 300 F/4 @ F/8
Pentax Super Takumar 300 F/4 @ F/8		 Sigma 100-300 F/4 EX HSM APO @ F/4
Sigma 100-300 F/4 EX HSM APO @ F/4		 Sigma100-300 F/4 EX HSM APO @ F/8
Sigma100-300 F/4 EX HSM APO @ F/8		 Sigma 300 F/4 EX APO HSM @ F/4
Sigma 300 F/4 EX APO HSM @ F/4
Sigma 300 F/4 EX APO HSM @ F/8
Sigma 300 F/4 EX APO HSM @ F/8		 Sigma 300 F/2.8 EX APO HSM @ F/2.8
Sigma 300 F/2.8 EX APO HSM @ F/2.8		 Sigma 300 F/2.8 EX APO HSM @ F/8
Sigma 300 F/2.8 EX APO HSM @ F/8		 Soligor Blk 350 F/5.6 @ F/5.6
Soligor "Blk" 350 F/5.6 @ F/5.6
Soligor Blk 350 F/5.6 @ F/8
Soligor "Blk" 350 F/5.6 @ F/8		 Soligor Slvr 350 F/5.6 @ F/5.6
Soligor "Slvr" 350 F/5.6 @ F/5.6		 Soligor Slvr 350 F/5.6 @ F/8
Soligor "Slvr" 350 F/5.6 @ F/8

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mike earussi12-Jan-2012 13:00
Many of the older designs have noticeable focus shift. For instance the shorter versions of the Pentax 300 f4 S Tak (135 f3.5, 200 f4) both exhibit it. Have you tried focusing your Pentagon and Pentax at f8? If you do you'll probably find them sharper than your tests indicate.
sparky1428-Sep-2011 12:02
The sigma 300 f/2.8 actually focuses just fine with all my cameras. Is one of my most used lenses. has taken MANY awesome sports photos.
Blame 16-Jan-2011 21:06
The pentacon doesn't keep up with the canon 300mm f/4. It is seriously better, at least as far as reading the CD's is concerned.

That is a little bit shocking as that canon has excelent reviews.

If I get along with my first manual focus lens - a pentacon 200mm f/4, then this is going to be my next. Thanks.
Guest 11-Jan-2009 06:10
Very useful info. Big Thanks to sparky14!
Guest 11-Sep-2008 22:50
Wow, I'm so glad I bought my Pentacon 300. Only serious contender for me on my M42/SD14 marathon is the Tamron 2.8/300 LD but that's a but rich for my taste - and there's little is anything to choose between the the Pentacon and 300/2.8 L in these tests - though of course f4 vs f2.8 can be a deal breaker in low light.
Guest 13-Apr-2005 21:38
Great comparision. As much as I like the performance of the Canon 300mm f/4, I'm glad to see the pentacon holding its own. Thanks for posting these!
Guest 26-Feb-2005 18:50
THANKS for the pics... btw, i have the EXACT same entertainment center! hehe
Snapping Turtle23-Jan-2005 16:28
This is very helpful. Thanks for posting!
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