Canon EF 75-300mm f-5.6 III
Score: 58/100
Lightdow 85mm Portrait Lens
Score: 66/100Rankings
The Lightdow 85mm f/1.8 is an affordable, all-metal manual-focus portrait lens for Canon EF mounts with a bright aperture and smooth 8-blade bokeh. It lacks autofocus and image stabilization, and its corner sharpness is softer at wide apertures. Best suited for manual-focus enthusiasts seeking budget-friendly portrait optics.
The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III is a lightweight, budget-friendly telephoto zoom offering solid reach. Its trade-offs include a sluggish micro-motor AF, lack of stabilization, and softer optics at the long end. Best suited for beginners and casual shooters needing portable telephoto capability.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 85 mmbest | |
— | 1.8best | |
| ↓ lower better | 1.5 m | 0.85 mbest |
| ↓ lower better | 480 g | 430 gbest |
4best | — | |
7 | 8best | |
0.3best | — | |
13best | 6 |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(1) | ||
Mount Compatibility | Full-Frame | Canon EF/EF-S |
Features(2) | ||
Autofocus Type | Micro motor | None |
Focus Type | AF | Manual |
Optics(6) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 75-300 mm | 85 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) | 4-5.6 | 1.8 |
Minimum Focus Distance (m) | 1.5 m | 0.85 m |
Number of Optical Elements | 13 | 6 |
Number of Optical Groups | 9 | 6 |
Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 8 |
Build & Design(4) | ||
Filter Thread Size (mm) | 58 mm | 72 mm |
Weight (g) | 480 g | 430 g |
Length (mm) | 122 mm | 110 mm |
Maximum Diameter (mm) | 71 mm | 70 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers describe the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III as Canon's basic, budget-friendly long zoom. They commend its ultra-light weight and compact form factor, but repeatedly note the sluggish micro-motor autofocus, modest build quality, and average optical performance, especially the softness and reduced contrast at the 300 mm end.
Everyday users love the lens for its portability and inexpensive telephoto reach, often mentioning how easy it is to pack for travel and wildlife outings. However, they commonly complain about the slow, noisy autofocus, the absence of stabilization, plastic feel, and noticeable softness at the long end, which detracts from image quality in low-light or high-magnification scenarios.
Professional reviewers acknowledge the Lightdow 85mm f/1.8's solid metal construction and pleasing bokeh, crediting its aspherical and ED elements for good color fidelity and flare control. However, they point out the lack of autofocus and softer edge performance as significant drawbacks compared with native Canon lenses.
Consumers appreciate the lens's sharp portrait output, creamy bokeh, and lightweight feel for the price, but many struggle with the manual-focus workflow, encounter shutter-lock quirks, and note the limited close-focus capability and corner softness when shooting wide open.
