If you shop for a new camera lens, you may come across the 75mm-300mm lens. This is a popular telephoto lens due to its wide zoom range. But you may be curious: what is the 75mm-300mm lens good for?
A 75mm-300mm lens is suitable for any photography genre requiring you to get close to the subject. It has a long focal range to zoom in on distant objects.
This article covers the different uses of a 75mm-300mm lens in depth. You will also learn about its benefits and popular examples below. But first, you must know the definition of this lens to help with your purchasing decision.
What Does a 75mm-300mm Lens Mean?
A 75-300mm lens is a telephoto zoom lens with long-focus capability. The two numbers refer to the lens’ focal length, which is expressed in millimeters (mm). It determines the distance between the front of the lens (the glass) and the image sensor. It also affects the field of view and magnification of the subject.
The smaller figure in the 75-300mm lens is the minimum focal length that provides a wide-angle view. The larger number, 300mm, represents the maximum focal length, which offers a narrow perspective.
The 75-300mm lens has a variable focal range. It lets you adjust the field of view between a slight close-up (75mm) to an extreme close-up (300mm) view. Hence, it can suit different photography genres, which we will cover in the next section.
What Is a 75mm-300mm Lens Good For?
The 75mm-300mm lens is good for many photography styles and genres due to its zoom focal length range. It acts as a short and medium telephoto lens that bring you close to the subject without being physically near.
Below, we will talk about the various instances where a 75mm-300mm lens is ideal.
Is a 75-300mm Lens Good For Wildlife Photography?
A 75mm-300mm lens is good for wildlife photography. It provides a narrow field of view and great magnification.
This telephoto lens enables you to capture distant wild animals without going near them. It keeps you safe from the unpredictable nature of animals. It can also make the subjects appear larger in the camera, even if you are far from them.
The 75-300mm zoom lens also has a variable focal length. So even if the animals move, it lets you adjust the perspective and capture the subject quickly.
Is a 75-300mm Lens Good For Astrophotography?
A 75mm-300mm lens can suit astrophotography. It has a telephoto focal range that makes it easy to take pictures of the distant sky.
However, most 75-300mm lenses have a maximum aperture of around f/4-5.6. The aperture controls the amount of light entering the sensor. The greater or wider the aperture, the more light hits the sensor. It is also expressed in lower f-stop numbers.
Unfortunately, the 75mm-300mm lens might struggle in astrophotography, considering its narrow aperture (higher f-stop number). It might not be fast and sharp enough to capture photos of the night sky and stars.
That said, this telephoto zoom lens can still produce decent image quality of the celestial bodies with the right approach.
Is a 75-300mm Lens Good For Action and Sports Photography?
The 75-300mm lens helps action and sports photographers capture motion from a distance. It is not the best lens for these two photography genres, but it is still a good option.
The reason why the 75-300mm is not highly recommended for sports is its slow speed. This telephoto zoom lens usually offers a maximum aperture of around f/4-5.6. It can affect your shutter speed, making it difficult to freeze the action. It also limits the amount of light entering the sensor. Telephoto lenses with a wider aperture are more suitable for sports.
But if you are a new photographer or have a tight budget, you can still use the 75-300mm lens to get decent results. Simply adjust the aperture to the lowest f-stop to improve its speed and low-light capabilities. Or consider getting a lens with built-in image stabilization to minimize camera shake.
Is a 75-300mm Lens Good For Portraits?
The 75-300mm is a great lens for portraits. Whether you are taking photos of people or pets, this lens can bring you close to the subject. The more you zoom, the more compressed the features appear. This effect is desirable in portraiture.
This telephoto lens also creates a shallow depth of field. It leads to a natural bokeh effect in the background. Hence, it can make the subject stand out from its surroundings.
However, most 75-300mm zoom lenses have a maximum aperture of around f/4-5.6. They can decrease the amount of light hitting the sensor. They also affect the depth of field or the focus area in an image that appears sharp. That means you might not get enough light and subject isolation, essential in portrait shooting.
Overall, though, the 75-300mm lens can help you capture close-up shots of people and pets.
What Are the Benefits of a 75-300mm Lens?
A 75-300mm lens offers many advantages that make them worth considering.
First, it has a variable focal range. It quickly lets you zoom in and out to capture subjects from different distances.
This zoom lens is also versatile. It can capture relatively wide to super narrow perspectives. It can be an excellent all-around lens for many photographers.
Most 75-300mm lenses also have excellent build quality. They use durable metal and plastic that can withstand extended outdoor use.
Finally, these zoom lenses are relatively affordable, considering their various uses. They are an excellent option for beginners or those with a tight budget. Consider the Canon EF 75-300mm if you need a kit lens and a cheap lens in one.
What Are the Disadvantages of A 75-300mm Lens?
A 75-300mm lens also has several downsides. Consider these factors before purchasing the telephoto zoom lens.
First, the 75-300mm telephoto lens is notorious for its heavy and large build. It is a struggle to carry around when traveling. It can also tire you quickly when simply holding it attached to the camera body. However, this con is not surprising, considering the wide focal range of this lens.
Another downside is the narrow maximum aperture. It can limit the amount of good light entering the camera, which affect the final image quality. It is also challenging to create a narrow depth of field.
Some 75-300mm lenses can even create distortions at specific focal lengths. They result in unflattering photos, especially when shooting portraits.
What Are the Best Lens Recommendations for the 75-300mm?
You can find countless 75-300mm camera lenses when shopping online or in-stores. Consider checking out these most popular examples of 75-300mm lenses.
- Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III USM
- Nikon AF NIKKOR 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Lens
- Sony SAL 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED Lens
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm F/4.8-F/6.7
- Minolta AF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 D
Conclusion
The 75mm-300mm lens is among the most popular telephoto lenses to buy today. It has a wide zoom range that brings distant subjects closer. It is suitable for wildlife, sports, portrait, and astrophotography.
Do you have more questions about this type of telephoto lens? Visit our contact page to send your queries.
