EF 70-300mm IS USM lens

[kenfong]

Hi,
I'm thinking of buying this lens to use with the EOS40D. Any comments about the lens will be appreciated. Thanks

[XC Pictorial]

A sharp copy of this lens proves to give rather good results and value.

Wanted to get it sometime ago, but decided for the price, i rather stick with a 70-200F4L

At least the F4L is white L lens, constant aperture and better resale value.

[midicity]

if u dun mind an EFS lens, the new EFS 55-250mm IS f4-5.6 is a decent alternative. Very much cheaper and is pretty sharp if u have a good copy. Also, much cheaper than the other lenses.

I have a 70-200 f2.8 IS, but this 55-250mm will likely go travelling with me
However, being an EFS lens, you can't use a teleconverter with it.

The earlier batches of 70-300 IS had soft images when taken in portrait orientation vs landscape. So check your lens with a laptop BEFORE buying.

[kenfong]

Originally Posted by XC Pictorial Wanted to get it sometime ago, but decided for the price, i rather stick with a 70-200F4L

Thks for your input. Is your 70-200F4L without IS? I'm looking for a lens with IS. Think the L version with IS would cost much more than the 70-300. Correct me if I'm wrong as I'm a newbie here.

[waiyean]

I use the 70-300 IS lens with my 20D. Do not use it often, but in the few times I use it, it is very sharp, and the IS is great.

[RayDream]

Mmm.. would anyone share how much the macro distance would be like to use this lens with a 40mm/60mm extender? Am also considering this lens over sigma 70-300 because of IS. Does its IS works with extender?

[XC Pictorial]

Originally Posted by kenfong Thks for your input. Is your 70-200F4L without IS? I'm looking for a lens with IS. Think the L version with IS would cost much more than the 70-300. Correct me if I'm wrong as I'm a newbie here.

Yes i meant the non IS f4L for a comparative price.

Unless you are 60years of age, with enough practise and proper holding techniques, IS is far from essential. I do without it. (think of all the Zeiss and Leicas )

In situations of long exposure, no IS can beat a tripod/monopod.

[heheapa]

Originally Posted by midicity if u dun mind an EFS lens, the new EFS 55-250mm IS f4-5.6 is a decent alternative. Very much cheaper and is pretty sharp if u have a good copy. Also, much cheaper than the other lenses. I have a 70-200 f2.8 IS, but this 55-250mm will likely go travelling with me However, being an EFS lens, you can't use a teleconverter with it. The earlier batches of 70-300 IS had soft images when taken in portrait orientation vs landscape. So check your lens with a laptop BEFORE buying.

Yes. It only affect the early version.

Affected Products:
This phenomenon affects all EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM lenses with a "0" or "1" in the third digit of the (8 digit) serial number. Products that have a third digit of "2" or higher in their serial number are not affected.

[heheapa]

Originally Posted by RayDream Mmm.. would anyone share how much the macro distance would be like to use this lens with a 40mm/60mm extender? Am also considering this lens over sigma 70-300 because of IS. Does its IS works with extender?

Yes. The IS is working and is rock. I have stacked 3 triplus extention tube, 16, 20, 24mm on it. Didn't really notice what's the actual working distance. I believe it is about ~ 1m. Well you need MF on that.

[dw2chan]

the 70-300 is an excellent lens. while not as sharp at L glass, it does represent excellent value for money.
i've used this for my travels and it's great...it's small, lightweight, black and discreet. so it's great for candids and just not drawing attention to yourself and you wont break your back carrying this all day.

IS comes in very handy with this. there were many cloudy days where i just couldnt get my shutterspeed above 200 and i didnt want to bump my iso above 200 (i notice noise at 400 with the xti) so this is where IS will save your shots. yes you cant beat a monopod/tripod. but i'm usually on the move and hate having to set those up.

i moved on to a 70-200 2.8 IS....this thing is a beast... super heavy and very large. when you pull it out everyone looks at you. amazing IQ but i got rid of it =)
i'm now keeping my eye out for a 80-700 2.8 (the magic drainpipe)

[heheapa]

Originally Posted by kenfong Thks for your input. Is your 70-200F4L without IS? I'm looking for a lens with IS. Think the L version with IS would cost much more than the 70-300. Correct me if I'm wrong as I'm a newbie here.

This is a strongly recommended travel lens with excellent image quality at this price level. The IS is working really well and the reach to 300mm is definitely unbeatable with this price.

I am owning it and 70-200 F2.8 IS. I would say beside the build, smaller aperture, slower AF (can't beat 70-200 f2.8 IS but much better than 55-250 IS). it's about perfect and it is EF lens.

[iRaphael]

used the lens before for shooting concerts.

IS is good. I managed sharp shots at shutter of 1/30

the whirling of the IS can be heard. sharp at 300mm, but f/5.6 is kinda slow to shoot concerts.

[calebk]

I do actually believe that for the same price, getting the 70-200 f/4L is a good buy, as compared to the 70-300 IS USM.

IS is really not a necessity sometimes, and the f/4L is a great sharp lens at f/4. For the 70-300, you may have to stop down, and it is already not a fast lens, ranging from f/4-5.6. Stopping down even further means you're getting a really slow aperture reading to work with.

[USM]

The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens is a very good lens despite being not having constant aperture.

There are times when weight & visibility are concern, then this lens is a good choice.

There have been debates that the image quality between the EF 70-200mm f4L and EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS are marginally the same. Therefore, I shall leave it to individuals. No point arguing until the cow comes home.

Instead, I would look at this lens from another perpsective. This is a very good travel lens where you want to carry lighter gear and at the same time having longer reach (for some situations). At 300mm, you can shoot certain subjects such as birds.

On top of that, this lens attracts lesser attention due to its black color exterior as opposed to L lenses. This helps you to shoot discretely.

Pictures taken by EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM.

[danmic]

Originally Posted by kenfong Hi, I'm thinking of buying this lens to use with the EOS40D. Any comments about the lens will be appreciated. Thanks

I have a copy of 70-200 f2.8L IS USM. Razor sharp, excellent colour and contrast, and the 8 blade circular aperture gives beautiful bokeh, which I love when taking portraits. I also like the fact that the lens is internal zoom.

I also use it for indoor concert and the f2.8 and IS really helps in those low light condition.

The down side: Weight and colour. At close to 1.5Kg, it kinda stretch my arm slightly, esp since i dun use a neck strap. And the fact that it is white catches many unwanted attention.

5Cent.

[xtremequantumx]

omg USM nice photos!
now your poisoning me to get a telephoto lens!

[blurry80]

this lens have excellent reviews across many websites. i think the only real difference is the aperture size.

[ptey]

Originally Posted by USM The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens is a very good lens despite being not having constant aperture. There are times when weight & visibility are concern, then this lens is a good choice. There have been debates that the image quality between the EF 70-200mm f4L and EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS are marginally the same. Therefore, I shall leave it to individuals. No point arguing until the cow comes home. Instead, I would look at this lens from another perpsective. This is a very good travel lens where you want to carry lighter gear and at the same time having longer reach (for some situations). At 300mm, you can shoot certain subjects such as birds. On top of that, this lens attracts lesser attention due to its black color exterior as opposed to L lenses. This helps you to shoot discretely. Pictures taken by EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM.

[USM]

Originally Posted by xtremequantumx omg USM nice photos! now your poisoning me to get a telephoto lens!

Talking about poisoning. This one better. taken by super-telephoto lens.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by danmic I have a copy of 70-200 f2.8L IS USM. Razor sharp, excellent colour and contrast, and the 8 blade circular aperture gives beautiful bokeh, which I love when taking portraits. I also like the fact that the lens is internal zoom. I also use it for indoor concert and the f2.8 and IS really helps in those low light condition. The down side: Weight and colour. At close to 1.5Kg, it kinda stretch my arm slightly, esp since i dun use a neck strap. And the fact that it is white catches many unwanted attention. 5Cent.

errr. TS is asking about the 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM, not the 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM.