The new EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

[aero93t]

Well, this is my first L lens, so I'm not used to this kind of build and quality. But off hand I can say the IS on this lens works better than the 70-200 F4L, cos I was trying both lenses in the shop and this lens produced blur free images. Or it could be that this lens is sharper than the 70-200 F4L? :bsmilie:

For almost the same price, I'd take this lens over the 70-200 F4L seeing how the IS fares much better, so the drop in F-stop doesn't faze me that much.

Actually I believe the 70-300L uses the same 3rd generation IS system as the 70-200 f4L IS, providing up to 4 stop correction.. don't think the 70-300L is equipped with the HIS.

 

[Efynn]

Yes u may be right though I was testing both lenses and the 70-300 came out the winner. The difference was quite noticeable on the camera LCD, so either the 70-300 was so much sharper (which I don't believe) or the IS was better.

 

[BaguaPhoto]

Yes, it is a top notch lens above 70-200L IS now...but how does it compare to the new Tamron 70-300 DI VS USD (S$720)? There is no stock for Canon mount anywhere in Asia now!!! Sigh...must wait lor...:angry:

 

[Shuttercounts]

Yes u may be right though I was testing both lenses and the 70-300 came out the winner. The difference was quite noticeable on the camera LCD, so either the 70-300 was so much sharper (which I don't believe) or the IS was better.

Post more pics please..

 

[yrh0413]

I'd tested the 70-300L at CP (Marina Square) 2 days back... compared it with 70-200 II. My findings:

70-300L:
+ Not as heavy as I thought
+ Very good IQ, sharp wide open on all focal length
+ IS is very effective. 1/5s @ 300mm still gives pretty sharp image
+ Reserve zoom/focus ring not an issue
+ Don't think there will be lens creep. Can't tell yet as the lens is still brand new
+ weight balance is pretty good on my 1D3
- Still can't get over the hefty price tag @ S$1930 cash price for a f/5.6 lens
- wonder who will get the 70-200 f/4 IS... the price is almost the same

70-200 II:
+ sharp wide open, as sharp or even sharper than the 70-300L @ f/5.6
- paint color looks brownish, the 70-300L is greyish... the 70-300L resembles the old Nikon 70-200 VR white version
- heavy
- can't seem to get sharp image at extremely low shutter speed due to its weight

Still considering both lenses... currently leaning towards the 70-300L but still... $2k for a f/5.6 zoom is hard to get over with :sweat:

 

[Shuttercounts]

Thanks a lot..I am planning to get one but still deciding as I wanted to bring it ard when I travel to korea..

 

[yrh0413]

i can say.. the 70-300L is a darn good lens if you do not need the bokeh of f/2.8 or shoot low-light. I'm planning to go Vietnam and Cambodia next year... and the 70-300L is at the top of my list

 

[engrmariano]

+ Reserve zoom/focus ring not an issue

what do you mean reverse??? its normal for canon zoom lenses that its shorter focal length on the right...

 

[biskandar]

It's look like old 70-300mm lens , painted with white color , and put circle red line , give me more sample pictures please .

 

[tanchankai]

what do you mean reverse??? its normal for canon zoom lenses that its shorter focal length on the right...

The focus and zoom rings have swapped positions. The zoom ring is now forward (closer to the front element).

 

[yrh0413]

what do you mean reverse??? its normal for canon zoom lenses that its shorter focal length on the right...

The focus and zoom rings have swapped positions. The zoom ring is now forward (closer to the front element).

yup that's what I meant... sorry for the confusion.

 

[BaguaPhoto]

Nobody even want to consider the new Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6L DI VC USD at less than half the price (S$720/-)? It's supposedly the latest from Tamron to celebrate their 60th Anniversary and first to incorporate Tamron's newest USD (Ultra Silent Drive). Currently, out of stock due to much higher demand than supply...;p

 

[tecnica]

tamron with a L?

 

[Efynn]

Have taken a few more shots but not as many as I'd like to. Will try to post up some over the weekend. I think my wrists have finally been tamed by the lens. Or they've finally given up aching. :bsmilie:

 

[tesign2]

Have taken a few more shots but not as many as I'd like to. Will try to post up some over the weekend. I think my wrists have finally been tamed by the lens. Or they've finally given up aching. :bsmilie:

Oh yah...read excellent review about it! Will wait for it to come around b4 deciding on the Canon.

 

[MRSAMO]

I think this might be useful for some:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

 

[Johnnybegood]

Hi, my first few shoots with it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56354448@N05/

 

[Efynn]

Finally finished uploading the photos.

Here's some shots taken with the Canon:
http://picasaweb.google.com/waichong.low/Sentosa2010#5544550871896971122
http://picasaweb.google.com/waichong.low/Sentosa2010#5544550903726283954
http://picasaweb.google.com/waichong.low/Sentosa2010#5544549815642199714
http://picasaweb.google.com/waichong.low/Sentosa2010#5544549388756263202
http://picasaweb.google.com/waichong.low/Sentosa2010#5544548361671717586

The blog / album have more pics, but I didn't seperate out the 70-300mm from my 17-55mm and Picasa doesn't list the lens info.

 

[BaguaPhoto]

You can watch a detailed youtube review by Jarred Polin of this new lens...though the results of the lens as rated by him were pretty impressive, he just couldn't recommend it to anyone to spend the amount of money for the lens...he said he wasn't exactly sure who this lens was created for...:nono:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iNY4WQ_-4w

 

[nottipiglet]

You can watch a detailed youtube review by Jarred Polin of this new lens...though the results of the lens as rated by him were pretty impressive, he just couldn't recommend it to anyone to spend the amount of money for the lens...he said he wasn't exactly sure who this lens was created for...:nono:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iNY4WQ_-4w

I saw the fro's video, and I think he brought up some very important points. Photography isn't about just getting really sharp pictures. Getting the right bokeh effect and thus achieving separation from the background is an important creative option. At f/5.6, the option is somewhat limited... which is fine, except that the lens is so expensive. It is very difficult to justify the cost based on the sharpness alone.

Jared Polin is exactly right. If you are a pro, then you probably want the creative option of a f/2.8, and you have to train yourself to lug around the weight. If you are not a pro, then you probably cannot justify the cost of this very expensive lens. So, he wasn't sure who this lens was created for... but we all know that this lens is created for the rich hobbyist who just cares about sharpness.

If you look at the links to the many pictures above... most of them would be better if f/2.8 was available since the background tends to be noisy... but there is no doubt that this lens is very very sharp.