Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM UD Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
by Canon
List Price:
Our Price: $1,499.00
You Save: $1101.00 (42%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $1,449.99 (click here)
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CanonModel: 70-300mm L USM
Product features:
- Impressive focal range
- Travel friendly size
- AmazonBasics Lens Pen Cleaning System
- Rodenstock 88008 HR 67mm UV MC Digital Filter
- ExpoDisc EXPOD67 67mm ExpoDisc Neutral White Balance Filter
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM UD Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
Customer Review: sell your kidney and buy this lens...
Summary: 5 Stars
i rarely write reviews, but since this is a fairly new product, i felt compelled to help my fellow photographers, as they have helped me in the past with my purchasing decisions.
after reading many reviews on this lens i decided to take the plunge. even with its recent "discount", it is still a rather serious investment for all of us who are not professional photographers. i have recently gotten back into photography and i've built my canon bag from the ground up. i chose canon over the competitors because i was looking for the best quality, with the best selection at the best price. i personally consider canon "l" lenses to be a great value, for they will hopefully provide a lifetime of enjoyment and memories. that being said, buy this lens. do not pass go or collect $200. buy it, i don't think you'll be disappointed.
first of all, this could be the best canon l lens that i own....period. i know that it's only been out a short time, but in this case i believe that the new technology is far superior to the old (ever lugged around the 100-400 f4 is for a few hours? and yes, i am the guy that truly hates the push/pull system) the same cannot be said about the new 1.4 or 2.0 extenders. $500 a piece, really? i am very satisfied with the old ones, since i paid about $500...for both of them! and so, i digress...
this lens is incredibly sharp throughout the entire range. i have done my own amateur tests on a variety of subjects and i find it to be one of the few "complete" lenses out there. i also own the 70-200 l f4 is and it is definitely on par in quality and having the extra 100mm on the long end makes a huge difference. btw, i am a spontaneous street photographer from nyc. i want to carry as little as possible and want to be able to catch a shot in a moments notice. even at f4 with the is, i am able to get the shots that i want 95% of the time. i have shot in all types of light during the day and even shot the super moon (tonight 3-19-11) and i am now realizing the true beauty of this lens. yes, i could go for all the 2.8 zooms, but then again, i only have one kidney to sacrifice, right?!
so why buy this lens when i already own the 70-200 ? well, it's not a necessity, but rather an attractive option. if you are comfortable with the 70/200 f whatever and have a few extenders, then you are already in business. what i dislike most about the 70-200 (and the 100-400 for that matter) is that it is somewhat cumbersome to carry. it always looks and feels goofy if you are carrying it freestyle through the city. with the extenders, i might as well be carrying an 800 mm f 5.6 l, because it it feels odd on my side or in any bag that i carry it in. it feels weird, long and thin and not really part of the body or an extension of me. the 70-300 is just the opposite. it is built like a tank (a small and more practical one). it feels great in my hands and the balance/weight ratio feels very natural to me. on the body it feels like many of the larger 77mm l lenses, but it actually takes 67mm filters. so just swap the uv and the polarizers from the 70-200 f4 and save a few $$$.
the major con for most is that yes, the zoom and the focus rings could be reversed. yes, i'm sure you've heard this before, but here is when it counts. if you're in a moving vehicle, the bean bag is your best friend. if you try to lean this on the bean bag, then this will impair you from using the zoom. why would canon do this? because when your going freestyle (like me 95% of the time) it will feel like money in your hands. with your hand further down and under the barrel it feels more natural, more stable and more comfortable; especially if you are out for a few hours.
con #2, no freakin' tripod ring?! yes, you will be going freestyle most of the time, but for $1500, we all deserve a tripod ring and a kiss on the cheek, right?! c'mon canon, pony up and make it right...
con #3, canon 1.4 and 2.0 extender WILL NOT WORK ON THIS LENS. do not be fooled by what you hear. if you want to add range, consider the kenko pro 300 extenders. they are made with hoya glass and should do the trick. yes, it is an additional cost, but hopefully this will not dissuade you from making this purchase.
summary:
taking all that i have written into consideration, i do not think that you will be disappointed with this lens. i think it is a fine addition any bag and i think those who are considering a 70-200 f whatever should definitely consider this lens too. i am not a pro by any means, but just a guy who thought it was time to lend a hand to others who have helped me a long the way. always remember to be good to one another and to let the other guy get the shot too. take care, be well and capture the moments with those that you love.
fye, after many months of research and careful consideration, the following is what i currently have in my bag. again, i built it from the ground up by considering the best quality at the best value. i hope it will somehow assist you with your future purchases:
bodies: rebel xti and rebel t2i, both with battery grips (saving up for the 7d, now)
lens zoom: canon 18-135mm (versatile travel lens that came with the t2i kit) tokina 11-16mm 2.8, canon 17-40mm f4 l, canon 24-105mm f4 l is (my primary lens), canon 70-200mm f4 l is, canon 70-300 mm f4 l is (obviously)
extenders: canon 1.4 and 2.0 (generation 2), kenko pro 300x 2.0 (just for the new 70-300)
prime: canon 28mm 1.8, canon 50 mm 1.4 and 1.8, canon 60mm 2.8 (macro), canon 85mm 1.8 (all for low light, since my zooms are mostly f4 and higher)
fyi, i only use hoya hd filters on all of my lenses. why? just ask someone who has ever dropped an l lens. i believe that they are the best value in terms of "l" lens quality, durability and value. furthermore, they don't leave fingerprints. how cool is that?
if you know of better options or have any suggestions, please let me know. any help or advice is always welcome and greatly appreciated. danke schon!
cheers, m
More Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM UD Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras reviews:
1 2 3
1 2 3
Description of Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM UD Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras
Designed to deliver ultra-high quality images along with lightning fast operation, the new Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens brings a favorite zoom range to the celebrated Canon L-series of lenses. It features two Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) elements for improved image quality and reduced chromatic aberration, incorporates a floating focusing mechanism for sharpness from close up to infinity, plus an IS system that increases usability by approximately four stops. The EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM features a function that prevents erroneous operation when the lens is mounted on a tripod or monopod. Gleaming white, with a removable tripod collar, dust and water resistant construction, and a newly developed Fluorine coating that keeps soiling, smears and fingerprints to a minimum, its phenomenal performance and flexibility is assured. For portraiture or to bring what's far away up close, this addition to the L-series is guaranteed to perform.Lenses
Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Lenses
Sigma 180mm f/ 3.5 EX IF HSM Macro Lens for Canon SLR CamerasSIGMA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO Macro Super Lens for Pentax-AF CameraSigma Corporation; Digital Camera
Best price: $239.00
Price in other shops:
Sigma 300mm F2.8 EX APO HSM Lens for Pentax-AF CameraSIGMA; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Tamron AF28-200 f/ 3.8-5.6 Super II Macro Minolta Mount Lens (Silver)Tamron; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Tiffen 72mm Wide Angle Rubber Lens ShadeTiffen; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Pentax SCMP-FA, 100-300mm Autofocus Zoom LensPentax; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Pentax SMCP-FA 35-80mm Autofocus Zoom LensPentax; Digital Camera
Vivitar 75-300mm Manual Focus Zoom Lens for Pentax/ Ricoh CameraVivitar; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Vivitar 28-210mm Manual Focus Zoom Lens for Nikon CameraVivitar; Digital Camera
Best price: $325.00
Price in other shops:
Minolta Maxxum 24mm-85mm f3.5-4.5 Zoom LensKonica Minolta; Digital Camera
Best price: $399.00
Price in other shops:
Similar Digital Cameras & Photo Products
Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only)Canon; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash for Canon EOS Digital SLR CamerasCanon; Release date: 2007-05-10; Digital Camera
Best price: $469.00
Price in other shops:
Transcend 32 GB Compact Flash Card 400X (Blue)TRANSCEND; CE
Best price: $54.99
Price in other shops:
B+W 77mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant CoatingB + W; Digital Camera
Best price: $155.00
Price in other shops:
Canon EF 100mm f/ 2.8L IS USM 1-to-1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR CamerasCanon; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon LP-E6 Battery Pack for Select Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Retail Package)Canon Cameras US; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Best price: $59.99
Price in other shops:
Tripod Mount Ring C (WII) for Canon 70-300mm f/ 4-5.6LDSLRKIT; Digital Camera
Best price: $39.99
B+W 67mm Kaesemann Circular Polarizer with Multi-Resistant CoatingB + W; Digital Camera
Best price: $116.00
Price in other shops:
B+W 67mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M)B + W; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Best price: $41.00
Price in other shops:
B+W 77mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-Resistant Coating (010M)B + W; Digital Camera
Best price: $65.99
Price in other shops: