Large-aperture telephoto L lens with a Camera shake correction function, which is best suited to shooting by holding the camera with hands Developed as a successor to the EF300mm f/2.8L USM. A Fluorite lens and two UD lenses are used in the optical system to assure very high picture quality. This lens has also a protection glass and a rear filter as standard, which are included in the number of lenses. The camera shake correction has an effect of approx. two stops* in terms of shutter speed. This lens has also "camera shake correction mode 2" which corrects shaking of the viewfinder image when, for example, shooting a moving object, and a tripod can be used with the camera shake correction function ON. High-speed autofocusing is achieved by the weight reduction of the group of focusing lenses and improvement of the autofocusing drive algorithm. A new AF stop function, which stops autofocusing temporarily, is adopted. Manual focusing is performed mechanically to save power. Main components are made of a magnesium alloy to reduce the weight of the lens, including the optical system, making it much lighter than conventional lenses. Rubber parts are used as mount and switch components to achieve excellent dust- and drip-proofness. The tripod mount can be removed, and the drop-in filter 52 (standard), carbon fiber hood, and suitcase-type lens case are designed to be easy to use.
*: Based on the "1/Focal length" second which is a yardstick to indicate the limit for camera shake prevention
Lens Type: Prime IS / VR / OS: IS Canon L Class: Yes Min Focal Length (mm): 300 Max Focal Length (mm): 300 Number of Elements: 17 Element Groups: 13 Max Aperture: 2.8 Minimum Aperture: 32 Diaphragm Blades: 8 Closest Focus Distance (m): 2.5 Maximum Magnification: 0.13 Filter Type: Drop In Filter Diameter (mm): 52 Diameter at widest (mm): 128 Lens Length (mm): 252 Weight (g): 2550 Release Date: July 1999
If you have the extra money & need a great sports lens this is a really nice choice. It's bright, focuses fast, and is sharp, sharp, sharp! It's light enough to hand hold but I don't recommend it if you're going to be shooting for a long period of time.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Nice glass, Saturday, 22 November 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I bought this lens for sports photography. The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM Super Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras is the classic sports photographer's lens, but it's almost twice the money and twice the weight. This was a compromise, and it's one I don't regret.
Even so, this is a pretty heavy lens. It may be hand-holdable for some, but not for me. I almost always use a tripod or monopod, or brace it against something. With a monopod, it's easy to handle; I routinely use it to photograph 3-hour baseball games, and don't get tired.
Because it's so heavy and bulky, it's not the kind of lens you bring with you casually. But I've found myself using it for a lot more than sports. Photographing flowers, say, to get that beautiful bokeh. I got some nice photos of the moon with it during the last eclipse.
The sheer size of this lens does attract attention. People are always coming up to me and asking if I'm a reporter. The results are worth it, though. You'll get shots that are simply impossible with a lesser lens.
This was my first large Telephoto lens and it weighs a little more than I expected. Not a real complaint, just an observation.
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1 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Too Darn Expensive-Just Say No!, Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
1.3
Sharpness
1.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
There is no doubt that this is a great lens. But have you noticed how the price on this lens just keeps creeping up and up and up? I have. This lens was $3,749 at Beach Camera in December and other reputable online dealers were offering this lens at about the same price at that time. Now look at it. Today (4-23-08), Adorama thinks this is a deal at $4,100!
I suggest we all simply boycott this outrageous price increase in the same way we should be cutting back on driving, eating in restaurants, leaving the lights on in empty rooms, wasting water, etc. I won't be buying any more camera equipment from any company participating in this outrageous set of price increases. I'll wait to find a good used one. Just say "No" to this price gouging!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Simply the BEST!!, Sunday, 06 April 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
If your considering this lens then you must already have, or can get the means in which to pay for it. With that being said... GET IT!! I waited and am kicking myself for doing so. Sure the 70-200 IS L series I bought at the time is still a GREAT lens, I just wished I'd have had this for the last 3 months. Esp if you add a 2x canon tele-converter. or if you have one of the camera's with the cropped sensors. I haven't tried this on my XTi yet, but I can tell you that my 5D loves it. The pictures as stated before are tack sharp and when you crop for that KILLER shot whooo baby. If you have any doubt, I would suggest trying to rent one first, but I tell you..... if you do rent one, you will end up buying one. It is simply that good.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Tack-Sharp, Saturday, 19 January 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
As good as it gets. Fast AF, image stabilization (that works), great color & Contrast, and works well with the 2X extender making it a 600mm f5.6. It is expensive, but if you need a fast super telephoto with unbelievable image quality this is it.
Can be effectively handheld for short periods, but best used with a tripod or monopod.
If you check around you will find that this lens holds its resale value quite well, although most people that do part with this lens will later regret selling it.
There are only a few on-line vendors I trust when ordering something of this cost. In the 10 years I've ordered from Amazon they have always not only honored their return policy, but on one occasion when the manufacturer was slow to help with a defect Amazon agreed to a refund well after the 30 day return policy had expired.
If you are unsure, try renting first. As another poster mentioned, other lenses will pale in comparison.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
an excellent lens, Thursday, 13 December 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This lens is very fast, it can focus very rapidly and follow accurately flying birds, this is the main reason I bought this lens. It excels in every respect, it can be hand held, very sharp even when the aperture is wide open, image stabilization is excellent and it is very fast lens, fast focusing. It can be used to photograph butterflies, dragonflies as I tested it and found that it can photograph a 15 by 10cm rectangle, thus I can say that it has a maximum magnification of 1:6.7. This is an expensive lens, so if you think you will use it only occasionally, then I advice you not to buy it, otherwise it worth the price.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
This is one wicked piece of glass., Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
The biggest factor in making this purchase was the F/2.8. I had thought about the F/4 version but losing the AF with a 2x TC on my 20D was the deal breaker for the F/4. That and I knew I'd be always questioning myself later on down the road.
I just can't believe how sharp this lens is even wide open. The weight can take some getting used to and having a grip on your body helps out with the balance of it.
One word of warning though, if your a hobbyist and decide it's to expensive to buy, never rent one. If you do, chances are you may not be satisfied with any of the other offerings once you see the results from this lens.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
It's small and inexpensive..., Friday, 13 April 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
...but the lens I bought just before this one was a 600mm f/4 IS L. Given that I'm the kind of gung-ho photographer who still handholds his 600mm, I can call this lens light too!
I consider f/2.8 to be the single most important factor in buying a lens. If a lens isn't f/2.8 it needs to have some special quality to make it seem worth buying. I bought the 600mm first because I was tired of how far away the lions were at the zoo. I have a 100-400 IS L, so I knew it needed to be longer than 400mm. Once I had the 600, though, the koalas were too close. The 300mm seemed to be the perfect lens to try next, since I could bump it up with the 1.4x teleconverter to get double duty out of it.
I honestly was expecting it to be larger and heavier than it is. All in all, I'd have to call this a very manageable lens. Far heavier and more expensive than the nearly-free 75-300mm, but well worth it.
The big problems with a lens like this is depth of field. Shorter slower lenses have more of it. It is a little frustrating how little DOF is available at f/2.8 and 2.5 meters. On the other hand, that is also a major selling point.
You just can't beat this for sharpness. By all accounts it is the sharpest and fastest auto-focusing lens that Canon makes. I can't prove or disprove that, but it is sharp and it is fast.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
I finally made the leap, Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I frequently shoot motorcycles on the street and track. Last racing season, I rented this lens several times and fell in love with it. It has fantastic sharpness and great reach--which can be augmented with the 1.4x teledapter or the occasional 2.0x. (Throw in a camera with a 1.6 crop, and you've got a looong lens.) The two mode IS and the relatively light weight make this a great lens for doing pan shots. For setups where steadiness is required, the central monopod/tripod mount helps maintain the camera's balance although having a heavy camera (1DmkIIN or a 20D with a battery grip) helps.
This lens was worth every penny.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Buy one !!!, Thursday, 18 January 2007
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
After waiting for some time to get this lens I fianlly took the plunge, all I can say is it wonderful. It is so quick at focusing and tack sharp, plus add a 1.4 or 2x extender and it rocks !!
If you are thinking about getting one, think no more, buy it !!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Unbelievably sharp lens., Saturday, 28 January 2006
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
If you're looking at this lens, you're ready to spend some serious dollars. Is it worth it? Short answer, yes, but I'll elaborate.
I've shot with a variety of Nikon and Canon lenses for about 25 years. The 300 f/2.8L IS is without a doubt the sharpest lens I've ever had, and it is unbelievably consistent across every aperture. With the 1.4X Canon extender - other its becoming an f/4 lens - I could not see any appreciable change in its performance. Unbelievable.
I got my introduction to image stabilization on the 70-200 f/2.8L IS, and it is even more useful on the 300. I handheld consistently crisp shots at 1/60 and sometimes at 1/30. With my old Nikon 300 mm, anything below 1/250 was out of the question and 1/500 was a good idea. The whirring of the IS is a bit louder on the 300 than the 70-200.
When shooting action in AI Servo mode, the autofocus was as fast as on my shorter prime lenses.
In some forums, people swear by third party long lenses that they say produce as good an image at less than half the cost. All I can say is that their experience probably reflects the limitations of their skills rather than the comparability of the lenses.
With the 1.4X extender and my 1D Mark IIN's 1.3X FOVCF, this becomes a 546 mm lens. On a 1.6X FOVCF camera it's a whopping 672 mm.
Here are some other Canon alternatives and why you might want to go with them instead of the 300 f/2.8L IS:
- Canon 300 f/4L IS - less than half the price; it is lighter and has a built-in lens hood that doesn't require assembly; you lose a stop, and while a very sharp lens, not in same class at the f/2.8. good choice if you don't have the money for the f/2.8 or want to spread it among other lenses. - Canon 400 f/2.8L IS - a longer reach without losing a stop but the price and weight increase significantly; not really hand-holdable; lens of choice for outdoor sports action. - Canon 500 f/4L IS - if you want to shoot birds, you'll need the extra reach. It's cheaper than the 400 2.8 but a couple thousand more than the 300. Sharpness is comparable to the 300. - Zoom lenses (70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS; 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS) Cheaper, lighter and more flexible but a serious compromise on image quality vs. 300 f/2.8L IS.
Best argument against the 300 f/2.8L is that you won't shoot often enough at that focal length or you want to buy more lenses for the money.
I'm saving my pennies now to add the 500 f/4L IS for bird and other wildlife distance shooting. It will take a few years.
