Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM Lens

This is not "the hidden L lens" as one reviewer said, This 70-300 is nothing but a ordinary consumer lens with a large price tag. The Image Stabilization feature is the solitary advantage. If you have very unstable hands you may just require this lens. If you have especially steady hands, with IS you can use this lens in the hours of darkness (assuming you have a motionless subject).

The 70-300mm telephoto range is good in concept, but a cropped razor-sharp photo from the 70-200mm f/4L at 200mm is going to outshine an 300mm uncropped image from this lens. If what you want is a first-rate lens that will give you sharp images in daylight; buy the 70-200mm f/4L lens in its place, it is even supplied with a hood.

You can add a hood to the 70-300mm IS lens for another $30, and suddenly the 70-200mm f/4L is a lower priced lens (and it even comes with it's own bag!).

If you need a low light lens, this isn't it. If your primary objective is to take pictures in available light situations such as weddings and concerts, then get the 70-200mm f/2.8 or the 70-200mm IS f/2.8 instead.

The EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM telephoto zoom lens has been developed to meet the high-performance standards that today's photographers demand. Improved Image Stabilizer Technology provides up to three stops of "shake" correction, and the "Mode 2" option stabilizes images while panning with a moving subject. Compared to the original Canon EF 75-300mm IS zoom lens, this telephoto lens has faster autofocus, and overall the lens is lighter and has a smaller diameter than the original. The zoom ring can be locked at the 70mm position, making this powerful lens easy to transport, too

• UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) glass element: less color fringing and better contrast

• Image Stabilization for sharper hand held images - up to 3 srop correction

• New: IS "Mode 2" for deliberate panning with a moving subject

• Optical Coatings optimized for digital SLR use

• Faster AF operation than previous EF 75-300 IS - new lens CPU and electronics

• Circular aperture design for natural-shaped out-of-focus highlights

• Locking zoom ring prevents lens from extending when carried on camera

• Comaptible with any Canon EOS body, film or digital

Construction: 15 elements in 10 groups

Angle of view: 84° - 23° 20' (with full-frame camera)

F stop range: 4-32

Closest Focusing Distance: 4.9 ft./1.5mt.

Maximum Magnification: 0.26x

Filter Size: 58mm

Dimensions (Length x Diameter): 5.6" x 3.0" / 142.8mm x 76.5mm

Weight: 22.2 oz. / 630g

Notes: Not compatible with Tele Extenders

Front and Rear Caps

Amazing Lens!, September 5, 2009

By Pete

I was a little hesitant about spending this much on a lens, due to the fact it costs as much as my rebel xs, but I am sure glad I went for it! I've taken some amazing shots of the moon, dragonfly's, and birds, that I never though possible! Its a really great lens for wildlife, and general outdoor shooting because of its range, but as I got used too it I really began to want more than 300mm...L series here I come!! As far as sharpness at 300mm, images still look extremely sharp. The autofocus works well, but I couldn't get a beep from my camera at 300mm? My only real complaint is the noise. The focusing makes a weird plastic rubbing against plastic noise, and it gets a little old. The Image stabilization, which by the way works amazingly, is also a little loud (high pitched whine). These are just minor complaints though, the lens really impressed me! One review on a photography website, called this lens a L series in disguise.

By Bryan Duggan

I bought this lens about a month ago when I purchased my Rebel XT.

I was initially dissapointed by the image quality but it turned out that I actually had a bad filter on the lens. Once I removed that cheap filter the lans came to life and has blown me away!!

If you read some of the forums there are actually Canon owners complaining that this lens is too good and has effectively devalued their expensive "L" lenses!

The only negative thing that I can say about this lens is that the front element rotates while focusing, making using a circular polarizer somewhat cumbersome. The Image Stabilizer really is a technological marvel though and will leave you wondering why every lens doesn't come with it (the answer is that it adds to the weight and IS isn't cheap).

This weekend was the first time the weather cooperated enough for me to try it outdoors. I went to a small local zoo and took a picture of a red fox from about 30ft away... through 2 wire fences... in sub-par lighting. I didn't expect much. The picture actually came out and is so sharp I am having it framed.

Buy this lens!