I have shot photography and videography for a high school for 16 years for the performing arts and 6 years for the athletic department. I finally decided to buy the canon 300 mm f2.8 prime but had to settle for a version 1 not a version 3 due to cost. I was impressed immediately with the image quality and focusing speed when I shot closeups of the schools drill team during a half time basketball game performance. The background blur and color rendering is great. Previously i used a 70-200mm and 120-300mm f2.8 zooms when shooting in the gym and with night time football games. This 300mm prime has is and small enough to handhold. Glad that I got it.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is without question the most amazing camera lens I have ever used. While I had read numerous other reviews about the sharpness associated with this lens, you simply can't understand it without seeing it first hand. I have a number of other "L" lenses for comparison, including a most amazing 70-200mm 2.8L IS. While they all produce excellent images, none are quite in the same league with this one. A non-scientific observation is that photos taken with this lens are at least as sharp when viewed at 200% as compared with those taken with my other "L" lenses and viewed at 100%. This is not to say with certainty that the 300mm captures twice the detail, but there is a clear difference. This lens works fabulous as a 420mm f/4.0 when combined with the Extender 1.4X II. Although I'm sure it is there, I was unable to detect any noticeable loss of image quality or lens performance when using this combination. When combined with the Extender 2X II, the lens works well as a 600mm f/5.6. Again it is difficult to see much, if any, loss of image quality but lens AF performance does slow when using this combination. I'd also add that this is about the largest lens anyone would want to hand-hold. I have seen others hold larger but they would require far more strength. My wife and I are both able to use this lens without a tripod or mono-pod. The Image Stabilization is superb and we have had little trouble with shots as slow as 1/125 on a 40D and even slower on a full frame 5D.Read full review
Love: - Sharp wide open and that is what counts (sharpens nicely with software). - Sharpens more when stopped down an f-stop (outstanding resolution). - Fast auto focus (fastest I have seen). - Solid build (switches and rings are precise without play). - Replaceable flat front glass which protects the adjacent Ultra-Low Dispersion element. - Autofocus stop buttons. - Dust and water resistant. - Programmable preset focusing. - Removable tripod collar. Like: - Optical image stabilization (wish it had the newer 3-4 stop version). - Hard case (good for storing lens in your house, vehicle or airplane). - A good way to meet nice strangers (especially the ladies) who approach and raises questions about the lens. Dislike: - E-145 lens cap (will dislodge if lens is carried in the field with the lens hood reversed). - Paint will come off on the barrel at the ET-120 lens hood contact point. - Need to buy Canon touch up paint to repaint lens hood contact point on barrel. - Not a dislike but the strap's buckle can scratch the prism housing (position the buckle close to the lens away from the camera). - Weight (not really hand holdable and needs at least a monopod). - Cost (but it's faster and sharper than the Canon 300/4 versions).Read full review
I've been a photographer for about 14 years now, I've heard people talk about it, I've rented it... and all I can say is that it's if not the best, one of the best lenses out there. The focal speed on this thing is lightning, even when paired with the 1.4x II extender, you loose an F-stop, but it's doesn't degrade your photos at all, still sharp and fast. If you pair it up with the 2xII extender, you get a whooping 600mm (on a full frame camera like the 5d mark II) at 5.6, and it's still sharp (good when you've got a lot of sun though). With the IS, I can say that you can actually hold it for periods up to a few minutes without a tripod, after 20 minutes without a mono or tripod, it starts to get heavy. Obviously everyone has their own tolerances. It took me a few years to save up to buy this baby cash, it's not cheap, but I guarantee you 2 things, 1) superb imagery, 2) just about anywhere you go, at least one person will point and say something about the lens... it's definite presence when you show up. I showed up at a museum in Florida with a rental of this lens, there were many people photographing, and it was permitted to photograph for non-commercial purposes, the guards asked me to stop photographing because they didn't believe I was there as a tourist...lol I'd say the only down side to this lens is I didn't buy it sooner, this is a must for people that want results! James DonohueRead full review
I had read about the sharpness of pictures with this lens, as well as the overall quality and did lots of studying before making such a large lens purchase. I can tell you, it is well worth it. I primarily photograph wildlife, and it is unsurpassed in my estimation. It is light enough to use without a tripod, and I've gotten some great pics of birds flying with it, as well as quick point & shoot opportunities. I've used a 400mm prime lens before, which is also very good, but too heavy for me to handhold and be steady. I can carry the 300mm attached to my 7D almost all day on a strap over my shoulder. It did make me go back through a bunch of older pictures and discard because they no longer seem to be as high quality. Would definitely buy it again.
This lens is everything that they say it is. It does take a little getting used to, although I have to admit most of my blown shots are in low light and/or using a 2x teleconverter. The one day (so far) I went out with lens only and bright sun, autofocus was over 90%. I did a test shot with the 2x tele and a tripod. Had to lock the mirror up even though I have a good tripod. Seems that even the expensive lens mounts have some vibration in them. Anyway once I got the camera still, the shot with the 2x, wide open, was pinhead sharp. You know something is sharp when you can see the detail in the dust on it. I've used this on a 1D and a 5D Mk II. Really exceptional imaging but you'll need to find ways to keep it still. I'm less than impressed with the IS, but perhaps the new IS II is better.Read full review
First and foremost, anyone who complains that this lens is heavy needs to get out and about more. Yes, it does weigh more than the 100mm Canon Macro, but I also have the Canon 500mm f4.0 lens & use it with a canon pro-body on a tripod and sometimes hand held but not for long. So, the Canon 300mm f2.8 weighs in a lot less than the 500mm and it can be hand held. Maybe not all day, but then I do not know many people who could shoot with it all day and hand holding it at that. The weight means strength and stability and durability and this really is one of Canon's sharpest Super Telephoto lenses I have ever used. The quality of the images is well worth the cost of the lens. I have also used this particular lens with and extension tube for getting in close to things that could not be gotten close to with out messing up the shot: it really works well with macro photography and the images are all extremely sharp. Yes, the famous blurred back ground is always there, especially in close. So friends, it is a really good bye considering the new replacement lens will cost us a lot more money.Read full review
They claim it has the best image quality of any lens Canon has ever made. I have not had enough time to tell, but so far, they may be right. My 500mm f/4 and my 400mm f/2.8 are darn near perfect, no reason to believe this one wont as good.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This lens is very sharp and quick to focus, and the image stabilization works really well. The advantages in moving up to the version 2 do not out weigh the extra cost. This has all of the same features outside of the weight loss and different collar. Well worth the purchase if you are looking for long glass but don’t want to buy a 400. This can be used on a mono pod or carried on a strap if needed, so it gives a lot of flexibility to the shooter.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought it from BH Video store about 4000 dollars and have been owning this lens for years, built like tank, take good picture and IS helps alot. talking picture quality, way better than 135mm f2 L USM, but not to metion that dicontinued and heavier canon 200mm f1.8L USM it takes cryspy sharp picture even you don't need to post process through Photoshop CS2, quality piture taken from 300mm f2.8l IS USM is way below the 200mm f1.8 one. canon factory will release new model canon 200mm f2L IS USM, that price for 300mm and 200mm will drop some day soon. for newer canon model check out canon pressrelease: http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/20071015_eflens.html
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