Reviews for Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Canon Ef 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM

Strengths: Lightweight, IS, and sharp.

Weakness: A bit loud, and built quality is average.

I had been looking for a zoom telephoto lens for shooting wildlife. Thinking of getting a Canon EF 70-200 f/4L, but found this new lens from Canon. After doing some research, the sharpness of this lens seems to be comparable to the EF 70-200 f/4L, plus this lens has the extra 100mm zoom. Furthermore, the IS on this lens seems to be performing better than my EF 28-135. If you want a mid-level telephoto lens, this is the lens you want to buy.

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Light Weight, and the IS works

Strengths: Light Weight, 2 Modes of IS, Small Size, Sharp

Weakness: Slow (f/4-5.6), Slow focusing, Build Quality

This is not an L-Series lens. It doesn't have the feel. The focus speed is not fast. However, the lens is less than the price of an L lens with similar zoom range. The IS works very well. I got many successful hand held shots at 300mm with 1/40s shutter speed. I like the 2 modes of IS, it lets me shot bird in flight with ease.

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A Great Lense

Strengths: Easy to use and understand

Weakness: None

Used it for the first time-easy to use and work. Took great photos of kids sports/action. Bought it becuase of price compared to a 2.8 lense. Used in low light and it did the job

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Terrific IS Performance, OK Built and Sharp Image.

Strengths: IS, IS, still IS, and maybe the extra 100mm focal length, too.

Weakness: No FTM, No Lens Hood, No IF.

Just got this lens and tried it out for 2 days. Very surprised by the image quality this lens can produce. I can shoot at 1/15 sec handheld at 300mm, that's pretty amazing IS performance. Although it's a little soft at 300mm wide open, but stop down to F8, then it's very sharp. Some of the picture can even match to what I got from EF 100mm F/2.8 Macro. The 300mm is extremely helpful when shooting at wild animals, such as birds. Great lens based on the price/performance ratio you can get out of this lens. Will recommend to anyone who needs the long range and in need of IS to reduce the failure rate due to slow shutter speed + shaky hands.

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Canon's hidden L lens

Strengths: Image quality (!), 2-mode image stabilizer (IS), zoom range, light weight

Weakness: Average build quality, slow (f5.6 at 300mm), lens barrel extends when zoom, no lens hood (as usual from Canon)

Unlike its predecessor the 75-300 IS, this lens consistently produces very sharp images even under conditions when IS is not needed, which means by itself the lens design and quality is already an improvement. With the 2-mode image stabilizer (Mode 1 for stationary subjects; Mode 2 for tracking a moving subject) together with this good price (an unusual practice from Canon), it is not difficult to understand why this lens poses serious threats to the famous 70-200 f4L. But everything comes with a price, this build quality of this lens is only of average, and the lens barrel extends during zoom. All in all, this lens is a nice addition for any travel photographer who wants the additional zoom range but doesn't want to carry a monster around.

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Outstanding long range zoom with updated image...

Strengths: Lightweight, excellent build quality, great zoom range

Weakness: Front focusing ring a bit of a pain to use with a circular polarizer.

I just purchased this lens for my Canon Digital Rebel XT puppy and I'm extremely pleased so far. The pictures are sharp and stunning even when hand holding down to 1/60 sec. This lens is an updated version to Canon's 75-300 IS that's been out for quite some time. The major differences with this version are improved optics/glass and a 2 mode image stabilization, as well as the wider 70mm. Other than that, the lens is fairly close in size and weight to its predecessor.

When paired with a DSLR like the Rebel, there's the 1.6x crop factor, so the long range zoom is phenomenal. It is tough to get the wider shot, but I have a Sigma 18-200 for a more all around lens. This lens would be perfect for sports photography, nature or any other situation that requires a long range zoom coupled with a stabilizer and quick focusing.

HIGHLY Recommended.

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Canon EF 70-300 IS USM Rocks!

Strengths: Lightweight; excellent IS with 2 modes; auto-focus fast; black finish; locking tab at 70mm for transport/storage

Weakness: None (not don't expect weight/feel of an L lens)

I purchased this lens (Canon EF 70-300 IS USM) for my Canon 20D, primarily for extended distance sports photos (soccer). Initial assessment is EXCELLENT - and a great value. The pictures are sharp, stunning and impressive. The autofocus worked flawlessly - even when taking fast action shots during soccer matches. And, the ability to hand-hold the camera at the 300mm extended range and get great shots is incredible. Compare this lens to the 70-200mm f/4L and I think you will be pleasantly surprised - both with the reach and especially the IS. The second IS mode is also helpful providing for improved panning shots.
If you are looking for great value, comfortable size, ease of use (handheld shooting, etc), this lens is a winner in my book. I cannot tell you how many times I have bought a 'better mousetrap' and been disapppointed.... but not with this lens and camera combination! I would highly recommend this lens for higher end amateur sports photography.

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A very good lens out there

Strengths: IS, range 70-300

Weakness: slow at 300, F4-5.6. rotating and extending front. manual focus is hard (not damped).

I bought this lens along with my 30D. I have to say this is a great lens, even compared to 70-200F4 or F2.8. Images are sharp, auto focus is dead on and reliable. IS rocks. I managed to shoot a Chinese evening perform from back seat at ~1/30, ~200-300mm, ISO 800-1600 with acceptable images. IS is really a plus. without IS, at 200 range, you can only in direct sun light, never in doors or at night without a steady tripod. With IS I can handle most of the conditions without worrying blur.

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Outstanding Zoom Lens, Excellent Value

Strengths: Very sharp lens, IS is terrific, fast auto focus speed, lightweight, inconspicuous black finish

Weakness: No lens hood, case, but to be expected for a non-L lens outfit.

I was considering the 70-200mm 4L lens but choose this instead because of:

1) Image stabilization
2) Light weight, compact lens.
3) Inconspicuous black finish compared with white L lens

With the IS set on the "tracking" mode I was able successfully take a shot of a hawk flying overhead at the maximum 300mm zoom. Using my Rebel XT this was equivalent to a 480mm (1.6 crop) zoom!! Image detail was great (making out details in the feathers). This lens delivers L quality images with IS but at a sub $1K price. Zoom locks at 70mm for convenient storage or transport.

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Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Image...

Strengths: Excellent in both setting of the IS. The USM is also very good.

Weakness: A little to bulky in the 300mm with the lens cover on it and in poor light not as clear as I would like however Adobe can correct that.

I use it for wildlife photography and it is excellent. I tried the 100 mm setting for portrait and was very pleased with the results. Would I sooner have had an "L" series lens? No, it produces too sharp and image and doesn't look natural.
For the price I think it is an excellent lens

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Canon Ef 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM

Strengths: Excellent lens for the money

Weakness: USM is a bit louder than other lenses when autofocusing, but I do not consider this a weakness

So far, this lens has worked flawlessly. Image Quality has been great. Would definitely buy it again and would recommend to anyone to purchase. Image Quality very similar to L-series without the price tag of the L.

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quality telephoto

Strengths: image stabilization, quiet USM, Canon quality

Weakness: 5.6 f stop is more used then the advertised F4, sometimes a little soft on dark days

For the money, this is an excellent lens. But don't expect the $4000 lens quality at this budget. The IS is great and a real enhacement, I won't buy a lens without it. The USM is way better then the cheaper DC motors. 300mm focal is adequate for wildlife.

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Great !!

Strengths: IS...USM...VERY STURDY

Weakness: NEED GOOD LIGHT TO TAKE THE BEST PICTURES

A major improvment over the non- IS lens....worth the price. I can take action sports shots at full zoom with no blur. Downside...because it is only 4/5.6 aperture you will get some noise on cloudy days and when shooting indoors with poor lighting conditions without a flash.

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Great lense for the money

Strengths: Sharp, great range, great image stabilization, price.

Weakness: For this price? None.

Amazing zoom lense for your Rebel XT, 20D. For the money, I don't think anything comes close. IS is a bit more noisy than on smaller Canon lenses. As long as you know that, everything else is awesome.

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Great Lens

Strengths: Image Stabilizer

Weakness: None so far

I was looking for a zoom lens to fill in the range above 17-85mm for my Canon 20D. This lens is light enough (only 5 oz. heavier than the 17-85mm) and I'm glad I went to the 300 range instead of 70-200. This image stabilizer is definitely worth the extra money and I don't think it takes too long to focus as one reviewer suggested. I'm quite happy with the quality of the photos I'm getting with this lens. I'm very satisfied and would definitely buy this lens again.

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Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Image...

Strengths: IS (1&2), Fast AF, Great images!, Lightweight, Focal range,

Weakness: No lens hood

This is a truly amazing lens! Read about it on the internet and then checked out how it rated at PhotoZone. The 70-300mm received sterling reviews in almost all categories. This lens is fast and produces great images at any focal length. Had a Canon 70-200mm F/4L. The 70-300mm clearly out performs the F/4L at any focal length. Plus, you have an additional 100mm (X1.6).

This is a five star lens.

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70-300 IS: bad lens or poor quality control?

Strengths: lightweight, IS, tack-sharp in center

Weakness: Corners and left side of this lens are so bad that the lens is unuseable at ANY aperture.

f you buy one of these, be sure to test it thouroughly before accepting it. I had seen great reviews on this lens, and good test results on SLR gear. So I ordered one. When I received and tested it, to my dismay, its edge and corner performance (on a full-frame 5-D) was so bad, that I can't even use it for my work. I have owned/used various Canon lenses, and all have been usable. The best of the bunch was a 50mm 1.8 @ f5.6 and above. Others include the 70-200 f2.8 IS L (very good); the 24-105 IS L (good); the 28-135 IS (as good as the 24-105); the 24mm TS (ok- not nearly as good as my view camera lenses); and the old 300D digital rebel kit lens (also good at f8-f14).

But this 70-300 is totally unacceptable.
As soon as I received it, I contacted Canon. They said to send it to them for adjustment so that I could be SURE that it would be made right. I sent it to them and received it back in about 10 days. I eagerly tested it again, and to my dismay, it was no better. If Canon did anything to it, they surely did not fix it.

Canon has put me in a real bind. I bought this a month ahead of time to shoot a job. Now I am out of time with a lens that does not work. Canon sales and Canon service have both left me up a creek without a paddle! My only option now is to buy another lens and then wrestle with Canon to return this bad one for a refund.

If you take a chance on buying this lens, be sure to test it thouroughly and be prepared to return it for one that works acceptably.

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Great Lens. Awesome image quality and great range

Strengths: Great Image quality. 70-300mm range is great. ISm Sharp

Weakness: AF Motor noise, No FTM(Full Time Manual), Rotating and Extending front

This is my first Lens after the Kit lens. My budget was less than 600$.I did not have much expectations. But it turns out to be an awesome lens. I dont know how L series lens are, but this one is terrific. Ofcourse there are some cons, but, when I saw the image, I forgot abt the cons. You will get used to the minor problems mentioned. So I am happy abt the lens

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Canon Telephoto Zoom EF USM Lens (70-300mm, f/4-5.6)

Strengths: Quality build, not cheaply made. Quick autofocus. Very good color even at frame edges. Much more affordable than a Canon "L" lens. Two IS modes.

Weakness: Auto focus motor slightly louder than expected, but not a major distraction. Lacks a distance scale on the lens barrel.

I purchased this lens from US1 Camera, and was extremely pleased with the sales person, Michael. Did not try to "push" a sale, yet was very willing to explain and suggest.

Oddly, the lens did not actually leave the store's shipping department for four days after the order was placed!

I would not hesitate to purchase from this store again.

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Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras | Color - Black

Canon introduced Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, basically as a replacement for the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS , which was known for its focal length range , small size and light weight, image stabilization, but at a medium range price. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM has a 3rd generation image stabilizer with a shutter speed of 3 f stops, which is slower than the usual non stabilized lens...

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Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Testseek.com has collected 11 expert reviews for Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and the average expert rating is 87 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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Best Budget Canon Telephoto Lens

Bestcovery experts have rated the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens as a best pick for the Best Budget Canon Telephoto Lens. This product has also been rated as a best pick for the Best Budget Telephoto Zoom Lens, Best General Purpose and Travel Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, and Best Canon Telephoto Lens. Bestcovery's experts recommend the best products and services for a particular need based...

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