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**Vagtlaldo** · 02-28-2011, 07:42 AM

What about the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens? I've read quite a few reviews that suggest it's a 'hidden gem' in the Canon lens lineup. I can get it for ~$500 as well.

Anything in particular that stands out as a negative for this lens?

Thanks again for the help btw. Those wide angle lens suggestions are great.

The 70-300mm can almost match the sharpness of the 70-200mm L lenses from 70 to 200mm, but from 200 to 300mm the sharpness deteriorates slightly, although still excellent compared to many other 300mm zooms.

The downsides are the 1 stop slower maximum aperture at full zoom (although this is less of an issue with modern sensors with amazingly clean high ISO performance), and the fact that it does not use a true ring USM focusing motor that the L series use, so it will be comparatively slower focusing when used for sports (although focus accuracy is still good). Other downsides include the lack of weather sealing and a rotating front element when focusing, but that's only an issue if you use circular polarizers (very rarely used on tele zooms). It also doesn't have full time manual focus, but this will not affect many users.

All in all, it's a quality, value for money lens, I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you bought it. The only thing that may be of concern is the AF speed when shooting moving subjects, but I'm sure with practice it can give you some great shots.

02-28-2011, 07:42 AM	#14
Vagtlaldo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 418 Senior Member	What about the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens? I've read quite a few reviews that suggest it's a 'hidden gem' in the Canon lens lineup. I can get it for ~$500 as well. Anything in particular that stands out as a negative for this lens? Thanks again for the help btw. Those wide angle lens suggestions are great. The 70-300mm can almost match the sharpness of the 70-200mm L lenses from 70 to 200mm, but from 200 to 300mm the sharpness deteriorates slightly, although still excellent compared to many other 300mm zooms. The downsides are the 1 stop slower maximum aperture at full zoom (although this is less of an issue with modern sensors with amazingly clean high ISO performance), and the fact that it does not use a true ring USM focusing motor that the L series use, so it will be comparatively slower focusing when used for sports (although focus accuracy is still good). Other downsides include the lack of weather sealing and a rotating front element when focusing, but that's only an issue if you use circular polarizers (very rarely used on tele zooms). It also doesn't have full time manual focus, but this will not affect many users. All in all, it's a quality, value for money lens, I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you bought it. The only thing that may be of concern is the AF speed when shooting moving subjects, but I'm sure with practice it can give you some great shots.
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