EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS Preorders

[Canon Rumors]

Available for preorder in the USA The new Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS is finally available for preorder in the United States. There have been reports that this lens has popped up in a few stores in Europe. They should be shipping soon.

Product Highlights

• L-Series Optics
• Optical Image Stabilization System
• 2 Ultra Low Dispersion Lens Elements
• Fast Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) Autofocus
• Floating Focus System
• Dust and Water Resistant
• Inner and Rear Focusing System
• Close Focus – 3.9′ (1.2 m)
• Removable Tripod Collar
• Protective Fluorine Lens Coating

Amazon $1599

Adorama $1599

B&H $1599

We’re all still waiting for the mountain of reviews that will follow the release of this lens. For $1599, I expect it to be great.

cr

[neuroanatomist]

It's actually been available for preorder from Adorama for quite some time (1.5 months or so, I believe).  Up until a couple of weeks ago, the preorder price was $1500 - now they've raised it $100 to match everyone else.

[neuroanatomist]

Removable Tripod Collar

I don't know that we have clarity on this item.  Adorama's listing says the tripod collar is included.  B&H lists "Removable Tripod Collar" in the product highlights, but does not show the collar under 'what's in the box'. 

In Canon's lens positioning article, they state, "An optional Tripod Mount C (WII) is available..."

Maybe someone who buys one from a store in Europe will chime in and tell us whether or one a tripod collar is in the box...but since Canon should know, and they have already said it's optional, let's just say I'm skeptical that they will include it when they can probably charge close to $200 more for it...

[scalesusa]

There is no doubt that it will be popular.  Hopefully, the price will drop in a year or less to something more reasonable, but if a person needs a lens now, they should pay the price rather than wait and hope for a drop that may never come.  I'll be watchinng for the reviews as well.

I have the 400-400mm L that I am very happy with, I did not think I would like the push-pull, but now I appreciate it after 6 months of use.

[Bob Howland]

I, for one, don't think that it's going to be very popular, particularly at that price. The 70-300 IS is too good a lens for a lot less money. $900 seems much more reasonable. The current price also makes me dread how much the next generation 100-400 will cost.

[JLN]

Yeah, i think its just too expensive.

For $1600 it better be SPECTACULAR.

The 70-200 f4 IS is considered to have stellar optics and it's $400 cheaper.
The $400 you save affords you a 1.4x TC to boot.

For the same money, between having a 70-300 4-5.6 and a 70-200 f4, with option to go up to 280 @ 5.6, i know which i'd prefer.

Like other people said, if it was priced at $1k (double the price of the current 70-300) then it might be better positioned to sell. For tripple the price of the current model this better be amazing.

[Etienne]

Why not spring another $400 and get an exceptional lens: 70-200 2.8 IS II

[JLN]

Why not spring another $400 and get an exceptional lens: 70-200 2.8 IS II

because IIRC this is suppose to be positioned as an affordable "L"
Can't say the pricing agrees.

[dilbert]

Question is, will it $1000 better than the Tamron 70-300 Di VC XLD?

[dilbert]

I, for one, don't think that it's going to be very popular, particularly at that price. The 70-300 IS is too good a lens for a lot less money. $900 seems much more reasonable. The current price also makes me dread how much the next generation 100-400 will cost.

The 70-300IS USM has been EOL'd. Buy it new now while you can if you want one.

[Stuart]

With my (much cheaper) 70-300 f/4-5.6 lens setting the aperture to f4/ then zooming the lens to 300mm, causes the camera to go to f5.6, but zooming back to 70mm does not give f4 again :-(
Maybe this lens addresses this as it seems weird for an L lens to have variable aperture in the first place.

[lol]

Yeah, i think its just too expensive.

For $1600 it better be SPECTACULAR.

The 70-200 f4 IS is considered to have stellar optics and it's $400 cheaper.
The $400 you save affords you a 1.4x TC to boot.

For the same money, between having a 70-300 4-5.6 and a 70-200 f4, with option to go up to 280 @ 5.6, i know which i'd prefer.

Price aside, I'd pick this over the 70-200 f/4 any day. Assumption: you get a 300mm zoom because you want to use it at 300mm often, but still like the zoom range. The 70-200x1.4 will give you less zoom range and worse max aperture at shorter focal lengths unless you swap the TC in and out all the time. I need to double check again but from memory the last time I compared MTF charts it will be worse at 280mm than the new lens is at 300mm.

I'm sure real street pricing will settle to something more palatable in time.

[jouster]

I'd have trouble justifying $1600 for f/5.6....

Now, at $1000 I might well have bitten. But that's an awful lot for the red ring, when there are impressive non-Canon options out there at are faster and cheaper.

[neuroanatomist]

The lens will sell well.  Very well.  The 100-400mm is a very popular lens, and this new one is about the same cost, and similarly a variable aperture L zoom.  There are people who need 400mm and will buy the 100-400mm. There are people who would prefer a smaller/lighter package and will trade 100mm at the long end for that. 

Regarding the 70-300 L vs. the 70-200/4 IS + 1.4x TC, the IQ with a TC will never equal the IQ with native focal length.  Using a TC also slows down autofocus.  Not to mention that it's a pain to mount and unmount it all the time, unless you're going to leave it on the lens all the time and have a constant 98-280/5.6.  In that case, you'd still be better off spending the same amount of money for the new 70-300 L.

If it doesn't do well at that price point, the price will drop.  Look at the 60D - price drop, rebate, etc.

[kubelik]

to me the weight is the biggest "pro" in favor of the lens.  this is barely heavier than the 70-200 f/4 lenses, but gives you an additional 100mm of reach.

I'd reserve judgement on the "oh it better be good" until we see real samples, rather than just talking about it.  honestly, anything that canon puts a red stripe on better be darned good.  personally, I have confidence that it will have stellar optics.

I do wish we could get the Hybrid IS system into more lenses, rather than just in the macros ... I feel like it's probably also useful in non-flower-related shooting situations