Show your love for the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS

[swampler]

Here's a couple of shots from the archives taken with my 70-300 is, I don't use this lens anymore (prefer 70-200L is ii) and am debating whether I will sell it.

I put mine on ebay twice and didn't sell either time. Will probably try again closer Christmas.

[expatinasia]

Isn't this like in completely the wrong section of the forum? Shouldn't it be under images or lenses?

[bdunbar79]

Isn't this like in completely the wrong section of the forum? Shouldn't it be under images or lenses?

Not only that, it's also in a "Bodies" forum and it's about a lens

[newbieshooter]

I was also looking at this lens will the Tamron version could be another consideration? Im still debating which one to get..

[CanonCollector]

I think this thread is valuable to give readers some examples of the images that are possible with a lens that gets little notice. If you like what you see you can do further research with experts that have evaluated it. Also, sometimes it is best to shoot with it to see if it matches what you need. The price/performance/weight/size on this lens certainly merits consideration for many readers.

I think the images were smashing and I am surprised at how good and sharp the high speed sporting and bird photographs were.

[BobSanderson]

I agree with you CanonCollector.

[Tracy Pinto]

Great shots all around. Bob Ansela thanks for starting this posting as don't remember anything like it about his lens. We have so many good Canon choices but this is one often overlooked.

I have owned this lens for five years and I can recommend it. It packs small, is light and it is much more discreet than my white telephotos so I carry it more in the cities on my trips abroad. I find it plenty fast for focusing and only dislike trying to use the polarizer with it. I guess the fact this lens produces sharp images, has good contrast, produces natural saturation and has a very good IS system makes it a frequent option for me. I have taken it on every trip since I bought it even though I own two L lens that cover some of the same ground. It is very practical.

[SiliconVoid]

The mid grade 70-300mm IS is a great little lens, I still use it on my backup body. I will admit however that I purchased it to serve that focal length (wildlife photography) until I could afford the 70-300mm L, which is of course in an exponentially different league.

If the 70-300mm IS were to die tomorrow I would have no reservations about purchasing another to replace it!

[DJD]

Taken with 7D, 1/500th, f/7.1, ISO 800, 300mm. (probably cropped to about 50% of original image)

[RAKAMRAK]

This one was taken just few days before I decided to return the Canon 70-300 in favour of the Tamron 70-300


Squirrel by alo-chhaya, on Flickr

[CanonCollector]

DJD - perfect bird portrait. Was it handheld or with a tripod?
Bob Sanderson - Great framing and lovely portrait of the squirrel also beautiful architectural detail from Kyoto with excellent exposure.
Bob Ansela - birds, birds, birds! All wonderful images and very sharp right down to every little and colorful feather.  The seal baby seal could not be cozier than napping on it's mom.

[BobSanderson]

Thanks CC 

[Dylan777]

What about AF speed? it's slow or fast for outdoor? Thanks

[DJD]

CC - Thanks, the finch portrait was hand held.
The IS is pretty good. This hummingbird picture was taken hand held at 1/50, f/5.6, ISO400, 300mm (-1EV) on an XTi (400D)

[Richard8971]

The 70-300 IS USM is a great lens. Is it an "L" lens? No, but it doesn't have to be. I have done sharpness comparisons between the 70-200 f4L and the 70-300 IS USM at 200mm and they are both amazing. The 300 loses a little detail but it is worth it for the extra reach. I will never sell mine. I still use it and will continue to do so. It is worth every penny spent. It's a great lens in the EF line-up.

Too many people out there think that unless the lens is white or comes with a "red stripe" it is not worth owning. I do not believe that. Canon has several non-"L" lenses out there that are fantastic and some are even EF-s, the HORROR!!!

Do yourself a favor, get some 1/16' tomato red 3m stripe and put a band over the gold stripe at the end of the lens. That way no one will complain or even care to comment...

D