Canon Announces 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS

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Canon Rumors Guy

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<div id="attachment_4838" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 585px"><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/70300.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-4838" title="70300" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/70300.jpg" alt="" width="575" height="183" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS</p></div>
<p><strong>London, 26th August 2010 </strong>– Canon today announces the latest addition to its renowned L-series of professional lenses, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, designed to answer growing demand for a high performance zoom lens which offers outstanding mobility and versatility. The EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM offers a 4.3x telephoto zoom range of 70-300mm, with a variable aperture of f/4-5.6.</p>
<p>The compact (143mm) design also features the build quality that photographers have come to expect from Canon’s acclaimed L-series lenses. With its impressive focal range and travel-friendly size, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM is ideally suited to professionals and advanced amateur photographers wishing to capture portraits, nature and action shots in superb detail.</p>
<p><strong>Canon signature image quality</strong></p>
<p>Thanks to two ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements and a floating lens group, the</p>
<p>EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM captures stunning high-contrast, high-resolution images with low levels of chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range. The lens makes use of Canon’s Super Spectra coatings, reducing ghosting and flare to ensure the highest possible image quality and minimising the requirement for extensive post processing.</p>
<p>Canon’s advanced optical Image Stabilizer (IS) provides photographers with a four-stop IS advantage, enabling the capture of sharp images even when shooting at maximum zoom or in low light conditions, by allowing the use of slower shutter speeds than would usually be possible with handheld shooting.</p>
<p>An eight-blade circular aperture also offers excellent bokeh ideal for portraiture, producing a more pleasant background and creatively isolating the subject.</p>
<p>Autofocus (AF) is fast and quiet thanks to a ring-type USM AF motor, combined with the independent lens CPU and advanced AF algorithms to enable accurate, reliable focusing in all conditions. As with all Canon L series lenses, full time manual focus override is possible, allowing photographers to manually focus, even when the AF motor is engaged. With a minimum focusing distance of 1.2m (3.9ft) throughout the zoom range, photographers can achieve sharp results, even when close to the action.</p>
<p>L-series – robust performance in all conditions</p>
<p>Honouring the L-series heritage, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM offers exceptional build quality, ideal for daily use by professionals and advanced amateurs. The lens includes environmental protection, allowing photographers to shoot in harsh conditions – even in the extremes of the desert or rainforest. Canon’s new Fluorine Coating also makes cleaning the lens easier, preventing smears or streaking.</p>
<p><strong>Professional accessories</strong></p>
<p>As part of the L-series range, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM is supplied with a lens hood ET-73B and lens case LP1424 as standard. In addition, an optional, dedicated tripod mount C (WII) can be directly attached to the lens. This allows it to be stabilised easily and the camera switched quickly from vertical to horizontal and back, without having to reposition the camera body on the tripod, perfect for fast-paced action with a variety of subjects.</p>
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Sebastian

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JLN said:
this lens doesn't make economical sense to me.

I agree. I also think that there are rather few reasons to prefer the new 70-300 over the old 100-400. Better IS and weather-sealing are the only ones I can think of...
Could this mean that Canon will cancel the 100-400? I'm already seeing a price-jump on second-hand 100-400. :)


Regards,

Sebastian
 
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mrnwp

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dilbert said:
Cyrax said:
Pricing specs:

"The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens is expected to be available toward the end of October for an approximate retail price of $1,500."

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/about_canon?pageKeyCode=pressreldetail&docId=0901e024801e8289

Canon has a strange definition of the word "affordable."

I concur! I don't see a need for this lens. I will just keep my 70-200 f/2.8 with a 1.4 tele. I was personally looking for a 100-400 mark II. By the way $1500 for the lens, come on Canon.
 
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Sebastian said:
JLN said:
this lens doesn't make economical sense to me.

I agree. I also think that there are rather few reasons to prefer the new 70-300 over the old 100-400. Better IS and weather-sealing are the only ones I can think of...
Could this mean that Canon will cancel the 100-400? I'm already seeing a price-jump on second-hand 100-400. :)


Regards,

Sebastian

I'd tend to think of this as pushing the people who would have bought the original 70-300 lens into paying more money for a "L" lens (though I'm not sure if that many people will be convinced. What remains to be seen is whether they're going to cancel the current 70-300 or 70-300 DO line.

However, I could imagine people buying this lens for the size/distance advantage - provided u don't already own the 100-400 or 70-200 f4.

Oh well, I guess we still have to wait longer for the 100-400 replacement...
 
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martijn

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This lens is not for me, unfortunately. I'm disappointed.
f/5.6 at the long end is a deal-breaker for me.
I was hoping to replace my 100-400 with something more modern, ring-type internal zoom or prime, weather sealed.

Earlier, when rumors about a new 100-300/f4 were still on, I was extremely interested in such a lens.
My subject is wildlife, including small birds, so I'd really need an extender at 300mm most of the time...
Not being a professional, I can't afford the Big Whites or a 1D series camera, so f/4 is critical since it allows the use of an 1.4x extender while still retaining AF. A 420/5.6 with modern IS and weather sealing would have been ideal, I probably would have bought the 100-300/4 and 1.4x Extender III together even if the combo would have been $2500-3000.

But, 5.6 at 300mm...no thanks!

For those who want to go beyond 300mm on a budget this still only leaves the venerable 300/4, 400/5.6 or 100-400/4.5-5.6 lenses-nice lenses, but all very old designs...each with their own drawbacks...

100-400/4.5-5.6: push-pull zoom: durability and sealing challenged; older, less effective IS
300/4: older, less effective IS
400/5.6: extremely long MFD, no IS
None of these are weather sealed.

Best bet now on a budget for 300mm+ modern glass is probably the 70-200L IS 2.8 II with the new 2x extender but that stretches the definition of 'budget' by quite a bit, but I might have to go for that combo now.
Or, just maybe a good second-hand 300/2.8 IS as and when the professionals start replacing theirs with the new one...prices might come down a bit then.

Of course, the new Big Whites are quite exciting, but strictly for professionals or lottery winners only...and I know many will be happy with that new 70-300L as well, but...

Come on already Canon, we really need something new and at least 'reasonably priced' in the 400/5.6 range!!!
 
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Jul 21, 2010
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funkboy said:
Somehow I think the slow-selling 70-300 DO is not long for this world...

I disagree. The 70-300mm DO is a niche lens - intended for those for whom size/weight are a premium worth paying extra (or now, a little less). This new 70-300mm L is 43% longer and 46% heavier than the 70-300mm DO - so the 'need' for the smaller/lighter DO lens is still there.

On the other hand, the new 70-300mm L is only 24% shorter and 24% lighter than the 100-400mm L, and gives up 100mm on the long end - and I think most people buy the 100-400mm for the long end. Yes, it has better IS than the 100-400mm. But not really a faster aperture, and it's still a lousy variable aperture.

But, I will agree that this space is getting crowded - 70-300 IS, 70-300 DO and now a 70-300 L. But, there are 4 70-200mm zooms, so why not 3 70-300mm zooms?

Overall, I'm pretty thoroughly unimpressed by this new lens. I changed out my 300mm f/4L IS for the 100-400mm because I wanted the extra 100mm. The 100-400mm is relatively large/heavy, so I got the 70-300mm DO for times when carrying the 100-400mm isn't practical. I've got $2K just waiting to be spent on a new lens, but I see absolutely no need for this 70-300 L - if I'm going to give up 100mm on the long end for carrying convenience, a 24% savings in size/weight isn't worth it when I can save nearly 50% in size/weight with the 70-300 DO.
 
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It's great to improve on the non-L EF 70-300 IS, but doubling the price and then some? They added obvious build quality and I'm sure it's sharper... and it's WHITE... but not making it a constant f/4 or some other great improvement will make this one a hard sell I think, unless the non-L disappears. I had the non-L and the IQ of the non-L never made me very happy... but there are lots of consumers out there who aren't nearly as demanding who are quite satisfied with the non-L 70-300 at it's consumer price point.

I'll keep my tried-and-true 100-400L, thank you very much. I'm very happy with it. Shooting FF, I need the extra 100mm at the long end.
 
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Aug 11, 2010
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as much as I was dubious about Canon putting out a 100-300 f/4, in comparison to this it would have made far more sense. the overlapping zoom range with the 70-200s, the variable aperture (what!) ... I guess they felt if they made it 70-300 f/4 it would cannibalize the 70-200 f/4-5.6 but as it stands it's just going to cannabalize itself.

bought a sigma 100-300 f/4 this past week but I'm still sorry to see that Canon isn't putting out either a 100-300 f/4 or a 100-400 replacement.

the good news is this means a 100-400 range replacement could still be coming (some years later) as there is no way that this is a replacement for the dust pump
 
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F

Flake

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As many have said on this forum, & on others this lens does not make a lot of sense, too slow, too big & heavy, and far too expensive (£1600 in the UK). I cannot guess what the mindset behind this latest set of releases was, because Canon users have been crying out for better Wide angle performance, a replacement 24 - 70mm f/2.8 L with IS maybe a better 24 - 120mm f/4 IS L.

We've been presented with improvements to lenses which probably didn't need them, lenses which fit a small niche market, and others which don't fit what users want and are expensive.

Hopefully later in the year we will see some of the things we can feel comfortable parting with money for!
 
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unfocused

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I'm usually not one to second-guess Canon's market research. They understand their market a lot better than I do. But I am scratching my head over this one.

I just don't see where this fits in.

  • Seems like a lot to pay for f5.6 at the long end. Like others have pointed out a constant aperture f4 would have been more tempting.
  • It's priced significantly higher than the 300mm f4 prime. If you need a sharp lens at the long end, that becomes more appealing. Especially because you can use a tele-converter on the f4 to extend the range.
  • This lens is priced $100 under the new Sigma "Bigma" So, for an extra $100 you get 500mm and you give up 1/2 f stop. (Of course, the Bigma is no "walking around" lens, but it's a better option in the Super-Telephoto range.)
  • Nikon decided to release a new crop-sensor 55-300 at about 1/4 the price.

All very confusing to me.

I am wondering if this is it for new lenses. Nothing in the lens category that is aimed at the enthusiast or semi-pro. No new EF-S lenses, yet they've released a new crop-sensor camera (60D), the T2i is less than a year old and they may release a 2000D soon.

As I said, this is leaving me scratching my head.
 
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Any word on MTF ratings compared to the 70-200's? I used to own the 70-300 but sold it quickly because it was ok but just not sharp, especially in 300 range... I hope this is greatly improved... Also $1500?!? the 70-200 F4 IS is one of the sharpest lenses on the market (or at least canon's line up) and $300 cheaper... I could get a teleconverter for less $$ and perhaps get greater results...?
 
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rrcphoto

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awinphoto said:
Any word on MTF ratings compared to the 70-200's? I used to own the 70-300 but sold it quickly because it was ok but just not sharp, especially in 300 range... I hope this is greatly improved... Also $1500?!? the 70-200 F4 IS is one of the sharpest lenses on the market (or at least canon's line up) and $300 cheaper... I could get a teleconverter for less $$ and perhaps get greater results...?

looking at the raw MTF's .. from 70-300 it's almost as good if not as good as the 70-200/4 L IS is from 70-200. I very much doubt that a 1.4 TC plus 70-200/4 is going to give you as good of results considering the 1.4 tc usually injects a pretty steep corner performance penalty.

at 300mm it compares quite well to the 300mm F/4 L prime.

and it kicks the consumer 70-300 to the curb as far as performance - MTF wise, fully weatherwise, full USM, updated IS, no rotating front element, etc,etc.

and it weighs in at nearly the same as the 70-200/4 + TC.

not sure what's not to love about this .. it's affordable (btw, if a semi pro can't afford a 1.5K USD lens .. there's a problem with the definition of 'semi pro') .. and MTF and physical wise, looks like a great lens.

the old 70-300 was a great bang for the buck - you put up with it's compromises because it was cheap.

anyone expecting a constant aperture lens .. I'm curious if they wouldn't have minded the double or triple price, greater weight and size that lens would have entailed as well.
 
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