How's the 70-300L?

[sdsr]

The statement that the 70-300L isn't so good in low light may be true when the lens is attached to some bodies, but in my experience it works superbly when attached to a 6D (the same is likely true of other FF bodies); focus is fast and accurate, and the results look excellent even when the camera is hand held thanks to the first rate IS (provided your subject isn't moving around, at least). I would (and did) buy it instead of the 300mm f/4.

 

[shtfmeister]

use it on my 7d and find it to focus well in all light

 

[TAF]

I have the 70-300L IS USM for use with my 5D3, and I find the images it provides excellent.

Build quality is outstanding, it seems to work decently in low light for me (never had any issues), and though I find the forward zoom ring a bit annoying, I adjust quickly enough.

But I will take issue with the folks who think it is "light". Hardly. It is sufficiently heavy that it gets used less than it might otherwise, in favor of the 24-105L and some "foot zoom".

However, it is great at air shows and the zoo - places where you can't adjust the framing by walking.

Very glad I didn't get the 28-300L (which I considered), as that lens is substantially heavier still.

 

[djwave]

and

Good lens on 5d mk3

 

[RS2021]

@djwave great shots. The zoom is great for this kind of work. And it is absolutely built like a tank.

 

[Random Orbits]

I have the 70-300L IS USM for use with my 5D3, and I find the images it provides excellent.

Build quality is outstanding, it seems to work decently in low light for me (never had any issues), and though I find the forward zoom ring a bit annoying, I adjust quickly enough.

But I will take issue with the folks who think it is "light". Hardly. It is sufficiently heavy that it gets used less than it might otherwise, in favor of the 24-105L and some "foot zoom".

However, it is great at air shows and the zoo - places where you can't adjust the framing by walking.

Very glad I didn't get the 28-300L (which I considered), as that lens is substantially heavier still.

Light is relative. It's a bit lighter than the 70-200L II + ext or the 100-400L, which are the some other L zoom options. It's also more compact than the 70-200 II, which helps because I can stuff in a a small camera bag.

 

[sagittariansrock]

I'm surprised Paul hasn't chimed in yet! Must be busy with other stuff...

Who? Me? Or another Paul?

It's you.. someone with real-life experience with the lens and fond of it
My very brief experience reflected the same but isn't as informative.

 

[RGF]

About a year and a half ago, I got the 70-300L and I use almost all the time when I need something in this focal range. THough not as sharp as my 70-200F2.8, it is much lighter and sharp enough.

Great lens.

 

[jhanken]

I had the non-L 70-300 and switched to the L-version. In my opinion, the non-L-version is overrated. Of course I can only judge it by the copy I've had and it was pretty soft and had low contrast, not only above 200mm. I am very happy with the 70-300L : It's sharp, has nice colours and contrast, great AF and IS. It's IQ is much better than my 24-105L. And I like the way it looks and feels, too. It's not exactly a lightweight, that's the big advantage of the non-L version beside the price. But I bought mine here in switzerland second hand, as good as new for about 1000$. It's worth the money.

I agree with this assessment. I own the non-L 70-300 IS, and while I have enjoyed having and using it, the photos I took on my 5D with the 70-300L (rental) show a significant improvement in contrast, color and overall image quality. Something about the non-L version, there is almost a color dampening haze compared to images from the L taken at the same event.

 

[Crocker64]

I have owned the the EF 70-300mm L IS USM for about a year now.
I bought it secondhand at a prize of around €1.000 - hardly used and as good as new.

It´s a fantastic lens. I use it with a 5d Classic for aviation and motorsports. I have even shot a few portraits with this lens, and the results were quite good.
Previously I used a Sigma 50-500mm, and I could not believe the difference I saw in image quality after taking my first pictures with the 70-300mm L lens.
Using focal lengths above 200mm, it´s a good idea to stop the lens down to F/8 - that will give you tack sharp pictures in this range.
Get to know this lens and the image quality will blow you away

As others have said: Worth every penny. Highly recommendable

I have since aquired a 300mm F/2.8 IS USM prime, but I wouldn´t dream of selling the 70-300mm anyway. The zoom is great for travelling: Very compact, light, built like a tank, weather-sealed and not overly expensive.

A few examples:

Best regards
Bo

 

[Cory]

Narrowed down to the 70-300L. I don't think my wife will notice. All will be well.
Thanks for the insight.

8)

 

[sagittariansrock]

Narrowed down to the 70-300L. I don't think my wife will notice. All will be well.
Thanks for the insight.

LOL!
I told my wife my 70-200 2.8 was the same black telephoto I was using previously (Tamron 70-300) but without the black covering. I don't know if she really believed me or merely pretended to, but she didn't bring that up again... :-X

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Great and nice and compact. 300mm reach and can be weak for wildlife though, sadly.
It's small enough that lots of stadiums let it in.
Image quality is better than the 70-200 f/4 IS at the ends of the 70-200 range and a bit worse in the middle (better than 70-200+1.4x TC over 201-280).

 

[RS2021]

Narrowed down to the 70-300L. I don't think my wife will notice. All will be well.
Thanks for the insight.

LOL!
I told my wife my 70-200 2.8 was the same black telephoto I was using previously (Tamron 70-300) but without the black covering. I don't know if she really believed me or merely pretended to, but she didn't bring that up again... :-X

Women are smart...they let somethings go knowing full well what it is....sometimes out of sheer pity for this grown adult behaving like a little schoolboy and sometimes out of "I'll bide my time till he tries for that big ticket item". But they never let things go in vain.