Product Description

EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM telephoto zoom lens * Image Stabilization allows in-focus shots with longer exposure times (up to three stops slower shutter speed) * Micro Ultrasonic Motor for fast autofocus * compatible with all Canon EOS SLR cameras * minimum focus distance: 4.9 feet * lens is 5-13/16" long, 3" in diameter *

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 0345B002
• Dimensions: 4.50" h x 4.70" w x 7.80" l, 1.39 pounds

Features

• 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens with f/4.5-5.6 maximum aperture for Canon EOS SLR cameras
• 3-stop Image Stabilizer for reducing camera shake; ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM)
• Electro-magnetic diaphragm (EMD) helps create attractive background at large apertures
• Super Spectra lens coating and lens element shaping suppresses flare and ghosting
• Measures 3 inches in diameter and 5.6 inches long; weighs 22.2 ounces; 1-year warranty

From the Manufacturer
Featuring the latest 3-stop Image Stabilizer for outstanding camera shake reduction, the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM zoom lens also features super responsive autofocus. Replacing the popular EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM, the world's first interchangeable lens with Image Stabilizer (IS), the lens is expected to appeal to serious amateur nature and sports photographers looking to achieve outstanding results while shooting hand held.

Image Stabilizer
IS dramatically reduces image blur caused by camera shake. The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM features Canon's latest 3-stop IS, a one-stop improvement over its predecessor. This allows shutter speeds up to three stops slower than would otherwise be possible, with no perceptible increase in image blur. Photographers normally shooting a 300mm frame handheld at 1/500 second can obtain the equivalent result with a shutter speed of just 1/60 second, vastly extending options in low-light conditions.

Gyro sensors detect unwanted vibrations, triggering the corresponding movement of a correcting lens group perpendicular to the optical axis. This alters the light path, returning the image to its correct position on the sensor or film plane.

The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM provides 2-mode IS for shooting immobile subjects. Mode 1 stabilizes the image along both the horizontal and vertical axes. For shooting while panning to follow a moving subject, Mode 2 turns off correction in the panned direction and prevents the effect of dragging the subject back through the frame. IS switches off automatically when the camera is mounted on a tripod, thus preventing feedback loops between the IS sensor and stabilizer motor vibrations.

Superb autofocus
The micro USM motor found in the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM employs ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to drive auto focus with unrivalled speed and near-silent operation. Good holding torque stops the lens with precision and accuracy, the instant it arrives at the correct focus point and without overshoot. A high-speed CPU and optimised AF algorithm result in a significant increase of AF speed compared to that of its predecessor.

A zoom ring locking mechanism is provided that locks the zoom at the wide-angle setting. This ensures that the lens is carried or stored in its most compact position, preventing possible damage caused by the lens extending and hitting obstacles when being carried mounted on a camera with a strap.

Pleasing defocused background
The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM employs an electro-magnetic diaphragm (EMD) with a circular aperture. This helps create an attractive, even defocused background when isolating a subject at large apertures.

Image quality
By optimizing Super Spectra lens coatings and lens element shaping, Canon's engineers have been effective in suppressing flare and ghosting--more prone to occur with digital cameras due to reflection off the image sensor. By increasing light absorption, coatings reduce reflections off lens element surfaces to deliver crisp, undistorted images with natural color balance.

Focal length translates to 112-480mm equivalent in 35mm film format when fitted to EOS 20D and EOS 350D cameras.

The EOS system
The EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM includes distance metering information, providing compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system of late model cameras such as the EOS-1D Mark II N and EOS 5D . When used in conjunction with Canon's range of EX Speedlite flash units, the lens passes distance information to the flash algorithm for markedly improved flash exposure metering.

Accessories for the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM include the lens hood ET-65B and the lens pouch LP1222. In keeping with Canon's Kyosei philosophy of living in harmony with the environment, the lens features only lead-free glass.

Customer Reviews

I prefer this EF to comparable EF-S lenses.
I don't own it yet, but I got a chance to use it for a couple weeks on my XSi. I know EF-S lenses are specifically designed for APS-C sized sensors, like my XSi, but I think EF lenses perform better. Sure they are generally heavier, larger, and more expensive, but the larger diameter of the light cone coming out the back tends to reduce many of the typical lens anomalies that could show up in photos. That is because many lens defects are at their worse near the edge of the image, so if the larger light cone diameter places the edge of the image OUTSIDE of the sensor, those edge defects will not show up in the photo. For the same reason, light falloff (vignetting) at the corners is less a worry when using an EF lens versus an EF-S on an APS-C sensor camera. And if I ever move up to a full frame Canon, I could use the EF lens, but not EF-S, on that camera. In general EF lenses are built better than EF-S, for example: metal mounting lugs of EF rather than the plastic of some EF-S lenses. I do wish Canon would include a lens hood, rather than charging an outrageously high price for one, but there are several third party makers on Amazon who offer more reasonably priced lens hoods for this lens. Also, the technical details on Amazon state this lens has a 'ring type' USM motor; ring type implies that it has full time manual focusing available. In fact, the switch on the lens must be on MF in order to have manual focusing. After using this lens I was very pleased with the results, and since then I have read numerous reviews on the more technical photography sites that give this lens good marks (some even suggest this lens approaches or meets Canon's L series lenses in some aspects of photo quality!). So, if you can afford the higher price and prefer better image quality over lighter weight and smaller size, this lens might be for you.

Still learning - but all signs are good
I picked this up on recommendation of a friend for my New Rebel XSi. I've still only used it minimally, but the shots I have taken have been wonderful. I still need to take it out and shoot the kids playing soccer, baseball or basketball to see how the action is both in doors and outside, but for relatively slow moving or still shots, it's been great.

The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because I have not had enough time with it yet.

One of the best lenses out there & a great price.
I owned this lens for quite a while, sold it, and am going to re-purchase it at this great price. It takes fantastic, sharp pictures in very low light situations (such as at the zoo, in one of the "houses"), great sports pictures and much more. I have shot super clear, beautiful animal pictures at 1/25th of a second, due to image stabilization. I think at about $460, this lens is a steal. Rather than writing a long, boring review, click here to see just one of the animal pictures that I shot with this lens: http://eyefetch.com/image.aspx?ID=575247