Used Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Image Stabilizer Auto Focus Telephoto Lens

2020-12-21T10:02:54

This lens is great in many ways, but I can’t tell if it lives up to its full potential because the copy Adorama listed in “V” condition had significant scratches on the drop-in filter. This is something I’d expect from a G condition lens.

William F.

2014-02-17T19:00:00

Use it mostly to take pictures of eagles on the Hudson River. It still automatically focuses with a 2x extender which is great for those action shots. The only negative thing is that it is heavy. Your arms get tired after awhile especially when taking over your head flying shots. My husband and I both have this lens and are extremely happy with it.

BARBARA M.

2012-04-22T21:00:00

fine quality glass, great photos used with 5D markLL Canon body,longer reach with C sensor type body. needs to be mounted for best results.

JOSEPH B.

2011-12-18T19:00:00

Another "L" lens, what more could be said? Well, after seeing results from this "Beauty", I was blown away. Now to try and come up with some new adjectives to describe this lens. Even after owning and using other L series lenses, this 300 mm f/2.8L won over my heart to a deeper appreciation for Canon glass. Another example of Canon's precision engineering, leading edge quality and clearly one excellent product.

Brian M.

2011-09-10T21:00:00

The canon 300mm 2.8 IS is the best. I am not disappointed with all hype on the web about this lense. It outstanding and lives up to all glowing reviews. Sharp, fast focaus. Do not wait, get one. Holding the lense for 90 minutes and 400 shots of a soccer game, it gets heavy. I recommend a monoopod to allow the image stablization to shine and follow actions sports.

er

2011-09-07T21:00:00

I've used the non-IS Canon EF 300mm f2.8L USM lens in my wildlife photography for almost twenty years and have always been pleased with it's performance and handling. I expected the IS version to outperform but the surprise has been how much it outperforms. It's been a revelation to see the crisp output from this lens using very low shutter speeds and frequently hand held in challenging conditions. If the photographer makes any reasonable effort to hold up his end this lens will more than do it's part. And when the conditions are optimal it will deliver a significant extra level of resolution and color fidelity over the previous version. Just a splendid lens in every respect and the slight weight advantage can also be felt. Guess I shouldn't have waited so long!

Robert

2011-09-06T21:00:00

An excellent lens for low light situations, portraits, wildlife. night scenes and video work. This Canon 300mm f/2.8 delivers awesome results with tripod or mono pod, yet is light enough to hand hold.

Brian M.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

i use this as my primary lens for youth sports, mostly football, with a 70-200 f/2.8L IS for close action. The 300mm lens is mounted on a 7D with a monopod. This lens is fast, accurate and easily the fastest focusing lens I've ever owned. My keeper rate has doubled since I got it. Any one considering this lens should probably rent one first but you'll be hooked. I can't imagine a better lens for sports.

LENNIE S.

2010-09-04T21:00:00

Waited a long time to purchase this lens due to price - but worth every penny - sharp, fast and long - great for wildlife. Replaced my Canon 100-400, a little heavier and you loose the composition flexibility of the zoom but the benefit of the added speed and sharpness, especially for wildlife in the mountains, far out weighs the zoom and loss of focal length - a great lens.

Dave

2010-02-20T19:00:00

The best lense ever made.

TT

2010-01-24T19:00:00

I mainly photograph birds and other wildlife.

magpie

2010-01-09T19:00:00

This is a truly fantastic lens. Unbelievable quality of photos. Great for sports and wildlife. Quick focusing, amazingly sharp and superb build quality. Heavy and expensive, but definitely worth it. I highly recommend this lens.

Fred

2009-08-18T21:00:00

I buy this lens because my Canon EF 500 4.0L IS is often too long. I knew that the lens is one of the sharpest that Canon has ever produced. It is already sharp with aperture 2.8. Also with a full frame camera. You can use both extenders without disadvantages. The AF is very quick and the IS very effective. The cons are: It is a heavy lens; If you have not strong arms, you can not hold it. Generally it is better to use this lens with a good tripod and head like the Wimberley. I can only recommend this lens.

Jan n.

2009-05-06T21:00:00

I owned several Canon glasses. Just had to drop some bucks on this lens which is arguably Canons sharpest and fastest AF. Amazing sports use and in my case w/two daughters, dance recitals are no problem with a f/2.8 @ ISO 1600 with my 5D Mark II in a dark auditorium. Simply amazing contrast, corner to corner sharpness, and AF which is the fastest I have ever seen (even on my 5D Mark II whose AF is outdated compared to the Mark III and 1Ds. Lens case looks and feels expensive. Looks durable enough to drop from a plane and is well padded although it does not allow for anything addional except the carry strap that comes with lens and keys to lock the case. Room for a 1.4x or 2.0 extender would be nice. 1.4 converter is almost a must with this lens. I can not see any reduction in photo quality and numerous other users report the same. Appears to be the one Canon glass which does not lose quality with converters which is a dream come true. Pick up an additional 120mm for a fraction of the price of the lens. also has several cool features such as the preset focal point, which is recalled at will by turning a small ring behing front element, and AF disable buttons located around front element to disable AF on the fly if need be. This lens is BIG. Of course not the size of the 500 or 600mm. I bought it with full intention of hand holding as I am 215 lbs and athletic build. Nice try on my part. Wobbly arms after 20 minutes of handholding. If you buy this, set aside some cabbage to buy a sturdy tripod head or a Wimberly gimbal head such as I did for use on my monopod. Best investment I have made from Canon. Check online auctions too see how well this thing holds its value...very impressive.

SERGIO R.

2008-09-23T21:00:00

I needed more range when shooting field sports, particularly high school football. Because of cost, I considered the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 as well as their 300 f/2.8 and I've used Sigma lenses with great results however, as a professional I wanted the absolute fastest focusing and sharpest lens I could get. From what I had read, Image Stabilization wouldn't help when shooting sports, but now I disagree. When you don't have available light and you have no choice but to drop the shutter speed, IS makes a REAL difference in getting a usable shot.

P S.

2008-06-25T21:00:00

I use this for larger wildlife and birds in flight. Much easier to pan with than the much heavier 500mm. With a 1.4x convertor reach is improved with no loss of image quality. Light enough to carry all day and bright enough (f2.8) to use in poor light. Only downside is that it is expensive and because its still in such demand it is unlikely to come much cheaper

Pierre s.

2007-09-25T21:00:00

Sharp, fast AF.

Janam

2007-09-25T21:00:00

this lens captures fast sports shots sharp and precise. I like to use it when I a shooting NFL, or NBA games. very fast and strong

JPGA

2007-03-05T19:00:00

This Lens is Very Pricey but well worth the $$$$. The Image Stabilizer Model is a HUGE Plus. We Have HAND HELD this lens with Great Results. A Monopod or a Tripod is Recommended though due to the weight of the lens. Crisp, Clear Images even when "panning" action photography. Excellent for Sports and Nature Photography. The f/2.8 Aperature is a plus when photographing in Lower light situations. We have used the Canon 300mm f/4.0 IS model also. Another great lens but limited compared to the Canon f/2.8 IS model for lower light conditions which would be expected. This lens is used on a Canon 20D and a Canon 30D. The 1.6 factor of this lens is 420mm on those cameras. Have Not tried this lens on a Canon 5D or a Canon 1D(s) Full Frame sensor camera models. I believe the lens would be superb on those bodies also.

Yanna H.

2007-02-18T19:00:00

Considering all this GREAT GLASS, it is MUCH lighter than similar fast glass of 10+ years ago. Being able to use 2(or more!)stops of speed for Wildlife, Sports/Action, and Entertainment, even with the 1.4x & 2x Canon Extenders and maintain critical shapness and contrast is VERY SWEET!

Phlatrok

2007-02-11T19:00:00

After using a Sigma 120-300 2.8 for a couple of years and getting excellent results,I bought the Canon and the results are absolutely amazing.It is extremely sharp even wide open and focus is much faster than the Sigma.The Sigma is a very good lens but the Canon is in a league of its' own. Even with a 1.4 extender,the images are amazingly sharp. Go get one and you will NOT regret it. The Image Stabilization was not a big thing to me ,but after trying it out,it works great for hand holding this beast. It's a bit of a learning curve going from a zoom to a prime but it is well worth it. If you need a 300 2.8 lens--Look no further as this is the Holy Grail !!!

Al

2007-02-11T19:00:00

I have had this lens for about 3 years now and the photos still blow me away.

SwampMonkey

2007-02-04T19:00:00

Great specil purpose lens.

jim