Canon D-SLR Lens Review [Archive]

Tysonator

23-08-2007, 11:58

Hi, has any body got or used the following Lens
Canon EF 70-300mm f 4-5-6 USM IS

I have read a few reviews on the web and it is rated reasonbly well as a consumer lens. The next step up professional lens cost about £850 compared to £380 for the above lens.

Cheers

Dr. Z

23-08-2007, 21:06

I had the non-IS version and have sampled both the IS and APO versions of this lens.

All I will say is that you can pick up the 70-200 for similar money second hand and whilst you dont quite have the length of the 70-300 you have a massively better lens. The fact its F4 at 200mm kinda makes up for the lack of IS too, but then you might not have as steady hands as I do...

You could also add in a 1.4 TC at a later date to give you the length and the quality for the same aperture as the one above, but all the while retaining the fantastic quality of the L series glass (or very, very close to it with the TC).

EDIT: I sold my 70-200 to Pebbles and kinda regret it. I miss it every time I pick up my camera and it really felt like selling a kidney. My best shots came through that lens too :)

Mondo

24-08-2007, 14:56

check out this site for reviews and sample pics

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html

Tysonator

24-08-2007, 20:12

I have just purchased a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro (Sigma AF) and it is a lovely lens, very crip natural images. As it has a filter ring og 72mm, making it a fast lens.

I will be selling in a few months a Tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Di II LD Macro (Canon AF). Again a very good lens

Dr. Z

24-08-2007, 22:02

Tysonator

25-08-2007, 20:09

Sorry to be an arse, but why do you think having a 72mm filter ring size makes the lens fast? Its got nowt to do with any of the factors that make a lens "fast" - be that autofocus or aperture. F/4.5 @ 70mm isnt all that fast either, really - although I'm sure I have read good things about it :)

There has been good reviews about this lens on he web, as that was one of the reason's why I brought it. All I can say is that it is alot faster than my standard 18-55mm Canon lens that came with my 400D. Also tje pictures look a little more clearer as well.

Mondo

25-08-2007, 20:18

by fast in lenses means low light performance, not fast focusing. F4.5 isn't that fast, F2.8 is fast. filter size has nothing to do with aperture.

Tysonator

25-08-2007, 20:42

by fast in lenses means low light performance, not fast focusing. F4.5 isn't that fast, F2.8 is fast. filter size has nothing to do with aperture.

Yep,..this lens goes down to F2.8.
Though I thought that coupled with filter size front lens of 72mm would allow more light in any way ! ?:undecided:

Mondo

25-08-2007, 21:33

when you press the depth of field preview button you can see the aperture blades close up, it is that control the light. filter size doesn't affect the speed of the lens.

petemc

26-08-2007, 00:50

I have a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 lens and a Canon 24-70 f/2.8 lens. The sigma filter size is 82mm and the Canon is 77mm. That means that the Sigma lens is bigger, nothing more. They both stop down to f/2.8 allowing the same amount of light through them. I have a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens which is, I think, 52mm and yet allows more light through than the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 with its 82mm filter size. Its the aperture that determines the amount of light let into the lens.

Tysonator

26-08-2007, 21:11

I must say the Sigma 17-70 is a good lens, it is so much better made than the standard issue Canon. At the time of purchase on the 400D I could afford to get the body, then go a buy a decent lens, hence why I ended up with the 18-55mm.
I see the light now, as it were on the aperture size, the sigma goes now to £2.8 which I think is quite good !

Mondo

27-08-2007, 01:49

i have the 18-55 too, on a crop body that's the most useful range. the sigma you have does get good reviews but i'd wish it is a constant aperture. that however is more difficult to make thus constant aperture lenses are more expensive.

lostkat

27-08-2007, 09:40

I bought a Tamron SP AF 17-35/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical (IF) to replace the kit lens for my 30D, and it's great. I really wanted the 17-40L, but just couldn't stretch that far.

The only lens I really want or need is a decent telephoto. I keep pondering over whether the non-IS Canon 70-300 would be bearable, but I think I'd just get frustrated with it since my other lenses are much better quality. I might have to just bite the bullet and save up for a 70-200L... although my dream lens is the 100-400L. Some old guy I was standing next to at Farnborough '06 lent me his, and I got some fantastic shots.

Toby

27-08-2007, 10:52

Guy at work has the 100-400L and says he's in love with it.

Tysonator

27-08-2007, 11:25

I wish I could afford the 100-400 canon. I think I will have to settle for the Canon 70-300 IS.

petemc

27-08-2007, 11:37

Guy at work has the 100-400L and says he's in love with it.

I've got one and I need to sell it to buy a 70-200 f/2.8. I just can't sell it though! I'd miss it too much.

Tysonator

03-09-2007, 22:07

I've just found a little store in SF that has the 70-300 with image stabiliser for $399 and I was tempted. However I just bought a 55-200 which I'm enjoying playing with - and I want to get used to using to its full advantage before going for the further range.

Is that the Canon 70-300 USM IS lens ? :undecided:

Toby

03-09-2007, 23:29

How much to buy and ship it over? :D

Toby

04-09-2007, 13:44

I'm currently drooling over the 70-200 f/4.0L IS but the price is scary - find out how much they go for over there if you get a chance :)

Tysonator

04-09-2007, 19:51

Tysonator

04-09-2007, 21:01

What street are they in please ?

Tysonator

04-09-2007, 22:42

it's on the main road running across the bay - the embarcadero (i think) It's about 9 gazillion miles long (well maybe not that much) and there's a camera shop pretty much 1 in 5 there. You do know how far away Chicago is to SF don't you?? :p

Not clue how far the distance is :undecided:

Mark

04-09-2007, 22:49

1,850 miles, as the crow flies. :)

Think you'll need return domestic airfare for that one.

Tysonator

05-09-2007, 12:15

Mark

05-09-2007, 13:34

Usually get the general rate of about 21% (including VAT) unless the customs officer is having a bad day or the items are particularly valuable.

Toby

05-09-2007, 14:02

I didn't think camera equipment was subject to import duty, only VAT?

Tysonator

05-09-2007, 14:24

I didn't think camera equipment was subject to import duty, only VAT?

Nearly any thing is subject to Import Duty & VAT.
As Customers are weighting the goods to reflect UK prices

Tysonator

05-09-2007, 14:27

not much more I'd imagine, the shipping charges aren't too bad. Problem is if they open it they'll charge you import tax which could add up (not sure how much it is though). If we are going up that way again I'll double check (we saw 100s of lenses that day!) but I am pretty sure it was that one because i was surprised how cheap it was for the proper Canon IS lens.

Hi, can you remember the what the shop was called you saw the len in ?
or is there any US web sites I should look at that my friend can then get the said lens from when he visits the USA ?
All so, I believe you have Fedral & local purchase taxes ! ?
How would I find out what these are for Chicago area ?
many thanks :)

Mark

05-09-2007, 15:29

You did see my comment about the distance, didn't you? :)

As for the taxes in Chicago - Illinois' state sales tax is 6.25%

Mondo

05-09-2007, 17:40

Hi, can you remember the what the shop was called you saw the len in ?
or is there any US web sites I should look at that my friend can then get the said lens from when he visits the USA ?
All so, I believe you have Fedral & local purchase taxes ! ?
How would I find out what these are for Chicago area ?
many thanks :)

B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/), they are a family business (Jewish) so beware that they close on Jewish holidays. They are the best (might not the biggest but close) photography store in the US, they also have a store in NYC. So if you are around you have to visit, apparently it is HUGE !

Mark

05-09-2007, 17:46

Careful if you go to NYC - they like the hard sales pitch and try to hook you on deals you don't need. I've parted with money and learned my lesson there.

Tysonator

05-09-2007, 20:28

You did see my comment about the distance, didn't you? :)

As for the taxes in Chicago - Illinois' state sales tax is 6.25%

Yep,.. had a look on google ! :embarassed:
Guess my mate will not be popping over to there from Chicago :huh:

is the 6.25% the only purchase tax to take into account :huh:

Joe 90

12-09-2007, 01:27

can someone recommend a nice multi-purpose (like the 18-50 kit lens) canon mount IS lens?

thinking about picking one up in HK but don't really know whats hot and whats not anymore...

Mondo

12-09-2007, 13:05

can someone recommend a nice multi-purpose (like the 18-50 kit lens) canon mount IS lens?

thinking about picking one up in HK but don't really know whats hot and whats not anymore...

For what camera?

The only EF-S lens with the same focal range is the 17-55 IS 2.8

On EF there is the 28-105 L IS F/4

There is also a cheaper 28-135 IS but it's 3.5-4.5 i think.

Joe 90

12-09-2007, 14:28

300d :)

just want something that'll to wide angle as thats what i use most often, but at the same time zoom somewhat to the region of 50/70 (maybe more...) and have IS
cose i currently have 3 lenses; EFs 18-55 USM - EF 50 1.8 mkII - Sigma 55-200mm
and i use the kit lens the most so just wanted something with better glass and IS to hopefully help with some sharper shots and get me some inspiration to shoot more often!

Tysonator

31-10-2007, 15:05

I have ordered my 70-300 USM IS lens from Chicago, so should have it in the next few days. I had to wait for a few weeks while the Post strike sorted it self out.
So will lt you all know how it fairs when I get it

Also I got gven a Casio Exilim Z850, does any body own one ?
Are they any good ?

Tysonator

07-11-2007, 11:16

Hi all,
I have had the EF 70-300 USM IS for nearly a week now, and it is very good. Much better than 75-300 USM IS. This new lens is very smooth in operation and IS is a dream.
The only thing I am not happy with, is that Canon charge a small fortune for their len's and I do not even get a cloth bag or even a lens hood which is apx £28 from camera world or Jessops.

Where can I get reviews on older len's ?
I have an EF 28-105mm which I was hoping to get some info on.

Many thanks

petemc

07-11-2007, 20:02

Canon do ship bags and hoods with their L series. When you spend £1k on a lens they do give you a hood. Oddly Sigma do ship hoods with their lenses. You could try Fred Miranda's site (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/) for reviews.

Tysonator

07-11-2007, 21:20

I have a Sigma 17-70mm 67mm Filter ring, and I got a lens hood with that, no case though. An old Sigma 18-35mm Wide Angle lens I purchase some years ago had a Hood & case !
Sold it a few weeks ago on eBay.
I can not believe that a plastic cup for a lens hood is £28 !
Just found on on eBay from a Hong Kong camera shop for £4.90, plus £3 P&P, I have order from then before, so will do an order later