Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Specifications and Review
Brief Review
The EF 70-300/4-5.6IS USM was introduced in 2005 as a replacement for the earlier 75-300/4-5.6IS USM (which was Canon's first IS lens). The new 70-300is is a completely new design with a UD element which significantly improved the image quality, especailly at the long end of the zoom range. The 70-300/4-5.6is is now perhaps Canon's best low cost telephoto zoom. The IS is effective and image quality is good throughout the focal length range, It's obviously not as good as the Canon telephoto primes, especially wide open and in the corners of the image, but you wouldn't expect it to be. The 70-300/4-5.6is is small, light, relatively inexpensive and inconspicuous. I've owned this lens since it was released in 2005 and I've been more than happy with its performance.
The EF 70-200/4L USM is a similarly priced alternative which has excellent optics. However the reach is smaller (200mm vs 300mm) and it lacks Image stabilization. The 70-200/4L IS USM adds IS but also adds about $600 to the price and it's still only 200mm. Canon's best telephoto zoom is the EF 100-400/4.5-5.6IS USM, but it's larger, heavier and about 3x the price of the 70-300is, so I still think the 70-300is is one of Canon's most useful and affordable lenses. It would be better with a real ring USM AF motor and a front element that didn't rotate during focusing, but that would no doubt add several hundred dollars to the price. The EF 70-300.4.5-5.6DO IS USM has the ring USM motor, IS a non-rotating front element and diffractive optics (which makes it a little smaller), but it's more than double the cost. Here's a link to a more detailed review of the EF 70-300/4-5.6IS USM
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| Model | Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM |
| Link to Current Pricing | EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM |
Production Dates  |
2005 - current |
| Comments | One of my most used lenses. It's relative small, light and inexpensive for a telephoto zoom. It's pretty sharp thanks to the use of a UD element and the Image Stabilization is effective and almost a "must have" for handheld work at 300mm. This lens has a "zoom lock" at 70mm so the lens doesn't extend when being carried. A full review of the 70-300is can be found HERE |
| Field of View
(degrees) Horizontal,Vertical, Diagonal Full Frame - 36x24mm APS-C - 22.5x15mm |
Full Frame Wide : H - 28.8 : V - 19.5 : D - 34.4 Full Frame Tele : H - 6.9 : V - 4.6 : D - 8.3 APS-C Wide : H - 18.3 : V - 12.2 : D - 21.9 APS-C Tele : H - 4.3 : V - 2.9 : D - 5.2 |
| Full Frame FOV equivalent with lens on APS-C body |
112-480 mm (1.6x multiplier) |
| Full Frame FOV equivalent with lens on APS-H body |
91-390 mm (1.3x multiplier) |
| Image Stabilization |
up to 3 stops |
| IS Panning Mode |
Manual Selection |
| Maximum Length | 209 mm (8.23 inches) |
| Minimum Length | 138 mm (5.43 inches) |
| Weight | 650 gm (21.98 oz.) |
| Maximum Diameter | 78 mm (3.07 inches) |
| Lens Mount Material |
Metal |
| Lens Color |
Black |
| Filter Size | 58 mm |
| Filter Rotation |
Filter Rotates |
| Internal Zooming |
No (extends on zooming) |
| Focusing |
Linear Extension (Length changes) |
| Focus Range Setting(s) |
No, always uses full focus range |
| AF motor |
Micro-USM |
| Distance Scale | No, does not have distance scale |
| Closest Focus | 1.5 m (4.92 ft) |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.25x |
| Canon TC compatibility |
No, Canon TCs can not be used |
| Weathersealing |
Not weathersealed |
| Lens Hood |
ET-65B |
| E-TTL II Support |
No |
| Elements/Groups |
15/10 |
| Special Glass Elements |
Yes, 1 UD element |
| Diaphragm Blades |
8 |
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Check Current Pricing and Availability at Amazon.com |
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With the large number of entries contained in the Canon EOS Lens database it's inevitable the some of presented here may not be complete and/or may contain errors. If you find an error or missing data, please contact me and I will add or revise the data as necessary
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