New Canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS USM

Roy_Strutt · #1 09-22-2005, 05:42 AM

I am looking at the new Canon 70 - 300 f4 IS USM lens for my 20D - Has anybody bought one or seen it reviewed yet
I would like your opinion ?

Thanks

Roy

ElanRemford · #2 09-22-2005, 11:12 AM

There is no 70-300 f/4 IS USM lens. There is, however, a 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM, and it is an excellent lens in all respects.

E.

Roy_Strutt · #3 09-22-2005, 06:12 PM

Elan

Thank you for the correction - much appreciated

Do you own the new lens ? - Would you recommend versus the DO lens released earlier

Kind regards

RAS

Jim_Larson · #4 09-22-2005, 08:37 PM

Huh?

I have heard *nothing* credible on the new 70-300/IS lens. By all regards it is a slightly improved 75-300/IS. Same old slow AF motor, but generation 3 IS instead of generation 1 IS. No real reason to think the optics are any better in the new lens

All for 150% of the old lens price.

As for the DO. . . ummm. . . if you have money to burn and really want small size. . .then this lens is for you. Compared to the 70-200/4L with a 1.4TC, the DO has IS, is alot smaller, and is more expensive. The optics of the 70-200/4L with 1.4TC are superior by all accounts.

BruceWatson · #5 09-23-2005, 11:37 PM

I have the DO lens and like it; while it is not as sharp as the 70-200, it is very pleasing. As Jim mentioned, the main advantage is size and weight, but that makes it a much more comfortable lens to walk/hike distances, so (for my purposes) it is a great lens.

Michael Reichmann at The Luminous Landscape originally was not impressed by it, but now uses it for much of his travel photography. For his review and examples of images he has taken with it, go to http://www.luminous-landscape.com/

Gary_Voth · #6 09-24-2005, 02:31 AM

[ QUOTE ]
No real reason to think the optics are any better in the new lens

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, the new lens incorporates UD elements to reduce chromatic aberation at longer focal lengths. It also shows improved MTF charts compared to its predecessor.

This is reason enough to believe this lens may be improved optically. Whether this shows up in real world shooting we will have to see...

I for one am interested in this lens for travel.

Paul_Kearley · #7 09-24-2005, 04:38 AM

I have just bought the new 70-300 IS because I was not happy with my 70-300 DO.
I did a comparison test yesterday evening on my 1Ds at all marked focal lengths and at f5.6, f11 and f22, the new lens easily beat the DO in sharpness, contrast and colour especially at the corners and edges, the DO came close on sharpness in the centre mostly at f11. Given the choice I would take the new 70-300m IS without hesitation, I was pleasantly surprised at the picture quality (jury is still out on the picture quality of the 24-105mm though, but that's another story) shame there is no full time manual focus though.

Paul.