|
|
|
An affordable long-zoom lens with two effective image stabilisation modes.
 Build 8/10
Ease of use 8/10
Image quality 8.5/10
Value for money 8.5/10
Released concurrently with the EOS 5D Canon's EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM telephoto zoom lens replaces the 10-year-old EF 75-300mm f/4.5.6 IS USM lens. We tested it on Canon's EOS 30D, where it covered a focal length range equivalent to 112-480mm in 35mm format. The new lens combines ultra-low dispersion (UD) and aspherical lens elements and included an improved optical image stabiliser (IS) that allows users to shoot at approximately three shutter speeds slower than a non-stabilised lens. This is a one-stop improvement over its predecessor.
The EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens is clearly aimed at enthusiast photographers, especially those who don't want to include a heavy tripod in their packs. Less than half the price of Canon's 'DO' (diffractive optics) model with the same zoom range, it is also longer and slimmer - as well as almost 100 grams lighter. However, it remains a relatively long lens by today's standards, measuring 142.8mm at the 70mm setting and 197.8mm when fully extended.
The IS system worked extremely well, and Canon's claims of a three stop exposure advantage proved credible. For most brightly-lit subjects, autofocusing was fast and accurate, thanks to the ultrasonic motor, which operated almost silently. However, in very dim lighting and at focal lengths beyond 200mm with detailed, backlit subjects like grasses or leaves, the lens had a strong tendency to 'hunt' and manual focusing was necessary. The 8-bladed iris produced attractive out-of-focus backgrounds at wide apertures.
Related Links
|
|
