Has anybody had any experience or know of a review on the Canon 28-300 is usm . I am looking for a lens to take on a river canoeing/camping trip in Canada where I expect great scenery and some wildlife. I prefer to take one lens or max two.Another possibility is a good quality but cheaper zoom and a wide angle lens. I will be using them on a 5Dmk2 . I only get to these wilderness places once in a while and prefer that if there any bad shots I am to blame,...not the equipment. Any advice appreciated.
-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
28-300 is usm
- Thread starter redridge
- Start date
marsbar
Leading Member
Hay,
http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-28-300mm-f-3.5-5.6-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/191-canon-ef-28-300mm-f35-56-usm-l-is-test-report--review
http://photo.net/equipment/canon/ef28-300l/
Where in Canada are you going?
--
Here are some links to reviews on this lens:
http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-28-300mm-f-3.5-5.6-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/191-canon-ef-28-300mm-f35-56-usm-l-is-test-report--review
http://photo.net/equipment/canon/ef28-300l/
Where in Canada are you going?
--
Absolutic
Veteran Member
I've heard that this lens is not only very expensive but also is very very heavy, like reallly heavy. But I have not handled it personally so i m not sure whether it is prohibitively heavy
--
Canon 40D
Nikon D40
Panny TZ5
Fuji F30
Sanyo E2 Underwater Camcorder/Camera
maxz
Senior Member
Yes it's a little bit heavy (but if you can handle 70-200IS then this lens is no biggie) and the funny hood looks more like a decoration than functioning accessory, but it's a real gem optically and the one-lens convenience in the field is much handier than you could imagine. Many times when I go out with friends I could concentrate on 'getting the shot' while they were busy changing lenses or swapping bodies.
Reviews are meaningless in real world shooting. Keep in mind that the 28-300 at 300mm end will capture better detail than any prime of shorter focal length.
Max
Reviews are meaningless in real world shooting. Keep in mind that the 28-300 at 300mm end will capture better detail than any prime of shorter focal length.
Max
rsn48
Veteran Member
I live in Vancouver but shoot photos in Whitehorse Yukon frequently. For wildlife, 300mm really isn't that great, it seems so until you own one. In fact, 400mm isn't as long as you think, once you own one you find yourself soon wishing for a longer lens.
For wildlife, the new Sigma lens is quite good. It naturally isn't as good as a Canon 500 prime, but try and find a 500mm lens with "IS" - they call it OS - good to four stops, and costing under a thousand.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549255-REG/Sigma_737101_150_500mm_f_5_6_3_DG_OS.html
Here is a Shutterbug review of this lens:
http://shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/lenses/072408sigma/
Here is a user review of it, and other comments:
http://www.doorhof.nl/blog/index.php?topic=1756.0
I'm not sure what wide lens I'd recommend, but you might consider the Canon 17 - 40 lens; with the Sigma lens, it would fit in your budget.
For shooting bears, to get really great shots, you want to be quite close to them; but do you really... if you know what I mean. So having a long reach on wildlife is a good thing because usually they aren't as close as you'd like and cropping deteriorates the resolution of the image.
--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.
For wildlife, the new Sigma lens is quite good. It naturally isn't as good as a Canon 500 prime, but try and find a 500mm lens with "IS" - they call it OS - good to four stops, and costing under a thousand.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549255-REG/Sigma_737101_150_500mm_f_5_6_3_DG_OS.html
Here is a Shutterbug review of this lens:
http://shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/lenses/072408sigma/
Here is a user review of it, and other comments:
http://www.doorhof.nl/blog/index.php?topic=1756.0
I'm not sure what wide lens I'd recommend, but you might consider the Canon 17 - 40 lens; with the Sigma lens, it would fit in your budget.
For shooting bears, to get really great shots, you want to be quite close to them; but do you really... if you know what I mean. So having a long reach on wildlife is a good thing because usually they aren't as close as you'd like and cropping deteriorates the resolution of the image.
--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.
Thanks everyone for the valuable information and comments.
Marsbar, I am going to the Nahanni River. Went to the Horton in 07 and it was fantastic. The NWT in Canada is a truly pristine wilderness like no other . I wish it were closer to Australia !!
Marsbar, I am going to the Nahanni River. Went to the Horton in 07 and it was fantastic. The NWT in Canada is a truly pristine wilderness like no other . I wish it were closer to Australia !!
keonikim
Member
Aloha,
My husband and I live in Hawaii so the photo opportunities are quite interesting. We've got an abundance of landscape, nature, ocean, as well as spontaneous candid photos. We also breed and train Japanese Spitz dogs and find the 28-300 and the 24-105 lens to be our most used glasses for all around quick shots.
We purchased the Canon 28-300 IS L lens with reservations for its weight and price, however, after using it for a significant amount of time, we don't regret buying it. Because of its weight, however, I also bought a Tamron 28-300 VC lens as a walk around lens for myself, but there's no comparison as far as optical quality and AF speed is concerned.
When we go on our impromptu photo shoots we take our 50D with a 16-35 L lens mounted and a 5D Mark II fitted with the Canon 28-300 IS L lens. This combination provides us with pretty good wide to long range coverage.
Covering people watching, surf meets and whale watching from shore or onboard a tour boat makes the Canon 28-300 lens an invaluable asset to our list of equipment. Because of its tremendous versatility we've gotten used to using this lens as our walk around glass.
On an extended trip to Canada we went on a kayak tour and were advised to take only one camera, lens and a minimum of accessories for each of us. We were fortunate to come upon bears in the wild and were cautioned to not approach or get too close to these huge animals. The guide told us they're able to move a lot faster than their immense size belies. The Canon 28-300 lens was ideal for this situation.
Busch Gardens was another stop on our itinerary and the 16-35 L, as well as the 28-300 IS L lens gave us all the images we wanted. The Gardens was one of the most beautiful places we visited and the landscape, portrait, and close up photos were absolutely precious. We also used our Canon 24-105 IS L lens in place of the 28-300 at times.
The Chilkat River Valley provided us with countless images of the magnificent Bald Eagles while in flight, roosting, hunting, feeding, and caring for their young. Again, the Canon 28-300 IS L lens proved its worth, as well as our Canon 100-400 IS Lens and our Bigma 50-500 zoom lens. Coupled with an extender the closeups of these beautiful bids were unbelievably incredible.
As the previous poster said, for your intents and purposes, don't let reviews be your deciding factor in selecting a lens. Actual practical everyday useage and performance is what you should consider. Think of it this way. Also, in spite of the 28-300 IS L lens' price the 28-300 will cover several lens within its focal range you won't have to buy. Past performance has indicated Canon L series lens holds its value and doesn't depreciate as dramatically as other lens.
The weight will become inconsequential compared to all of the Canon 28-300 IS L lens tremendous features. I believe it's something you'll get used to. I'm only 5'2"s and 110 pounds soaking wet, yet I can tolerate my 50D with the Canon 28-300. BTW, my husband and I also both use the BlackRapid Strap, which helps immensely with carrying a heavy load all day long.
Our lens collection consists of a Canon 50 1.4, 16-35 L, 18-200 IS, 24-70 L, 24-105 IS L, 28-135 IS, 28-300 IS L, 70-200 IS 2.8L, 70-300 IS, 100-400 IS L, and an 800 IS L. Non Canon lens are a sigma, Bigma, 50-500, and a Tamron 28-300 VC.
We're anxiously awaiting the Tamron 10-24 ultra wide angle to arrive to possibly augment our collection. The decision to purchase either the Tamron 10-24 or the Canon 10-22 is an interesting one.
Good luck in your lens selection.
Ann
Keoni
God Forgives - I Don't
My husband and I live in Hawaii so the photo opportunities are quite interesting. We've got an abundance of landscape, nature, ocean, as well as spontaneous candid photos. We also breed and train Japanese Spitz dogs and find the 28-300 and the 24-105 lens to be our most used glasses for all around quick shots.
We purchased the Canon 28-300 IS L lens with reservations for its weight and price, however, after using it for a significant amount of time, we don't regret buying it. Because of its weight, however, I also bought a Tamron 28-300 VC lens as a walk around lens for myself, but there's no comparison as far as optical quality and AF speed is concerned.
When we go on our impromptu photo shoots we take our 50D with a 16-35 L lens mounted and a 5D Mark II fitted with the Canon 28-300 IS L lens. This combination provides us with pretty good wide to long range coverage.
Covering people watching, surf meets and whale watching from shore or onboard a tour boat makes the Canon 28-300 lens an invaluable asset to our list of equipment. Because of its tremendous versatility we've gotten used to using this lens as our walk around glass.
On an extended trip to Canada we went on a kayak tour and were advised to take only one camera, lens and a minimum of accessories for each of us. We were fortunate to come upon bears in the wild and were cautioned to not approach or get too close to these huge animals. The guide told us they're able to move a lot faster than their immense size belies. The Canon 28-300 lens was ideal for this situation.
Busch Gardens was another stop on our itinerary and the 16-35 L, as well as the 28-300 IS L lens gave us all the images we wanted. The Gardens was one of the most beautiful places we visited and the landscape, portrait, and close up photos were absolutely precious. We also used our Canon 24-105 IS L lens in place of the 28-300 at times.
The Chilkat River Valley provided us with countless images of the magnificent Bald Eagles while in flight, roosting, hunting, feeding, and caring for their young. Again, the Canon 28-300 IS L lens proved its worth, as well as our Canon 100-400 IS Lens and our Bigma 50-500 zoom lens. Coupled with an extender the closeups of these beautiful bids were unbelievably incredible.
As the previous poster said, for your intents and purposes, don't let reviews be your deciding factor in selecting a lens. Actual practical everyday useage and performance is what you should consider. Think of it this way. Also, in spite of the 28-300 IS L lens' price the 28-300 will cover several lens within its focal range you won't have to buy. Past performance has indicated Canon L series lens holds its value and doesn't depreciate as dramatically as other lens.
The weight will become inconsequential compared to all of the Canon 28-300 IS L lens tremendous features. I believe it's something you'll get used to. I'm only 5'2"s and 110 pounds soaking wet, yet I can tolerate my 50D with the Canon 28-300. BTW, my husband and I also both use the BlackRapid Strap, which helps immensely with carrying a heavy load all day long.
Our lens collection consists of a Canon 50 1.4, 16-35 L, 18-200 IS, 24-70 L, 24-105 IS L, 28-135 IS, 28-300 IS L, 70-200 IS 2.8L, 70-300 IS, 100-400 IS L, and an 800 IS L. Non Canon lens are a sigma, Bigma, 50-500, and a Tamron 28-300 VC.
We're anxiously awaiting the Tamron 10-24 ultra wide angle to arrive to possibly augment our collection. The decision to purchase either the Tamron 10-24 or the Canon 10-22 is an interesting one.
Good luck in your lens selection.
Ann
Keoni
God Forgives - I Don't
Absolutic
Veteran Member
Ann, Ken Rockwell just reviewed Tamron 10-24 and reviewed it as very poor and soft lens. According to his review not even in the same league with Canon's 10-22. Now he reviewed Nikon's mount, but I don't see how results with Canon would be different.
http://kenrockwell.com/tamron/10-24mm.htm
Canon 40D
Nikon D40
Panny TZ5
Fuji F30
Sanyo E2 Underwater Camcorder/Camera
Michael Engelen
Leading Member
Hi redridge,
even though the IS of my 28-300L is to be replaced by Canon I can only say it's the most versatile and most used lens in my "collection". I use it with my 20D/40D and especially with my 1DMkII where it serves as my walkaround. Yes, it is heavy (I mean really heavy) but eventually you will get used to it and then it's just great. Missing no shot and not even having to think about changing lenses gives a whole different feeling when shooting. This is my "one-and-only-if-I would-have-to-choose"-lens. I take it everywhere and am really happy with the results.
--
My website is http://www.meview.de
even though the IS of my 28-300L is to be replaced by Canon I can only say it's the most versatile and most used lens in my "collection". I use it with my 20D/40D and especially with my 1DMkII where it serves as my walkaround. Yes, it is heavy (I mean really heavy) but eventually you will get used to it and then it's just great. Missing no shot and not even having to think about changing lenses gives a whole different feeling when shooting. This is my "one-and-only-if-I would-have-to-choose"-lens. I take it everywhere and am really happy with the results.
--
My website is http://www.meview.de
DoctorG1
Senior Member
Wonderful lens , the only bugbears are its weight and its speed. With the 5d it vignettes a bit , but with the 52II and peripheral illumination , that problem should be solved. The higher useable ISO's of the II should mitigate its speed disadvantage.
There are a few other bugbears like you must tape the switches on the lens to avoid em getting disturbed when taking the lens outa the camera bag - happens easily.
It's really of huge value on a FF camera , in fact I only carry 2 lenses , that and a Sigma 12-24. I have travelled a lot and its an ideal lens for travel..its also weather sealed. sometimes , a little wider would be a bonus ..pity it didnt go from 24mm. It has a few other advantages like close focussing , and a 0.3:1 macro thru the zoom range ... IS is very good too. Only issues I ever had was in SE asia where the humidity cause the lens to fog up (externally) when i took it out of its "cold" bag..but this is nothing to do with the lens itself.
I use a kenko 1.4x pro extender for extra range and it still allows me AF.
It does get to the smaller apertures pretty quickly in the zoom range tho ..so you wont get the pop or shallow DOF of lets say a 70-200 2.8 , but you will get the shot.
Believe me , this lens is really heavy ,,combine it with a battery grip and a flash and your rig is pretty huge ...gets a lot of attention and often allows you to get to positions you would not otherwise get to as it looks like you are a "pro"..I have often bluffed my way in to choice vantage spots using this rig.
I did have a 24-105 and a 70-200 2.8 but sold em after getting this lens.
The only other lenses I have are speciality macro's .
--
Rodney Gold
The nicest thing about smacking your head against the the wall is.......The feeling you get when you stop
There are a few other bugbears like you must tape the switches on the lens to avoid em getting disturbed when taking the lens outa the camera bag - happens easily.
It's really of huge value on a FF camera , in fact I only carry 2 lenses , that and a Sigma 12-24. I have travelled a lot and its an ideal lens for travel..its also weather sealed. sometimes , a little wider would be a bonus ..pity it didnt go from 24mm. It has a few other advantages like close focussing , and a 0.3:1 macro thru the zoom range ... IS is very good too. Only issues I ever had was in SE asia where the humidity cause the lens to fog up (externally) when i took it out of its "cold" bag..but this is nothing to do with the lens itself.
I use a kenko 1.4x pro extender for extra range and it still allows me AF.
It does get to the smaller apertures pretty quickly in the zoom range tho ..so you wont get the pop or shallow DOF of lets say a 70-200 2.8 , but you will get the shot.
Believe me , this lens is really heavy ,,combine it with a battery grip and a flash and your rig is pretty huge ...gets a lot of attention and often allows you to get to positions you would not otherwise get to as it looks like you are a "pro"..I have often bluffed my way in to choice vantage spots using this rig.
I did have a 24-105 and a 70-200 2.8 but sold em after getting this lens.
The only other lenses I have are speciality macro's .
--
Rodney Gold
The nicest thing about smacking your head against the the wall is.......The feeling you get when you stop
Similar threads
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum