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Canon 300 f/4 L IS Review

Started May 6, 2014 | User reviews thread
technic Veteran Member • Posts: 8,932
Re: Canon 300 f/4 L IS Review

Nice review on your website (with nice pictures), matches most of my experience with the lens. I don't agree with your opinion on the AF performance and the 'exceptionally sharp' though. When I compare it with the (much cheaper) 2.8/200L the 300IS is by far the weaker of the two IMHO, both in image quality (especially sharpness throughout the frame) and AF speed. Maybe I was lucky with my 200L or unlucky with my 300L? I still consider it a good lens and good value for money, thanks to the close focus distance that makes it my number 1 dragonfly lens.

But that 'value' is mostly because there are no real alternatives at the moment, this lens really needs a makeover. If the price for a II version goes up to $2000-2500 that would still be acceptable for me assuming the optical quality is close to the last 2.8 version. The 2.8/300IS II is too expensive for most hobby photographers and too heavy to handhold for a longer time. I'm hoping for a more affordable 2.8/300IS from Sigma (still a rumor though) but probably that will also weigh at least 2.5 kg and close focus to 1.5m is unlikely for the Sigma

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