Canon EF 300mm f/2,8 L IS II USM - beast of a lens. New review!

Hi Van:

The 300 f2.8 IS L (I and II) are media and sports photographer favorites due to their outstanding optical performance, very fast focusing, reasonable weight (compared to the 400mm f2.8 IS L) and ability to take both 1.4x and 2x tele-converters and still pump out great shots.  In fact, this is the only lens I really like a 2x converter on, which means it works very well at 300, 420 and 600mm.  The main hit with the 2x is slower focus speed - but its still very good.

Having used both versions I and II of the 300mm, I find both to have equivalent optical performance, similar IS (the improvement, if any, seems incremental, but I don't lean on IS much with this lens), similar weight (just 150 grams lighter) but slightly different handling.  The V2 lens has a fixed mono/tripod collar, and so is a little more in the way when I sling this lens around handheld than the V1 with the collar removed.  And the V2 has some enhancements for video that I've never used (plus IS mode III).

As a small favor from Canon (really small), the 300mm f2.8 IS L II retail price was not jacked up as much as the 400mm f2.8 IS L II over the version I.

Either one is a pure pleasure to shoot with.

Jay

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The first lens that I really felt an almost unbearable desire to own was the Canon EF 300mm f/2,8. However, with its hefty price tag, it wasn't even on the horizon for me to actually purchase, beeing just a young university student at the time.

The dream still lives on however and certainly didn't weaken after reading the latest review at Lensfreaks.com.

http://www.lensfreaks.com/lens-reviews/canon/canon-ef-300mm-f28-l-is-ii-usm-review-a-nice-little-beast/

That lens doesn't require stopping down the aperture if you want to achieve maximum sharpness. It is so incredibly good allready at f/2,8. Just take a look at those MTF-curves!

Seems like I won't be buying a new car this year. The old one still rolls and this lens rocks!

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Jay Brookstone wrote:

Hi Van:

The 300 f2.8 IS L (I and II) are media and sports photographer favorites due to their outstanding optical performance, very fast focusing, reasonable weight (compared to the 400mm f2.8 IS L) and ability to take both 1.4x and 2x tele-converters and still pump out great shots. In fact, this is the only lens I really like a 2x converter on, which means it works very well at 300, 420 and 600mm. The main hit with the 2x is slower focus speed - but its still very good.

Having used both versions I and II of the 300mm, I find both to have equivalent optical performance, similar IS (the improvement, if any, seems incremental, but I don't lean on IS much with this lens), similar weight (just 150 grams lighter) but slightly different handling. The V2 lens has a fixed mono/tripod collar, and so is a little more in the way when I sling this lens around handheld than the V1 with the collar removed. And the V2 has some enhancements for video that I've never used (plus IS mode III).

As a small favor from Canon (really small), the 300mm f2.8 IS L II retail price was not jacked up as much as the 400mm f2.8 IS L II over the version I.

Either one is a pure pleasure to shoot with.

Jay

________________________________________________________________________

The first lens that I really felt an almost unbearable desire to own was the Canon EF 300mm f/2,8. However, with its hefty price tag, it wasn't even on the horizon for me to actually purchase, beeing just a young university student at the time.

The dream still lives on however and certainly didn't weaken after reading the latest review at Lensfreaks.com.

http://www.lensfreaks.com/lens-reviews/canon/canon-ef-300mm-f28-l-is-ii-usm-review-a-nice-little-beast/

That lens doesn't require stopping down the aperture if you want to achieve maximum sharpness. It is so incredibly good allready at f/2,8. Just take a look at those MTF-curves!

Seems like I won't be buying a new car this year. The old one still rolls and this lens rocks!

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Yeah, I guess the Mark I is about as good as the new version, and a lot cheaper on the second hand market. Maybe a better choice if I want to be able to upgrade both the photo equipment AND the car Don't need it for video either so the special IS-mode is less useful to me than a detachable tripod collar.

Have you seen any impovements in how it handles flares in backlit conditions?

VanHelsing wrote:

The first lens that I really felt an almost unbearable desire to own was the Canon EF 300mm f/2,8. However, with its hefty price tag, it wasn't even on the horizon for me to actually purchase, beeing just a young university student at the time.

The dream still lives on however and certainly didn't weaken after reading the latest review at Lensfreaks.com.

http://www.lensfreaks.com/lens-reviews/canon/canon-ef-300mm-f28-l-is-ii-usm-review-a-nice-little-beast/

That lens doesn't require stopping down the aperture if you want to achieve maximum sharpness. It is so incredibly good allready at f/2,8. Just take a look at those MTF-curves!

Seems like I won't be buying a new car this year. The old one still rolls and this lens rocksthe "beast"

the "beast" lives on

Van:

The 300mm f2.8 IS L has a recessed front element on both the I and II versions that helps it resist flare and contrast loss.  The massive hood, when attached, helps even more.  And when you just can't get the light out of the barrel, both lenses lose contrast but are otherwise well controlled.  Very possible to quickly clean up in Photoshop, except in the most extreme cases, via contrast (histogram) stretching.

I have not noticed a difference in how the I and II behave in possible flare conditions, but have not done a controlled test, either.  Both are good.

If you order a used 300 f2.8, be sure you can return it, then check it for optical and mechanical integrity when you get it.  Make sure it has the case, hood and mounting collar, and filter holder too - these are expensive to replace.  Many of these lenses have had a rough life and the lens elements sometimes become de-centered, causing astigmatism.  Rare - but I've seen it.

Jay

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Yeah, I guess the Mark I is about as good as the new version, and a lot cheaper on the second hand market. Maybe a better choice if I want to be able to upgrade both the photo equipment AND the car Don't need it for video either so the special IS-mode is less useful to me than a detachable tripod collar.

Have you seen any impovements in how it handles flares in backlit conditions?

Jay Brookstone wrote:

Van:

The 300mm f2.8 IS L has a recessed front element on both the I and II versions that helps it resist flare and contrast loss. The massive hood, when attached, helps even more. And when you just can't get the light out of the barrel, both lenses lose contrast but are otherwise well controlled. Very possible to quickly clean up in Photoshop, except in the most extreme cases, via contrast (histogram) stretching.

I have not noticed a difference in how the I and II behave in possible flare conditions, but have not done a controlled test, either. Both are good.

If you order a used 300 f2.8, be sure you can return it, then check it for optical and mechanical integrity when you get it. Make sure it has the case, hood and mounting collar, and filter holder too - these are expensive to replace. Many of these lenses have had a rough life and the lens elements sometimes become de-centered, causing astigmatism. Rare - but I've seen it.

Jay

________________________________________________________________

Yeah, I guess the Mark I is about as good as the new version, and a lot cheaper on the second hand market. Maybe a better choice if I want to be able to upgrade both the photo equipment AND the car Don't need it for video either so the special IS-mode is less useful to me than a detachable tripod collar.

Have you seen any impovements in how it handles flares in backlit conditions?

Wow what a nice detailed answer. Thanks a lot!

The big difference to me is when used with converter. The 300 2.8 IS II is incredible with 2xIII TC. Also it is more well balanced and the small difference in weight is a big difference when hand held. I owned canon 600 f4 is and also the nikkor 600 vr. Compared to this two beast the 300 II looks very very good. Not the same for the first version.

Those are my feel after using 600 IS, 300 2.8 IS, 600 VR, 200-400 VR2, 300 2.8 IS II for years: the 300 II at his 2.3kg is my choice.

"The 400/2.8L IS MKI is a beast! the 300/2.8 MKII is feather weight

for sports you can't beat the 400 especially now with FF cameras the 300 is on the short side."

Hi Sports:

The 400mm f2.8 IS L is definitely THE beast, even in the much lighter V2 version.

But the 300mm f2.8 IS L is more flexible and much easier to use.  It takes 1.4x and 2x TCs well, giving 300mm f2.8, 420mm f4 and 600mm f5.6 focal length coverage with very good quality - the ONLY lens in the Canon stable I use the 2x on.  AF does slow down some with the 1.4x and significantly with the 2x.  I use this lens for baseball when my primary coverage will be the pitcher, infield and 1st base action, including runs to 1st up the 1st base line, shooting from behind the plate and from the 1st base pit.  I do like to shoot a little loose and crop, too. And its soooo much easier to sling around.  I'm often sharing space with local newspaper photographers who need to grab some shots and go, and they use the same lens, pretty much the same way.

The 400mm is king in my baseball work when it comes to 2nd base, 3rd base and outfield action shooting from the pit.  Best way to nail the rare outfield flying or rolling catch, for example.  It overlaps with the 300mm for home plate action but for pitcher coverage I have to shoot behind and above home plate at a lot of fields, to catch the windup and follow-through. Too tight, otherwise.  I shoot at f4 for better depth of field and sometimes put on the 1.4x if I expect a long drive into left or center field, or (in a pinch) to catch some outfield action from behind home plate.

It takes a lot more practice to master the 400mm, and heavier and more expensive support equipment, too (mono and tripods/gimbal heads, cases/packs, pain medication for back, etc.) than the 300mm. I sometimes shoot hand held in a pinch with the 300, never with the 400.  To get a real sense of the difference, any potential buyer should put them side by side in their cases, then pick them up.

Jay

VanHelsing wrote:

The first lens that I really felt an almost unbearable desire to own was the Canon EF 300mm f/2,8. However, with its hefty price tag, it wasn't even on the horizon for me to actually purchase, beeing just a young university student at the time.

The dream still lives on however and certainly didn't weaken after reading the latest review at Lensfreaks.com.

http://www.lensfreaks.com/lens-reviews/canon/canon-ef-300mm-f28-l-is-ii-usm-review-a-nice-little-beast/

That lens doesn't require stopping down the aperture if you want to achieve maximum sharpness. It is so incredibly good allready at f/2,8. Just take a look at those MTF-curves!

Seems like I won't be buying a new car this year. The old one still rolls and this lens rocks!

the significant difference between v2 and v1 is the weight reduction! the v2 feels quite light when you hand hold it. i haven't had the v1 but my v2 feels very nice. i have attached the TC 2xIII on my 300v2 and i haven't taken it off the IQ degradation is very minimal compared to without TC, however, the focus is expectedly slower and it searches. other than that, it is a stellar lens. i also have the 600v2 and it too is a wonderful lens. but you have to get a good tripod for 600v2 because it is very difficult to handle by hand. i am not sure if they are worth having instead of buying a new automobile though if you need one

cheers.

I owned the first version then upgraded to the latest. Calling this lens fantastic is an understatement. Superb AF & IQ with the 1.4xIII, and very good IQ but some what less AF performance with the 2xIII.

Here's one with the 2XIII (600mm) @ 1/180s...

BigBen08 wrote:

I owned the first version then upgraded to the latest. Calling this lens fantastic is an understatement. Superb AF & IQ with the 1.4xIII, and very good IQ but some what less AF performance with the 2xIII.

Here's one with the 2XIII (600mm) @ 1/180s...

^^Fantastic image!

photogirl7 wrote:

BigBen08 wrote:

I owned the first version then upgraded to the latest. Calling this lens fantastic is an understatement. Superb AF & IQ with the 1.4xIII, and very good IQ but some what less AF performance with the 2xIII.

Here's one with the 2XIII (600mm) @ 1/180s...

^^Fantastic image!

Awesome! What a beautiful aircraft!