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How good is 300 4 L IS for R6 ?

Started Apr 27, 2022 | Discussions
D135ima Junior Member • Posts: 41
How good is 300 4 L IS for R6 ?

I see pretty interesting options on local second hand market, and i like this lens on paper, it seems reasonable for me, but it is clear to me that this is an old lens. I think i roughly understand what to expect from autofocus, based on experience with some lenses from this era (but i am note sure about tracking performances), but i had no experience at all with early IS systems. I just don't know how good or bad it is. Maybe it even worse, than 300 4 L "not IS" with IBIS, i just don't know.

Have you experience with this lens on modern bodies ? What you can say about IS, AF and in general ?

Thank you.

Canon EF 300mm f/4.0L IS USM Canon EOS R6
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John Crowe
John Crowe Veteran Member • Posts: 3,476
Can only comment on non-IS version.

I have only used the EF 300/4 L and EF 300/2.8 L, both non-IS, and both on the 5DSR.

The f4 is almost as sharp as the f2.8, and AF appears to be very similar.  AF on the f2.8 with EF 1.4x seems a bit better than the f4 and EF 1.4x.  I often used both for tracking/panning race cars and motorcycles at high speed with great success.

The 5DSR autofocus should be well behind the R6, so you should see improvements beyond my experience.  The RF bodies are said to improve AF of all EF lenses.

The IS lens elements, of the 300/4 L, are said to have reduced IQ marginally  Personally I have no use for IS, so IBIS may in fact be good enough for your purposes, with the non-IS.

 John Crowe's gear list:John Crowe's gear list
Canon EOS 5DS R Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 AF 1.4x Venus Laowa 12mm F2.8 Zero-D +15 more
tdbmd Senior Member • Posts: 1,547
Re: How good is 300 4 L IS for R6 ?

I suspect that with the age of the EF 300L f4, you will not get the full frames per second with the R6, if that matters to you.  There is a list of EF lenses that is compatible with the full 12 FPS speed and MS.  ES shutter will be OK

 tdbmd's gear list:tdbmd's gear list
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EOS Rebel T8i (EOS 850D) Canon EOS R6 Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM +11 more
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