Testing $4500 a beast lense

[gturner]

I have always wondered what a $4500 lens feels like and now I know. Due to some luck I test drove a Canon 300mm L IS F2.8 yesterday afternoon.
I was left staggered by the quality. Hitched to my 50D, it was super fast with colour rendition that I have never never before, even with my 70-200 L: non IS
It is seriously heavy and although I am a big, strong guy, after 30 minutes my shoulders and arms started to suffer.

Verdict - believe everything you hear about L lenses with IS. Unless buying a shortish prime, I will not spend money on another lense unless it has these sorts of qualities.


From The Digital Picture: The Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens produces absolutely awesome image quality. This may be the highest image quality Canon EF lens made

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens Review

1. Butterfly - handheld from 2.5 metres



2. My Niece - handheld from 8m



3.Dove - 45 metres and cropped 50% plus
This was the most impressive image. It is literally pick up and shoot on AV F4. The autofocus picked up the neighbors chimney and if you zoom in further on the original you can even get feather detail.

[Tenzin'sMom]

Wonderful photos! Looks like you really had a great time with this amazing lens. Unfortunately, it's just a tad beyond my budget ....

[JustJim]

Superb. You lucky, lucky person! When can I pick it up so that I can have my try at it?

[leonaashlee]

Excellent shots...I doubt I could hold one for five minutes

[sHIMUZUKi]

great shots everything about them.i like the portrait best.
TFS

[gturner]

Here is the dove cropped to 100%

[oohan101]

Those are amazing pictures! Such clarity and color vibrance! But i think id have to start saving up from now untill 10 years to afford that lens haha! Ive got a question to ask but never had the opportunity to do elsewhere, but how do you find the fixed focal/prime lenses, especially at 300mm? Wouldn't you have to keep moving around quite long distances to compose your shots well?

Regards,

Shayne Thomas

[gturner]

It is a wildlife and sports lens and is not meant for portraits. With the speed it works at I don't think it is possible to even make a zoom... although I may be wrong.

As you can see I used it from everything from a butterfly under my nose to a dove 50 yards away. It is not a walk-around lens BUT it can do so much if you are prepared to move your feet.

I even tried it with a x2 extender which was just nuts with the IS and AF working perfectly!! Effectively a 960mm!!

Here is a rose from my garden - again hand held from 10 yards!!



I am so bleak I don't have it anymore

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by gturner

Verdict - believe everything you hear about L lenses with IS. Unless buying a shortish prime, I will not spend money on another lense unless it has these sorts of qualities.

I was planning to pick up a 135 f/2 L that was on sale but got the chance to compare it with the 300 f/2.8 L IS at the store. There is no comparison between these two lenses. The 135 f/2 L is no longer on my wish list.

[jdepould]

Handholding a 300/2.8 is a bit rough. Good monopods aren't terribly expensive and they'll save on your back and arms.