Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens at DVinfo.net

Ken Tanaka · June 7th, 2004, 12:45 PM

I am looking for a long-zoom and am especially attracted to this lens. It's one of Canon's new "Diffractive Optics" designs that offers a much smaller and lighter physical design than comparable zoom lenses. Of course it also features Canon's image stabilization.

I've followed comments about the lens on DPreview an other venues and am aware that occasional psycho-swirls might appear in an image. But I wondered if anyone from our community has yet worked with this lens?

(The Canon page is here.)

Jeff Donald · June 7th, 2004, 01:18 PM

My favorite review is Michael Reichmann's at the Luminous Landscape. I got to play with one at a local store, last week. I was very impressed by the small size and light weight. Size and weight are important considerations for someone your age, too. If you can live with the slower apertures, you'll be fine. If speed is more important than size and weight, I'd opt for the 70-200mm F2.8 with Canon's superb 1.4x tele-convertor.

Ken Tanaka · June 7th, 2004, 02:26 PM

Thanks very much for that reference, Jeff. (And thanks also for the reminder that weight should be a prominent consideration for me. My AARP invitation arrived last week...no kidding. <g>) That's a very thorough review.

The 70-200 f2.8 is, indeed, on the list of finalists. It's such a faster lens and, at least on my 10D, has a nice reach that it's very tempting, too. But the bottom line from a practical perspective is that a smaller, lighter lens will likely get used more often than a larger, heavier lens. Regardless of its minimum aperture. My 10D's excellent high-ISO properties partially offset the F4.5 deficit.

Now, about the 1DMII...

Ken Tanaka · June 21st, 2004, 10:28 PM

Well, since my last post I upgraded my camera to the new EOS 1D Mark II. It's a different ball game, but that's a matter for a different thread.

But my lovely wife gave me the Canon 70-300 f4.5 DO IS lens for my birthday! I've only spent one solid day shooting with it so far but I can safely say that this is quite a lens and certainly the best choice for me. It's actually smaller and lighter than my 24-70 f2.8L, something that boggles me.

Regarding Canon's "Diffractive Optics" design, all I can say is that I've seen absolutely no anomalies or aberrations from this design after perhaps 100 RAW shots, many near water where I would have expected whirls to appear in reflections.

David Mintzer · June 22nd, 2004, 07:40 AM

Dont know much about the lens in question but I can cope with the size of the 70-200 f2.8 when I factor in the Image Stabilization--an amazing technology.

June 7th, 2004, 12:45 PM	#1
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens I am looking for a long-zoom and am especially attracted to this lens. It's one of Canon's new "Diffractive Optics" designs that offers a much smaller and lighter physical design than comparable zoom lenses. Of course it also features Canon's image stabilization. I've followed comments about the lens on DPreview an other venues and am aware that occasional psycho-swirls might appear in an image. But I wondered if anyone from our community has yet worked with this lens? (The Canon page is here.) __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 7th, 2004, 01:18 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	My favorite review is Michael Reichmann's at the Luminous Landscape. I got to play with one at a local store, last week. I was very impressed by the small size and light weight. Size and weight are important considerations for someone your age, too. If you can live with the slower apertures, you'll be fine. If speed is more important than size and weight, I'd opt for the 70-200mm F2.8 with Canon's superb 1.4x tele-convertor. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 7th, 2004, 02:26 PM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Thanks very much for that reference, Jeff. (And thanks also for the reminder that weight should be a prominent consideration for me. My AARP invitation arrived last week...no kidding. <g>) That's a very thorough review. The 70-200 f2.8 is, indeed, on the list of finalists. It's such a faster lens and, at least on my 10D, has a nice reach that it's very tempting, too. But the bottom line from a practical perspective is that a smaller, lighter lens will likely get used more often than a larger, heavier lens. Regardless of its minimum aperture. My 10D's excellent high-ISO properties partially offset the F4.5 deficit. Now, about the 1DMII... __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 21st, 2004, 10:28 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Follow-Up Well, since my last post I upgraded my camera to the new EOS 1D Mark II. It's a different ball game, but that's a matter for a different thread. But my lovely wife gave me the Canon 70-300 f4.5 DO IS lens for my birthday! I've only spent one solid day shooting with it so far but I can safely say that this is quite a lens and certainly the best choice for me. It's actually smaller and lighter than my 24-70 f2.8L, something that boggles me. Regarding Canon's "Diffractive Optics" design, all I can say is that I've seen absolutely no anomalies or aberrations from this design after perhaps 100 RAW shots, many near water where I would have expected whirls to appear in reflections. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 22nd, 2004, 07:40 AM	#5
David Mintzer Rextilleon Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 520	Dont know much about the lens in question but I can cope with the size of the 70-200 f2.8 when I factor in the Image Stabilization--an amazing technology.