photo:canonef300mmf2.8
Table of Contents
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L USM lens
see also:
introduction
- the pro level weathersealed 300mm f/2.8 lens is perhaps one of the most popular sports lenses for the professional, particularly when shooting field sports under lights from the boundary
- the original version of this AF lens released by Canon in 1987 was integral to Canon dominating the pro sports market when they finally released a pro AF SLR in 1989, and then for the next decade or two thanks to its fast AF compared to the competition in the 1980's, and Nikon did not catch up to the AF speed with such a lens until 1996.
- in 1999, an image stabilised version replaced the original version, changing the rear filter size to 52mm, removed the MF speed options, is closer focus to 2.5m and made slightly lighter while tripod mount made removable
- in 2011, the lens was again upgraded with improved IS, curved diaphragm blades, close focus further improved to 2m, made 8% lighter again and adds a Power Focus mode for video and new mode 3 IS but tripod mount no longer removable
- these are big, heavy and very expensive lenses designed for use on a monopod NOT hand held!
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II
specs
- 2011 onwards
- 300mm f/2.8 image stabiliser now 4EV and with new mode 3 IS designed for shooting irregularly moving subjects. The practical implication for this mode is that the image stabilization system is only active during the time the exposure is made
- weathersealed
- MF is motor driven but no longer has 3 speeds
- “Focus Preset” feature which allows rapid refocus to a preset distance
- new Power Focus mode for video - constant speed focus pulling, with two speeds available
- focus limiters: 2m-6m, 2m-infinity, 6m -infinity
- multicoated, SWC coating
- 16 elements in 12 groups incl. 2 flourite
- rear 52mm drop in filter
- rear focusing
- 9 curved blades
- close focus 2m giving 1:5.6 (0.18x macro)
- tripod collar cannot be removed
- 128mm diam x 248mm long
- 2350g (5.3lbs)
reviews
-
- sharpest at f/5.6; low CA; 1.8EV vignette; 0.04% pincushion;
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS
specs
- 1999-2011
- 300mm f/2.8 image stabiliser rated at 2EV
- weathersealed
- MF is motor driven but no longer has 3 speeds
- “Focus Preset” feature which allows rapid refocus to a preset distance
- focus limiters: 2.5m-6.4m, 2.5m-infinity, 6.4m -infinity
- multicoated
- 17 elements in 13 groups incl. 1 flourite and 2 UD
- rear 52mm drop in filter
- rear focusing
- 8 straight blades
- close focus 2.5m giving 1:7.7 (0.13x macro)
- tripod collar removable
- 128mm diam x 252mm long
- 2550g (5.6lbs)
reviews
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 original
specs
- 1987-1999
- 300mm f/2.8
- weathersealed
- MF is motor driven and has 3 speeds - fast, normal, slow
- “Focus Preset” feature which allows rapid refocus to a preset distance
- focus limiters: 3m-6.5m, 3m-infinity, 6.5m -infinity
- multicoated
- 10 elements in 8 groups incl. 1 flourite and 1 UD
- rear 48mm drop in filter
- rear focusing
- 8 straight blades
- close focus 3m giving 1:9.1 (0.11x macro)
- tripod collar cannot be removed
- 125mm diam x 253mm long
- 2855g (100.7oz or 6.3lbs)
reviews
photo/canonef300mmf2.8.txt · Last modified: 2016/06/13 22:11 by gary1