| Field-test of the Canon EF 300mm
f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto lens. The new Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L Image Stabilizer USM telephoto lens, when it was launched in summer of 1999 with three other IS USM lenses (the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM, EF 500mm f/4L IS USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS USM), was something of a surprise for most EOS users and other photo enthusiasts alike except for those who are familiar with the EOS cameras and EF lenses concept. Back in summer of 1992, Canon showed a prototype of the EF 300mm f/2.8L in a European trade fair utilizing a built-in Image Stabilizing system, and questions were fielded by photo magazine editors and journalists alike to Canon as to when a commercial version would be made available. Of course, with new products like the Canon EOS 5 (Sept. 1992), Canon EOS-1N (1994), the EF 300mm f/4L IS USM (1997) and the EOS-3 (1998) along the way, many have forgotten that Canon already had a plan for an IS version of the popular EF 300mm f/2.8L USM in the pipeline. When Canon showed that original prototype, I had just forked out a small fortune on the older, non-IS version and was telling myself whether I had acted too soon in buying the 300mm lens. Alas, years went by and Canon did not show a commercial IS version of the 300mm f/2.8 lens at any of the major photo trade shows like PMA USA and Europe, Germany's bi-annual Photokina, Australia's Photo Show or Japan's annual Photo Pro. In fact, the four new IS lenses were not announced at any of the major trade shows but as a mid-year introduction in '99 although they could be seen at most of the upcoming fairs thereafter.
Equipped with Canon's unique Image Stabilizer technology, the latest 300mm is part of the new generation of L-series lenses that offer high performance under all kinds of shooting conditions. Its non-compromising optical design incorporates one fluorite and two UD elements to completely eliminate secondary spectrum. It provides extremely sharp, stable images even at full aperture. Featuring an inner focus system with Ring USM drive, autofocusing speed is at the highest level in the world when used with the EOS-3 and the EOS-1v cameras. Along with Full-time Manual focus (FT-M) and focus preset, it offers an AF Stop function to shut off autofocus when an obstruction appears. Durability has been improved with an advanced magnesium alloy lens barrel and increased dust and moisture resistance. Yet even with all these features, the lens is extremely light for easy portability, this I can easily attest to since it does feel lighter than the older version. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |
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