| Field-test of the Canon EF 75-300mm
f/4-5.6 IS USM. Canon first showcased a lens using its Image Stabilizing (IS) technology during a photo trade show in 1992 with the prototype EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM. That lens attracted a lot of attention from visitors and photo magazine editors alike and questions were asked as to when Canon would market the lens. No date has been set and many were told that the lens remain a prototype with no plans to introduce a commercial version in the near future. As I have mentioned in issue No: 40 of this column, with other exciting products from Canon, like the EOS 5 (Sept. 1992) and the EOS-1N (Sept. 1994) as well as other new L-series EF lenses that came shortly thereafter the prototype's preview, the IS lens issue was not raised again until Canon quietly announced its first ever EF optics that incorporated the IS feature back in late 1995 with the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. This telephoto zoom is also the world's first interchangeable lens for SLR use that incorporates an image stabilizer. It provides a correction effect equal to an increase of two shutter speed steps, greatly expanding the range of handheld photography even with slow speed film and under low light or other difficult conditions. There are six lens groups, of which the second is the image stabilizer group, maintaining the compactness of the lens. The optical performance features high resolution and high contrast definition, that is a true hallmark of EF lenses. With both a wide focusing and zooming rings, its operability is outstanding, too. A Micro USM in the drive-system ensures silent autofocusing.
The EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is compact and lightweight despite its telephoto focal lengths, weighing at only 650 grams. Its appearance is also different from both the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III DC and EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM zoom lenses, of which they and their optical constructions are also lighter than the IS version. Despite the heavier weight of the IS lens over its two other siblings, it wins when it comes to performing in low light conditions where the use of slower shutter speeds is required. Shooting with the IS feature activated, one can easily use this lens with a shutter speed as low as 1/15 sec (Canon's recommendation) at the 300mm focal length and still get a sharp picture - which the other two EF 75-300mm lenses can't. Personally, I have tried this IS lens with a shutter speed of 1/8 sec. and still get an acceptably sharp picture at the 300mm setting. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . |
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