Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens

by Canon

• Handy, compact zoom lens for versatile and easy subject selection while travelling
• Incorporates Canon's Image Stabilization (IS) technology
• Powerful ring-type USM drive provides silent, high-speed autofocusing
• Optimized to suppress ghosting and flaring, ideal for use with digital cameras
• 1 year Limited Warranty Card Included

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 5 inches ; 3.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001G6U48
• Item model number: EOS-D1 Lens 2
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com

Canon raises the stakes for professional photography with its EF 28-300mm USM ultra-high magnification zoom lens with image stabilization. This handy, compact zoom lens offers versatility, easy subject selection, and the highest optical performance in its class. The 11x zoom range covering everything from wide-angle to telephoto, and you can focus in on subjects as close as 2.3 feet. A powerful ring-type USM drive provides silent. Featuring a dust- and moisture-proof "white lens," it is designed to appeal to professional EOS photographers looking to reduce lens changes and the number of lenses they need to carry.

Image Stabilization
The lens incorporates Canon's Image Stabilization (IS) technology, compensating for approximately three stops without any perceptible increase in image blur when shooting static subjects or panning. This increases the range of circumstances in which hand-held photography is possible, limiting the need to carry a tripod.

Fast Auto-Focus
The inner focusing ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM) converts ultrasonic vibrational energy into rotational force to deliver high-speed, high-precision, super efficient and virtually noiseless auto focusing, with good holding torque for rapid response, accurate stopping. Full-time manual override without damage to the autofocus mechanism is featured. Minimum focusing distance is just 0.7m throughout the entire zoom range.

Ready for Digital Photography
The lens shape and coatings have been optimized to suppress ghosting and flaring, making this lens ideal for use with digital cameras that are more susceptible to reflections off the recording media than are film cameras.

Precision Optics
This lens features 22 elements in 16 groups for low distortion, high corner-to-corner resolution throughout the entire zoom range. As with all EF lenses, aperture is controlled with an EMD (electromagnetic diaphragm) for fast, quiet, highly precise control and incorporates a circular aperture diaphragm for beautifully pleasing background blur, from full aperture to two stops down.

The use of 3 Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) glass elements effectively curtails the residual chromatic aberrations that can plague lesser quality long lenses, while aspherical elements correct various kinds of aberration that occur during zooming to give the lens the unsurpassed clarity and resolving power that are the hallmark of professional L-series lenses.

Environmental protection
The EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM features a rugged dust-proof and drip-proof construction, designed for professional photographers working in harsh environments under a wide range of operating temperatures and humidities.

Product Description

A handy, compact zoom lens for versatile and easy subject selection while traveling, etc. The highest optical performance in its class, plus the convenience of focusing as close as 2.3 feet over the entire zooming range. A powerful ring-type USM drive provides silent, high-speed autofocusing, plus the wide zooming range provides an easy, enjoyable picture-taking experience. Specifications Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 28-300mm 1:3.5-5.6 Lens Construction: 22 elements in 16 groups Diagonal Angle of View: 75? - 8? 15 Focus Adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM Closest Focusing Distance: 0.7m / 2.3 ft. Zoom System: Push-pull type Filter Size: 77mm Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.6 x 7.2 , 3.7 lb. / 92 x 184mm, 1670g Item Specifications: Product Description: Canon EF zoom lens - 28 mm - 300 mm Lens System: Zoom lens Mounting Type: Canon EF Lens Aperture: F/3.5-5.6 Focal Length: 28 mm - 300 mm Optical Zoom: 10.7 x Min Focus Range: 0 in Focus Adjustment: Automatic, manual Lens Construction: 16 group(s) / 22 element(s) Special Functions: Zoom Filter Size: 77 mm Length: 7 in Weight: 58.9 oz

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

413 of 416 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice piece of glass. December 14, 2005

By Boris

Amazon Verified Purchase

I was salivating for this lens for four months and finally bought one a few weeks ago from the Amazon. I was very excited and couldn't wait to put this glass on my 20D.
First impression I got was that this lens is not that heavy as 3.7 pounds may seem, but boy I was wrong about that. It feels solidly built and looks not that huge on the body. So there we go... After filling up my 1GB CF with shots (taken outside, inside with external flash and without, with different f-stops and all range of zooms) and closely examining the results I decided to write this review with which I did not try to downplay the qualities of this piece of art, just to share my humble opinion.

Pros:
All in one solution (well may be except super wide)
Under most light conditions the lens performs as expected which is very good
Great zoom range that converts to 45-460mm on APS-C bodies
Nice color saturation and contrast, gorgeous bokeh
Push pull zoom (for some may not) which allows lightning fast zoom change
Focusing distance only 0.7 meter for any zoom range!
IS is doing a great job on longer exposure times
Quiet and fast focusing, never had a hunting problem
Included lens case is of good quality

Cons:
Painfully heavy (you start to feel it after an hour or so)
Pricy the much more suitable price would be around $1700.00
Softness in pictures at the 28 and 300mm range with fully opened aperture.
Focusing ring is too close to tightening ring so when you trying to loosen the tension inadvertently you may change the focus.
Very inconvenient to loosen tightening ring with one hand almost always had to do it with both hands
Aperture falls fast to f/5.6 somewhere in the 85-100mm range....
200 and 300mm ranges are too close to each other which makes it hard to adjust to precise zoom and it's causing overshoot. At the very end (300mm) lens gets stuck and you have to use force to push it back, and that's prevents you from gradually and smoothly change the zoom in between 180-300mm. I heard it's because it's new and this will go away.
The lens hood is barely sufficient at 28mm and almost completely useless at 300mm.
The shoulder strap is very narrow and will definitely pinch a nerve if you carry the lens case around your neck or shoulder

Overall it's a great solution if you only want to carry one lens and if you want to travel "light" but really don't know what focal lengths are required. But still I decided to return mine back and replace it with EF 24-105 L IS USM f/4 and EF 70-200 L USM f/2.8. as it's performance did not live up to my expectations for such high price and inconvenience to carry such a heavy load on your shoulder all day around. Read more ›

109 of 109 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Optimal event photography lens June 18, 2008

By David

Amazon Verified Purchase

I shoot mostly family events and softball games, specifically candids, so this lens is ideal for me.

---[ CONS ]---

[1] Soft at 28mm wide open. (major)
My biggest complaint is it's consistently soft at 28mm and f/3.5. Too soft for my taste. The shots look "dreamy". I often forget to zoom out a little or drop the aperture when shooting wide angle and end up disappointed in the results. I've seen it on the 20D, 5D2, and 7D so it's not the camera. It's a bummer because the wide angle is often what I want on a crop factor camera.

[2] Weight. (major)
Your arm will probably hurt after shooting for a few hours, especially with its push/pull it gets long so your arm is extended holding all that weight. There hasn't been a person yet I let try the lens that didn't immediately say "wow, that's heavy". I read that in the reviews and thought "na, I can handle it". Nope. I must admit I had to take breaks. It's painful to shoot video with extended arms as you look at the video back/screen. It's not for the timid.

[3] Cost. (average)
$2k+ for a non "fast" lens? Come on canon - make us a 28-300mm f/2.8L! :-) *BUT* ultimately you get what you pay for; I'm constantly impressed with the image quality this lens can produce and 300mm is a really fun focal length.

[4] Length. (average)
Fully extended it's awkward to hold at times. Especially at first when you attempt to fine tune the range but eventually I got the hang of it.

[5] Slow low-light AF. (average)
It hunts in doors, especially at the higher zoom. But to be fair it's got quite alot of range to cover. It's quick enuff in the 28-70 range. I do find I can't shoot sports at dusk or indoors with very good results; it's not a 70-200mm f/2.8 L replacement for this case....

[6] Push/Pull (minor).
I wasn't a big fan at first but love it now. It's the right mechanism to control so much range. It allows you to get the zoom VERY quickly. Again, great for candids.

[7] Fast range fall off (minor).
I'd say 50% of the physical range is 28-90 and the last 50% is 90-300. It falls off especially fast from 200-300. I find it hard to get anything in between. It slams to the 300 and it's a bit of a trick (at first) to pull it back a little. 300 is so much zoom I find myself often in too close and then needing to fiddle to back off a bit, loosing a second or so which might loose the shot.

[8] Min focal distance is a tad too long (minor).
I find myself having to physically back away from people when shooting 28mm. I guess Im spoiled by the 24-70.

---[ NEUTRAL ]---

[1] Not inconspicuous.
The lens is white and massive so just about everyone will notice you. The pro is people will take you seriously and it can be fun to talk shop. The con is that it's harder to blend in so it makes getting some of those more candid shots more difficult.

---[ PROS ]---

[1] Image quality.
Is as good as my 24-70mm f/2.8L. Sharpness, color, contrast, etc. It's definitely an L-series. I'm consistently impressed at the results coming from this lens.

[2] Range.
The big feature for this particular lens is that I'm ready to shoot anything and I needn't change lenses. The ability to shoot close then zoom in on the action and then back out is a great sense of freedom you've just got to experience if you like to shoot events! It's the do anything lens.

[3] Fast AF.
AF is L-series fast outdoors with sufficent light.

[4] Image stabilization.
The IS on this lens is absolutely amazing. At 300mm its like someone grabbed the lens to help stablize it. Indoors it's actually amazing as well. At 70mm with my f/2.8L I might have had 1/60 shutter and I may only get 1/20 with the 28-300 BUT with the IS the shot isn't blurry (with a steady hand). Ironically I'm seeing less blurry shots indoors than with my 24-70 which doesnt have IS.

[5] Bokeh.
The blurred backdrop at 300mm is stunning. It's very pro looking. True it's not as smooth as the 70-200 f/2.8L but it's stunning anyway.

[6] Fun.
This lens is just fun to shoot! I find myself shooting twice as many shots than with the 24-70mm. The range unlocks so many more shoots I just couldn't get before.

[7] Tightening ring.
A nice touch; very useful.

[8] Rugged.
The upside of it's weight is it's built like a tank so I needn't worry about banging this $2k+ piece of glass against something or scratching it.

[9] Switch placement.
BTW, I dont find the placement of the switches to be a problem like some other reviews. I think they must be close because you can't put them on the barrel since it moves - unlike the 70-200.

[10] Natural candids.
An awesome serendipity is that 300mm is enough range that I'm seeing very natural looking candids. I'm far enuff away from people that I'm not in their space so they relax. With the 24-70 I'd have to get close enough that it'd change their expression slightly. Even if I'm zoomed way in at 300mm and my subject sees me I'm still physically far enough away that they dont feel threatened (but if they only knew!) :-) This creates *PRICELESS* shots in my opinion. It definitely has that paparazzi quality. It's this last quality that makes the cons worth it to me.

Bottomline: I can deal with the cons for the pros. You get what you pay for. Nice work canon! :-)

.dsj. Read more ›

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Most flexible range, lives up to L designation! October 22, 2008

By The Camera Eye

Since this is a somewhat slow lens, I was a little dubious about purchasing it, as it didn't seem to provide as much as many other Canon L lenses, yet is priced so high. However, I have found this lens to be extremely sharp, regardless of f/stop, and focal length.

NOTE: I use a certain range of f/stops, from whatever is wide open on a given lens up to MAYBE f/11 on rare occasions, and more rarely f/16, so this is the portion of the range to which I refer. As an additional note, numerous years of experience, and much reading, have made it clear that stopping down beyond that point is not beneficial to image quality. Furthermore, I am partial to subject isolation, especially in working with high end cameras/lenses.

This lens makes a great all-purpose lens, especially when you don't want to have to make a lens change. For example, in a Wedding that I recently shot, the locale was on a beach. I have done A LOT of bikini model photography on beaches in the MD/VA/DC area, South Carolina, Miami, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and elsewhere, and so I knew from experience that you don't want to take off the lens when there's a lot of sand and wind around. No matter how careful youy might THINK you are being. The 28-300mm fit the bill in every way you could hope for. It was early evening/late afternoon at the end of summer, so the light was perfect. And a very wide aperture would've been tricky anyway - so what this lens provides was definitely good enough. The only question was if it was going to be good enough quality-wise, sharpness, color contrast. I am happy to say that the results were stunning.... Having reviewed all of the pictures that were taken at this Wedding, I was pleasantly surprised at HOW sharp and contrasty they were (bear in mind, I have been using a lot of primes - the Canon 50mm f/1.2, 85mm f/1.2 and the 135mm f/2.0). I also own the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, and I believe the results were on par with that particular lens. Which is why I believe it carry's the price tag that it does.

Many people have found the push/pull zoom to be undesirable. I think it is a matter of getting used to, and it really doesn't take long. My earliest film 35mm camera from years ago (when I was about 12 yrs old I got it), a Ricoh camera (re-branded with the Sears name on it) had one lens that was an 80-210mm that was push/pull manual focus. It's funny how you forget over the years because that thing is far more awkward to try to use, and yet I still needed to "re-learn." What is nice about the Canon 28-300mm push/pull is the locking ring. You have to really understand it correctly to use it correctly. Once you do, the benefits are well worthwhile. You will find yourself easily loosening and tightening the tension as needed. This is key because the tighter setting will nearly lock the zoom in place when you don't want it extending, and once loosened all the way, the push/pull zooming is as rapid as you'll get. Combined with Autofocus and good shooting skills, you can get some amazing performance.

Many people will look at the Sigma or Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 and see, based on cursory spec review, little difference in the lenses, and huge price differences. Make no mistake, these are a COMPLETELY different class of lens, and the price difference is totally warranted. To understand this, you may need to go to a camera store and try each one out. This will make the difference obvious. But let me try to enumerate a couple of things here. First, these cheaper lenses are NOT 300mm on the outside length. I have done MANY test shots with the Tamron and Sigma 28-300mm lenses, and in NO case could either of those zoom in as close as the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. What?? He wrote the wrong lens down right there. No I did not. Yes, I meant what I wrote - the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. I also own the Canon 200mm f/2.8L prime lens, which is the same focal length at 200mm. The aforementioned 28-300mm Tamron and Sigma lenses are very close at "300mm" to each of those lenses, just a little short. I have done this same comparison with the Tamron 18-200mm, which is proportionately shorter to their 28-300mm. I purchased and then returned a Canon 28-200mm (a very flimsily built lens for a Canon of any kind, although better than those shoddy 18-55's they were putting in the kits - not sure about the latest 18-55's, I refer to the ones from 2-4 years ago). So, the point is, it's not going to be a true 300mm. This Canon L lens IS a true 300mm, and a true 28mm, and everything in between. Also, if you need to, go read up on stops of light. It doesn't SOUND like much, but jumping from f/5.6 to f/6.3, is a huge amount. The numeric representation is very deceptive. What it really comes down to is the fact that you need a big piece of glass to get more light in there, and more glass for longer focal length, there's just no way of getting around that fact. Regardless of what numbers are used to market a lens, look at the length of a lens (extended if need be, as with this lens) and then look at the circumfrence of the glass at the end. This will alert you to a noticeable difference, if there is one, as in the case of the the two non-Canon brands versus this lens. Similarly, Autofocus performance is ALWAYS noticeably better on Canon lenses, ESPECUIALLY L series lenses, than on non-Canon manufacturers lenses with Canon mounts.

Bottom Line, you get what you pay for. And, in the case of this lens, that holds true above other items that might appear to be similar. This is a top notch lens, and the ideal walk around lens if you don't want to change lenses. Read more ›