Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

by Canon

• Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups.
• Ultra-low Dispersion glass with Fluorite elements; inner focusing ring; full-time manual focus; image stabilizer (IS).
• Closest Focusing Distance: 1.5m / 4.9 ft.
• Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 300mm 1:4.0
• Filter size: 77mm

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 6.1 x 6.1 inches ; 2.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009R6WW
• Item model number: 2530A011AA
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 15, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Bring your subjects closer while shooting sports or wildlife with the Canon EF 300mm f/4L telephoto lens. The lens is equipped with Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, which compensates for camera shake by providing the equivalent effect of a shutter speed two stops faster. The camera provides two IS modes: Stabilizer 1, the same mode featured on the EF 75-300mm lens, and Stabilizer 2, which steadies the image during horizontal or vertical panning. The lens is also half the weight of the 300mm f/2.8L IS, with a close focus distance of 4.9 feet. And like all of Canon?s fixed focal length L-series lenses above 135mm, it?s compatible with Canon's EF 1.4x II and 2x II Extenders.

Specifications

• Focal length: 300mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4L
• Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
• Angle of view: 8 degrees @ 15 feet
• Focus adjustment: Rear focusing system with USM
• Closest focusing distance: 4.9 feet
• Filter size: 77mm
• Dimensions: 3.7 inches in diameter and 8.7 inches long
• Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Warranty: 1 year

Excellent optics and superb handling in a compact package with Image Stabilization. The IS allows safe hand holding at shutter speeds up to two stops slower than otherwise possible--making it even more useful in low-light levels. Itís less than half the weight of the 300mm f/2.8L IS, and it focuses to an incredibly close 4.9 ft/1.5m, filling the frame with a subject the size of a postcard. Like all of Canonís fixed focal length L-series lenses above 135mm, itís compatible with Canonís EF Extenders 1.4x II and 2x II.

Long and Fast
A telephoto lens is essential to any serious photographer. For sports action, you will need a fast shutter speed and a long focal length. A large maximum aperture allows a faster shutter speed. In this telephoto lens line-up, the focal lengths range from 135mm to 300mm. If you want compactness, choose a lens with a smaller maximum aperture.

Product Description

Compact L-series telephoto lens with an Image Stabilizer which compensates for camera shake with the equivalent effect of a shutter speed two stops faster. Two Image Stabilizer modes are provided: Stabilizer Mode 1 (the same mode featured on the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM) and the new Stabilizer Mode 2 which steadies the image during horizontal or vertical panning. Mode 2 detects the panning direction automatically. The closest focusing distance is 4.9 feet (1.5 m).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 124 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Canon 300 f4L offers amazing performance July 23, 2005

By Midwestern Dad

Amazon Verified Purchase

I got this lens for shooting architecture from a distance--an unsual application. I've also found myself using it to shoot kids soccer games. It's super sharp and very fast focusing. I haven't done formal tests at all apertures, but images appear vivid and contrasty at a range of settings. Online reviews rank this lens very highly and my own experience supports those findings.

The Image Stabilization seems to work very well, although be sure to turn it off if you're using a tripod--I've found that it can reduce image quality if you forget to turn it off in that application.

For shots where you'll be standing around a lot with the lens to your eye, ready for a shot, it gets kind of heavy to carry. If you're shooting sports, you might want to consider a monopod. For other applications, its weight is low enough not to be too big of a problem.

It comes with a canvas-like case that includes a loop you can use to attach it to your belt. I've found this works pretty well out in the field, particularly when combined with a photo-vest. The case also can be carried with a neck strap, but this gets in the way of your camera strap and is also thin, so it kind of cuts into your shoulder.

As I write this, the Amazon site has a link for 58mm filters for this lens. It takes 77mm filters.

104 of 108 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Comparison August 13, 2007

By Brian M. Murphree

Amazon Verified Purchase

On a 30D and Digital Rebel XT, I tested this lens against my Canon EF70-200mm F/2.8L USM IS with 1.4x extender, and against the EF70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 USM IS lens. I can honestly say, there is a noticeable sharpness and contrast improvement of the 300mm F/4 USM IS lens over the other two configurations. Bokeh is very good with the 300mm lens. I cannot complain. Would the extra $3K be worth it for the F2.8 300mm lens? Only if you make enough money from this field to pay for it AND make some profit. Otherwise, I'd get this lens to fill the position. Then only if it sees an abundance of work would I consider looking at the bigger brother. Selling this one as used and upgrading later would be more like renting it for a cheap price because it holds it's value.

Back to my comparison: The 70-300mm lens was sharper than the 70-200mm w/1.4x wide open, but the results were reversed when stopping these two combinations down. the 70-200 and the 300mm here have better color than the 70-300 zoom I tested. The issue with the 70-200mm w/1.4 extender is, I was unhappy with the bokeh (background blur) using the extender. I'd hate to see how bad this is with the 2x extender. In my opinion, and I admittedly pixel-peep, but if you are wanting to shoot at 300mm, and find yourself zooming as far as you can, this lens will deliver the goods. Everyone else basically says this lens beats the 100-400mm L zoom, and although I've yet to test one of those, I hear that the 100-400mm L zoom is not "L" sharp at anything above 300mm unless you stop it down. However, I understand that the 100-400mm L zoom is sharper at 400mm wide open, than the 300mm L w/1.4 extender. For this point, I'd consider whether you're shooting a cropped sensor or full-frame (I prefer the former, actually--long story)

Would I choose the 400mm non-IS lens? No. I don't know anyone who can shoot at 400mm without a tripod unless the sun is out and light is bright. Even then, I'd still prefer at least a monopod. At 400mm even IS would be limited. Even the 300mm tested here is difficult to hand-hold with IS and nearly impossible without IS. IS makes a tremendous difference, but not having it would require a tripod. I don't always want to carry one.

I took a star off on my review only because I found the AF pretty lousy. It does a great job of what it does (focus), but hunts an awful lot if the background is busy enough. About 20% of the time, I've had to simply disable it. Don't let this scare you away. No, it is sweet when the composition is sparse, or your subject is quite obvious. But if you're shooting birds in a tree, it may hunt.

Noisy IS? My copy seems rather quiet, but it does exhibit little clunks when starting and stopping IS. Honestly, this happens in my more expensive 70-200 L USM IS, and it happens all the time on nearly every car's A/C compressor when it starts and stops every 30 seconds during the summer. It's a normal thing. Maybe Canon will put a clutch in the IS later on, right?

Bottom line, if resolution, contrast, color, and sharpness is what you're after and you don't mind the fact that you don't have zoom, you'll like this lens. the price for what you get is not bad, especially when compared to the faster 300mm L lens Canon offers.

73 of 76 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 300 L IS f4 excellence February 9, 2006

By L. Jones

This is my favorite lens. I could not carry the heavier long range teles, and it was a hard decision for me. In the end, I chose this because it was lighter than the zooms.

Having previouly used the 75-300 IS zoom, I was leary of getting another 300mm prime, because I may miss the 70-300 range of shooting. But the clarity and colors are so true for this 300 prime, I don't look back.

Easy to handle, not so bulky. Fast, impressive photos. Even when I add a 1.4 teleconverter shooting in the 500mm range on my 20D. I use the f4 alot, no problem, great clarity. Awesome lens for the price.