Canon 300 F4L IS

[Spatch]

Just got my Canon 300 F4L IS. I was reading the manual and it says that the IS is only effective with shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/125. I am a bit surprised by this as I would have thought it would have worked at all shutter speeds. Does anyone know if it stops working over 1/125?? When hand holding I would have liked it to have worked at shutter speeds of at least 1/300 (1/focal length rule).

Cheers,

[Simon Harrison]

It works at all shutter speeds. The higher the shutter speed, the less likely that camera shake will be a problem and that you would notice any difference with having IS on or off.

Cheers,

Simon.

[Spatch]

Simon,

Thanks, that was what I was hoping for.

Cheers,

[PacAce]

Just got my Canon 300 F4L IS. I was reading the manual and it says that the IS is only effective with shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/125. I am a bit surprised by this as I would have thought it would have worked at all shutter speeds. Does anyone know if it stops working over 1/125?? When hand holding I would have liked it to have worked at shutter speeds of at least 1/300 (1/focal length rule).

Cheers,
Maybe instead of implying it is "only effective" with those shutter speeds, the manual was trying to say that you can "effectively" handhold the lens with IS on with shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/125. I'm just guessing, though, since I don't have access to the 300 f4 manual. :)

[Simon Harrison]

Hit the nail on the head Leo.

[Spatch]

I have now had a chance to use my new 300 F4L properly and thought I would post a few pictures here. The pictures are of a sprint meet at Lydden Hill race circuit. Needless to say, I am very happy with the lens.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/Spatch/Racing/168_6846.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/Spatch/Racing/168_6854.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/Spatch/Racing/168_6860.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/Spatch/Racing/168_6864.jpg

Cheers,

[tommykjensen]

Great shots.

[Tom W]

Maybe instead of implying it is "only effective" with those shutter speeds, the manual was trying to say that you can "effectively" handhold the lens with IS on with shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/125. I'm just guessing, though, since I don't have access to the 300 f4 manual. :)

the manual is poorly-worded. I just checked and I could gather the same information as the original poster. Fortunately, in practice, I know better. It works when it's turned on regardless of shutter speed, but improves "handhold-ability" at slower shutter speeds, all the way down to 1/30-1/125 (depending on the person - some people vibrate more than others).

[Tom W]

I agree with Tommy - nice shots, Spatch.

Judging from the look on the guy's face in #2, he wasn't intending to hang the tail out quite so far. :)

[Jack W.]

Beautiful shots, Spatch. Looks like you've got it mastered already!
I also just got this lens, but I'm still learning it.
Here's one of my very first shots, with a Canon 1.4 TC:
http://www.pbase.com/jackspics/image/44969647/original
Go easy on me......as I said, I'm still learning! :-)
Jack

Edit: Ooooooops.....correction....this one was without the TC.

[tommykjensen]

Beautiful shots, Spatch. Looks like you've got it mastered already!
I also just got this lens, but I'm still learning it.
Here's one of my very first shots, with a Canon 1.4 TC:
http://www.pbase.com/jackspics/image/44969647/original
Go easy on me......as I said, I'm still learning! :-)
Jack

No need to be hard ;) Its an excellent photo.

[Spatch]

Jack,

One of my favourite subjects - I have quite a few of these on my website. Its a great shot and I didn't realise they ate oranges.

Cheers,

[Jack W.]

Thanks Tom and Spatch.
I didn't know they liked oranges either. A few days ago I spotted a Baltimore Oriole, so I put the oranges out hoping to attract the orioles to my yard.
This squirrel had different plans. :-)