Need help with a Canon 300mm 2.8L IS lens (or ANY *IS* lens)

Hi
I rented this lens for a boxing match I'm shooting tomorrow night (Cotto in Atlantic City) and it didn't come with any instructions - I've never used a lens with IS so I don't understand all of the 'buttons' -

Can someone explain to me the difference between the different 'stabilizer modes' and 'focus presets'

I don't even know if the I or the O mean that the stabilization is on.. SO as you can see .. I need lots of help


TIA !!

I means it's on. Mode one is if you're holding the camera fairly stationary with no quick movements. Mode 2 will control only vertical movement if you wish to "pan" a subject, like a moving car or a running person, etc. Focus preset I wouldn't think you need to worry about. It'll return focus to a preset position. Focus limiter switch will reduce the time it takes to focus if you're only focusing on distant objects. That's the one that'll say for example 4.2m-infinity (the "8" lying on its side), and then another distance that's longer.

THANK YOU so much

IS is on
Mode 2 is set (since it's boxing I'm going to assume I'll be panning the ring)
The focus limiter .. it has :

2.5m - "8"
2.5m - 6.4m
6.4m - "8"

"8" = infinity

Which is the one I'd use for the furthest .. 6.4 - "8" ? (I realize that as soon as I ask this question .. the answer will "come to me" and I'll feel like a complete idiot .. but I can't help myself - lol)

Well, 6.4mm is around 20 feet. If you're not sure they're gonna be that far, just use the 2.5m- "8" setting. The 300 2.8L IS is the fastest AFing lens on the planet, literally. I think you'll be fine no matter what. Plus, your subjects won't be moving toward or away from you very far, so focus speed won't be an issue.

As for the mode 2 IS...personally I'd leave it on 1. They're not moving fast enough that you'd really have to pan much. Here's what I do with my 70-200L IS. I sorta lead the subject (like a sniper would ). I go just a tad ahead of them if they're moving, and let them "step into" my shot. Remember, IS only steadies you, not them.

I was wondering the same thing, since I bought my 70-200 IS used it didnt come with a book, I shoot mostly with the setting on 1.4, is that correct or should i be shoot on the 2.5 setting?

Gotcha - changed it back to mode 1 I'll probably be far enough where the movements of the fighters won't make me have to swing the lens too fast

one more stupid question .. then I promise I'll stop LOL..

this "focus preset" thing ..
it's got a "O" a "l" and a thing that looks like the symbol for "hearing" (3 little lines) and a 'reset' button .. right now it's on the "l" ... can you tell me what those mean ?

The reset button is for focus preset, I believe. I means on, and O means off. Don't know about the three lines. Never owned the lens.

gotcha

Thank you so much for all your help ..

and uhh.. fyi - in case anyone is 'looking' at this lens.. it takes a fall pretty well...

The three little lines are for an electronic tone that goes off when the camera has focussed. You recall the preset focus by turning the recall ring left or right.
Bruce

Mrs Smarty Pants wrote in post #2340728
Gotcha - changed it back to mode 1 I'll probably be far enough where the movements of the fighters won't make me have to swing the lens too fast

one more stupid question .. then I promise I'll stop LOL..

this "focus preset" thing ..
it's got a "O" a "l" and a thing that looks like the symbol for "hearing" (3 little lines) and a 'reset' button .. right now it's on the "l" ... can you tell me what those mean ?

OK focus preset you probably won't use. But to test it set the switch to the hearing one, focus on a object (Point A) somewhere and HOLD the reset button till you hear a tone. Now to test it focus somewhere else (Point B) at a different distance and then back to the object (Point A). Turn the metal ring that's just to the front of the manual focus ring. Turn it either way?? or to the right and it should focus back on (Point A)

you guys rock SOOOOO much
Thank you !!!