Canon 300mm f/2.8

Hello all,

I've been saving for a while and almost have enough to buy the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 (lucky old me!).

I'm after opinions on the lens. It's one of those "lens for life" type of purchases for me (it's either replace my car or get the lens, and although the car's getting on a bit, it still works!) and I want to make sure I don't regret getting it.

I'm after it for it's speed and image quality (it'll be going on the front of my 1D mk2n which will no doubt turn into a 1D mk3 in due course!). I photograph anything with fur or feathers and find my Canon 100-400 struggles with focusing speed if anything moves towards me at any sort of speed or in low light (although don't have the same sort of issues with my 70-200 f/2.8 ) I also occaisionally shoot motorsport (cars).

Does anyone know of any solid rumours of this lens being replaced any time soon? Or if Canon may bring out a zoom lens with a similar focusing speed (I'm dreaming of a 200-400 f/4!).

I've also considered waiting a while longer and going for the Canon 500mm f/4, but I've a feeling it may be a bit overkill for me (this year anyway!). And I could always (shock horror) get closer to the subject rather than going for bigger glass (which I've found to be more fun anyway)!

Thanks for any help.

Cheers,
Ben

its about the finest lens Canon makes. works great with a 1.4 or 2x, can't ask for much else

I agree. Great lens.

cyberhounds wrote in post #2848896
Hello all,

I've been saving for a while and almost have enough to buy the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 (lucky old me!).

I'm after opinions on the lens. It's one of those "lens for life" type of purchases for me (it's either replace my car or get the lens, and although the car's getting on a bit, it still works!) and I want to make sure I don't regret getting it.

I'm after it for it's speed and image quality (it'll be going on the front of my 1D mk2n which will no doubt turn into a 1D mk3 in due course!). I photograph anything with fur or feathers and find my Canon 100-400 struggles with focusing speed if anything moves towards me at any sort of speed or in low light (although don't have the same sort of issues with my 70-200 f/2.8 ) I also occaisionally shoot motorsport (cars).

Does anyone know of any solid rumours of this lens being replaced any time soon? Or if Canon may bring out a zoom lens with a similar focusing speed (I'm dreaming of a 200-400 f/4!).

I've also considered waiting a while longer and going for the Canon 500mm f/4, but I've a feeling it may be a bit overkill for me (this year anyway!). And I could always (shock horror) get closer to the subject rather than going for bigger glass (which I've found to be more fun anyway)!

Thanks for any help.

Cheers,
Ben

How about Sigmasaurus Rex?

I would think the fact that literally thousands of sports 'togs are lugging this lens around the worlds venues would be validation enough...

Love mine. If it's fast and sharp you want, then it's as good as it gets. Fast moving subjects coming directly towards you are about the toughest job... but your camera's AF will be the main factor with a 300/2.8.

Yes it's a great lens. If you find your 400mm to be generally enough reach already then you'll be happy with the IQ and speed of the lens. If you are using the 100-400 at 400 all the time then you need the 500 f/4.

Thanks for all the responses. I'll be going for the 300mm then! I can always slap on an extender if I need the extra reach and start saving for the 500mm later

I think I'll pass on the new Sigmonster!

Cheers,
Ben

cyberhounds wrote in post #2851584
Thanks for all the responses. I'll be going for the 300mm then! I can always slap on an extender if I need the extra reach and start saving for the 500mm later

I think I'll pass on the new Sigmonster!

Cheers,
Ben

Good call, I have both the 300mm and the 500mm and both are top of the foodchain in Canon's line-up.

You will not regret buying this lens, The results are astonishing..

I got that Lens yesterday.
I swear it is on my 1Dmk2N till now, and not sure when it will leave that body, i think by one of two options: either when i will get 1D III then definitely that lens will move to 1DIII or when i will get 600 or 400 then my 300 has to withdraw for higher majesty glasses.:p
I got shots of the Half Moon yesterday by 300 + 2x TC, i can't tell that but i swear it is sharper than my 100-400 bare.

Cool - fingers crossed I should be able to get it in a couple of weeks, can't wait!!

Cheers,
Ben

cyberhounds wrote in post #2852376
Cool - fingers crossed I should be able to get it in a couple of weeks, can't wait!!

Cheers,
Ben

So it is 300 f2.8?

Certainly is!

cyberhounds wrote in post #2852485
Certainly is!

Welcome to the club [Even i am so late to join myself].
We will see many shots by this lens then, tempting me more to use this lens.

Good Luck and Congrats for now.

I have put thousands of shots through my 300 and it is just an oustanding lens. It is probably in the top 5 sharpest lenses that Canon has. Slap a 1.4TC on the front and it is still amazing.

I have heard of no rumors to it being replaced. Even if it was going to be replaced the current version is so good that it would be hard to improve on short of making it less than 2.8.

I have the 500 and 600 as well and while they are sharp, they don't come close to the 300. You can walk and handhold the 300 for most of a day.

It is a purchase that you will cherish for a long time.