Canon 300mm f/2.8

Thanks guys, counting down the days to purchase!

An additional question to those of you lucky people who own the 300mm f/2.8: if I understand correctly, there's no filter on the front of the lens to protect it. How do you go about keeping the front element clean?

Cheers,
Ben

cyberhounds wrote in post #2853736
Thanks guys, counting down the days to purchase!

An additional question to those of you lucky people who own the 300mm f/2.8: if I understand correctly, there's no filter on the front of the lens to protect it. How do you go about keeping the front element clean?

Cheers,
Ben

In fact there is no lens cap as well, it is a bag to cover it, and the frontal element diameter is so huge, so i don't know how to protect it.
Anyway, the Hood seems so large as well, and can protect it somehow but not against dust i think.
you will find it by yourself and then tell me what you did to protect it.

You really can't beat this lens. It's fast wide open, stopped down, fitted with either TC... Focus speed is the fastest in the world mated with that 1D2N/1D3. It has every feature; IS, preset, range limiting, etc.

There's no lens cap per se, as mentioned. The front element is a "protective element" designed to take the beating of professional use (I think all the superteles are like this).

It's definitely on my list.

With the hood on, the front element will be out of reach of almost anything including rain and snow in windy conditions.

I love mine

cyberhounds wrote in post #2853736
Thanks guys, counting down the days to purchase!

An additional question to those of you lucky people who own the 300mm f/2.8: if I understand correctly, there's no filter on the front of the lens to protect it. How do you go about keeping the front element clean?

Cheers,
Ben

When I had one, I bought a generic slip-on lens cap from somewhere that fit it. Other people just keep the hood on all the time.

cyberhounds wrote in post #2853736
Thanks guys, counting down the days to purchase!

An additional question to those of you lucky people who own the 300mm f/2.8: if I understand correctly, there's no filter on the front of the lens to protect it. How do you go about keeping the front element clean?

Cheers,
Ben

Yeah, the hood is fine for protection in most circumstances... wouldn't want to be doing close-up speedway with it though.
If you're deliberating on the purchase, feel free to pop down the M1 and have a test with my one.

cheers,
Andy

Thanks Andy.

congrats on your decision! I stuggled with it for a while myself but finally took the pludge about 2 months ago. No regrets at all. I LOVE this lens!

Yippee! It arrived today Thanks to everyone for your help.

Have taken it out for a test drive and am very pleased! Sharp as a really sharp thing. Heavier than I expected, but I'll get used to it.

One question, I want to replace the strap that came with it. Does anyone have any suggestions? Was thinking along the lines of something from Op/Tech.

Cheers,
Ben

cyberhounds wrote in post #2887402
Yippee! It arrived today Thanks to everyone for your help.

Have taken it out for a test drive and am very pleased! Sharp as a really sharp thing. Heavier than I expected, but I'll get used to it.

One question, I want to replace the strap that came with it. Does anyone have any suggestions? Was thinking along the lines of something from Op/Tech.

Cheers,
Ben

Congrats
post some shots, let us see what you test, this lens is outstanding.
I can't use mine because the lens needs a pro to use it not a novice bad photographer [that if i am a photographer].

Tareq

OK, here's one. The sun had gone in, the greylag on the right (I'm guessing the male) had just chased off a canada goose and was looking very pleased with himself. This shot was with the 1.4 extender attached, hand held, full frame, focusing point over the right goose head (the one on the left is a little further away which is why it's a little soft). Only PP done is a light dusting with NeatImage and a smidge of USM in PS (it's noticeable how little is needed with this lens).

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cyberhounds wrote in post #2887621
OK, here's one. The sun had gone in, the greylag on the right (I'm guessing the male) had just chased off a canada goose and was looking very pleased with himself. This shot was with the 1.4 extender attached, hand held, full frame, focusing point over the right goose head (the one on the left is a little further away which is why it's a little soft). Only PP done is a light dusting with NeatImage and a smidge of USM in PS (it's noticeable how little is needed with this lens).

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Cheers,
Ben

Nice shot, keep going, you are doing very well.

Have fun and Enjoy that beast!

Cheers,
Tareq

Congrats on the 300. It is a great time of year to get a lens like that. Now get outside.
BTW I am close to ordering mine.

Congrats on the new lens and nice pics. As far as a front protective filter there is one, its a piece of glass thats in front of the 1st element. All glass 300 and up have it, so if something happens to get pass the lens hood and puts a crack or ding on it, it will protect the 1st element and it also can be replace by Canon @ $$.
BTW you will love it for sports.