I bought this lens years ago, but don't have the need to use it much. Reading reviews about poor focus at 300mm, I thought I would take a couple of shots. I shot this photo of a cedar fence at 20 ft at 300mm. I thought the IQ was very acceptable for this price lens.

A bit too expensive than its tamron counterpart but they differ in quality. Amazing picture quality is given by this lens. Perfect zoom and sharp and fast focus. A nice lens to buy.

A bit too expensive than its tamron counterpart but they differ in quality. Amazing picture quality is given by this lens. Perfect zoom and sharp and fast focus. A nice lens to buy.

Canon announced the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, on 26 August, 2010 in the lead-in to September's Photokina Trade Show. Targeted at professionals and advanced amateur photographers it's surprisingly compact for its specifications and usable with all of the company's DLSR cameras.

Canon users are spoilt for choice when it comes to lenses with a 70-300mm zoom range or similar. The full range of options is: the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM (SRP £1,600); EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (SRP £650); EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM (SRP £350); EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III (SRP £300); EF 70-300mm...

Ultra-reliable AF and IS systems

Poorer sharpness past f/16

A well-built, pro-spec lens boasting excellent performance

Ultra-reliable AF and IS systems

Poorer sharpness past f/16

CANON EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM review. As a dedicated nature photographer much of my shooting is with wide angle lenses but I recently decided I wanted a telephoto zoom for wildlife, particularly birds. My criteria were: Min.

At £432 the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens should come with a lens hood, but it doesn't. However, it does come with a soft case to protect against scuffs and scrapes and features an Ultra-low dispersion (UD) element and Super Spectra coatings to help reduce fringeing, ghosting and flare.

Canon's 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens is a step up from the average telephoto zoom. Canon also makes a much cheaper 75-300mm, but the lens tested here is designed for photographers looking for a step up in both build and picture quality – and this lens has an image stabiliser.

It is not my primary lens, and that is why it only got a 4star (my favourite lenses are always shorter - 50mm for example) but it still great glass. It does get a little heavy for continuous shooting, especially with the heavier camera bodies, but is perfect to shoot people with from a distance at...

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Easy to get the hang of; Nice Bokeh; Strong Construction

Challenge to spot subject; Heavy