Just how good is the Canon EF 300mm f2.8 L IS?

[Will Thompson]

Well here is a shot from the crowd and then a crop that You can see and read the serial number on Dean Torrence's guitar!

http://idisk.mac.com/med007/Public/Wills/EOS/0DCT1800_PSac.jpg

http://idisk.mac.com/med007/Public/Wills/EOS/0DCT1800_PSac_1.jpg

Shot with the 1DsMKII

All comments welcome.

[Josh Liechty]

I think the shot is great, and Dean's expression is good. The shot is even better when I scroll down in my browser just a bit so that the out of focus roof edge at the top of the shot is cropped off. You chose the right focus point, and your optics delivered sharp focus and fine bokeh as well.

[Steve Saunders]

That shot makes me breathe a sigh of relief. I have the 300 on order and currently use the Nikon 300 f2.8 VR and am used to getting super sharp results even wide open. If the Canon lens is as good then I'll be happy.

[Will Thompson]

My personal opinion is that this lens is the sharpest that Canon makes. The EF 400mm f2.8 L IS the sharpest corner to corner but the 300mm is better at the center.

As a side note: It was Dean that pointed out the fact that you could read the serial number.

[Aaron Strasburg]

I haven't even seen a 400/2.8, but the 300/2.8 is super sharp and by far the quickest focusing lens I've ever used, even on my 20D. I can only imagine what it would be like on a 1D3. I wish I could convince myself I need one....

[Dawid Loubser]

Very impressive Will, it is quite an extraordinary lens.

Regarding the sharpness, however, my understanding is that it is so widely revered because it is so sharp wide open at f/2.8.

Just to "stick up" for one of my favourite lenses, the 28-300L (f/3.5-5.6), this is a ~90% crop at 300mm (sorry, this was already online, otherwise I'd make a true 100%), and I believe the sharpness of the feather details are limited only by the RAW interpolation.
http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs11/f/2007/119/5/f/Kwikstert_by_philosomatographer.jpg
(this lens is regularly claimed to be "soft" but I believe this is, in practice, not so - if correctly used. It's only real drawback is slowness)

It was, however, taken at f/7.1, and you have to appreciate Canon's ability to make a tack-sharp 300mm lens at f/2.8. And, of course, your 1DsII has ~1.4 times the resolution of my 1DIIN, to take advantage of the lens resolution, so the 28-300L may look less sharp on a Ds.

Enjoy the lens (I'm very jealous) !

What are your thoughts: I believe we have seen a golden era of lens design in the 1980s-1990s after the introduction of the EOS system (and lenses like the 300mm f/2.8 sit at the top in that hierarchy), and I wonder if we will ever see anything like this again from Canon? Will they ever again bring out such a range of lenses, including marvels like the 200mm f/1.8L? Obviously they will, but maybe only one day after a new lens mount is introduced? I'd love a complete systematic refreshment of the EF lens line over the next 10 years, taking into account more modern materials and optical design... will be fun to watch.

[Steve Saunders]

Thanks for the update. The Nikon version is super-sharp at f2.8 and I usually shoot wide open for sports to pull the subjects from the background. Once the Canon can deliver the goods in the same manner I'll be quite happy.

[Will Thompson]

my understanding is that it is so widely revered because it is so sharp wide open at f/2.8.

Just to "stick up" for one of my favorite lenses, the 28-300L (f/3.5-5.6)

What are your thoughts: I believe we have seen a golden era of lens design... including marvels like the 200mm f/1.8L?

Yes the 300 2.8 is best wide open.

I have not done a sharpness test with My 28-300 yet

Here is one of My shots with the 28-300 at 300.

http://idisk.mac.com/med007/Public/Wills/28-300-mm/VX8Y1307PSCSac.jpg

See this thread for the other focal lengths.

http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1891

I believe that canon just keeps getting better, remember they are a technology company first.

The EF 200mm f1.8L that I have seems to peak sharpness at around f 5.6.

http://idisk.mac.com/med007/Public/Wills/Pets/VX8Y6394PSCSac.jpg
200mm at f1.8

http://idisk.mac.com/med007/Public/Wills/Pets/VX8Y6405PSCSac.jpg
200mm at f5.6

Hard to tell at this magnification.

[Dawid Loubser]

Yes, I've heard the 200 f/1.8L is total rubbish... so please pack it back in it's box and sell it to me?

:-)

[Will Thompson]

Yes, I've heard the 200 f/1.8L is total rubbish... so please pack it back in it's box and sell it to me?

:-)

Not a problem. Let us start the bidding at $6,500.00 USD as mine is like new in the box. :)
(most likley the only one!)

[Dawid Loubser]

Not a problem. Let us start the bidding at $6,500.00 USD as mine is like new in the box. :)
(most likley the only one!)

I believe the appropriate South African response to that would be "Eishhhhh..."

[Barry Johnston]

I also have the 300mm f/2.8, although mine is the non IS series III version. The image below is my first shutter release with that lens. I took the photo hand held from an estimated 30kms away looking toward Melbourne city. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the photo.

http://www.pbase.com/barryvj171/image/81400688/original.jpg

I think the definite advantage of the 300 over the 400 is you can add the 1.4 and 2x without too much loss of IQ.

[John_Nevill]

I've posted some links to a few shots using the EF 300 + TCs in this thread (http://www.openphotographyforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3270)

[Doug_Kerr]

Hi, Will,

Your slug reads:

"You have a much greater danger of being hit by lightning than being struck by a terrorist" (NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg)"

Just exactly what does that mean?

Best regards,

Doug

Although the Moon is smaller than the Earth, it is farther away.

-Le Crayon Rouge

[Scott B. Hughes]

Not a problem. Let us start the bidding at $6,500.00 USD as mine is like new in the box. :)
(most likley the only one!)

Won't you just freak when Canon announces an updated copy of the 200/1.8, which features IS? :-)

I know I will! Anyway, my 200/1.8 was mint mint until I purchased it and began using the beast.

Back to your 300/2.8 and image of Dean Torrance. I too find the 300/2.8 to be brutally sharp... regardless of aperture. For people, I typically use the lens at f2.8, but "things", i.e., race cars, I must stop down. Beautiful results.

Not to nit pick, Will. But I can't help but be distracted by the microphone and stand which impaled Dean's head. A couple strokes in PS would make a difference.

Makes me curious as to how different the image would be with the 200/1.8 at 2/3's the camera/subject distance.

-Scott

[Paul Bestwick]

I have only recently bought the 300 f2.8 L is & have yet to use it on a job. (it is winter here & quiet)
I had a mate come into the studio one afternoon & we went out into the street & I took a quick snap of him.

http://www.studio58.com.au/opm/Dr%20B.jpg

[Asher Kelman]

Paul,

The depth of field here is enought to draw his face well. He's a great subject with his warm smile and strength. Look like a decent chap to have as a friend.

What f stop did you use and what was the distance.

The aperture interests me because of the weight advantage of the 300mm f4 L IS and the distance because sometimes there is limited backing up space to frame as you have done.

The bokeh is perfect so I guess this was about f4 or wider?

Asher

BTW, what was the lighting?

[Paul Bestwick]

Hi Asher,

aperture was F6.3. I was standing about 12 metres away from the subject.

[Asher Kelman]

Well then Paul,

How restricted would you feel with the 300 f 4.0 L IS instead? Also the lighting was jusy ambient outside or you gave a deep studio!

Asher

[Paul Bestwick]

I would not feel restricted with the F4 & in fact considered that lens when I bought the 2.8.

I did have the idea that a resulting aperture of F4 with the 1.4 TC would be desirable. That & the many reports which rate the 2.8 as Canons finest lens influenced my final decision.

Also, I have a driving ambition to be the number 1 wedding guy in my state. I aim to produce work with a strong signature which differentiates me from the other players. This lens gives me a "look" that the other guys wont be able to reproduce. Sometimes the equipment you use can make a difference.
I will post some shots in the coming wedding season to demonstrate my point.

The shot of Dr Barrington was taken in the street in the late afternoon.