Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Canon EOS (APS-C)

Sample Shots

Ok, finally here're some sample shots taken with the EOS 350D. These images were converted via Raw Shooter Premium v1.0. Sorry for those rather low quality images - Germany isn't exactly the most sunny place on earth in winter time ...

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples (=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.

Make
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 130.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 15.0s
Size 3472x2312
Make
Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
400
210.0mm
f/5.0 @ 1/640s
2312x3472
2312x3472
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
ISO Speed 400
Focal Length 70.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/400s
Size 2312x3472
Make Canon
Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
400
70.0mm
f/11.0 @ 1/320s
2312x3472

Verdict

The performance of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS came as a total surprise. Unlike its predecessor the lens is capable to produce a very high performance throughout the zoom range without the significant drop in quality at 300mm typical for most consumer grade lenses in this range. It seems as if the new UD element helps to lift the optical quality significantly. Distortions, CAs as well as vignetting are also very respectable. So in terms of optical quality the EF 70-300mm IS can be almost described as a hidden Canon L lens. As much as it may promise here its build quality remains in line to what you can expect from a consumer grade lens and the small max. aperture is limiting its scope specifically regarding portraits where you seek for a pronounced fore-/background blurr only possible via large apertures (f/2.8 and larger). However, if you're looking for a very good, light-weight tele zoom e.g. for travel photography this lens should be high on your shopping list.

Optical Quality:    
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:
      
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