Impression of the telephoto lens Canon EF 70-300mm. If you travel a lot, you often think in advance, of course, what photo equipment should you take with you, do you really need every lens for the trip and how heavy should the photo equipment still be. Especially if you are supposed to take landscape shots and a few hotel shots in advance, you regularly consider whether you need the heavy telephoto lens.
For example, should you really take the Canon EF 70-200 IS USM 1:2.8 with you, since you probably won’t need it anyway. Therefore, a lighter telephoto lens should go into the photo equipment, which one takes more often on trips. The decision fell on the Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM 1:4-5.6 and should now be subjected to a product test.
Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM 1:4-5.6 lens – prices and comparisons
In contrast to the large “white” lens from the Canon L-series with EF 70-300mm L IS USM 1:4-5.6, the lens I subjected to the review today costs just a third of the price. The L model currently costs about 1300 EUR, the “normal” model shown here just 430 EUR, and as a “travel telephoto” it’s all about weight.
If you even compare the lens with the 70-200mm 1:2.8, the difference is even a fifth of the price and 100mm more focal length, but also with an aperture of 2.8fixed to 1:4-5.6 – but is the extra price really worth it?
Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM 1:4-5.6 – as a travel lens
The difference between the Canon 70-300 1:4-5.6 and an L lens are of course as serious as the prices. There are just under 500 grams in contrast to almost 1000 grams for the L series, plus the significantly larger dimensions.
Of course, the better imaging performance, processing, etc. should not be suppressed, but the intended use is “replacement tele” for travel, where you would not actually have packed a telephoto lens by description.
Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM 1:4-5.6 – imaging performance
If you compare the two lenses with each other, you notice of course, at the open aperture a clearer veiling and slight blurring in the image, but this was also to be expected. It’s not without reason that the other lenses mentioned above are more than 3x as expensive, or even 5x as expensive, and both are classified as L lenses.
But at a medium aperture, in good light, as is regularly present in many destinations in Central and Southern Europe in the summer months, definitely sufficient.
Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM 1:4-5.6 – For amateur photographers
Professional photographers will certainly tend to reach for the lenses from the L-series, but if you’re a hobbyist looking to expand your existing equipment with good telephoto lenses, the Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM 1:4-5.6 is definitely worth considering. The size of the lens with just 14cm fits perfectly in any pocket, the weight with 500 grams also still very good.
I reviewed the lens on a Canon 70D and the total weight was really still usable, as well as on a Canon 5D Mark III, which is however already a completely different order of magnitude due to its own weight. In combination with a Canon EOS 70-200 1:2.8f, the model is barely usable without a tripod for me.
Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM 1:4-5.6 – street style capable
This was one of the considerations with me, especially after the time in Mallorca and Sicily, where you like to capture beautiful moments in everyday life once inconspicuous. For this purpose, the lens is perfect. It’s not about the photo for the next XXL fashion magazine, but interesting snapshots of everyday life in many cities.
About photos of the locals and people doing everyday life, as well as great street style moments that you could experience regularly in the interesting cities like Milan, Barcelona, Madrid or most recently even in the alleys of Mallorca. (Shot below – Munich skyline with BMW Tower at sunset – 1/250sec – F22 – ISO 800 – Canon EOS 5D Mark III)
Canon EF 70-300mm IS USM 1:4-5.6 – CONCLUSION
After a short time, I am already very satisfied with the lens, as it offers a good – and above all handy and lightweight – alternative, to the existing lenses from the L-series and is well suited for a short trip, a spontaneous photo project or even snapshots in the city. With a price of EUR 430, it is also particularly suitable for beginners and hobby photographers who like to take their first photos with a telephoto lens and for whom the image stabilizer is a helpful development.
For me, for hobby photographers and travel photographers who want to travel without heavy lenses, a good alternative. I will certainly have it in my luggage more often now. You can find more information about the lens, as well as a test result, for example, also at Amazon.
