Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto Lens

In a Nutshell:
* Suitable for all Canon EOS SLR cameras, both film and digital
* Focal length: 300mm; extend to 420mm with 1.4x converter
* Equivalent focal length for APS-C sensors: 480mm (1.6x crop factor)
* Compatible with Canon 1.4x and 2x converters
* Image stabilizer (IS) with two modes; up to two stops shake correction
* Ring-type USM (Ultrasonic motor) for high-speed, silent auto focus
* Lens Construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
* Closest focusing distance: 1.5m / 4.9ft
* Filter size: 77mm
* Lens Size: 3.5" (90mm) diameter, 8.7" (221mm) long
* Lens Weight: 2.6 lbs (1190g)
* Price: $1,279 to $1,459

This is an L-series lens featuring UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass with fluorite elements for superior optical performance and image quality.

It is a favorite of wildlife photographers working from the confines of a safari vehicle because of its compact size, light weight and excellent IS, allowing hand-holding.

It has an inner focusing ring with full-time manual focus, while closest focusing distance of only 4' 9" (1.5m), allows frame-filling shots of small creatures.

Compatible with:
This lens can be used on all Canon EOS bodies, including 35mm film cameras and digital bodies with full-frame, APS-H and APS-C format sensors. On APS-C format bodies (Digital Rebels/300D-600D; 10D-60D, 7D) the 1.6x lens magnification or crop factor gives an equivalent focal length of 480mm (672mm with 1.4x converter).

User Review Roundup for Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Pros:
* Razor sharp even wide open
* Fast autofocus
* Superior image and build quality
* Light weight, compact size

Cons:
* Noisy IS
* Not black
* Autofocus not as fast with 1.4x converter

User Ratings Roundup:

Star Rating (max 5): 4.5
Points Rating (max 10): 9.6

What Users Are Saying:

"One of the best values for a telephoto. Easy to hand hold. The glass is sharp, focus is fast."

"IS works amazingly well."

"For wildlife photography there is nothing even close to it for the price."

"Found the images very sharp, but the noise of the IS kicking in is quite noticable."

"Quite simply an excellent lens, good contrast and sharp, sharp, sharp."

Manufacturer's Feature List for the Canon EF 300mm f/4:

* Focal length and maximum aperture: 300 mm 1:4
* Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
* Diagonal angle of view: 8°15'
* Focus adjustment: Rear focusing system with USM
* Closest focusing distance: 1.5m / 4.9ft
* Filter size: 77mm

Recommended Uses:

* Wildlife, can be used with 1.4x extender for added reach; IS assists hand-holding
* Sports photography, fast autofocus, light weight for greater mobility
* Nature, particularly if have to walk long distances; compact, can hand-hold

Now that you've read about the Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM Telephoto Lens, see also Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM for an affordable zoom lens in this telephoto range.

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