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Author Topic: Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM  (Read 6495 times)

BOF

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« on: November 20, 2008, 03:34:35 pm »

I'm considering this lens but have read so many reviews - some for, some against - that I'm more confused than ever!

I'd be most grateful if anyone here who has this lens could give a hands-on opinion - with some image examples, if possible.

Many thanks - and greetings to all from sunny Cyprus.
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Chris
Lofou, Limassol
Cyprus

marcmccalmont

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2008, 03:48:36 pm »

I have both the 70-300 DO and the 70-200 2.8 IS
The out of focus is better on the 70-200 but the 70-300 is a good lens
I use DxO which helps level the performance and don't use a filter over
the front of the DO. It's more susceptible to flare than a non DO lens
Marc
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Marc McCalmont

dseelig

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2008, 08:02:17 pm »

If you buy it do it for the compact size. I had it twice essentially it is a one stop down lens for excellent quality. The later ones seem a lot better with back light then the early ones. If money was no object I would still own my second own but traded it away.
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stever

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2008, 08:39:30 pm »

i bought mine for the compact size (it does fit in the bag nicely) and use it for travel and as a backup long lens (where it was extremely welcome when i dropped my 100-400) - however, the IQ starts rapidly deteriorating above about 150mm (which is where i usually want to use it), even on a crop frame camera

i'm sending it in to Canon, but will probably replace it with a 200 2.8 anyhow -- if Canon would just offer the 70-200 f4 IS in black!

my advice is to try one from lensrentals.com and if you decide buy, test 2 or 3 copies

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BOF

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2008, 03:05:34 am »

Many thanks for your replies.  I don't know of a rental outlet here in Cyprus but I'll try to persuade my friendly Canon dealer to let me use one for a day or two!

I do like the compact size of the DO - and the fact that it's unobtrusive in use.  More thought needed!    

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Chris
Lofou, Limassol
Cyprus

stever

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2008, 11:25:44 am »

sorry, wasn't paying attention to your location

normally the DO isn't much stocked by dealers for sale or rental as it's not a very good value proposition and hence not widely requested

note that when the DO is extended to 300mm it's about as long as the 70-300 at the same focal length (which arguably has better IQ and half the price)

if you're primarily interested in shooting people, the DO is probably okay, at least with a crop frame camera
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DarkPenguin

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2008, 11:31:55 am »

Didn't MR use that lens for a bunch of his Bangladesh shots?
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pindman

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2008, 12:40:32 pm »

I have both the 70-300 DO and 70-200 f2/8 IS.  Used with full frame 5D.

Off the shelf, the DO was sharper than the L!!!  I sent the 70-200 for calibration, and now it is very slightly sharper than the DO.  

But I keep both because they are for different purposes, and not for pixel peeping.  The L is heavier and larger, and less prone to flare.  But the DO goes with me where I won't take the L.  The DO I carry takes much better pictures than the L left on the shelf because it is too big.

And BTW, the DO worked fine with a rebel converted to IR, despite a prominent author stating it's unuseable.  (see the telephoto shots at the bullring on www.pauldavidimages.com)

Paul
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Paul Williamson

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2008, 02:50:43 am »

I shot with the 70-300 DO (on a 1Ds2) this last kids' soccer season, because my partner was shooting with the 70-200 f/2.8 L.

We didn't do any critical comparison of image quality results, because we didn't need a lot of sharpness for our purposes. What WAS totally obvious was that the 70-300 DO is not quick at autofocus. Usable, but I'd definitely choose the 70-200 for sports, given the choice.

For hiking or any purpose that involves carrying the lens around for hours, the answer might be the opposite. The 70-200 is heavy. Same answer if you don't want to attract attention. The big white lens makes you conspicuous. It's the difference between looking like a camera buff and looking like a reporter.

I agree that the DO lens is susceptible to flare. The lens hood helps. I use a lens hood on both lenses.
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BOF

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2008, 04:24:33 am »

Thanks again for all your very helpful responses.

It's generally accepted that the 70-200 is optically the better lens - but it's white and heavy!  The 70-300 (non-DO) is (apparently) on a par with the DO - but doesn't have ring USM, although it's about half the price.

I've also been looking at reviews of Tamron's 28-300 and their new 18-270.  Both seem pretty good from write-ups and image examples.

The dilemma persists - but thank you all again for your help.
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Chris
Lofou, Limassol
Cyprus

jimhuber

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #10 on: November 24, 2008, 06:37:01 pm »

I shot my son's soccer games this season with the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS, the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS and the 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DO IS, all on a 1Ds Mark III body. I've done the micro focus adjustment of all three lenses on my camera body, which optimizes them. After that the optical quality is very close between these three lenses when shooting raw. If you don't shoot raw you will have less contrast than you would with a non-DO lens. It's not terrible, but definitely noticeable. I usually have to use a bit higher "Blacks" threshold in ACR for the DO lens... like 8 instead of 5 to achieve the same look.

Something to consider that you may not have realized: The 70-300 DO is only 1/3 stop smaller maximum aperture than the 100-400 L in it's range - for example, at 200mm the 100-400 L has a maximum aperture of f/5 while the 70-300 DO has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 at 200mm, so the out-of-focus "bokeh" is nearly identical between these two lenses. The out-of-focus "bokeh" of the 70-200 f/2.8 L is usually better, but depends more on subject distance than lens when shooting sports where you're not entirely in control of subject distance.

The autofocus is a bit slower on the DO than any f/2.8 lens, but I felt it was identical to the AF speed of the 100-400 L lens. The zoom mechanism on the DO lens is also stiffer than the L lenses, so setting the zoom quickly and accurately is either a little slower, or when done quickly (like shooting sports) is a little less accurate.

If you want to see for yourself, I've attached three files, one with each lens. The EXIF data is intact so you can find out which is which, but try to guess before looking.

[attachment=9851:HUBR2121.jpg]    [attachment=9852:HUBR3233.jpg]    [attachment=9853:HUBR3900.jpg]
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matt4626

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2008, 01:09:01 pm »

I've been quite pleased with my 70-300DO. I use it as part of my motorcycle travel kit and as back up for my 100-400L.
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Yves Gaudet

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Canon 70-300mm DO IS USM
« Reply #12 on: November 29, 2008, 03:16:08 pm »

I would really prefer the 70-200 f/2.8 for action and wildlife but 70-300DO to travel no wonder the quality difference.

http://www.lozeau.com/product.aspx?nav_id=1167&lang_id=F (70-200 f/2.8L)
http://www.lozeau.com/product.aspx?nav_id=1175&lang_id=F (70-300DO)
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