Canon Ef 70-300mm F/5-56 Is Usm Lens Review

The new EF70-300mm f/4-five.vi IS 2 USM is equipped with Nano USM, an ultrasonic motor technology that enables seamless AF bulldoze, too as an LCD lens data display panel, which is introduced for the outset fourth dimension in the EF lens series. In addition, enhancements take too been made to the lens construction and layout of the elements for better depictive performance. In the post-obit, allow u.s. look at the appealing features of this lens using examples from rail photography. (Reported by: Koji Yoneya)

Advanced design and piece of cake operability

The focal length range of telephoto zoom lenses varies very widely. When we employ a focal length of seventy-200mm on a 35mm full-frame camera, we may sometimes come across scenes where nosotros wish the focal length at the telephoto cease could be slightly longer, and this applies to landscape, sports, likewise equally rail photography.

When faced with such a situation, the iv Canon lenses with a zoom range of 70-300mm (EF70-300mm f/iv-5.6 IS 2 USM, EF70-300mm f/four-five.6 IS USM, EF70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM and EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Practice IS USM) are able to cater to our needs by offering a slightly longer focal length. When used with an APS-C format photographic camera, the focal length becomes even longer (equivalent to 112-480mm in the 35mm format), and so this zoom range may be an ideal choice for capturing certain subjects.

Many new technologies have been introduced on the EF70-300mm f/4-5.six IS 2 USM, merely the best case would be the use of the Nano USM technology for AF bulldoze. The ultrasonic motor (USM) developed by Canon has been transformed into thin chips to achieve faster and smoother AF. Also, for the first time in the EF lens lineup, the EF70-300mm f/4-v.6 IS II USM comes with an LCD panel that displays lens information.

The EF70-300mm f/four-5.6 IS II USM adopts a lens structure of 17 elements in 12 groups, and the layout of the lens elements, including the position of the UD lens, has also been renewed. Additionally, it comes with ix aperture blades, and the IS result has also been upgraded to about 4 stops.

With the rear-focusing organization that the EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Ii USM employs, the front of the lens does not movement or turn during focusing. Full-fourth dimension manual focusing is also supported on the lens.

The wide zoom ring is located at the centre, while the focusing ring at the front of the lens. The design is chic with well-nigh no protrusion in the switches and a apartment cylindrical shape that tapers toward the mount.

Shooting data displayed in the lens data display LCD panel at the superlative

The focusing altitude brandish.

The shake corporeality display.

1 eye-communicable feature of the external appearance is the LCD lens information display panel at the top of the lens. Besides data including the focusing distance and focal length, the panel likewise shows the amount of photographic camera milkshake, which is a completely new addition. This display fashion displays the amount of angular shake that the lens is experiencing in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and is likely to come up in handy during movie shooting using the Live View office.

A mode switch is available at the bottom left corner of the lens information display console, and can exist used to switch between the three modes. If the lens is attached to an APS-C format camera, the Focal length display manner shows the equivalent focal length in 35mm format.

Other than the way switch, other selection switches include the focus way switch for selecting AF or MF, Image Stabilizer switch, likewise as the zoom ring lock lever on the correct side of the lens. The zoom ring lock lever locks the lens to the broad-angle end to prevent it from extending out on its own while you are carrying the lens.

Next, let us take a look at some examples of runway photos taken using the EF70-300mm f/four-5.half-dozen IS Two USM and the EOS 5D Mark Iv.

At high shutter speed

I ready out on a journey on an early winter morn to the Mishima and Shin-Fuji high-speed rails stations along the Tokaido Shinkansen line. Here, you tin enjoy capturing shots that feature both Mount Fuji and the Shinkansen loftier-speed rail.

EOS 5D Mark 4/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Two USM/ FL: 160mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/4,000 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 1600/ WB: Daylight

Faced with a status unfavourable to the lens where the front end of the bullet train was at the left corner of the composition, I took a shot under the mild light of the rising winter lord's day with the focal length gear up to 160mm. The settings I chose were ISO 1600, i/4,000 sec. and f/viii. Although the train was positioned at a corner, the lens was not only able to capture the areas around the headlights. The wheels (brake discs) that appeared "frozen" with the use of a high-speed shutter was so conspicuously reproduced that I could even encounter the dimples on them.

EOS 5D Marker IV/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.half-dozen IS 2 USM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/4, 1/viii,000 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight

This shot was taken at the broad-angle end with a focal length of 70mm. Although a slight amount of light fall-off and barrel baloney is observed, these can be corrected during post-processing. What surprised me more is the fantabulous depiction at the four corners of the paradigm.

Left: f/v, 1/two,500 sec
Right: f/11, 1/500 sec
Both images: EOS 5D Mark Iv/ EF70-300mm f/four-5.6 IS II USM/ FL: 118mm/ Manual exposure (EV±0)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight

In rail photography, we may sometimes want to capture a bird'south-heart view of moving trains with a magnificent mural in the properties. Even though the train may announced small in the image, rail enthusiasts will still want to capture it in detail as much as possible.

Both shots in the to a higher place instance evidence a bird'southward-eye view of Satta Laissez passer, a place that has been a strategic traffic hub since the olden days. Hither, you can make a comparing between a shot taken at the maximum aperture of f/5 (left) and one where the aperture was stopped down to f/xi (right).

The destination that the train was leap for was displayed at the front, and by enlarging this part to life size, nosotros tin can see that the words "Shizuoka" are still identifiable in the left example taken at f/5 although the focus is slightly blurry. Meanwhile, in the correct instance where the aperture has been stopped down to f/11, the focus is sharp with the words "Atami" identifiable. From these examples, we tin can conclude that the depictive ability of the lens is practiced enough to handle the resolution of the EOS 5D Marking IV, which has approximately 30.4 million effective pixels.

EOS 5D Mark IV/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/ii,000 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 400/ WB: Daylight

This shot was taken at the wide-angle end (70mm) with the aperture fix to f/eight. As well the train at the left corner of the paradigm, fifty-fifty the scenery on the opposite shore at the middle of the image was depicted clearly.

Panning shots

EOS 5D Mark 4/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.six IS 2 USM/ FL: 200mm/ Manual exposure (f/22, 1/80 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight

This lens comes with the Image Stabilizer (IS) characteristic, which can be turned on or off using the switch on the left side of the lens barrel. Other lens models generally come with options such every bit Mode 1 for normal still shots and Mode ii for follow shots, merely these are not available on the EF70-300mm f/4-5.half dozen IS 2 USM. Instead, the lens automatically performs IS correction optimally after determining whether it is a normal or panning shot.

Learn more near how to take panning shots here:
How Do I Take Panning Shots?

In this case is a follow shot taken at one/fourscore sec. Equally it is hard to "freeze" the motion of the Shinkansen railroad train which is moving at a very fast speed, having a feature like this to assist in shake correction is very helpful indeed.

EOS 5D Mark IV/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Ii USM/ FL: 165mm/ Manual exposure (f/xi, 1/30 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 200/ WB: Cloudy

This is a panning shot of a steam locomotive, its black exterior turned lacquer-shiny by the rain.

At the telephoto end, and with bokeh

EOS 5D Mark 4/ EF70-300mm f/four-5.6 IS Two USM/ FL: 300mm/ Shutter-priority AE (f/9, i/1,000 sec, EV-0.iii)/ ISO 400/ WB: Daylight

In this photograph is a Gakunan Railway train that used to serve on the Keio Inokashira line (Shibuya to Kichijoji). I captured the front end of the train, which I thought resembled an adorable face, with the 300mm telephoto cease while using AF tracking in AI Servo AF. The delineation at the telephoto end is flawless.

EOS 5D Mark Iv/ EF70-300mm f/iv-5.6 IS II USM/ FL: 219mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/800 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 400/ WB: Daylight

I spotted little signs of spring in an industrial district that is served by a small-scale railway line. Activating the AF to set up focus on the plum blossoms that were merely starting to bloom, I was taken ashamed by how rapidly AF operated. I took the shot at f/eight, which created a bokeh event that is natural and non deliberate.

EOS 5D Mark IV/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.vi IS Two USM/ FL: 219mm/ Manual exposure (f/five.6, one/200 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 400/ WB: Auto

A steam locomotive of the Oigawa railway line that was nearly to depart. There was a bulletin hanging in front of the railroad train that was directed to students sitting for entrance examinations. The foreground bokeh event was besides quite pleasant.

Close-upwards shots

EOS 5D Mark 4/ EF70-300mm f/four-5.six IS II USM/ FL: 70mm/ Transmission exposure (f/8, 1/40 sec, EV±0)/ ISO400/ WB: Auto

I set up the lens to almost its closest focusing altitude to capture the wheel of a steam locomotive. Although this shot was taken handheld at 1/40 sec., the IS characteristic was able to address camera shake effectively. We can see that the lens also excels at delineation from a close altitude, clearly depicting the dull lustre of the metal parts that were covered by water droplets.

In low lite

EOS 5D Mark 4/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM/ FL: 238mm/ Manual exposure (f/5.6, 1/160 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 1600/ WB: Shade

Under the dim twilight, at that place was a moment when AF was hunting for focus, only nonetheless information technology was able to establish focus successfully.

EOS 5D Mark IV/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS Two USM/ FL: 244mm/ Transmission exposure (f/8, 1/5 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 1600/ WB: Daylight

The high-beam headlight formed a very potent light source and might have acquired ghosting, only as shown in the example, ghosting was minimised to a negligible level.

EOS 5D Marker IV/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM/ FL: 83mm/ Transmission exposure (f/4.5, ane/eight sec, EV±0)/ ISO 3200/ WB: Auto

Information technology was fun to capture the Gakunan Railway train together with manufactory nightscapes. At the maximum aperture, the bleeding lights create a cute effect.

EOS 5D Marking IV/ EF70-300mm f/4-5.half dozen IS II USM/ FL: 96mm/ Manual exposure (f/11, xx sec, EV±0)/ ISO 200/ WB: Auto

To create a light trail, I used a long exposure of 20 seconds to photograph a railroad train travelling through an industrial commune. The details of the factories were beautifully reproduced. I was worried at get-go that the EF70-300mm f/four-v.six IS Two USM might crave a tripod, but perhaps because of the light weight of the lens, no camera milk shake was observed in the image.

Summing up

As camera operation advances, so as well do that of lenses. The EF70-300mm f/4-5.six IS II USM offers eye-opening features such as the fast AF speed of Nano USM, while the new lens information display panel is also fun to use. Not only so, depictive performance is too enhanced with changes made to the lens construction and layout of the elements. These bones advancements are the key factors that contributed to the greater appeal of this lens.

Personally, I use the EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM, but I always need to attach an extender as the telephoto focal length is too short. Taking into account the prototype quality and maximum discontinuity value, I think the EF70-300mm f/iv-v.half dozen IS Ii USM is expert plenty for situations where y'all want travel light. If you lot are planning to purchase a telephoto zoom lens, this will be i of the options to consider.

Still wondering if this lens is for y'all? This article might aid:
What is the deviation between a 200mm and 300mm telephoto lens?

If you love photographing trains, you lot might also be interested in this commodity:
How to Capture an Impressive Shot of a Moving Train with Continuous Shooting

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Source: https://snapshot.canon-asia.com/reg/article/eng/ef70-300mm-f4-56-is-ii-usm-telephoto-zoom-lens-review

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