topic Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing in EF & RF Lenses

Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

WCETECH — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 03:13:55 GMT

Last Monday I came across a ad for a Canon L glass 300 2.8 lens, the seller wanted $1700 but we negotiated the price down to $1500 cash in hand, if the lens was a described.

Tuesday morning we met the seller and I found the lens to be in nearly perfect shape other than some minor scratches where the glare hood mounts to the lens, the glass was in excellent condition as well, so I bought it.

On the way back with my wife driving, because I took a pain pill in the morning my hip was hurting real bad and once I take one them I will not for 24 hours, I tried out the lens shooting through the passenger side window.

I was blown away by how quickly the lens would capture focus considering the speed we where going.

I have rented one of those lens's twice and owning one was on the top of my list after I retired, I just couldn't find one, but as my luck normally runs I now own one.

Canon did a real good job when they designed that lens, yea it's heavy but I am used to carrying heavy camcorders so the weight means nothing to me.

Re: Just Bought A New Conon Lens And It Is Amazing

wq9nsc — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 01:09:44 GMT

Congratulations on finding this great lens. Although I use my EF 400 f2.8 IS II a bit more since I shoot a lot of sports, I believe that the EF 300 f2.8 IS is the sharpest lens I own. Definitely one of Canon's great optical achievements!

Enjoy using it.

Rodger

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

March411 — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 03:41:10 GMT

WCETECH, it's always nice when something works out better than you planned, congrats on the new lens! Glad it was a great experience and that you were blown away, always good to be blown......away 😃

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

zakslm — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:29:19 GMT

WCETECH,

Congratulation on you lens purchase! Use it well and use it often!

I think one of the most satisfying things for me is finding, discovering or coming across what I would consider hidden gems and then producing great results with those gems. By that I mean older EF lenses or equipment that can found used at reasonable or "bargain" prices.

It appears that your new to you 300 f2.8 is just such a "gem" and hopefully you'll post some shots taken with that lens in the Gallery.

Regards,

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

WCETECH — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:18:54 GMT

It appears that your new to you 300 f2.8 is just such a "gem" and hopefully you'll post some shots taken with that lens in the Gallery.

It will get used, not a lot but at that price it was low enough to justify owning one.

In the past I have rented one a couple of times when I had a assignment that required such a long lens, however rentals where not inexpensive.

They are however a good way to determine what lens to purchase when considering buying one try before you buy so to speak.

What is how I my wife and I did it before getting married, it was a odd beginning, her mother hated me because I was allowing her daughter to live a life of sin, while her father thought I was one of the best men he ever met, I could not only produce excellent shots I could develop and print my own pictures, on top of that I knew how to use my hands, doing a lot of welding and wood working, something his son had no interest in doing.

At our wedding they both gave us a couple of nice presents, my wife received a type of sewing machine known as a surger, I received a box containing 50 rolls of 36 exposure 400 ASA Kodak Tri-X for my Canon T-70 which in the day was a real nice SLR and a new welder to replace my rather beat up old one.

Now in closing I am sure I will capture some amazing shots with the 300 and will post some here to demonstrate how nice that lens is when properly utilized.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

WCETECH — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:22:26 GMT

By the way if anyone knows if and when Canon ceased production of that lens I would like to know.

I'm basing my guess they are out of production as I cannot find any new ones as the usual places such as B&H.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

SamanthaW — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:26:39 GMT

I don't see a stop production date, but the End of Service Life date was September of 2017!

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

WCETECH — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:03:33 GMT

Thank you.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

WCETECH — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:56:19 GMT

Another question someone might have the answer for my question.

Are there any UV or clear filters that can be mounted on the grooves at the front of the lens to hols a lens cap.

The reason I ask is normally I install a clear or UV filter in front of the front lens to provide protection for that element from flying objects and to keep it dust free as much as possible.

That stated I discovered another nice feature the mount has a o-ring improving the ability of the camera/lens to survive getting rained on, which something that happens in the real world.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

ebiggs1 — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:05:40 GMT

A high quality UV filter that isn't necessary for a lens in that quality level would be very expensive. You can't put a Dollar General filter on a lens like that. Plus, I don't think any are available that can be mounted on that lens. I have one big white lens I have had for 30 years and it has never had a filter on it. One word Rocket blower.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

WCETECH — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:49:56 GMT

I use a filter to protect the fore lens from debris and spots cause by rain and other miscellaneous crap like hotdogs or spilled drinks.

If I cannot find a filter I will just have a piece of 1/16" glass cut and machine a aluminum ring to mount it in I will cut the outer part of the ring just a hair oversize to allow the ring to be attached in front of the the lens with a friction fit.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

WCETECH — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:59:25 GMT

By the way when it becomes necessary to clean a filter I have discovered Tiffen lens cleaner works as well or slightly better than the old Kodak lens cleaner. It removes grease, finger prints, water spots, most anything that could get on a lens, well other than spray paint.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

Ron888 — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 14:43:44 GMT

That's awesome. And i'm a bit jealous😄

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

zakslm — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 17:54:53 GMT

I am only sharing this and do not recommend this. I use windex and a microfiber cloth to clean my filters sometimes. I don’t use windex on any lens element or optical surfaces on the camera. I don’t do it that often, but I do not think I’ve ruined a filter by cleaning with windex. I figured given the cost of a filter, cleaning with windex was worth a try and if I ruined the filter, I wouldn’t be out much.

In fact, I use a microfiber cloth with a bit of windex sprayed (very slightly dampened) on it to clean the plastic surfaces of the camera body and that works well for me.

I credit my use of windex for the above purpose and other “off label” uses to Michael Constantine’s character (the father) in the film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding “.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

ebiggs1 — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:16:42 GMT

Of course anyone is free to do as they see fit but I strongly advise people to not use WIndex or even microfiber cloths on their lenses or even their eyeglasses for that matter. The fact you may have escaped apparent damage isn't proof it is safe.

In fact, Canon does not recommend using Windex to clean its camera lenses. Canon recommends using a dedicated lens cleaning solution specifically designed for camera lenses. Windex contains ammonia, which can and will damage the lens coatings on lenses.

My eye doctor gives me lens cleaning solution and lens cleaning cloths free for the asking and I think that a common practice.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

wq9nsc — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 17:43:23 GMT

Ernie is spot on!

These lenses weren't designed for a front mount filter, the filter option is a drop in that is near the "camera end" of the lens and that is true of all of the wide aperture "great white" primes. The front element coating in these lens is, by design, more robust to withstand exposure and cleaning but caution should still be used in cleaning. Most of the Canon lenses in this class were also designed with a "semi-sacrificial" front element which was relatively inexpensive, compared to the other large elements and the overall price of the lens, in case of damage however this is less helpful as the parts for these lenses become unavailable.

I always keep the lens hood on these (I have the 200 f2, 300 and 400 f2.8, 400 f2.8, 800 f5.6, and EF 200-400 f4 "extender lens") and they have all seen a lot of use in varying conditions and none have ever been damaged.

At one time there were some aftermarket adapters that attached to the front of the lens (or in one case the hood if I recall correctly) to mount a large filter glass in the front but I wouldn't cripple a lens of this caliber with a questionable add on.

Rodger

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

Shutterbug66 — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 01:24:55 GMT

There are no viable filters that fit the objective part of the lens, but there are drop-in filters that do a fine job. One is included with your lens, probably a gelatin filter holder. There is also a circular polarizer you can get as well as a screw-in filter holder that accepts most 52mm filters of your choice.

My 2 cents.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

ebiggs1 — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 14:52:00 GMT

"... the mount has a o-ring improving the ability of the camera/lens to survive getting rained on,..."

Remember the lens is weather resistant, it is not waterproof. This means a slight drizzle not a downpour. And not all cameras are weather resistant at all so that is a limiting factor.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

Tintype_18 — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:58:02 GMT

Scratches? I would return it if possible.

Re: Just Bought A New Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM And It Is Amazing

wq9nsc — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 21:34:32 GMT

John,
I believe the OP is referring to scratches on the barrel paint where the hood attaches, NOT the elements.
I have an EF 300 f2.8 and it is an exceptional lens.

Rodger