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

[WCETECH]

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.  

[zakslm · Accepted solution]

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,

LZ

[WCETECH]

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. 

[wq9nsc]

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

[WCETECH]

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.  

[zakslm]

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 “.  

[ebiggs1]

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.

[Ron888]

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