Canon EF Lenses

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Zoom Lens

Compact, without compromising an iota of image quality, the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens is the second Canon EF lens to employ Diffractive Optics (DO) technology. Indeed, this lens' new three-layer diffractive element is far better suited to zoom lenses and actually improves on the two-layer DO element used in the EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM lens that inaugurated the technology.

Significantly smaller and lighter than conventional 70-300mm lenses, this new Canon zoom is approximately the length and diameter of the Canon 28-135mm IS lens. It also provides substantially superior image quality and chromatic aberration correction compared to previous conventional 75-300mm designs.

Like its larger and wider-ranging sibling, (the aforementioned EF28-300mm lens), the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens provides up to three stops of effective shake reduction capability, equivalent to shooting handheld at 1/30 with the stability found on conventional lenses at 1/250. The lens is also equipped with a switch that offers a choice of general stabilization (Mode 1) and deliberate panning (Mode 2). The IS system remains functional when the lens is used on a solid tripod, although handheld usage is the norm thanks to its compact size. The lens' new image stabilizer unit, new compact, shake detection gyro sensors for smoother control of IS optics, and new compact zoom locking mechanism (that locks the lens at its smallest 70mm setting and prevents lens "creeping" while camera is carried on a neck strap) also contributes to the lens' smaller, more comfortable size.

Additionally, Canon has improved the Autofocus speed compared with the previous (conventional) 75-300mm IS design lens by providing a larger, ring type Ultrasonic Motor that provides more power and torque than the smaller Micro USM and by designing a new rear-group AF system that moves much lighter and smaller lens elements at the rear of the lens for focus, keeping the larger, front elements from rotating during AF or zoom operation. Here again, enhanced AF CPU and electronics speed the AF data communication with the camera body.

The lens' minimum focus is 4.6 feet at all zoom settings and it is capable of filling the frame with a subject as small as 4.8 x 7.2 inches at the 300mm zoom setting. The lens is also compatible with the optional EF12/EF12II and EF25/EF25II Extension Tubes, providing a maximum magnification of .46x (nearly half life-size) at the 70mm setting with the EF25 and filling the frame with a subject approximately 2 x 3 inches in size. The EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens is also compatible with two optional close-up lenses: the 58mm Canon 250D for magnification to 1.18x and the 58mm 500D for maximum magnification of 0.65x.

The EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens kit includes a dedicated Canon lens hood and a soft lens case.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

Features and Specs | Large Image

Key Features of the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Zoom Lens

Diffractive Optics (DO) Technology: This cutting-edge technology employs diffractive optical elements that use the principle of diffraction to change the direction of the light wave's path. This revolutionary element has Aspherical characteristics, which help define superior maximum aperture image quality, as well as optical qualities superior to UD-glass to totally correct color fringing.
Multi-Layer Diffractive Optical Elements exhibit outstanding ability to correct chromatic aberrations (color defects). The net result of Canon's DO technology is a lens design with reduced size and weight while offering higher image quality than a comparable focal length lens that incorporates conventional glass optical elements. It means a new generation of high-performance lenses that complement the more compact designs of Canon's latest SLR film and digital cameras.
Image Stabilization Technology: Canon has developed a series of truly unique lenses equipped with an Image Stabilizer (IS) function that let you capture photos that would otherwise be blurred due to camera movement, greatly expanding the range of handheld-camera photography. In many shooting situations where photographers are not allowed to use a tripod or flash, such as art museums and concert halls, Canon IS lenses are your ticket to sharper pictures.
Blurred pictures due to camera shake become more of a problem when taking pictures in dim light - at dusk, indoors, on a cloudy day. And the chance of getting blurred pictures is greater when using longer focal length lenses that magnify the image and any associated movement. To overcome these problems, Canon developed the world's first SLR lens with a built-in image stabilizer. Electronic signals emitted by vibration-detecting gyro sensors are used to move the image-stabilizing lens group in parallel along the optical axis, providing clear picture quality at all times. Actual shooting tests result in improvement equivalent to using a shutter speed two steps faster.
Ultrasonic Motor: Powered by Canon's exclusive Ultrasonic (USM) motor for autofocusing, the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM is silent in operation and very quick to focus, even in low-light conditions. There is virtually no whining noise as the lens focuses to distract the subject or draw attention to the photographer. Most important for the photographer in the field, the motor draws minimal power so the camera batteries last longer.
Inner Focusing and Rear Focusing: An inner focusing lens has the focusing lens group(s) in front of the diaphragm, while a rear focusing lens has the focusing lens group(s) behind the diaphragm. Both focusing systems allow the focusing lens group to be small. This minimizes the load on the actuator which drives the autofocus. In turn, the AF speed is faster. The whole optical system can also be made more compact. Also, since the lens does not rotate during focusing, the effects of a circular polarizing filter or gelatin filter remain intact.
Full-Time Manual Focus: Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor allows manual focusing without switching out of the auto mode, making this lens ideal for many photographic applications including sports, photojournalism, portraits, and landscapes.
EF Lens Mount: In designing the EF lens mount, Canon engineers gave photographers a lot more than simply a way to quickly attach an interchangeable lens to a camera body. With the elimination of mechanical connections and the incorporation of an electronic interface between the camera and lens, Canon cameras have greater flexibility with regard to incorporating future technologies and future system upgrades. This fact has already been proven with a vast increase in AF speed, increased functionality such as predictive autofocus systems found in EOS cameras, auto-aperture tilt-shift (TS-E) lenses, the use of ultrasonic motors and the development of the Image Stabilizer lens.

Specifications

Focal Length: 70-300mm
Maximum Aperture: 1:4.5-5.6
Lens Construction: 18 elements in 12 groups
Diagonal Angle of View: 34º - 8º 15'
Focus Adjustment: Rear focusing system with focusing cam
Closest Focusing Distance: 1.4m / 4.6 ft.
Zoom System: Rotating type
Filter Size: 58mm
Max. Diameter x Length: 3.2" x 3.9" / 82.4mm x 99.9mm
Weight: 25.4 oz. / 720g

Canon EF Lenses
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