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Canon 70-300mm L
Zoom Lens! |
The latest Canon 'alternative offering' is
the Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS L lens. It is
specifically aimed at Canon APS-C Sensor
DSLR camera users but it is an EF
lens so it can also be used on Canon 'Full
Frame' Sensor DSLR Cameras.
I have been looking at a number of
alternatives in 300mm zoom lenses, mainly
for using with my Canon 450D DSLR camera, which in itself is
quite light. I came up with these options,
which are in the 'same size' ratio to the
70-300m L lens.
For a 'modest increase' in
price over the Canon L lens, I could with the lenses outlined below, purchase a
brand new Nikon D7000 DSLR or for a cheaper
price, the latest Canon 600D DSLR.
Some Canon 70-300mm L alternative lenses -
-
Canon 70-300mm
f4-5.6 IS USM Lens (Canon Fit)
-
Tamron SP 70-300mm
f4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens (Canon Fit)
-
Tamron SP 70-300mm
f4-5.6 Di VC USD Lens (Nikon Fit)
-
Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G AF-S VR Lens
(Nikon Fit)
There is another alternative camera system,
which is worth mentioning and that is the
Panasonic GH2 System Camera, which has a
micro 4/3rds sensor and with the Panasonic
100mm-300mm f4-5.6 Mega OIS Lens makes for an
exceptional combination............it is
also cheaper as a combo than the Canon L
lens on it's own.
There are other camera and lenses options,
especially the Canon 60D and 7D DSLR cameras
but they stretch away from the size of my
450D........the Nikon D7000 just fits into
my desired 'compact' size ratio.
When you examine all the lenses mentioned
above, including the Micro 4/3rds Lumix
lens, you find that give or take a few
millimeters, they are all around the same
length and width in a 'medium sized'
shoulder bag! The Lumix is the lightest at
520g, the Canon (NON) L is 630g, the Nikon is 745g, the Tamron is 765g
and the Canon L is 1050g.
When you examine the cameras, you find that
give or take a few millimeters they are all
around the same size in the bag with the
'bare' cameras weighing as follows - my
Canon 450D at 475g, the Canon 600D at 515g,
the Nikon D7000 at 690g and the lightest is
the Panasonic GH2 at 394g.
I
 spent a great deal of
time evaluating the
reviews and test image samples and at the
top of the tree is the Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6
IS L Lens with great image quality wide open
at 300m 'full zoom' f5.6 aperture but
'seriously' more expensive than any of the
other options (as expected).
To be honest, I would be more than happy
with any of the other camera and lens
options for a lightweight camera/lens
solution for 'casual use' around the zoo,
with friends and for hill walking with
the dog!
However, the Canon 70-300mm
f4-5.6
IS L Lens is in a league of its own!
Reviews to Read
I like the reviews I have read so far on
the Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS L Lens.
The-Digital-Picture.com This is an excellent review which is well worth
reading. The findings are also confirmed by 'gear' forum users and other
reviewers!
Photozone
They have
completed tests on Canon 'Full Frame' and APS-C sensors with very
positive results!
Canon Rumours They feature a
review from By Craig B / Canon Rumors
Guy which is very good and the images are awesome!
Please click on my
Gear Forums & Review
Sites
for a complete list of the sites I have used
that might be of assistance!
To visit Canon's website, the link is -
Canon UK.
If you have enjoyed this article - please donate to my
Charity of Choice -
The Sick Kids
Richard Lawrence
Scotland
United Kingdom
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