Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

• Specifications
• Reviews
• Sample Images
• Initial launch information.

A relatively old long 'L' lens with first generation image sabilisation, this lens is renowned for its crisp sharp images, with good performance even when wide open at f/4. It takes a 1.4x converter with only moderate image quality loss (particularly with a crop sensor body).

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	300mm 1:4.0
Lens Construction	15 elements in 11 groups
Diagonal Angle of View	8° 15'
Focus Adjustment	Rear focusing system with USM
Closest Focusing Distance	1.5m / 4.9 ft.
Filter Size	77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	3.5" x 8.7", 2.6 lbs. / 90.0 x 221.0mm, 1190g

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts) Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture. Blue lines show the performance at f/8 Thick lines indicate lens contrast Thin lines indicate lens resolution Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines. Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas. Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

300mm versions

Version	f/2.8L USM	f/2.8L IS USM	f/2.8L IS II USM	f/4L USM	f/4L IS USM
Image stabilizer	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Ring USM	Yes
L-series	Yes
Diffractive Optics	No
Ultra-low dispersion glass element	Yes
Macro	No
Maximum aperture	f/2.8			f/4
Minimum aperture	f/32
Weight	2.855 kg	2.550 kg	2.400 kg	1.165 kg	1.190 kg
Max. Diameter x Length	12.8 cm x 25.2 cm		12.8 cm x 24.8 cm	9.0 cm x 22.1 cm
Filter diameter	48 mm drop-in	52 mm drop-in		77 mm
Horizontal viewing angle	6° 50'
Vertical viewing angle	4° 35'
Diagonal viewing angle;	8° 15'
Groups/elements	8/10	13/17	12/16	7/8	11/15
Diaphragm blades	8		9	8
Closest focusing distance	3 m	2.5 m	2 m	2.5 m	1.5 m
Release date	November 1987	July 1999	September 2010	December 1991	March 1997

Note that there is a Canon 300/1.8 lens used for horse racing photofinishes - there is however very little info about this rare lens and it is not listed on any Canon sites.

EF 300mm f/4L IS USM reviews and articles

• Canon UK / US Information Page
• Amazon
• Northlight Images
• Canon CPN article
• Fred Miranda
• Lens Tip
• Digital Picture
• PhotoZone
• SLR Gear
• Lens Review
• ePhotozine

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Sample images

None available at present.

Product launch

No information available on the 1997 launch of this lens.