Description: A handy, compact zoom lens for travelling, etc. The highest optical performance in its class, plus the convenience of focusing as close as 2.3 feet over the entire zooming range. A powerful ring-type USM drive provides silent enjoyable picture-taking experience.
Summary: I sold my 70-200 f2.8L IS USM lens to purchase the 28-300. Although the lens is extremely versatile with its zoom range, it is nowhere near as sharp as the 70-200, even when using a tripod or image stabilisation . I expected a little difference, but the difference is so great, that I after a year of soft sports images, I am contemplating dumping the 28-300 to once again get hold of the brilliant 70-200, which although is less versatile, but gave fantastic results.
Summary: Flexible, high quality build CANON L lens. Heavy on the camera with excellent IS and focusing speed. A very useful Game Reserve lens particularly in Africa. I use it with the 100~400L as I have 2 bodies which makes lens changing unnecessary.
Strengths: Build, fast focus, IS, range and flexibility. I am getting excellent results with this lens and to answer any questions - YES, I WOULD BUY IT AGAIN. Very useful for relatively close-up shots of birds, snakes etc.
Weaknesses: Its flexibility does detract slightly in the sharpness stakes. In no way is it as sharp as the 100~400L. However, having said this I have not seen better results with any other lens in this category.
Summary: The 28~300 lens is a must for people visiting Africa's Game Parks where getting out of your vehicle is not permitted. By using this lens on 1 body and the 100~400L IS USM plus 1.4x II tele-converter on another you cover the entire range needed for any shot in a park.
Strengths: Another perfect lens for shooting in Africa's Game Parks.
1. Mine is sharp at all settings, even when wide open
2. AF is fast although I have had it hunt once or twice in bad light
3. The push pull is something I like and both my lenses work the same way
4. IS is really great
5. The tripod ring can be removed without taking the lens off the camera (unlike the 100~400)
6. Excellent build quality
7. In all respects what we all expect from an "L" lens
8. Protection against the elements provided
9. Ease of use
10. Has nice balanced feel
All in all, a superb addition to any bag. Very highly recommended.
Weaknesses: The lens hood seems a bit dubious for optimum performance but only time will tell in this regard.
Similar Products Used: Sigma EX 24~70
Sigma 28~300 Compact H/Zoom
Sigma EX 70~200
Sigma EX 50~500
Canon 100~400L IS USM
Customer Service: Not needed as yet but Canon seem willing to help in South Africa if its needed.
Summary: I bought this to replace my 35-350 and tried them side by side in the dealers before buying. The lens is larger than the 35-350 and seems to use the same casing as the 100-400L. The 28-300 is, though, much heavier in feel....infact it feels so heavy I wasn't going to buy it until the results from a few shots convinced me otherwise. It is much sharper than the 35-350 and with IS much easier to use.
The zoom itself is more progressive than on either of my other two push pull zooms. Though there is still a little bit of resistance zooming back from 300mm it is quite acceptable. On my 35-350 it was a pain and almost 'stuck' at the 350mm end unless brute force was used. Canon say the lenses vary out of the factory and get easier with use. The zoom tension ring adjustment is much better on the new lens and goes from tight to loose much quicker than the what seemed like half a turn on the 35-350.
I am really pleased with the quality of pictures so far from this lens - they are in a different league to those I got from the 35-350 and whilst perhaps not 70-200 2.8 sharp are very like those I get from my 100-400.
Apart from the cost and weight I can highly recommend this to anyone - not just PJ's. If you only want to take one lens or don't have time to change lenses then this is well worth a look.
Strengths: Sharpness & general image quality, Flexibility, IS, shorter twist on zoom tension ring comapred to 35-350 / 100-400
Weaknesses: Weight, Size, Cost, AF hunts occasionally
Similar Products Used: 35-350L, 70-200 2.8LIS, 100-400L
Summary: A great all in one lens. It excels at the longer end, and is very good when you go wide. The push-pull zoom took about 20 seconds to get used to. It focuses quickly and accurately and the image stabilization is fantastic.
Outdoor photos of birds and beasts really show off the quality of the lens. The feathers and fur are very sharp, and the color contrast and saturation are excellent. Indoors, the IS starts to shine. I took a series of photos in St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC handheld at F4 - 1/10s that were tack sharp, even at the edges.
I was debating a long time between this lens and the combination of the 70-200 F2.8L IS and 17-40 F4L lenses. If I have to carry the two lenses, they would be about 1.5lbs heavier, and give me 17-200 range with a gap. The 28-300 covers a great range and is useful in a wide variety of situations. The deciding factors were cost and weight. The two lenses together were about the same price, and the 28-300 was lighter to carry in the bag.
My only complaint about the 28-300 is the placement of the MF/AF button. It's at the 9 o'clock position as you look at the back lens cap. It catches on the bag as I lift the camera out, and I've hit it accidently with my thumb while handling the camera in normal use. It's a very mild complaint.
Strengths: Versatility, clarity, sharpness, AF speed, Image Stabilization, build quality
Weaknesses: Weight, price, MF/AF button in a bad place.
Similar Products Used: Canon EF 28-135 F3.5-5.6 USM IS
Canon EF 75-300 F4-5.6 USM IS
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