300/2.8 IS II review

I don't see anything here that would induce me to upgrade, or recommend a MkII over MkI. Well that isn't entirely true, in situations where dramatic flare can be induced the MkII is considerably better. But that is a huge price to pay for an unusual situational advantage.

This review is very good, as always.

I just got a used 300 2.8 IS MkI. I heard Mk II is lighter and has 4-stop IS if I remember correctly. You made me envy. :-)

As I said earlier in the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens review, AI Servo focus accuracy seems to be slightly worse than the prior model when used on my 1Ds III bodies (I'm waiting to hear from others in this regard - and will update this review when appropriate).

An important statement by The-Digital-Picture.com. Can any member comment on their experience with AI Servo with this lens?

I have the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM and the lens mated to my Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and Canon EOS 5D on AI Servo on average is giving me about 60-70% keepers. Not great. Not too bad. Certainly far from perfect.

Peter,

I get much higher than that with the MkI and a 1Ds MkIII, over 95% for surfing and sailing, even boat to boat. What are you shooting?

Scott,

I shot an approaching vehicle in daylight.

What speeds? Regular road stuff, constant 60mph straight at me, I'd expect over 95%.

The worst I have done was RC gas boats, they are about two feet long and go 60 mph, they are tough but it is normally me miss aiming, of course they are very close, 30 feet away, and irregular movement.

Scott>The vehicles were going at around 60 kph towards me. I sat in my car in a parking lot with the lens comfortably supported on the window sill.

I will redo this test on the weekend from the same location and report back here.

BTW, I had the pleasure of shooting with the Mk I several months ago (a friend's lens). I was so impressed that if it was mine I'm not sure I'd upgrade, especially when considering the mild weight saving and huge price difference.

Happy shooting,
Yakim.

Looks like a fantastic lens, as we'd all expect.

Mind you, based on the posted examples on Lenstip, my new Siggy 120-300mm f/2.8 OS is only a hair behind - I'm finding myself very impressed by it, right out to 588mm (lens plus stacked 1.4s) wide open, handheld.

While out birding a couple of days ago I did some casual moving car tests - cars travelling towards me at 70+ mph, (camera + lens handheld at 420mm, f/4) - and got something like 95% in focus and silly sharp, on my 7D.

Not exactly challenging subjects, though...