Product Description
Canon's first zoom lens with DO elements
A new triple-layered diffractive optical element (DO)
has enabled Canon to produce a 70-300mm lens less than 10cm long. The EF
70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM also includes Canons Image Stabilisation
technology to dramatically reduce camera shake, compensating for approximately
three stops in shutter speed without any perceptible increase in image blur. A
virtually silent ultra-sonic motor (USM) gives the lens extremely fast
autofocus.
"This lens is symbolic of Canon's leadership in precision optics", said Mr. Komatsuzaki, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe, at the lens launch. 'Canon
stands alone as the only company to have successfully commercialised Diffractive
Optical elements in camera lenses, and the results speak for themselves."
Full time manual focusing, a circular aperture diaphragm, and a zoom ring lock
mechanism to fix the lens at the shortest focal length are all built in. The
lens boasts image quality approximating that of Canon's L series professional
lenses. It is likely to appeal to professional photojournalists and serious
advanced amateurs with a need to contain the size and weight of equipment
carried.
DO Elements
This is the first DO lens to be released by Canon since the EF 400mm f/4 DO
IS USM. Use of the new three-layer DO lens drastically reduces the overall
length and weight of the lens system increasing the refractive power of each
lens element and reducing the spaces between elements. Chromatic aberration
normally associated with increased compactness is corrected by positioning the
three-layer type DO lens on the front lens side. This, coupled with the
correction of spherical aberration through the use of aspherical surfaces,
delivers high image quality and high levels of resolution and contrast,
rivalling the performance of Canons legendary L-series lenses.
Zoom lock
The EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM features a zoom ring locking mechanism,
locking the lens at its shortest total length. This helps to protect the lens
from potential damage by preventing the zoom elements extending under their own
weight. This might otherwise occur when the lens is mounted to a camera that
hangs from a neck or shoulder strap.
Image Stabilisation
The lens incorporates Canons Image Stabilisation (IS) technology,
compensating for approximately three stops without any perceptible increase in
image blur when shooting static subjects or panning.
This vastly increases the range of circumstances in which hand-held photography
is possible, limiting the need to carry a tripod. During major movement in a
single direction, IS Mode 2 technology automatically determines that the
movement is intentional panning and halts correction in the relevant direction,
thereby preventing shake-return. The IS system automatically detects lack of
movement/vibration to prevent operation errors when a tripod is used. The
increase in IS efficiency and the lower overall size have been achieved through
improvements in the moving contact sections of the IS lens barrel, the IS lens
group barrel locking mechanism and the shake-detection gyro.
Fast AF
A rear focusing ring type USM, high-speed CPU and new AF algorithms combine
to give the lens extremely fast auto-focusing. The ring-type ultrasonic motor
(USM) converts ultrasonic vibrational energy into rotational force to deliver
high-speed, high-precision, super efficient and virtually noiseless auto
focusing, with good holding torque for rapid response and accurate stopping.
Full-time manual override is featured, removing the possibility of damage to the
autofocus mechanism during manual focus. The lens has a minimum focusing
distance of just 1.4m throughout the entire zoom range.
Ideal for digital
The lens element design has been optimised and new coatings added to
suppress ghosting and flaring. This makes the lens ideal for use with digital
cameras that are more susceptible to reflections off the recording media than
film cameras.
Attractive defocusing
Refractive and DO elements are combined to realise
low distortion, high corner-to-corner resolution throughout the entire zoom
range. As with all EF lenses, aperture is controlled with an EMD
(electromagnetic diaphragm) for fast, quiet, highly precise control and the lens
incorporates a near circular aperture diaphragm for beautifully pleasing
background blur.
Working with EOS
The drive pattern of the lens is tailored to specifically match that of the
latest models in the EOS camera range, extracting maximum benefit from the speed
advantage of the lens. The lens comes with a case LP1116 and an exclusive hood
ET-65B for shading against unwanted direct light.
Lead free
In keeping with Canon's stringent environmental policy, only lead free glass
is used in the lens' optics.
Specification:
Lens construction: 18 elements
in 12 groups, including diffractive optical elements
Coating: Super Spectra Coating
Diagonal angle of view: 34 - 8 15'
Vertical angle of view: 19? 30' - 4? 35'
Horizontal angle of view: 29 - 6 50'
AF Drive system: Ring USM
Manual focusing: Enabled with focus mode switch and focusing ring
(full-time manual focusing)
Focusing range: 1.4m to infinity (at all zoom focal lengths)
Maximum magnification: 0.06x (Wide); 0.19x (Tele)
Mount type: Canon EF mount
Minimum aperture: f32-38 (f32-40 for cameras featuring 1/3-stop
increments)
Aperture blades: 6 (circular type)
Filter diameter: 58mm
Diameter x Length: 82.4 x 99.9mm
Weight: 720g
Lens hood: ET-65B
Lens cap: E-58U
Lens case: LP1116
Extension Tube EF12 II: Compatible
Extension Tube EF25 II: Compatible
EF 1.4x II or EF 2x II: Not compatible
Image Stabilizer (IS): Included; activated by pressing the shutter button
halfway
IS modes: Mode 1: normal image stabilization - Mode 2:
unidirectional image stabilization
IS max. deviation: Approx. 0.9mm
IS max. correction angle: Approx. 0.43? (at telephoto, infinity) |
