This lens has an auto and manual setting for focus adjustments and the adjustments give a good blur effect to the image, very nice lens indeed, very good to have this.

I was looking for a lens that could take shots of wildlife from a distance. This lens certainly fits the bill and the IS helps in low light. I was also looking at the 100-400mm lens but the negative comments about its barrel focusing system pushed me towards this one.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Rugged; Strong Construction

Heavy; Poor in Low Light

When I purchased my 7D, I also picked this lens up for some wildlife and nature photography. With the cropped sensor, 300mm is close enough for animals that don't want to eat you... I'm impressed. Images are pretty sharp and colorful.

Image stabilized; Superior build quality; Super-sharp images

Slow Auto-Focus

the image stabiliser is the reason I bought the zoom for wildlife,works a treat...

When I purchased my 7D, I also picked this lens up for some wildlife and nature photography. With the cropped sensor, 300mm is close enough for animals that don't want to eat you... I'm impressed. Images are pretty sharp and colorful.

Image stabilized; Superior build quality; Super-sharp images

Slow Auto-Focus

This user earned $10.00 in rewards for writing this review. Learn More Does what I need it to do..great pics. Paid a bit more than I expected, but all in all I would do it again because being able to get a good lens with the Overstock card I can take better family and friends photos.

CANON EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM review. As a dedicated nature photographer much of my shooting is with wide angle lenses but I recently decided I wanted a telephoto zoom for wildlife, particularly birds. My criteria were: Min.

A well-built, pro-spec lens boasting excellent performance

Ultra-reliable AF and IS systems

Poorer sharpness past f/16

Canon announced the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, on 26 August, 2010 in the lead-in to September's Photokina Trade Show. Targeted at professionals and advanced amateur photographers it's surprisingly compact for its specifications and usable with all of the company's DLSR cameras.

Handling and features Performance Verdict Specification Canon have given the 70-300mm range an L-series makeover and as a result this lens sports silent autofocus, with full-time manual override, weather sealing, optical stabilisation and tougher build quality than you might normally find on a lens...

Excellent build quality; Very good sharpness that is consistent through the range; Low CA; Low distortion; Effective optical stabilisation

May seem expensive for a f/4-5.6 zoom (although the premium is probably worth the extra in this case