Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II at a glance:

• EF-Mount/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/4 to f/45
• One Ultra Low Dispersion Element
• NANO USM Autofocus System
• Optical Image Stabilizer
• Lens Information Display
• Full-Time Manual Focus
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II lens is a good example of how skilled Canon’s engineers are when it comes to manufacturing lenses, even those usually categorised as consumer lenses.

Optical Limits (formerly known as photo zone.de) reviewed the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II, and it seems once more Canon was able to deliver in this price class (it’s $449). Please note that there is a typo in the conclusion: the lens is not a “L” grade lens.

Usually you can bank on Canon for delivering some of the best tele lenses across all classes and that also applies to the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM L IS II. Canon managed to improve the lens in many aspects compared to its predecessor. As far as the optical characstistic is concerned, Canon shifted the priority more to the long end of the zoom range – which is generally a good thing. The image quality doesn’t reach professional levels but for a consumer lens, it’s certainly impressive with a generally very good quality at 200mm and 300mm. At 70mm the image corners aren’t that hot (combined with a bit of field curvature) but from a real-life perspective that’s usually a lesser issue. Lateral CAs are very low. Image distortions and vignetting are about typical for such a lens.

[…] Given the sum of its qualities, the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM L IS II is a very obvious choice in this lens class. For the money, it’s a steal really and that’s quite a seldom occurrence these days.

Optical Limit’s review also comes with a set of sample images (full size files can be downloaded).

While the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II can not compete with the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS in terms of optical performance, it still delivers a lot of bang for the bucks.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS at a glance:

• EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/22
• One GMo Aspherical Element
• Air Sphere and Fluorine Coatings
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Optical Image Stabilization
• Dust- and Water-Resistant Construction
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

We always wrote that Canon made a masterpiece with their recent Canon EF 85mm F/1.4L IS lens. Jared Polin (aka FroKnowsPhoto) wonders if the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS is the better option over the EF 85mm f/1.2L II. Well, the answer might surprise you. Spoiler: here is another confirmation about how outstanding this lens is.

More Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS coverage here. The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS is in stock and sells for $1,599 at Amazon US,  Adorama, Canon Store, and B&H Photo.

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

The experts at Optical Limits (formerly known as photozone.de) thoroughly tested Canon’s latest lens masterpiece, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS.

From the conclusion:

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4 USM L IS […] is quite sharp at f/1.4 and reaches great results at medium aperture settings. That’s on a 50mp sensor = at 21mp the quality is generally superb. Lateral CAs and distortions are low. The amount of vignetting sticks to the common characteristics in the class – reads: it’s visible at f/1.4 but not extreme. The quality of the bokeh is generally excellent except for highlight discs that deteriorate a little too “early” in the image field in our book. Bokeh fringing is a common issue in this lens class and the Canon lens can’t hide from this either.

Mechanically, the lens shows no real weakness. It is built to professional standards including weather sealing […]

Given the sum of its qualities, it is a no-brainer to give the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4 USM L IS our “highly recommended” badge. It is facing tough competition from the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART lens but the Canon lens has the benefit of providing more consistent focusing results. Read the review…

Sample photos are here. The EF 85mm f/1.4L IS is an amazing lens and I have yet to see a review that doesn’t highlight it. An interview with the engineers behind the lens is here. Our EF 85mm f/1.4L IS coverage is listed here.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS is in stock and sells for $1,599:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE