Canon 300 2.8 IS MKII?

[andyjayh]

Anyone used one yet? Price is a bit steep!! But wondered if anyone has compared to the normal IS version? Is the IS much better? Is the weight difference noticeable?

From experience, is the price going to drop further as they become more widely available?

I assume they are available as Park Cameras have them listed as in stock.

Just wondering if buying a IS version now is a bad idea?

 

[NaturS]

Yes, I have had a play, and yes the IS is absolutely rock solid, and the weight difference is noticeable.

I imagine the price will remain high until the pro community have had their fill, as I expect the weight loss will be most welcome for people hauling kit around for their day job.

I don't think getting a non MkII version would be a bad idea PQ wise, and there could be some 2nd hand bargains as people offload and upgrage, although some of the ex-pro stock could be rather well used or loved, depending on your view...

 

[SMT]

2550g vs 2400g. Is 150g really that noticeable?

 

[NaturS]

It certainly felt lighter in a direct comparison with the outgoing model.

 

[andyjayh]

Spoke to Park Cameras this morning and although they are showing a price they don't have them in stock and don't believe they will until August. So these are a long way off from hitting the shelves I guess

 

[George]

Having tried one at the Canon Islington show at the end of last year (It was obviously a prototype as the production dates have slipped a lot) I must say that I won't be upgrading for the mk2.
I'm not convinced that the IS and IQ improvements are worth the upgrade cost, I suspect the lens will end up at about £4800 or so and I actually don't believe that the second hand price of Mk1 versions will drop substantially as it is such a superb lens.
My own theory is that they are introducing a couple of improvements for the video users and I didn't really notice the weight difference.

I'd be interested to know where Ian had a play with a mk2 as it's only a few pros who have had them so far as I understand.

 

[NaturS]

It was at a seminar at WWT Arundel in November where the Canon Pro Team were there. They had the new MkII and a MKI along with the rest of the L range, and a selection of bodies, so I had a quick play on a 1D MkIV. I think this may have been just after they announced the initial delay to shipping.

The 800mm f/5.6 was there too, which despite being a monster was actually quite impressive.

As I say quick impression was it was definitely lighter and I thought compared to what I'm used to on a 100-400, 24-105 and a 500 IS, that the IS seemed a lot more solid.

I'm kind of assuming that anyone buying one would be looking at trying it themselves though.

 

[George]

It was at a seminar at WWT Arundel in November where the Canon Pro Team were there. They had the new MkII and a MKI along with the rest of the L range, and a selection of bodies, so I had a quick play on a 1D MkIV. I think this may have been just after they announced the initial delay to shipping.

The 800mm f/5.6 was there too, which despite being a monster was actually quite impressive.

As I say quick impression was it was definitely lighter and I thought compared to what I'm used to on a 100-400, 24-105 and a 500 IS, that the IS seemed a lot more solid.

I'm kind of assuming that anyone buying one would be looking at trying it themselves though.

Yea, Ian, was probably the same one I tried at Islington!!

The collar is better as well, I thought.

 

[acetone]

Spoke to Park Cameras this morning and although they are showing a price they don't have them in stock and don't believe they will until August. So these are a long way off from hitting the shelves I guess

They won't have them till August

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., May 25, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced updated availability dates for five of its EF lenses.

• Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens is scheduled to be available in late July 2011

• Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is scheduled to be available in late August 2011

• Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is scheduled to be available in late August 2011

• Canon EF 500mm F4L IS II USM lens is scheduled to be available in December 2011

• Canon EF 600mm F4L IS II USM lens is also scheduled to be available in December 2011

 

[StewartR]

Just wondering if buying a IS version now is a bad idea?

No. It's a great lens and it doesn't stop being a great lens just because there's an ever-so-slightly-greater lens around the next corner.

 

[andyjayh]

Well I am now the proud owner of a 300 f/2.8 IS Cracking lens as everyone has said before, just need to get to an airshow soon to try it out properly.