Canon tele lens test/review database

Index

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Image quality rating: 100,00%

Overall rating: 98,00%

Main points:
  • Awkward hood attachment
  • Great optics


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
10/10
9.8/10
'Optically, the 300mm Æ’/2.8L IS produces extremely sharp images, almost free from chromatic aberration, distortion and corner shading. This is most evident when used on a sub-frame sensor body and larger apertures over smaller. On a full-frame sensor body, the lens is almost as good, though corner shading is a bit more evident at Æ’/2.8 and sharpness, while very impressive, is never ''tack-sharp'' across the frame. It's been said before in other reviews, but is worth saying again - it doesn't get much better than this.'20D, 5D
Dan Carr Photography
'Beyond that though there was really not much to write home about, they are both simply stunning lenses.  Considering the price jump in the new lens I can say that I’m still happy to own the original version at the moment and if anyone out there is considering buying one then you still won’t be disappointed by the MKI version!'
Dan Carr Photography
'Comparing any lens to the 300mm f2.8 L IS is tough because it will have a tendency to pale in comparison.  The f4 L IS is still a VERY good lens , between f5.6 and f8 you will get stunning details and beautifully sharp images for the price of the lens, the 300mm f4 L IS is an often overlooked bargain.'
Dan Carr Photography
'I never thought that I would be more than mildly impressed with the 2X TC but frankly i’m blown away by its performance.'


Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Image quality rating: 100,00%

Overall rating: 96,67%

Main points:
  • Lightweight for a 300mm f/2.8
  • Very, very sharp
  • Expensive


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
ePhotozine
5/5
4.5/5
'If you can't live with compromise, and need a 300mm f/2.8 for your Canon camera, then this lens is a truly amazing performer. Expensive as it may be, it is sharp, rugged, fast to focus, has little distortion, is resistant to flare and doesn't suffer badly with chromatic aberrations. It works exactly as you'd expect a lens costing this much should do.'5D Mark II
SLRGear
10/10
10/10
'Where the original Canon 300mm Æ’/2.8 IS USM was very good, Canon's refinements have made it even better. If you're looking to buy, it doesn't get any better than this, but then, you probably already guessed that.'7D, 1Ds Mark III
Lenstip
'It would be difficult to write something truly revealing about a lens which practically has no flaws. If you can afford it and you are able to make good use of its possibilities, it is a highly recommendable purchase.'1Ds Mark III
Dxomark
Dan Carr Photography
'Beyond that though there was really not much to write home about, they are both simply stunning lenses.  Considering the price jump in the new lens I can say that I’m still happy to own the original version at the moment and if anyone out there is considering buying one then you still won’t be disappointed by the MKI version!'


Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

Image quality rating: 100,00%

Overall rating: 100,00%

Main points:
  • Reach/weight is best
  • Near Perfect Image quality


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
10/10
10/10
'There is only one thing wrong with this lens. You cannot go unnoticed. Especially if you mount the lens hood. Thank goodness, contrast and flare control are excellent even without the hood.'
Camera Labs
'The Canon EF 500mm f4L IS USM ended up being the most flexible lens during my trip to Florida, and the most fun to use. It was sufficiently long to grab detailed shots of water sports and distant wildlife, while also delivering satisfyingly big solar images, especially when mounted on a cropped frame body and working at an equivalent of 800mm. I was surprised how little I yearned for anything longer or shorter, or the ability to zoom - the coverage always seemed surprisingly ideal.'
Dan Carr Photography
'A fast moving dog is a tricky subject for any AF system, especially at close range and coming towards the camera.  I would say that the AF speed is slightly slower than my 300mm f2.8 L IS but still much faster than anything else I have tried. For AF at longer ranges it locked on very well.  Autofocus is a hard thing to quantify really so I can only base it on my experience with other lenses but I would say that it’s pretty darn good.  And look at that creamy bokeh on the OOF water droplets !  Stunning. '


Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM

Image quality rating: 100,00%

Overall rating: 80,00%

Main points:
  • Slow focusing
  • Long zoom


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
10/10
8/10
'I'm slightly dis-appointed with this lens, the slow focussing takes a lot of getting use to, and the slow F4 Aperture doesn't do the lens any favours either.'


Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM

Image quality rating: 98,00%

Overall rating: 100,00%

Main points:
  • Excellent optical performance


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
ePhotozine
'If you have a professional need for a beast of this nature, or a bank balance and a back that can stand the hammering, you will not be disappointed. At f/2.8, it is a fast lens for its length and works ideally indoors under lights at such events as fashion shoots as well as on the touchline or a fast bend. It also combines well with Canon’s teleconverter range, still giving autofocus with the 2x. But be warned, this is the heaviest lens Canon produce!'300D
SLRGear
9.8/10
10/10
'I haven't only used the 500L IS and the 600L IS but compared to _everything_ else in the line-up, the 400 2.8L IS (wide open) ties for Canon's #1 position for IQ alongside the 200 2L IS. The 400 2.8 shows very slight traces CA compared to the shorter 200 2 in near-undetectable quantities towards the edges. This is a great achievement since it's twice as long (and CA generally increases with focal length) but it's also a stop slower (slower lenses are easier to optimise for CA). '


Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM

Image quality rating: 97,50%

Overall rating: 95,00%

Main points:
  • quite fast, very accurate and quiet autofocus
  • efficient image stabilization
  • good cooperation with the brand name 1.4x teleconverter


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
10/10
10/10
'The 200mm Æ’/2L IS USM is definitely a lens designed for the ''where price is no object'' crowd. Tack-sharp, with no visible chromatic aberration or distortion, the only issue (if it is indeed an issue) would be some corner shading when shot wide-open on a full-frame body. But for the ''style'' of image that it produces: sharp subjects with creamy, dreamy out-of-focus backgrounds, the 200mm Æ’/2L IS USM is a lens that will consistently exceed expectations.'20D, 5D
Lenstip
'It is really difficult to write something truly revealing in the summary of such instruments. If you need this type of lens and you can afford it the Canon 2/200 won’t disappoint you for sure. Of course you can always pick holes and carp about the work against bright light or point out that the rival Nikkor in some categories had better results. Still it won’t influence the final assessment of the lens, which is very good. There is even some consolation for those who find the price of tested lens too high: in the Canon line-up there is a slower but much cheaper and equally well-made EF 200 mm f/2.8L USM II model.'1Ds Mark III
Photoreview
9.5/10
9/10
'Imatest showed the test lens to be capable of very high resolution, with peak performance between f/2.8 and f/8 and a gradual decline from f/16 on, where diffraction limiting takes effect. Differences in centre and edge resolution were detected but by f/8 they were irrelevant and even with the lens wide open it was difficult to see any edge or corner softening in tests shots. '


Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

Image quality rating: 95,00%

Overall rating: 96,67%

Main points:
  • Great portrait lens
  • Sharp


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
10/10
10/10
'This is my favorite Canon lens. It is a pleasure to use and gives outstanding results. It looks like a little Hubble telescope from the front (it gathers light like one too). Its alittle long for group photography unless you have alot of room.'
Photozone
4.5/5
4.5/5
'I was quite sceptical regarding this lens - not so much because I expected a bad performance but what to do with this lens. I've to admit that after a week of testing I'm in love and it'll be very hard to part from it again. Isolating objects via ultra-large aperture settings is fun! Besides the performance of this lens is exceptional with scaringly sharp results (from f/2.8 and up) and a super-smooth bokeh. The build quality is, naturally, up to pro standards. '350D


Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM

Image quality rating: 92,50%

Overall rating: 95,00%

Main points:
  • BIG Zoom
  • Large


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
9.5/10
10/10
'Given that there are so few choices available in this category of super telephoto lenses in the Canon mount, the decision is almost made for you if you need to produce images at distance. At that point, it's just a matter of whether you want to spend $6,000 for the Sigma 800mm or $12,000 for the Canon 800mm. The price tag may be high, but for some shots, there is no other way to get this combination of focal length and aperture (with the possible exception of combining a 400mm Æ’/2.8 with a 2x tele-extender).'5D
Photoreview
9/10
9/10
'Colour reproduction was also very good and we found little evidence of flare and ghosting in shots of backlit subjects. The camera was also able to record its full dynamic range. Performance was equally good with both the camera bodies used in Photo Review's tests, which speaks volumes for the overall design and construction of this impressive optic.'


Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM

Image quality rating: 90,00%

Overall rating: 90,00%

Main points:
  • Low contrast
  • Light weight


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
9/10
9/10
'The resolution is very good however the contrast is lower than other L series super telephotos. This is due to the DO construction. Images taken with this lens will need a little extra local contrast addedd in raw processing.'


Canon 135mm F/2 L USM

Image quality rating: 89,87%

Overall rating: 99,00%

Main points:
  • Good optical quality with nice OOF ‘Bokeh’
  • fast, accurate and silent autofocus


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
ePhotozine
'A lens of this nature is a reasonably specialised piece of kit. It’s speed, both light gathering and focussing, make it ideal for indoor sport and event work. It also scores highly if you want portraits with OOF backgrounds where the focal length is near perfect.'
SLRGear
9.96/10
9.8/10
'Bottom line, this is just an outstanding lens by any measure, one that makes clear why you'd want to pay the freight for expensive prime glass. - Actually though, it's performance is so good that you really have to consider it a bargain, even at the $800-900 street price. It just doesn't get any better than this!'20D, 5D
Lenstip
'The Canon EF 135 mm f/2.0L USM is really a splendid device and it proves that even constructions designed many years ago can fare very well today, in an era of omnipresent digital detectors. The lens is not flawless but fortunately its flaws are just minor slip-ups, not very bothersome in most of practical uses. It makes the purchase of this lens very recommendable to anyone interested in an instrument with such parameters.'1Ds Mark III
Photozone
4/5
5/5
'The Canon EF 135mm f/2 USM L is a highly desirable lens with excellent performance figures in most aspects. It is very sharp and contrasty straight from f/2 and it's outstanding at f/5.6. The bokeh is exceptionally smooth and buttery at f/2 and f/2.8 although it suffers a bit from bokeh fringing at these large aperture settings. Neither distortions nor lateral CAs are field relevant. The only real weakness is the amount of (visible) vignetting at f/2. Flare is generally no big issue but you should use the supplied lens hood in critical situations. The build quality of the lens is excellent and the AF performance is on a very high level. Regarding all the goodness that we've seen from this lens we have to praise it with our rare HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!'5D Mark II
Photozone
4.5/5
5/5
'The Canon EF 135mm f/2 USM L is a superb lens with outstanding performance figures in all aspects except maybe vignetting at the max. aperture setting (f/2). The mechanical construction is up to pro standards and the AF is as fast as it gets in EOS land. All-in-all a lens that truly deserves the Canon L designation.'350D
Dxomark


Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM

Image quality rating: 87,50%

Overall rating: 91,44%

Main points:
  • fast, accurate and silent autofocus
  • work against bright light could have been better
  • excellent image quality in the frame centre


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
10/10
9.86/10
'For its test results alone, the performance and modest price tag of the Canon 200mm Æ’/2.8L II USM make it an excellent addition to any Canon shooter's collection. However, if you want or need image stabilization, it's available only in longer or faster telephoto primes, or the 70-200mm zoom lens, any of which cost significantly more than the 200mm f/2.8L.'7D, 1Ds Mark III
Lenstip
'The resolution, although a bit worse than that of the 70-200 mm, still remains sensational or very good. What’s more, the fixed focal lens proved to be slightly better in the case of the chromatic aberration and distortion and even noticeably better in the category of vignetting and work against bright light. If you add a very solid but distinctly lighter and handier casing and also the price, two times lower than that of the 70-200 mm, it would be difficult not to recommend this instrument.'1Ds Mark III
Photozone
4/5
4.5/5
'The EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM II is capable of delivering a near-flawless performance in most aspects. It provides a very high resolution combined with an excellent contrast straight from f/2.8. The lateral CAs are very low which contributes to the high sharpness perception. The global peak quality is reached around f/5.6. The amount of vignetting is comparatively moderate for a such a lens used on a full format camera. Typical for a prime lens the amount of pincushion distortion is not overly field-relevant. The quality of the bokeh is above average with a very smooth rending of the background- and foreground blur. On the downside out-of-focus highlights can get a little edgy from f/4 onwards and there can be the usual "cat's eye" highlights towards the corners. The mechanical execution is on a professional level – except for missing weather sealing. However, despite its impressive performance it surely has a tough standing in the marketplace because the various Canon EF 70-200mm USM L variants are basically as just as good or even better eaving only the comparatively compact size and low weight as differentiators.'5D Mark II
Photozone
4/5
4/5
'The EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM II is a very good to excellent lens in all optical and mechanical aspects. As to be expected the performance decreases when combining the lens with a Canon EF 1.4x II converters but generally the results remain very good here. The price tag of the lens is relatively moderate at around 650€/US$ so it is a pretty attractive package. However, it is also worth to note that its little sister lens, the EF 135mm f/2 USM L, is kicking the limits a little further.'350D
Photozone
4.5/5
4.5/5
'The EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM II is very good within its native full format scope and when used on an APS-C DSLR things get even better. It provides a very high resolution combined with an excellent contrast straight from f/2.8. The lateral CAs are very low which contributes to the high sharpness perception. The global peak quality is reached between f/4-5.6. Vignetting is basically a non-issue on APS-C DSLRs. Typical for a prime lens the amount of pincushion distortion is not field-relevant. The quality of the bokeh is above average with a very smooth rending of the background- and foreground blur. On the downside out-of-focus highlights can get a little edgy from f/4 onwards. The mechanical execution is on a professional level – except for missing weather sealing. So the lens surely deserves our highest praise although it surely has a tough competition because the various Canon EF 70-200mm USM L variants match or exceed its quality or even better leaving only the comparatively compact size and low weight as differentiators.'50D
Dxomark


Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

Image quality rating: 87,02%

Overall rating: 96,50%

Main points:
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Virtually no distortion


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
ePhotozine
5/5
4.5/5
'With the price being only £315, this lens is a cracking bargain for those looking for a very capable lens for portraiture that delivers excellent sharpness with low levels of chromatic aberrations and distortion.'5D Mark II
SLRGear
9.51/10
9.45/10
'The Canon 85mm f/1.8 is a sturdy smooth-functioning lens that exhibits very good Center Sharpness on both full-frame and sub-frame bodies. Corner Sharpness is good except at the widest apertures. Chromatic Aberration is slightly better than average; Shading is better than average; and Distortion is excellent.'20D, 5D
Lenstip
'The Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8 USM is a lens almost 20-year-old. Looking at its achievements we must admit its age makes itself felt. The lens doesn’t break any resolution records, its anti-reflection coatings are not of the highest quality, it doesn’t feature any low-dispersion glass elements and maybe because of that it doesn’t manage to correct the longitudinal chromatic aberration well. On the other hand it does provide really sharp images in the whole (or almost whole) range of apertures, it boasts a quick, efficient autofocus which cooperates well with newer Canon bodies and, what’s the most important thing, its price/quality ratio is quite good. When the Polish zloty was strong you could buy it for about 1,000 PLN and with such a price tag you could easily turn a blind eye to all its faults. Now it is a bit more expensive but still it remains a very sensible option for all these who want to have a useful, fast portrait lens with an autofocus in their arsenal. The popularity of this instrument stems from not only its good performance but also from the lack of competition. If you own a Canon reflex camera and you want to have an 85-mm lens with an autofocus you must either buy the device tested here or spend three times more on the Sigma 1.4/85 or purchase the 85L model with f/1.2 aperture and pay an arm and a leg for it. When it comes to semi-professional and amateur usages the tested Canon 1.8/85 copes very well; small wonder many people don’t see the point of splurging on the Sigma or the L-series Canon lens.'1Ds Mark III
Photozone
4/5
5/5
'The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is a very desirable lens and, surprisingly, a very affordable one. Both contrast and resolution are very good straight from the max. aperture. The lens shows some hefty vignetting at f/1.8 but beyond it's not really a big problem anymore. Neither distortions nor lateral CAs are something to worry about in field conditions. However, bokeh fringing (LoCAs) can be visible in some scenes and in extreme situations you may also spot some purple fringing. The quality of the bokeh is generally very good at f/1.8 (apart from the LoCA problems) but the lack of circular aperture blades shows up in out-of-focus highlights when stopping down. The build quality of the lens is very good and the AF performance leaves nothing to be desired.'5D Mark II
Photozone
4/5
5/5
'With the exception of purple fringing in harsh contrast situations the lens performed extremely well. If you're looking for a near-perfect portrait lens - well, stop here - you've found it! Naturally the lens has also a life beyond portraits. It's also nice for compressed landscape shots and all aspects where you need to seperate your main subject from the background by using a very large aperture. The silky smooth bokeh (background blur) is a nice extra here. And the good news is: the lens is also very affordable at just 350EUR.'350D
Photozone
4/5
5/5
'The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is a very desirable lens and, surprisingly, a very affordable one. Both contrast and resolution are very good straight from f/1.8 and excellent at medium aperture settings. On APS-C DSLRs there's only a moderate degree of vignetting at f/1.8 and beyond it's a non-issue. Neither distortions nor lateral CAs are something to worry about in field conditions. However, bokeh fringing (LoCAs) can be visible in some scenes and in extreme situations you may also spot some purple fringing. The quality of the bokeh is generally very good at f/1.8 (apart from the LoCA problems) but the lack of circular aperture blades shows up in out-of-focus highlights when stopping down. The build quality of the lens is very good and the AF performance leaves nothing to be desired. Highly recommended!'50D
Dxomark


Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

Image quality rating: 86,42%

Overall rating: 84,49%

Main points:
  • Beautiful out of focus blur
  • Autofocus is slow when compared to slower aperture lenses


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
ePhotozine
5/5
4/5
'Although it comes at a hefty price, this lens is a portrait photographer’s dream come true. Sharpness in the centre of the frame is excellent to outstanding, even at maximum aperture and for this kind of photography, sharpness towards the edges of the frame is less critical. More important aspects for portraiture such as the look of the out of focus blur and focus accuracy are well taken care of and even so, when stopped down to f/5.6 or beyond, sharpness towards the edges is good too. It is a highly specialised lens, which is capable of producing excellent results when in its element.'5D Mark II
ePhotozine
'With this lens’s almost infinitely variable depth of field and its high image quality, along with an ability to suck in light from the dimmest of scenes, it has the capability of making friends fast and keeping them for a long time. As well as the portraiture that it is primarily designed for, the lens is likely to find favour in other disciplines as well, such as indoor sports, Gig and event photographers and anyone wanting to photograph the proverbial ‘black cat in a coal cellar’ too! A specialised lens that is very, nay, exceptionally good at its job.'20D
SLRGear
9.21/10
8.57/10
'We had more fun with this lens than many we test, its f/1.2 maximum aperture and super-soft bokeh (rendering of out-of-focus elements) make it a superb portrait lens, one that makes the background practically go away when you're shooting with it wide open.'20D, 5D
Lenstip
'The lens allows us to take sensational quality pictures, sharp even at the maximum aperture, and to play creatively with a very shallow depth of field. It is solidly made, its autofocus is silent and accurate. The coma slip-up and a modest selection of accessories I can forgive easily. Vignetting can’t be lower at this fastness on full frame, unless the lens is even bigger and it is big enough. I don’t like the manual focus ring solution. In my opinion, the classic, mechanical ring would be cheaper but also more comfortable.'1Ds Mark III
Photozone
3/5
4/5
'The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 USM L II is THE portrait lens in the Canon lens lineup and within this scope it offers excellent if not outstanding field capabilities. It has an extremely sharp center quality and a superb bokeh. Technically it has also some flaws like relatively soft borders/corners and high vignetting at large aperture settings. In high contrast situations you may also spot some LoCAs (bokeh color fringing). Lateral CAs as well as distortions are pretty much non-issues again.'5D Mark II
Photozone
4.5/5
4.5/5
'The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 USM L II is one of the little wonders in the Canon lens lineup - at least on an APS-C DSLR. The center performance is nothing short of breathtaking and the borders are only slightly weaker. There's a bit of vignetting at f/1.2 but from a field perspective it's probably not a real issue and from f/2 onwards it's not relevant anymore. Distortions and lateral CAs are extremely well controlled. The quality of the bokeh is a shining highlight of the lens - less so the amount of LoCAs (bokeh fringing) although that's a rather typical problem in this lens class.'50D
Photoreview
9/10
8.5/10
'The widest aperture settings enable fine control over depth of field, as shown in the illustrations in our sample shots section. This makes it easy to blur out potentially distracting backgrounds and foregrounds. At the widest aperture settings the plane of sharp focus can be very narrow indeed, requiring high focusing precision.'
Dxomark


Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Image quality rating: 81,30%

Overall rating: 86,40%

Main points:
  • quite handy, taking into account the lens’s parameters and the fact that it is equipped with IS and USM
  • quick, silent and accurate autofocus
  • excellent frame centre picture quality and very good at the borders


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
ePhotozine
'The build quality alone qualifies the price of this lens, which appears as though it will outlast any owner! The built in hood is a neat touch that just about escapes getting in the way of filters. The only let down is the slightly sluggish (for the class of lens) autofocus. Use of a 1.4x converter with it retains the AF but slows it even more. If you can live with that one drawback, it will last you a long long time!'
SLRGear
9.89/10
9.78/10
'I have been very happy with this lens for my nature photography. Well over half the shots I take have the Canon 1.4 Extender attached so that, on my 20D, the field of view is equivalent to that of a 672mm lens on a FF camera. Yes, for small birds the 500mm f4 would be much nicer but it costs much, much more than this combination. For large birds (like Herons) and for similarly large mammals the amount of reach that I have is adequate. My copy of the 300mm L IS is extremely sharp. At f4.0 it is very nearly as sharp as my 135L at f2.0. The extender drops the effective maximum aperture to f5.6 and the combination provides very good shapness. There is some slowing of the AF function when the 1.4X Extender is used. A big bonus is that the IS (along with the relatively light weight of this lens) means that I can use this lens hand held for most of my wildlife photography. I also like the retractable design of the lens shade since that makes it quick and easy to remove the lens cap or change filters.'
Lenstip
'The Canon EF 300 mm f/4L IS USM is a very well-done lens, and the comparison between the cons and the pros can be the proof of it. Mind you the cons are the effect of the age – after all, the lens was launched 10 years ago. The 2 EV level of stabilization doesn’t impress anybody anymore – in the newest Canon and Nikon constructions we find 3-4 EV IS levels and in Olympus bodies – 3 EV. Using of newer coatings would help with the work against bright light for sure. As it was shown during the Canon’s EF 70-200 f/4L IS USM test, contemporary constructions also perform a lot better with converters attached.'20D
Photozone
3.25/5
3.5/5
'In the marketplace the Canon EF 300mm f/4 USM L IS is probably suffering from the fact that it is "only" a 300mm lens. There are numerous zoom lenses with such a tele setting out including the stiff in-house competition from the similar priced EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS and the new EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM L IS. It is capable of delivering sharp results specifically in the image center. The border quality is "only" good at f/4 but you can boost it a little by stopping down to f/5.6 and f/8. The comparatively low amount of lateral CAs contribute to the high sharpness perception. Both distortions as well as vignetting are very well controlled and not really relevant in the field conditions. The quality of the bokeh is generally fine but out-of-focus highlights are somewhat nervously rendered and you may be able to spot some bokeh fringing at times.'5D Mark II
Photozone
4/5
4/5
'The EF 300mm f/4 USM L IS is an excellent lens both regarding build and optical quality. The naked lens performed near-flawless both in the lab as well as in the field where the IS helped in many situations. Combined with the EF 1.4x II converter the quality remains on high level but there's a little penalty here equivalent to about a school mark. Subjectively there's also a slight loss of contrast which cannot be surprising regarding the number of optical elements involved in the converter combination.'350D
Dxomark
Dan Carr Photography
'Comparing any lens to the 300mm f2.8 L IS is tough because it will have a tendency to pale in comparison.  The f4 L IS is still a VERY good lens , between f5.6 and f8 you will get stunning details and beautifully sharp images for the price of the lens, the 300mm f4 L IS is an often overlooked bargain.'


Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM

Image quality rating: 81,22%

Overall rating: 93,20%

Main points:
  • Not a nice bokeh
  • Lack of sharpnes
  • Fast autofocus


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
Camera Stuff Review
7.3/10
'The Canon 100 mm in combination with an APS-C reflex camera lacks of sharpnes. On the other hand, vignetting is low and there is almost no distortion. Despite the high speed, the  Canon 100 mm is built compactly. The bokeh of the Canon 100 mm IS Macro, Sigma 105 mm OS Macro and Tokina 100 mm Macro is nicer. For the lovers of 'primes' the Canon 100 mm can be usefull and is a nice addition to the Canon 17-55 mm.'7D
Camera Stuff Review
7.4/10
'On the Canon 100 mm 2.0, one can only say something about the resolution. The resolution starts up slowly and does not reach a peak. Also, the difference in resolution between the center and corners is rather big. But the Canon 100 mm 2.0 also has advantages. The vignetting and chromatic aberration are low, and distortion barely happens. Despite the high speed, the 100 mm 2.0 has a compact design. For lovers of 'primes' and a nice bokeh, the Canon 100 mm 2.0 is a must with some reservations.'5D Mark II
ePhotozine
4/5
4/5
'Those looking for a medium telephoto for portraiture will find this lens a pretty good buy due to the excellent sharpness it is capable of producing and the reasonable price tag.'5D Mark II
SLRGear
9.91/10
9.64/10
'I bought this one as a portrait lens capable of producing some kind of ´medium format look´, working with a very selective sharpness wide open. I wasn´t disappointed, this one is perfect for shooting people wide open and creating effects of totally blurred out-of-focus areas. The nice Bokeh and the ´clean´ overall-image might have helped to forget my Hasselblad.'
Photozone
4/5
5/5
'The Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM is one of the "can't loose" offers in the Canon lens lineup. It performed almost flawlessly in all tested categories. It's interesting that the figures are marginally better compared to its more popular sister lens (EF 85mm f/1.8 USM). So if you can't or don't want to invest into Canon L glass the EF 100mm f/2 USM is a pretty obvious solution providing similar qualities at a much lower price. Highly recommended!'
Dxomark


Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM

Image quality rating: 79,03%

Overall rating: 85,85%

Main points:
  • Lack of IS
  • Lightweight


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
9.71/10
9.67/10
'There's not much more to add that our tests haven't already shown. The lens performs well, perhaps not up to the level that more recent Canon lenses have, but considering the age of its design it still works extremely well. Image stabilization would be a welcome addition to the lens, given the temptation to use it hand-held. If you don't need the larger apertures of the 400mm Æ’/4 or 400mm Æ’/2.8, this is a very convenient and relatively economical lens.'20D, 5D
Photozone
3.5/5
4/5
'The EF 400mm f/5.6 USM L is one of the oldest lens in the Canon lineup and it's a little bizarre that Canon didn't really bother to upgrade it during all these years. After all there're many users interested in wildlife or sports photography and few amateur can actually afford a behemoth like the EF 500mm f/4 USM L IS. Admittedly most users will probably vote for the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS due to its extra zooming flexibility. However, the prime lens has some advantages. It is capable of achieving an evenly high resolution across the image frame combined with very low lateral CAs. Vignetting is not an issue even on a full format body. There's also only a minimal amount of image distortions. The quality of the bokeh is generally very fine with the exception of "onion-like" out-of-focus highlights.'5D Mark II
Photozone
3.5/5
3.5/5
'The EF 400mm f/5.6 USM L is a very good to excellent lens in all aspects and optically a somewhat superior to the current (locally tested) 400mm alternatives - at least compared to those that are affordable for mortals. So if you can live without IS and search for a very long tele lens for wildlife or sports photography you should have a deeper look at this lens.'350D
Dxomark


Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus

Image quality rating: 73,75%

Overall rating: 76,67%

Main points:
  • Special purpose lens
  • Funky soft-focus effect


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
8.75/10
8.5/10
'The lens's main strengths are in the optics and the compact size and discreet appearance. Wide-open sharpness is very good in the center and good in the corners. Center sharpness improves to excellent at f/4 and peaks at f/5.6. Corner sharpness improves to excellent at f/5.6 and peaks at f/8. Flare resistance is excellent at all apertures. Bokeh is neutral, but improves to pleasing with even small amounts of soft-focus dialed in -- try 1 notch at f/4 or two notches at f/5.6. The soft-focus effect cannot be effectively duplicated in software; uncorrected spherical aberration behaves very differently from a gauze filter.'
Photozone
3/5
3/5
'The Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 SF may be old but it was still able to delivery very good performance figures in all aspects. Nonetheless there´re many lenses including zooms which are capable to deliver similar and even better. So at the end of the day the only real differentiator is the soft-focus feature. On paper it may be worth a thought (if this is your thing) but if you´re into digital photography you should be able to achieve a similar effect using Photoshop. A real plus is the very affordable price though.'350D
Dxomark


Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Image quality rating: 0,00%

Overall rating: 0,00%

Main points:
  • High price
  • Tack sharp


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
'There's not much to add here that the technical report doesn't make abundantly clear: for the price this lens commands, it provides the ultimate telephoto lens experience, with quality second to none, a feature set with a learning curve, and a suitcase to carry it in.'7D, 1Ds Mark III
Dxomark


Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM

Image quality rating: 0,00%

Overall rating: 0,00%

Main points:
  • Expensive
  • Good construction


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
'There's not much to add here that the technical report doesn't make abundantly clear: for the price this lens commands, it provides the ultimate telephoto lens experience, with quality second to none, a feature set with a learning curve, and a suitcase to carry it in.'1Ds Mark III
Dxomark


Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM

Image quality rating: 0,00%

Overall rating: 0,00%

Main points:
  • Great sharpness
  • Heavy


Test/reviewerOpticsOverallQuoteCamera
SLRGear
'There's not much to add here that the technical report doesn't make abundantly clear: for the price this lens commands, it provides the ultimate telephoto lens experience, with quality second to none, a feature set with a learning curve, and a suitcase to carry it in.'
Dxomark


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