Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

This is one of the best non-L series telephoto lenses. Don't compare this with the other cheapie 70-300mm or 75-300mm lenses. It is a major upgrade from the 75-300mm IS that it replaced.

The lens has an ultra-low dispersion lens element (that is normally reserved for the L series). But only has the lesser non-ring USM which means that the autofocus isn't the fastest, and you can't manually override it without switching to manual. But in all it's pretty reasonable.
Although the list price is £400, it's available online for under £350, or on ebay for less (although not a lot less, because it's quite sought after).
Until the end of June 2008, Canon have a £40 rebate on this lens (you must provide the bar-code, and receipt) so double check with your retailer.

It's not too bad for lens flare, but I'd always recommend a lens hood. The ET-65B is a circular hood (because the front element rotates during focusing). But it is a bayonet mount, and will store back-to-front on the lens when not on the camera.

Summary: A good focal length range, reasonable build and optical quality, the IS helps to make up for the slow aperture.

Great all-rounder, semi-pro optics, large focal range with the benefit of the Image Stabilizing action, so great for taking on your travels & on the move.

I do a lot of wildlife photography so it suits my needs well, as the void between quality semi-pro lenses & Canon L Series lenses is still vast.

I like everything about it, having read many reviews on lenses, this one came out top on everything ease of use,weight,speed of AF ect.
Would highly recomend this lens to anyone looking for a top zoom canon lens ( excluding of course THE L series).

This a highly recommended zoom for those who cannot justify the cost of much expensive L zoom glasses. Optics is superb! Very sharp throughout the range and IS system very consistent and reliable. I haven't own the previous model so i cannot compare the difference. I own the 24-70 L though and images taken by the 70-300 is just as by par.Very portable unlike heavy and conspicuous L glasses. I don't do much wildlife nor sports but for mere fun on my kids playing at the park.But if you use it for a living i suggest the pro spec L glasses anyway for built and performance.I'm very satisfied with this glass it does suits my needs,a very quality optics at the reasonable price and range.Two thumbs up!Happy snapping!

For the money, this is quite a capable lens, but I have been spoilt by the sharpness of another recent purchase, the Sigma 10-20mm EX DC HSM.

A bit of un unfair comparison, as the Sigma is the equivalent of L glass, and wide angle lenses tend to be sharper than tele-zooms.

The great thing about the Canon is the 3 stops of help the IS gives you in lower light situations, but it's still no substitute for poor technique.

Need to give it a more thorough work-out to check the sharpness in different situations when the light gets better, but would recommend this lens if you can't quite stretch to L glass, it's a lot better than any similar lens for the money.

Well this is my second lens review,so here goes.
This Canon lens is a solidly and well built piece of kit.I like the extra precision that the IS brings to the picture taking process. My previous sigma 70-30 lens was/is a very nice glass but the IS gives the shot you were looking for more often that not.Also USM focusing makes the auto feature a lot faster.
I have bought it for indoor use mainly however it performs really well on wildlife too.It maybe pricey compared to a Non IS/Canon lens but it seems you do get what you pay for.

All round good lens so far (2 weeks of use )

I decided to purchase the canon EF70-300mm IS lens, because when i go out taking landscape pictures i have to take my tripod along with me as i am unable to keep a lens this size steady. This lens has image stabiser (IS) which enables me to take photos without the need to take my tripod, and its excellent for wild life. I love the way the canon hood just unscrews and turns round.I recommend this lens to any photographer.