Saturday test drive of 300 2.8L IS (LARGE POST)

[Harv]

I finally got a chance to test drive the new 300 2.8L IS today down at the Cobourg harbour. The birds were not as co-operative as I would have liked as they remained out from shore.

All the shots except the last were at 420mm, using the 300 plus my 1.4TC. The last shot was with the bare 300. Most of the shots were a significant crop... probably in the range of 30% to 60%. All that said, I'm pretty pleased with the results. The only post processing was a very mild USM. The colour and contrast were as produced by the camera.

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107895778-O.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107895884-O.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107895894-O.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107895936-O.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107969333-O.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107895909-O.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107895921-O.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107895925-O.jpg

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107895957-O.jpg

The purpose of today's shoot was to see how this lens performed and not to create anything of artistic merit so be kind with your critique.

Thanks for looking.

[imageswest]

I dunno, Harv... are you sure you don't want your money back? dunno;

[dmwphoto]

Very impressive Harv!!!!

[Harv]

I dunno, Harv... are you sure you don't want your money back? dunno;

Let me think about that....... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Very impressive Harv!!!!

Thanks, Dave. Now I want to find an opportunity to use it where I can get a bit closer and not have to crop as much. Also when the temperature is not at the freezing mark and the wind blowing my hat off.

[Bobby]

Well Harv, there is no hiding behind the "my photos are crap because my lens is soft" excuse. This is indeed a cornea cutter.

[Rudi]

Well Harv, there is no hiding behind the "my photos are crap because my lens is soft" excuse. This is indeed a cornea cutter.

So what are you saying, Bob? His photos suck, but damn, they are sharp? dunno; :D

Harv, these are great! Obviously, exactly what I am expecting from the lens when I get it (and it confirms what I was getting with Perry's 300/2.8 when he kindly lent it to me).

[Harv]

Well Harv, there is no hiding behind the "my photos are crap because my lens is soft" excuse. This is indeed a cornea cutter.

Cornea Cutter ?????? sheeeeeeesh. Just think how good these shots would be if my lens wasn't soft. rolleyes;

So what are you saying, Bob? His photos suck, but damn, they are sharp? dunno; :D

Harv, these are great! Obviously, exactly what I am expecting from the lens when I get it (and it confirms what I was getting with Perry's 300/2.8 when he kindly lent it to me).

Rudi, leave it to you to interpret Bob's comment in that way. Smaaaaaaaaaaack. "...from the lens when I get it" ????? I assume you mean someone else's lens and not mine. :p

[Jeff M]

Those pics...are simply...well outstanding....A great lens. I'm not overlooking the fact, that the lens didn't create the image on it's own. I suspect a rather talented photographer was behind that lens.

Nevertheless...I'm drooling over that lens.

[Harv]

To provide perspective on how much of a crop it came from, this is the original full frame from which the last shot was cropped...

http://harveyg.smugmug.com/photos/107932479-O.jpg

[Harv]

Those pics...are simply...well outstanding....A great lens. I'm not overlooking the fact, that the lens didn't create the image on it's own. I suspect a rather talented photographer was behind that lens.

Nevertheless...I'm drooling over that lens.

Good Lord, Jeff.... I'm always wiping up after you. Wear a bib, will ya.

Thanks for the kind words...... it's all in the lens. Trust me.

[Kevin]

No one's commented on the first shot, specifically but those colors are just fantastic! We all knew that lens was sharp but the color and contrast seem really nice as well.

Very happy for you, Harv!! We may have to form a 300/f2.8 lover's club. You can be the chairman. :)

[Harv]

No one's commented on the first shot, specifically but those colors are just fantastic! We all knew that lens was sharp but the color and contrast seem really nice as well.

Very happy for you, Harv!! We may have to form a 300/f2.8 lover's club. You can be the chairman. :)

I don't think I want to be chairman of anything, but thanks anyway. Too much responsibility. nonono;

[Ellen]

Harv, all I can say is , boy am I jealous,.

[Jeff M]

Very happy for you, Harv!! We may have to form a 300/f2.8 lover's club. You can be the chairman. :)

I'm not sure if I'm ready to commit to a 300 f/2.8 just yet. But I would like to take one out every now and then.cool;

[Art]

Nice shots Harvey, gotta be happy with those. I think next time u offer to let me hold that lens I'm gonna take u up on it. I may shed a tear when I hand it back tho. hehe.

[Rudi]

Rudi, leave it to you to interpret Bob's comment in that way. Smaaaaaaaaaaack. "...from the lens when I get it" ????? I assume you mean someone else's lens and not mine. :p

Well, I was gonna buy me one of those, but if you want to send me yours... HURRY UP!!! tapfoot; :elephant:

[Harv]

Harv, all I can say is , boy am I jealous,.

Thanks for looking. Now don't be jealous, Ellen. It's only a lens.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to commit to a 300 f/2.8 just yet. But I would like to take one out every now and then.cool;

Go for it Jeff. It's only money. Or ask for one for Christmas.

Nice shots Harvey, gotta be happy with those. I think next time u offer to let me hold that lens I'm gonna take u up on it. I may shed a tear when I hand it back tho. hehe.

Thanks, Art. Yep, I'm a happy camper. I only hope now to get lots of use out of it. You're welcome to mount your camera to the back of it any time we're out there together. However, I will be handcuffed to the tripod mount.

Well, I was gonna buy me one of those, but if you want to send me yours... HURRY UP!!! tapfoot; :elephant:

Just go wait beside your mailbox, Rudi. It's in the mail. rolleyes;