By: annon (23-Aug-08)      Experience with product: 5 Days

Strengths:	Great Image quality. 70-300mm range is great. ISm Sharp
Weaknesses:	AF Motor noise, No FTM(Full Time Manual), Rotating and Extending front

Full User Summary
This is my first Lens after the Kit lens. My budget was less than 600$.I did not have much expectations. But it turns out to be an awesome lens. I dont know how L series lens are, but this one is terrific. Ofcourse there are some cons, but, when I saw the image, I forgot abt the cons. You will get used to the minor problems mentioned. So I am happy abt the lens

By: ve1mos (29-Apr-08)      Experience with product: 3

Strengths:	Quality build, not cheaply made.Quick autofocus.Very good color even at frame edges.Much more affordable than a Canon "L" lens.Two IS modes.
Weaknesses:	Auto focus motor slightly louder than expected, but not a major distraction.Lacks a distance scale on the lens barrel.

Full User Summary
I purchased this lens from US1 Camera, and was extremely pleased with the sales person, Michael. Did not try to "push" a sale, yet was very willing to explain and suggest.Oddly, the lens did not actually leave the store's shipping department for four days after the order was placed!I would not hesitate to purchase from this store again.

By: jdsppg (26-Nov-07)      Experience with product: 10 Days

Strengths:	lightweight, IS, tack-sharp in center
Weaknesses:	Corners and left side of this lens are so bad that the lens is unuseable at ANY aperture.

Full User Summary
f you buy one of these, be sure to test it thouroughly before accepting it. I had seen great reviews on this lens, and good test results on SLR gear. So I ordered one. When I received and tested it, to my dismay, its edge and corner performance (on a full-frame 5-D) was so bad, that I can't even use it for my work. I have owned/used various Canon lenses, and all have been usable. The best of the bunch was a 50mm 1.8 @ f5.6 and above. Others include the 70-200 f2.8 IS L (very good); the 24-105 IS L (good); the 28-135 IS (as good as the 24-105); the 24mm TS (ok- not nearly as good as my view camera lenses); and the old 300D digital rebel kit lens (also good at f8-f14). But this 70-300 is totally unacceptable. As soon as I received it, I contacted Canon. They said to send it to them for adjustment so that I could be SURE that it would be made right. I sent it to them and received it back in about 10 days. I eagerly tested it again, and to my dismay, it was no better. If Canon did anything to it, they surely did not fix it. Canon has put me in a real bind. I bought this a month ahead of time to shoot a job. Now I am out of time with a lens that does not work. Canon sales and Canon service have both left me up a creek without a paddle! My only option now is to buy another lens and then wrestle with Canon to return this bad one for a refund. If you take a chance on buying this lens, be sure to test it thouroughly and be prepared to return it for one that works acceptably.

By: mcompagno (25-Aug-07)      Experience with product: 4 Days

Strengths:	IS...USM...VERY STURDY
Weaknesses:	NEED GOOD LIGHT TO TAKE THE BEST PICTURES

Full User Summary
A major improvment over the non- IS lens....worth the price. I can take action sports shots at full zoom with no blur. Downside...because it is only 4/5.6 aperture you will get some noise on cloudy days and when shooting indoors with poor lighting conditions without a flash.

By: bobscience (17-Jan-07)      Experience with product: 10 Days

Strengths:	IS (1&2), Fast AF, Great images!, Lightweight, Focal range,
Weaknesses:	No lens hood

Full User Summary
This is a truly amazing lens! Read about it on the internet and then checked out how it rated at PhotoZone. The 70-300mm received sterling reviews in almost all categories. This lens is fast and produces great images at any focal length. Had a Canon 70-200mm F/4L. The 70-300mm clearly out performs the F/4L at any focal length. Plus, you have an additional 100mm (X1.6). This is a five star lens.