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To: POP Editor
Subject: Lens review – Canon 70-300 DO IS

Reference your magazine’s review of the Canon 70-300 f4.5-5.6 DO IS in the May 2008 Issue and online:

I also had Canon’s older 75-300 IS lens for awhile at the same time (Sold that one to my brother – kept the DO lens ) overall quality was better with the older 75-300 4.5-5.6 IS lens and I know the newer 70-300 4.5-5.6 IS lens is even better, so if you all are reporting that the DO lens is better then you never took it outside.

The 70-300 DO IS lens, while very useful has one really big flaw – it has trouble if the sun is anywhere in front of the camera, pretty much starting at 90 degrees to the side and getting worse until directly in front. Halation and other effects creep into the shot, rendering it very poor sometimes. Studio lights that are not flagged correctly can also affect the lens (not that I use that lens in the studio )

Now all of the above said, you might ask if the 75-300 non DO was better why did I get rid of it and keep the 70-300 DO version.

Because

1. I have a 70-200/2.8L IS and

2. I really like the 70-300 DO when traveling; much lighter and still does a decent job when I need a telephoto lens.

Also it doesn’t look like a telephoto lens until you extend it so it is less intrusive.

But I have learned I have to be a bit pickier when aiming the 70-300 DO IS then my other lenses if I want that great shot.

Thanks for letting me bother you,

Tim Dolan
A photographer from Virginia