EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM

300mm
f/300.0
Prime
Stabilized
2350 g
Min focus 2 m

Quick answer

The EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM is a professional 300mm f/2.8 supertelephoto with image stabilization and fluorite elements. For sports and wildlife on full-frame Canon EF bodies.

Pros

f/2.8 aperture
Fast autofocus
Image stabilization
Compatible with extenders

Cons

Heavy (about 2.4 kg)
Large and needs a support system
Narrow depth of field

Verdict

A professional-level supertelephoto that pairs well with extenders.

About this lens

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM: a telephoto prime lens with a 300mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, made for Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with Image Stabilizer and ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A professional super-telephoto L-series lens, a fixture on sidelines and at wildlife hides.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM specifications

Brand: Canon
Mount: Canon EF
Focal length: 300mm
Maximum aperture: f/300.0
Lens type: Prime
Format coverage: full-frame
Released: 2011
Optical construction: 16 elements in 12 groups
Aperture blades: 9
Image stabilization: Yes
Autofocus motor: USM
Minimum focus distance: 2 m
Maximum magnification: 0.18x
Weight: 2350 g
Length: 248 mm
Diameter: 128 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM?

Professional sports
Wildlife in low light
Motorsport

Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.

Full-frame equivalent and field of view

Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.

Sensor	Crop	Equivalent	Horizontal FOV	Diagonal FOV
Full frame	1.0x	300mm	6.9°	8.2°
APS-C	1.6x	480mm	4.3°	5.2°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

Can the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II be used with extenders?

Yes, with Canon EF extenders such as the 1.4x III and 2x III. You lose one or two stops of light, and autofocus capability depends on the camera body.