CANON – IS/NON IS Comparison

I have conducted a a simple test to compare a Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens versus the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM and 1.4x converter (Canon’s EF L converter) and how the IS (Image Stabilization) technology aids in successful handheld picture taking.

All images were taken hand held using the EOS40D, shot in RAW and converted without any post processing to JPG and cropped to 100% (800×600)

300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x – Max aperture (Wide Open) test:

300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x – Shutter speed 1/100th test:

400mm f/5.6 – Max aperture (Wide Open) test:

400mm f/5.6 – Shutter speed 1/100th test:

This was a simple test really, but it does appear that IS is an advantage when handholding. Although, Canon’s 400mm f/5.6L USM lens is one of the best super telephoto lenses out there that is favoured by many folks for handheld photography