Are there more than 1 model of the Canon 300 2.8 non IS ? Such as a mark I and mark II ? As in the 400 / 2.8 ? O r are all 300 /2,8 non IS the same ?

Thanks , D.C.

-- Dennis Connell (dmconnell@charter.net), July 06, 2001

Answers

There's only one optical version. There may have been minor cosmetic/hood changes, but nothing of any importance.

-- Bob Atkins (bobatkins@hotmail.com), July 09, 2001.

Canon sometimes make minor changes to a lens (even optical ones) without making a change to the series number. EG, the 28-105 went through many minor changes, before canon finally felt it was time to call it the series II version. A late series I and an early series II are probably more similar than an early series I and a late series I.

I suspect that there are fewer differences with the 300mm F2.8L, because of the positioning of that lens in the market, and Canon's greater effort with an L series to get things right first time around. As bob said, any changes are likely to be cosmetic or changes to the hood. Another likely change was to the light-absorbing material on the inside of the lens barrel. I very much doubt the optical formula has changed, except perhaps for later examples having better consistency in their manufacture. I would expect, however, that all copies of this lens are excellent as expected.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), August 05, 2001.