Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM II

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is a 70–300mm telephoto zoom lens with a Canon EF mount, Nano USM autofocus motor, optical image stabilisation, a 9-blade aperture, 67mm filter thread, 1.2m minimum focus distance, and a weight of 710g.

Key Specifications

• Focal length: 70–300mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4 (wide) – f/5.6 (tele)
• Minimum aperture: f/32
• Lens mount: Canon EF
• AF motor: Nano USM — fast and near-silent
• Image stabilisation: Yes (optical IS)
• Aperture blades: 9 (rounded)
• Filter thread: 67mm
• Minimum focus distance: 1.2m
• Weight: 710g

What makes the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM special?

The biggest upgrade in this lens over its predecessor is the Nano USM autofocus motor. Where the original EF 70-300mm IS USM used a ring-type USM, the Mark II swaps in Canon's Nano USM technology — a system that combines the speed you want for stills with the smooth, near-silent operation that video shooters need. That's a rare combination in a mid-range telephoto zoom.

The lens also carries a built-in LCD information panel on the barrel, which displays focus distance and depth-of-field range at a glance — a small but genuinely handy feature when you're shooting in a hurry. Optically, the IS II sits comfortably in the mid-level performance bracket, and shooting at f/8 brings out the best in it — sharpness and contrast both lift noticeably at that aperture.

Comparing it to the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM (the L-series sibling): the L version is optically superior and weather-sealed, but it's also noticeably heavier and more expensive — even on the used market. If you don't need L-glass performance, the IS II offers a compelling balance of portability and image quality. At 710g it's light enough to carry all day at events like a balloon festival, zoo, or sports match without your arm giving out.

Against third-party alternatives like the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD, the Canon IS II trades a smaller zoom range for a more refined AF system and Canon's own IS implementation, which many shooters find more reliable for tracking moving subjects.

Who is the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM for?

This lens is a natural fit for DSLR shooters who want versatile reach without carrying a heavy prime or a large zoom. A few specific use cases where it earns its place:

• Wildlife and zoo photography: The 300mm reach, fast Nano USM tracking, and IS combination lets you hand-hold shots of animals that won't stay still. The 1.2m minimum focus distance also helps when subjects get closer than expected.
• Sports on a budget: 300mm is genuinely useful for field sports — enough reach for sideline shooting at football, athletics, or cycling events. The Nano USM handles continuous AF servo tracking well for moving subjects.
• Travel and events: At 710g with a 67mm filter thread, it packs and balances well on mid-size Canon bodies. It won't dominate your bag the way a telephoto prime would.
• Video creators: The Nano USM's near-silent operation means AF pulls won't bleed into your audio track — a real advantage over older ring USM lenses when recording with an on-camera mic.
• Canon EF system users moving to mirrorless: This lens works on Canon RF-mount cameras via the EF-EOS R adapter and retains full AF performance, so it's a sensible way to extend your reach while using a body like an EOS R or R6 Mark II.

If you're shooting a full-frame Canon EF camera like an EOS 5D series body, the 70-300mm range gives you classic telephoto coverage with no crop factor. On an APS-C body, the equivalent reach extends to roughly 112–480mm — serious reach for a compact zoom.

Buying a used Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM

Picking up this lens second-hand is a smart move — it's a popular, well-built zoom and used copies in good condition are plentiful. Here's what to check or ask about before buying a pre-owned copy:

• IS system: Switch on image stabilisation and listen for the characteristic quiet hum. If it sounds rattly, grinds, or doesn't engage smoothly, the IS mechanism may have taken a knock.
• Nano USM AF performance: Test AF in both single-shot and continuous servo modes. Nano USM should be fast and near-silent — any grinding or hunting is a warning sign.
• Front and rear elements: Check for scratches, fungus, or haze. Rear element damage has the biggest impact on image quality, so look at that carefully against a light source.
• Zoom and focus rings: Both should move smoothly without any stiffness or play. Stiff zoom rings on telephoto zooms often indicate the lens has been stored in humid conditions.
• LCD information panel: This is a unique feature on the IS II — confirm it lights up and displays correctly, as it's part of what you're paying for over the original IS USM version.
• Filter thread: The 67mm thread on the front element is easy to damage if the lens has been dropped. Check it's round and threads smoothly with a filter.

Every used lens on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually photographed and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty. The exact warranty period is shown on the individual variant listing.