Canon Zoom Lens Perfect for Every Occasion – Even Portraits

If you haven’t heard, I like to take pictures. Let me rephrase that. I’m hopelessly, utterly, pathetically obsessed with photography. The addiction began when I was just a small child, who stole my parents’ camera and went hog-wild at the zoo. My love of photography continued throughout my life, bringing me to the point where I have so many cameras, lenses, filters, tripods and bags that I need a warehouse to store them. And that’s only a slight exaggeration.

Of all these pieces of camera equipment, which are now littered throughout my home and auto, I own one prize possession. The Canon EF 75-300 mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Image Stabilizer Zoom Lens is the one item that travels with me everywhere I go. Not only is this a finely manufactured telephoto zoom lens, but it is so versatile, so simple, so completely perfect, that it renders me an ace photographer, even in the harshest conditions.

To demonstrate its versatility, let me elaborate on some of its uses:

Portraiture & Close-Up Photography
Many amateur photographers don’t realize the importance, quality, and overall artistic quality that stems from using a telephoto zoom lens during portrait photography. When we think of zoom lenses, we think of sporting events or sightseeing or private detectives. It may seem incomprehensible, then, that we’d want to use a zoom lens on a subject that is already up close and personal. But, alas, it captures the most miniscule expressions on our subject’s faces, and it blurs any background so that the face is the center of attention.

When I engage in the act of portrait photography, it is under harsh conditions. My subjects aren’t sitting on a stool with a white sheet backdrop, and I don’t have giant headlamps hanging overhead. Rather, I’m usually taking pictures of my toddler and his friends, who are playing in the backyard or on the beach or at the playground.

What makes this lens stand out in portrait photography is its creative use of automatic focus as well as its ability to stabilize the shot. For instance, it’s rather difficult to manually focus on my son and his pals, as they are constantly fidgeting, twisting and turning, and even running away. The automatic focus feature on this lens is incredibly fast and accurate. As soon as I see a gorgeous shot lined up in my viewfinder, I use the auto focus feature and SNAP. It has rarely failed me, and I’d say that close to 100% of my pictures develop crystal clear. Occasionally, I miss the shot and I get a blurry picture, but it’s my fault alone, and I take total blame for it. This is the price we pay for getting that perfect picture.

Furthermore, this lens has an automatic stabilizer, which means that if I’m the least bit shaky handed, it compensates for my downfalls. Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t stop my son from running around like a banshee, and while it stabilizes my inconsistencies, it does not stabilize the subject. In other words, the lens will help you keep a steady hand, but it won’t guarantee crystal clear pictures every time.

Sporting Events & Long Distance Shots
As far as telephoto zoom lenses go, this is almost as good as it gets. Despite your distance from your subject, you will get crystal clear close-ups, which appear as though you were standing right there. Does that sound a bit exaggerated? I assure you, it’s not. Over and over again, I find this quality amazing, and I have never been disappointed with its output.

With that said, sporting events leave much room for error. Because of the speed of the subject, you may come away with slightly blurred pictures, which isn’t always a bad quality. Here’s where photographic experience and education make all the difference in the world. If you know what you’re doing, this lens will shine. However, even if you tend to make mistakes from time to time, this is a lens that compensates, once again. Its automatic focus speed is the fastest you’ll find in a standard telephoto zoom lens, and the image stabilizer will come through in a pinch.

Superior Durability
Like almost all Canon products, this lens is built to last. For a cost of around $400, that’s an important quality. This lens has traveled with me in both excruciatingly hot and unbearably cold conditions; it’s been exposed to salt water; it’s been dropped and battered; it’s even gotten into the hands of my two-year-old. The lens has taken hundreds of pictures, and you know what? It still looks and acts like new.

Professional Quality
The Canon Image Stabilizer Zoom Lens can be found in a majority of professional photographers’ camera bags. This is the lens that comes out in a pinch. When all else fails, when conditions are unbearable, they break out their Canon Zoom Lens and hope for the best. Because when no other lens can do the trick, a true photographer relies on this trusty companion, which will get him through almost any situation. Of course, no zoom lens should be your primary lens (although, admittedly, mine probably is). In close quarters, a standard lens will be more versatile. This particular lens, especially, won’t focus on subjects that are too close, and therefore, you’ll lose a few shots. It is best for planned portraiture or sporting events. Gramma’s 80th birthday bash is better left to your point-n-shoot.

One Size Fits All
This lens will fit on almost all modern SLR cameras, and nearly all zoom lens filters and caps will screw snugly into place. Of course, it is recommended that you use it with a Canon SLR, as it does the best job with the compatible EOS models. Before you run out and purchase this monster, though, I suggest you check your camera manufacturer’s products specifications, and bring your camera with you to a reputable shop for a “fitting.” Do remember that this is a rather hefty purchase, and the lens should last a long time. With that in mind, you may want to try it out in a camera store or on a friend’s camera before diving head first into the world of telephoto zoom lenses. Likewise, if you are new to photography, there are some cheaper lenses that might help you get your feet wet. Canon, in fact, makes several models that are nearly as good as this one, minus the stabilizer feature.

When the Shot Matters
If you are a serious photographer, regardless of whether you consider yourself professional or amateur, this is an excellent addition to any camera bag. It is far superior to many comparable zoom lenses, and it will get your creative juices flowing. While it may be considered expensive by some, you can’t put a price tag on that perfect shot. Or can you? After a few rolls of film, you’ll feel like a pro, and before you know it, friends and relatives will be asking you to take pictures of everything from their cousin’s wedding to their son’s soccer game to their baby’s first portraits. Yes, folks, it’s that good.