Samyang Reflex 300mm f6.3 UMC CS vs Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS USM

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Samyang 300mm f6.3

Telephoto Mirror Prime | Canon EF

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Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

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Samyang 300mm f6.3 vs Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Samyang 300mm f6.3 is a Telephoto Mirror Prime lens with a 300mm focal range and a max aperture of F6.3 whereas Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 300mm focal range and max aperture of F2.8.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Samyang 300mm f6.3 Key Specs

300mm Focal Range

F6.3 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 26mm

Max Format: APS-C / DX

Canon EF Mount

Weight: 260g.

Diameter: 65mm

Length: 74mm

Min Focus Distance:1.1m

Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM Key Specs

300mm Focal Range

F2.8 Max Aperture

Image Stabilization

Weather Sealed

Filter Thread: 52mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Canon EF Mount

Weight: 2550g.

Diameter: 128mm

Length: 252mm

Min Focus Distance:2.5m

Max Magnification:0.13x

What type of photography are the Samyang 300mm f6.3 and Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang 300mm f6.3 and the Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type	Samyang 300mm f6.3	Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM
Bird/Wildlife	Excellent	Good
Sports	Excellent	Excellent
Portrait	Fair	Average
Travel	Poor	Fair
Street	Poor	Fair
Wedding	Fair	Average
Walk Around	Poor	Fair
Vlogging	Poor	Poor
Landscape	Poor	Fair

Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM was replaced by Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II USM. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II USM vs
Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II USM vs

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM is the longer of the two lenses at 252mm. The Samyang 300mm f6.3 with a length of 74mm is 178mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM also has a larger diameter of 128mm compared to Samyang 300mm f6.3's 65mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Samyang 300mm f6.3 weighs 260g, which means it is 2290g (89%) lighter than the Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM which has a weight of 2550g.

Lens Mounts

Both Samyang 300mm f6.3 and Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3.

Samyang 300mm f6.3 is also available in Nikon F (DX) , Four Thirds and Sony Alpha mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Samyang Reflex 300mm f6.3 UMC CS over Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS USM

Weight	260g vs 2550g	2290g lighter
Diameter	65mm vs 128mm	63mm smaller in diameter
Length	74mm vs 252mm	178mm shorter
Filter Thread	26mm vs 52mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance	1.1m vs 2.5m	can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS USM over Samyang Reflex 300mm f6.3 UMC CS

Image Stabilization	Yes vs No	Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide	2.8 vs 6.3	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	2.8 vs 6.3	Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades	8 vs	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus	Yes vs No	Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Max Sensor Coverage	35mm FF vs APS-C / DX	covers larger sensors
Weather Sealing	Yes vs No	safer to use under rain and dust
Max Magnification	0.13x vs x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Samyang Reflex 300mm f6.3 UMC CS and Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS USM

Distance Scale	Yes vs Yes	Distance Scale to assist focusing

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Samyang 300mm f6.3 vs Canon 300mm f2.8L IS USM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General
Brand	Samyang	Canon
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Telephoto Mirror Prime	Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount	Canon EF	Canon EF
Max Format	APS-C / DX	35mm FF
Focal Range	300mm	300mm
Image Stabilization	No	Yes
Colour	Unknown	White
Zoom Method	No Zoom	No Zoom
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	1.0X	1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F6.3	F2.8
Min Aperture	F6.3	F32.0
Aperture Ring	No	No
Diaphragm Blades	unknown	8
Optics
Optical Elements	8	17
Optical Groups	8	13
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	1.1m	2.5m
Max Magnification	unknown	0.13X
Autofocus	No	Yes
AF Motor Type	None	Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual	N/A	Yes
Focus Method	Unknown	Internal
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
DoF Scale	Unknown	Yes
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	260g	2550g
Diameter	65mm	128mm
Length	74mm	252mm
Materials	Unknown	Metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing	Unknown	Yes
Filter Thread	26mm	52mm
Filter Notes	Rear-mounted 25.5mm filters	rear drop-in
Hood Supplied	Unknown	Unknown
Hood Code	Unknown	ET-120
Tripod Collar	No	Yes
Optional Accessories	-	Lens Case 300
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