Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM
(2023~)
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Specs
Performance Compared Recommendations
R3 R5 R5C R6 II R6 R R8 RP R7 R10 R50 R100
Bodies Compared RF Lenses EF Lenses Flash
Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM (112mm filters, 91.4 oz./5.7 lbs./2,590g, 5.9'/1.8m close focus, 0.16× macro ratio, $9,499). bigger. I'd get mine at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you take the chance of getting it elsewhere. Canon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy an exotic lens like this at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. Especially with a lens like this you need to stick with approved sources because these exotic lenses are often pulled out to "demo" a zillion times at a local retail store. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
April 2023 Better Pictures Canon Reviews Mirrorless RF Lenses EF Lenses Flash All Reviews
Sony vs. Nikon vs. Canon Full-Frame
Introduction top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Specs
Performance Compared Recommendations
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
This amazing lens replaces a standard fixed 300mm f/2.8, adding the ability to zoom out. No longer will you have players running towards you on the field and have to swap to your other body with your 70-200mm as they get closer.
Bravo!
I'd get my RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
New intro top
Canon's first 100-300mm f/2.8. The 1990s Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6 was a basic consumer lens, and the previous EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM II couldn't zoom.
Good intro top
Programmable Focus Preset button lets you tap it to focus on home plate or your bird feeder immediately.
Four L-Fn buttons (all do the same programmed function, typically Focus Lock by default).
Focus limiter switch.
Works with either the RF 2× Extender or RF 1.4× Extender teleconverters, but only one at a time.
Extra programmable control ring.
Stops down to f/32.
AF/MF switch.
Stabilizer switch.
Image Stabilization rated 5.5 stops; 6 stops if your camera has internal stabilization.
Made in Japan.
100% U.S.A.-based high-quality technical support at (800) OK-CANON.
Bad intro top
Big, heavy and expensive.
Missing intro top
No rear filter holder slot.
No variable manual focus speeds like on the EF 300mm f/2.8L.
No hard case; comes with a soft case.
Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM. bigger.
Specifications top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Specs
Performance Compared Recommendations
I'd get my RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Camera Compatibility
This lens only works on Canon's EOS-R series of mirrorless cameras.
It works with either of the RF 2× Extender or RF 1.4× Extender teleconverters, but only one at a time.
It won't fit on, and cannot be adapted to, any DSLR because a DSLR has too much distance between its sensor and its lens mount flange.
Name specifications top
Canon calls this the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM:
RF: Works only on Canon's EOS-R Mirrorless cameras.
L: Expensive as L.
IS: Image Stabilization.
USM: UltraSonic (autofocus) Motor.
Optics specifications top
Internal Optical Construction. Fluorite, Aspherical and UD elements. IS section. Dashes show Air-Sphere coatings.
23 elements in 18 groups.
One fluorite element for extreme sharpness and freedom from chromatic aberrations.
4 UD extra-low dispersion elements, which help reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration.
1 aspherical element.
Super Spectra multicoating.
Air Sphere variable-refractive index coating (ASC).
Fluorine coating to resist dirt and smudges.
Diaphragm specifications top
9 rounded blades.
Electronically actuated.
Stops down to f/32.
Filters specifications top
Front 112mm filter thread.
No rear filter drawer.
Focal Length specifications top
100-300mm.
When used on Canon's APS-C cameras, it sees the same angles of view as a 160-480 mm lens sees when used on a full-frame or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View specifications top
24º ～ 8º 15' diagonal on full frame.
20º ～ 6º 50 horizontal on full frame.
14º ～ 4º 35' vertical on full frame.
Autofocus specifications top
Two nano-USM focus motors.
Focus Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infinity Focus Stop specifications top
No.
You have to focus somehow to get precise focus at infinity, just like at every other distance.
Depth of Field Scales specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infrared Focus Index specifications top
No.
Close Focus (distance from subject to image plane) specifications top
5.9 feet (1.8 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio specifications top
1:6.25 (0.16 ×) at 300mm.
(1:16.7 (0.06 ×) at 100mm.)
Minimum Subject Field specifications top
At 300mm
8.7 x 5.9 inches.
222 x 149mm millimeters.
At 100mm
22.3 x 14.8 inches.
566 x 376 millimeters.
Image Stabilizer specifications top
Rated 5.5 stops improvement, 6 stops if your camera has internal stabilization.
Caps specifications top
E-112 front cap, included.
Rear Lens Dust Cap RF (p/n 2962C001), included.
Hood specifications top
ET-124 hood, included.
Case specifications top
It comes with an LS100-300 soft case, not the usual hard case.
Size specifications top
5.1" ø maximum diameter × 12.7" extension from flange.
128 mm ø maximum diameter × 323.4 mm extension from flange.
Weight specifications top
93.5 oz. (5.8 pounds or 2,650 g).
Teleconverters specifications top
Works with either the RF 2× Extender or RF 1.4× Extender teleconverter, but only one at a time.
Announced specifications top
Thursday, 20 April 2023,12:04 AM NYC Time.
Promised for specifications top
Late May 2023.
Included specifications top
Lens.
Rear Lens Dust Cap RF (p/n 2962C001).
Soft Case LS100-300.
Canon's Model Numbers specifications top
Product code: 6055C002 (6055C001 in Japan).
Model number: RF100-300LIS.
JAN code: 4549292-216165.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
April 2023
$9,499 at Adorama and at B&H.
Performance top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Specs
Performance Compared Recommendations
I'd get my RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Sharpness performance top
Lens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that.
If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction, always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, avoid shooting across long distances over land which can lead to atmospheric heat shimmer, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/16 or smaller at ISO 1,600 or above at default sharpening in daylight of subjects at differing distances in the same image.
People worry waaaaay too much about lens sharpness. It's not 1968 anymore when lenses often weren't that sharp and there could be significant differences among them; ever since about 2010 all new lenses are all pretty much equally fantastic.
Lens-alone MTF wide-open at 10 cyc/mm (black) and 30 cyc/mm (blue). Sagittal (solid) and meridional (dashed).
Lens with RF 1.4× Extender MTF wide-open at 10 cyc/mm (black) and 30 cyc/mm (blue). Sagittal (solid) and meridional (dashed).
Lens with RF 2× Extender MTF wide-open at 10 cyc/mm (black) and 30 cyc/mm (blue). Sagittal (solid) and meridional (dashed).
Teleconverters performance top
Becomes a 140-420mm f/4 with the RF 1.4× Extender teleconverter.
Becomes a 200-600mm f/5.6 with the RF 2× Extender teleconverter.
Compared top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Specs
Performance Compared Recommendations
I'd get my RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This new RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM is a little longer and heavier than older fixed 300mm f/2.8 lenses, however it zooms and focuses closer which more than makes up the difference for practical use.
RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM |
|||
Anni |
2023- |
2011-2022 |
1987-1999 |
Zooms? |
YES |
No |
No |
Filters |
52mm drop-in |
48mm drop-in |
|
Close Focus |
5.9' 1.8m |
6.6' 2m |
10' 3m |
Macro Ratio |
0.16× |
0.18× |
0.11× |
Weight |
91.4 oz. 5.7 lbs. 2,590g |
82.9 oz. 5.2 lbs. 2,350g |
100.7 oz. 6.3 lbs. 2,855g |
Length |
12.7" 323mm |
9.8" 248mm |
10" 253mm |
Price, 4/2023 |
About $4,000 used if you know How to Win at eBay |
About $1,400 used if you know How to Win at eBay |
Recommendations top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing Specs
Performance Compared Recommendations
I'd get my RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Not only does this advance the old fixed 300mm f/2.8 lens, it also gives an extra stop of speed to people who used to shoot their 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses with a 1.4x teleconverter — and neither of the new RF 70-200mm f/2.8 or RF 70-200mm f/4 lenses work with any RF converters anyway, so those people needed the EF 70-200/2.8 and an EF 1.4x converter just to get a 100-300mm f/4.
A Wimberly gimbaled head is a dream for any and everyone with the luxury of shooting from a fixed location.
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap (exactly like an iPhone) so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either.I'd use a 112mm B+W MRC 010 MRC Master UV filter to protect this lens. The Nikon 112mm NC (Neutral Clear) is also an excellent filter.
Since filters last a lifetime or more, there's no reason not to buy the best as it will last you for the next 40 years. Filters aren't throwaways like digital cameras which we replace every few years, like it or not. I'm still using filters I bought back in the 1970s!
I'd get my RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfield, or eventually used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you take the chance of getting it elsewhere. Canon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy an exotic lens like this at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. Especially with a lens like this you need to stick with approved sources because these exotic lenses are often pulled out to "demo" a zillion times at a local retail store. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken.
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