Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

Overview

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM is a professional-grade telephoto zoom lens designed for Canon’s EOS R series of mirrorless cameras. This lens is a significant upgrade over its DSLR counterpart, the EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM, offering several key improvements in both design and performance.

One of the most notable features of this lens is its remarkably compact and lightweight construction. Despite its impressive 70-200mm focal length range and constant F2.8 aperture, the RF 70-200mm measures just 146mm in length and weighs only 1,070g, making it around 27% shorter and 28% lighter than the EF version. This compact design is achieved through the use of an extending, rather than internal, zoom mechanism, which shifts the camera’s center of gravity closer to the user’s eye for better handheld balance.

In terms of image quality, the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM delivers exceptional results. The lens features 17 elements in 13 groups, including one super UD and four UD elements, which effectively minimize chromatic aberrations and ensure excellent sharpness and clarity across the frame. The 9-blade circular aperture also contributes to the lens’s ability to render beautiful, creamy bokeh.

The autofocus performance of this lens is equally impressive, thanks to the inclusion of dual Nano USM motors. These provide fast, smooth, and near-silent focusing, making the lens well-suited for both still photography and video work. The lens also features a customizable control ring, allowing users to adjust exposure settings such as aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation directly from the lens.

Another key feature of the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM is its advanced image stabilization system. When paired with a compatible EOS R series camera, the lens can provide up to 8 stops of shake correction, ensuring sharp handheld results even in low light conditions. The lens is also weather-sealed, with fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements to protect against dust and moisture.

Despite its many strengths, the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM does have one notable limitation: it is not compatible with Canon’s RF teleconverters. This may be a dealbreaker for some photographers who rely on teleconverters to extend the reach of their lenses. However, for those who can work within the lens’s native focal length range, the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM is an exceptional and versatile telephoto zoom that delivers outstanding image quality and performance.