It’s here, Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM officially announced

[Canon Rumors Guy]

MELVILLE, NY, April 20, 2023 – Today, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced the launch of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens, answering calls from photojournalists and professional level customers for a modern 300mm f/2.8 equivalent lens. “This lens is an absolute game changer! It gives you the most incredible range,

See full article...

 

[Exploreshootshare]

Woooooow! Beautiful lens! Fully compatible with both extenders
Thats an immediate pre-order for me! On lens rental of course

 

[PinholeR5]

Dual Nano USM AF System
Compatible with 1.4x and 2x TCs
Internal Zoom and Focusing Design

Nice! I pre-ordered! Will sell Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 Sport, Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 1.4xTC and more to get it.

 

[dslrdummy]

I had the EF300 2.8ii some years back and used it on safari with extenders. Was acceptable quality with the 1.4x but not with the 2x, for my taste at least. Be very interested to hear how this one performs with extenders.

 

[Bonich]

Let this thread explode - far more reach than 300mm with 2x extender

 

[PinholeR5]

Here are a couple of videos:

Canon:
(the first is Rudy Winston)

Gordon Laing (CameraLabs) [best of the videos so far IMHO]

From B&H:

 

[David - Sydney]

Gordon Laing is positive. Says that Canon states it is sharper than the EF300mm/2.8 and takes TCs. Doesn't mention if you can stack TCs though...
Yes, a hood is included
Length is the same with R mount adapter and lens hood.
Up 200gms on the EF300 (lighter with R mount adapter)
Looks like the same tripod mount as the EF300mm/2.8
No drop-in filters
It isn't clear how you would use the control ring which looks to me next to the body unless on a tripod.

Add a 2x TC and get a 200-600mm/5.6 which a lot of forum dwellers are waiting for but heavy on the wallet

 

[EOS 4 Life]

Doesn't mention if you can stack TCs

Canon says that you can't.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

No drop-in filters

Kind of a large omission considering the size of the front element.

 

[David - Sydney]

Kind of a large omission considering the size of the front element.

I haven't really used the big whites but how often would you need filters? Gel filters are a pain in general.
CPL only (but hard to rotate as there is no window in the hood?
ND for video?
Gordon mentioned 112mm filters. I am not sure that the EF300mm even had a front filter thread. I guess if you can afford the RF100-300mm then you can afford the filters.

 

[kaihp]

It isn't clear how you would use the control ring which looks to me next to the body unless on a tripod.

The control ring is at the distal (far) end of the lens, not the proximal (mount) end.

 

[kaihp]

I haven't really used the big whites but how often would you need filters? Gel filters are a pain in general.
CPL only (but hard to rotate as there is no window in the hood?
ND for video?
Gordon mentioned 120mm filters. I am not sure that the EF300mm even had a front filter thread.

I use CPL drop-in, and others use fixed/variable ND filters.
I can confirm that the EF 300 II does not have a front filter thread.

 

[Birdshooter]

I haven't really used the big whites but how often would you need filters? Gel filters are a pain in general.
CPL only (but hard to rotate as there is no window in the hood?
ND for video?
Gordon mentioned 120mm filters. I am not sure that the EF300mm even had a front filter thread. I guess if you can afford the RF100-300mm then you can afford the filters.

Drop in filters on big white are at the back where the camera attaches, not screw in filters.

 

[AlanF]

Price in UK = £11,499. Take off the 20% tax (VAT), convert tax-free price to $ gives $11882 = 25% mark up by Canon. Forget it Canon.

And lenses are made of bread: The Canon RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM offers excellent optical quality, edge-to-edge. Its optical design includes one flourite lens,

 

[Berowne]

Way too expensive for me - guess i will switch to Leica.

 

[AlanF]

The weight. 2.65kg, to which the lens hood will weigh about 150-200g. Add on a 2xTC for 200-600mm f/5.6 gives 3.2kg. For comparison, the sony 200-600mm f/6.3 comes in at 2.4kg, and in the UK costs only £1600. I personally could not manage 3.2kg so I am thankful for my RF 100-500, coming in at half its new brother's weight.

 

[john1970]

Canon did an excellent job on keeping the weight down. Also glad to here that it will be available in May. Hopefully we are done with the 3-4 month waits after announcements.

According to Gordon Laing the lens takes 112 mm screw-in filters!! WOW!!

Below are the RF100-300 mm f.28 MTFs from Canon Japan:







For comparison is the RF 100-500 mm MTF charts:



Overall, I am very impressed by the MTF curves of the bare lens and with the 1.4x extender. IMO the 2x suffers a bit, but is still very useable.

 

[Berowne]

It has been a long way since 1987!

* Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6 'L' - the first EF 'L' lens

 

[mxwphoto]

Looks great, I am sure it would be a critical piece of equipment for some. I can see how this would be a pack light pro safari lens.

Though, that minimum focus distance being 5.9ft (1800mm) seems awfully long considering it goes to 100mm on the wide end. That and having to use unconventional 112mm front filters.

For that $9500 price you can get a RF 70-200 2.8, a used 300 2.8 is ii and a second RF body of choice (aside from R3) and have the benefit of 2 cameras, 30mm more on the wide end, a much shorter 2.5ft min focus distance, and rear drop in filter on the 300mm. Hard to justify from a pure value perspective.

 

[fr34k]

112mm filter thread. Holy moly that‘s huge. If I would be in the market for a tele, it would be my choice, together with a 1.4 TC, but travelling with such a lens is quite the commitment. 100-500 is so much more versatile but 1 2/3 stops darker at 500 than the 300 with 1.4x TC at 420 and still 2/3 at 600 with 2x TC. everything has a price I guess, this one has two: price ans weight.