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, but without sacrificing the f/2.8 aperture. To have this kind of performance at your fingertips is incredible!”
Roberto Valenzuela, fashion and wedding photographer
Preorder: Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM $9499
For decades, the 300mm f/2.8 telephoto lens has been an industry standard for photojournalists, professionals, and aspiring enthusiast photographers due to its outstanding image quality, excellent speed for indoor shooting, and relatively light weight for hand-holding. Now, with the launch of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM, Canon delivers the flexibility of a zoom lens design with the truly outstanding quality of a 300mm f/2.8 L-series telephoto lens. Exceeding the reach and potential of traditional 70-200mm lenses, and adding zoom flexibility to its Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS predecessor, the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens brings new value to customers with the following features:
- Wide Focal Range — 100-300mm range
- Extended Zoom — Optional RF1.4x and 2x extenders are supported with this lens, enabling a zoom range of up to 600mm
- Spectacular Image Quality — f/2.8 constant wide aperture; Fluorite Aspherical and UD-glass design
- Reliable Stabilization — Up to 5.5 stops correction with in-lens Optical Image Stabilization and up to 6.0 stops correction with in-body coordinated Image Stabilization (CIPA standard)
- Weather and Dust Resistant — Durable in various environmental conditions
- Compact and Lightweight Design — Despite capabilities to zoom over 300mm, this lens is unusually lightweight, just barely heavier than the EF300mm f/2.8L IS II
“I love this lens! It’s incredibly lightweight, versatile, and sharp. Toss on the 2x extender and you can snipe gorgeous frames at a distance, especially with the built in image stabilizer. This lens is going to change the game for live concerts, weddings, and so much more.”
Ben Hagarty, Grammy award-winning cinematographer
This telephoto zoom lens is ideal for professionals who use a Canon EOS R3, EOS R5 or EOS R6 Mark II full-frame mirrorless camera, but can also be a catalyst for users who have developed into serious, aspirational enthusiasts and are looking to step beyond their traditional telephoto lens experience. Best use cases include, but are not limited to, indoor sports, motorsports, outdoor fashion, video and cinema, photojournalism and theater work. For high-level shooters and videographers particularly working in low-light settings and seeking a hand-holdable solution, this lens provides the total answer.
Price & Availability
The Canon RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens is expected to be available in May for an estimated retail price of $9,499.00*.
Preorder: Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM $9499
Thats an immediate pre-order for me! On lens rental of course
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.
Canon:
(the first is Rudy Winston)
Gordon Laing (CameraLabs) [best of the videos so far IMHO]
From B&H:
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 :cool:
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.
I can confirm that the EF 300 II does not have a front filter thread.
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,
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.
* Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6 'L' - the first EF 'L' 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.