Canon Unveils the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM: Technical Specifications and Features
Canon has recently announced the RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, their latest offering in the super telephoto lens market. The lens is aimed at professional photographers and enthusiasts specializing in sports, wildlife and action photography. The lens features a constant f/2.8 aperture, robust construction, and compact design.
Weighing only 2.59kg / 5.7 lb, the RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM has a minimum focusing distance of 1.8m with a 0.16x maximum magnification, making it a flexible option for photographers or video shooters who want to avoid switching between lenses during a shoot. The RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM is fully compatible with the range of Canon RF extenders. The RF 1.4x extender can be used throughout the zoom range to produce a 140-420mm f/4 lens, while the RF 2x extender can be used to produce a 200-600mm f/5.6 lens.
The lens features a Dual Nano USM motor that is claimed to ensure high-speed focusing and high image quality throughout the zoom range as two focusing groups are controlled independently. The use of one fluorite lens and four UD lenses corrects chromatic aberration for incredibly sharp images with little color blurring, while a molded glass aspheric lens is used to ensure high resolution from the center to the edge of the image.
Key Features:
The RF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM is a telephoto zoom lens that is designed to improve on the already popular EF 300mm f/2.8 lens.
It features a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range, which offers great control over depth of field, bokeh, and low-light shooting.
The lens delivers excellent image quality due to the use of one fluorite lens and four UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass elements, along with Canon SSC (Super Spectra Coating) and a fluorine coating that minimizes ghosting and flare.
The lens features a built-in function/focus preset selector switch, which allows users to program a focus preset recall into the buttons at the front of the lens.
Optical image stabilization is also included, offering up to 5.5 stops* of shake correction. When paired with EOS R series cameras featuring In-Body Image Stabilizer (IBIS), it offers up to 6.0 stops Coordinated IS.
The 2 Nano USMs included in the lens achieve outstanding image quality throughout the focusing range, from infinity to close-up, thanks to two focusing groups that are independently actuated.
A dedicated, programmable Control Ring is also present, with click-stop operation.
Despite all of its features, the lens is impressively light, weighing only 5.8 lbs. This makes it the lightest f/2.8 zoom lens with a 300mm focal length available on the market.**
Finally, a circular (9 blades) aperture is used in the lens, creating beautiful, soft backgrounds.
The RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM also includes a new customizable Lens Function/Focus present button (L.Fn) for enhanced customization and greater manual control, as well as a control ring for assigning often-used functions like aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation.
In addition, the new Image Stabilizer mechanism, based on the IS systems found in Canon’s L-series super telephoto lenses, is capable of 5.5 stops of stabilization, increasing up to 6.0 stops when combined with a camera body with In-Body Image Stabilization. The lens also includes dust and weather seals, as well as fluorine coatings and a heat-shield coating to provide durability and reliability for daily professional use.
Tech Specs:
Lens:
Lens Type: Telephoto zoom lens
Focal Length: 100-300mm
Maximum and Minimum Aperture: f/2.8 – f/22
Lens Mount Type: RF Mount
Compatible Cameras: Canon EOS R-series, APS-C and full-frame
Minimum Focusing Distance: 1.8m (5.9 ft.) at all focal lengths
Maximum Magnification: 0.06x (at 100mm); 0.16x (at 300mm)
Field of View:
Approx. 566mm × 376mm (22.3 in. x 14.8 in.) at 100mm
Approx. 222mm × 149mm (8.7 in. x 5.9 in.) at 300mm
Angle of View (Diagonal): Approx. 24° – 8° 15'
Optical Design:
Lens Construction: 23 elements in 18 groups
Special Elements: (One) Flourite element, (Four) UD elements, (One) Aspherical element
Lens Coating: Canon SSC (Super Spectra Coating), Flourine coating, ASC
Filter Size Diameter: ø112mm (accepts screw-in filters); no rear drop-in filters
Aperture Blades: 9
Image Stabilization: 5.5 stops correction with in-lens Optical Image Stabilization (6 stops Coordinated IS with EOS EOS R5 and similar IBIS-equipped models)
Focusing:
Focusing Drive System: (two) Nano USM focus motors
Full-time Manual Focusing: Yes (Supports both ONE SHOT AF and SERVO AF with compatible EOS R-series cameras)
Dual Pixel CMOS AF Coverage (Horizontal x Vertical):
EOS R - Approx. 88% x 100%
EOS R5/R6 - Approx. 90% x 100%
EOS R3/R7/R10 - Approx. 100% x 100%)
Exterior Design:
Control Ring: Provided, with click-stops
AF/MF Switch: Provided
MF/Control Ring Switch: None — separate MF and Control Rings on lens
Manual Focus Ring: Electronic ring system
Full-time Manual focus possible
No physical limit to ring rotational angle
No Manual focus speed adjustment possible
Distance Scale: None (Distance scale available in EVF or Live View LCD screen of compatible EOS R-series cameras)
Distance Limiter Switch: Provided: Full/6m (19.7 ft.) to infinity
Dust / Weather Resistant Construction: Yes
Dimensions, Weight:
Maximum Outer Diameter x Length: Approx. ø5.1 in. x 12.7 in. (ø128mm x 323.4mm)
Weight: Approx. 93.5 oz. / 5.8 lb. / 2650g
Accessories:
Lens hood: Canon ET-124 (Bundled) - Cylindrical (screw-in hood knob) (attachable in reverse)
Lens Cap (Front): Canon E-112 (center pinch-type; Bundled)
Dust Cap: Canon Lens Dust Cap RF (Bundled)
Lens Case: Canon Lens Soft Case LS100–300 (Bundled; no optional hard case avail.)
Extension Tubes: None (No Canon RF mount extension tubes)
Close-up Lenses
Overall, the RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM appears to be a versatile option for professional photographers and potentially videographers and camera operators looking for a high-quality super telephoto lens. Its compact design, customizable controls, and compatibility with Canon RF extenders make it an ideal choice for sports, wildlife, and action photographers and professional video shooters who want to capture high-quality images without switching lenses during a shoot.
The lens is already available for pre-order priced at $9,499 (around €8,650). You can read more about the lens by visiting Canon's website directly here.
