Canon has officially announced the launch of the new RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens , which is aimed at professional users, mainly photojournalists.
The company says the EF 300mm f/2.8 lens (for SLR cameras) has become the industry standard for professionals due to its unique combination of image quality, fast aperture and relatively light weight, which is comfortable to use. Canon claims to have retained all of these qualities in the new 100-300mm f/2.8, but added the flexibility of a zoom lens.
“The RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM, which outperforms the range and potential of traditional 70-200mm lenses and offers zoom flexibility over Canon’s predecessor EF 300mm F 2.8L IS, offers users additional benefits,” the press says. company release.
Despite its wide zoom range and 300mm at its maximum, Canon says it’s “incredibly light” and only “slightly heavier” than the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II prime lens designed for digital SLRs.
The RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens features a constant aperture of f/2.8 and a 23-element construction in 18 groups, including one fluorite, four ED and one aspherical elements, Canon’s proprietary SSC coating to minimize ghosting and flare. Nine-bladed aperture range from f/2.8 to f/22. It has a minimum focus distance of 1.8 meters at all focal lengths.
“This telephoto zoom lens is ideal for professionals who use the Canon EOS R3, EOS R5 or EOS R6 Mark II full-frame mirrorless cameras, but can also be in demand for users who, from serious, aspiring enthusiasts, want to take a step forward, going beyond their traditional teleoptics ,” says Canon.
“Best use cases include but are not limited to indoor sports, motorsports, fashion, video and film, photojournalism and theater work. For experienced photographers and videographers, especially those who work in low light conditions and are looking for a solution that can be held in their hand, this lens can be an ideal solution.”
The lens has an optical image stabilization system that the company says offers compensation of up to 5.5 stops, which can be increased to six stops when used in combination with an EOS R-series camera with matrix stabilization.
For additional lens functionality, there are: an additional control ring (white) with which you can directly adjust many parameters, including shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation and more; focus adjustment button next to the mount, 4 duplicating function buttons at the edge of the lens for presetting functions.
Dual drive Nano USM autofocus
The RF 100-300mm is weather and dust resistant in “various environmental conditions”. Autofocus is driven by a dual nano-ultrasonic motor.
Specifications Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM
- Focal length: 100-300mm
- Aperture Range: f/2.8 – f/22
- Aperture: 9-blade
- Bayonet: RF
- Sensor format: full frame
- Focus: auto/manual
- Focus Drive: Dual Nano USM
- Minimum focusing distance: 1.8m at all focal lengths
- Maximum magnification: 0.06x (at 100mm), 0.16x (at 300mm)
- Field of View: 566 x 376mm (at 100mm), 222 x 149mm (at 300mm)
- Viewing angle (diagonal): 24°–8° 15′
- Filter Thread Diameter: 112mm
- Dimensions: Ø128 x 323.4 mm
- Weight: 2650 g
Video presentation
What about the prices?
The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens will retail for $9499 and is expected to go on sale next month.
