Review: Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Friday 26 May 2023, 13:31 by Nando Harmsen | 5,139 views | 4 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Do you need a fast zoom lens for your Canon mirrorless camera? Does it need to have a decent range? Then the RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM could be just right for you. Unfortunately, you need very deep pockets to own this lens. I was given a sample for this review.

The RF100-300L with security
Until recently, if you wanted an f/2.8 aperture and a long focal length, you were limited to prime lenses such as the 300mm and 400mm. For zoom lenses, a 70-200mm lens was the maximum available at f/2.8.

Canon did have a 200-400mm zoom lens, but it had a maximum aperture of f/4. That is still one stop less light. This may not seem like much, but if a fast shutter speed is important, that stop makes the difference between 1/250 second and 1/500 second, for example.

The RF100-300L looks impressive.
You can of course choose a prime lens when you need f/2.8. These are the previously mentioned 300mm and 400mm lenses. At that point, you have no zoom capability. This can be a problem when your subject comes too close. You cannot simply zoom out.

A grey heron on the hunt. Thanks to the zoom, I was able to get a good composition. Without the zoom, I could not have taken this photo. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L + RF 2x TC, from a tripod, 328mm, ISO320, f/6.3, 1/400s)
From that point of view, the arrival of the RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM is very welcome. You have a long focal length available, and a wide aperture. You can also zoom in and out. This makes the lens very flexible to use.

The features of the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM

The f/2.8 aperture across the entire range makes the lens large and heavy. Despite this, it is easy to use handheld, partly thanks to the built-in image stabilisation. For longer use, a good tripod with a ball head or gimbal head is certainly recommended.

The Canon RF100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM is perfectly usable handheld
The zoom range is the major advantage over the older EF 300mm f/2.8L. You are less likely to run into the problem of your subject being too close. Although the difference from a 70-200mm may seem small, that extra 100mm makes a big difference.

To give you an idea of the lens, I have listed a number of specifications.

• Dimensions: 32.3 x 12.8 cm (length x diameter)
  
• Weight: 2.65 kilograms
  
• Minimum focusing distance: 1.8 metres (magnification factor 0.16x)
  
• f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range
  
• Image stabilisation up to 5.5 stops, or 6 stops when combined with a camera equipped with IBIS
  
• Focus preset
  
• Compatible with the RF 2x and RF 1.4x teleconverters
  

At 2.65 kilograms, the RF100-300L is not a light lens. It is 32.3 centimetres long and has a diameter of 12.8 centimetres. Without the lens hood, that is.
The lens has a large number of controls. Naturally, there are the familiar buttons for image stabilisation, with the option to switch between normal (mode 1), panning (mode 2) and the more erratic movements of your subject (mode 3).

There are three controls for focusing. A manual focus button, a focus limiter and a button for programming a distance. That distance can then be activated with the white button near the lens mount, without autofocus being used.

There are three focus lock buttons at the front of the black ring. The RF100-300L also has a control ring, as you know from almost all RF lenses. This is Canon's first large white super-telephoto lens to have this ring.

The RF100-300L has a whole collection of buttons. Image stabilisation, focus and a programmable function button. Naturally, the control ring is included too.
The RF100-300L has a non-removable tripod collar that can also be used as a handle. When mounted on a tripod, it is well balanced. A gimbal head is best, allowing you to move the lens as if it weighs nothing.

The tripod collar clicks into 0-degree, 90-degree and 180-degree positions. It has two attachment points for a carrying strap. These are attached to the tripod collar.

Because of the weight, there are attachment points for a camera strap, which is not unnecessary. The tripod collar is spacious and cannot be removed. You can also use it as a handle.
The lens has a 112mm filter size. These enormous filters are scarce and very expensive. Canon decided not to include a built-in filter slot, to keep the lens as compact and light as possible. This is also why there is no built-in teleconverter.

Zoom range

The zoom range from 100mm to 300mm looks a lot like a 70-200mm range at first glance. Yet the extra 100mm of focal length makes a big difference. You undoubtedly know the moments when 200mm is just not enough. This lens solves that problem.

The constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the range makes the RF100-300L just slightly larger than the EF 300mm f/2.8L, and a little heavier. The difference in size and weight only becomes really clear when you compare it with the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.

The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM on the left, the RF100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM on the right.

You can see the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM as a good alternative to the RF100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM. It is smaller and lighter, but it does not have the same range. You could compensate for this by cropping the image. The APS-C crop modes in full-frame cameras are useful for this.

If you want a zoom lens with more range, the choice soon comes down to the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM. Or you could choose the older EF 200-400mm f/4L and use it with an EF-RF adapter.

The difference between the RF100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM and the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (above) and the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (below).
A disadvantage of the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is its low light-gathering capability. If you often have to photograph in poor lighting conditions, the f/2.8 aperture is an essential option. The RF 100-300L is then the better choice, even when using a teleconverter.

Using teleconverters

The RF100-300L is perfect for use with the RF 2x and RF 1.4x teleconverters. This extends the focal length range to a maximum of 600mm. Thanks to the f/2.8 aperture, the maximum aperture with teleconverters remains very acceptable too.

With a 2x teleconverter, you have a 200-600mm lens with a constant aperture of f/5.6.
With the RF 1.4x teleconverter, you get a 140-420mm range with an aperture of f/4 throughout the range. The RF 2x teleconverter gives you a 200-600mm range with an aperture of f/5.6 throughout the range.

The great spotted woodpecker (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L + RF 1.4x TC, from a tripod, 420mm, ISO6,400, f/4.5, 1/500s)

Autofocus speed

The autofocus is incredibly fast. It focuses in an instant and focus is maintained without problems with fast-moving subjects. The camera's autofocus is more likely to be a limiting factor than the lens.

The autofocus works quickly and silently. Tracking subjects is no problem at all, the autofocus keeps up easily. (EOS R5 + RF100-300L, handheld, 100mm, ISO1,280, f/3.2, 1/1000s)
The focus limiter on the RF100-300L can reduce the focusing range, allowing the lens to respond even faster. In that case, the minimum focusing distance is 6 metres instead of 1.8 metres. In many cases, I did not need this, as the speed was more than sufficient for my purposes.

A broad-bodied chaser dragonfly just before landing on the twig. Fast autofocus is useful then. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L + RF 1.4x TC, handheld, 420mm, ISO1,250, f/4.5, 1/2500s)
You can save a focusing distance in the lens. This allows you to set the focus to that distance instantly at the press of a button. You use the button on the side of the lens for this. Autofocus is not used, although it remains continuously available.

The minimum focusing distance is 1.8 metres. This allows a magnification of 0.16x. You could improve this with extension tubes, although Canon has not yet made these available for RF lenses. If they come onto the market, the RF100-300L could be used well as a semi-macro lens.

The tree frog. Although a 300mm focal length is perfect for semi-macro work, the 0.16x magnification of the RF100-300L does not offer enough possibilities. Extension tubes are recommended to reduce the minimum focusing distance of 1.8 metres. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L, handheld, 300mm, ISO100, f/2.8, 1/320s)

Depth of field and bokeh

The f/2.8 aperture of the RF100-300L can produce a shallow depth of field. This creates a pleasing separation between foreground and background. The strongest effect can be achieved at 300mm and f/2.8, with your subject not too far away.

The Siberian chipmunk. Even with the 2x teleconverter, the lens offers a lovely shallow depth of field and pleasant bokeh. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L + RF 2x TC, handheld, 600mm, ISO4,000, f/6.3, 1/800s)
I only looked at the quality of the blur, known as bokeh, at 300mm and f/2.8. The bokeh rings are nicely shaped and evenly coloured. There is barely any onion-ring effect visible. Towards the edges, the rings become cat-eye shaped.

The bokeh rings at 300mm and f/2.8. The rings have a lovely even texture. Lambik is clearly pleased with them.
The lens shows virtually no chromatic aberration. I only looked at photos from real-world use, where the effect may not have been at its strongest. When you use the RF 100-300L with teleconverters, some chromatic aberration is visible.

From real-world use, an unedited photo at approximately 100%. There is no chromatic aberration at the transitions between contrasting areas. Unfortunately, I do not have an example with more extreme contrast differences. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L at 300mm)
Teleconverters will always cause some loss of image quality. Chromatic aberration is a good example, but sharpness can also decrease slightly. This is usually not noticeable, unless you compare it one-to-one with photos taken under controlled conditions.

The red squirrel. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L + RF 2x TC, handheld, 600mm, ISO1,600, f/5.6, 1/1000s)

Conclusion

Despite its size and weight, the lens is excellent to use handheld, as long as you do not have to keep it up for too long. With the right carrying system, you can even walk around with it comfortably, as I discovered. This makes the RF100-300L very versatile to use.

The RF100-300L with RF 2x TC without a tripod. It looks like quite an undertaking, but it is perfectly manageable. (photo by Hetwie)
The wide aperture makes the lens particularly suitable for darker conditions, or situations where fast shutter speeds are essential. Although I have not used it for sports and action photography, the f/2.8 aperture means this lens should perform excellently for indoor sports.

A wood pigeon in the evening light (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L + RF 2x TC, handheld, 600mm, ISO400, f/5.6, 1/1,600s)
There are a few things I ran into. The AF lock buttons are positioned very far forward, making them difficult or impossible to reach when using the lens handheld. The problem is less noticeable from a tripod, but you still have to reach a long way forward. The same applies to the control ring.

The zoom ring is also positioned fairly far forward, although it is wide enough to be easy to reach. The total rotation required to go from 100 to 300mm is so large that you have to reposition your hand. With a lens of this size, that is difficult. It was noticeable that the zoom ring is audible, making a scraping sound that really stands out.

This lens is also excellent for landscape photography. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L, from a tripod, 239mm, ISO200, f/8, 1/100s)
Apart from these minor criticisms, it is a very pleasant lens to use. It has fantastic image quality and is incredibly fast. Combine it with the teleconverters and you have an enormous range of focal lengths, combined with a good maximum aperture.

Evening light with reflection. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L, from a tripod, 300mm, ISO100, f/8, 1/15s)
Canon chose to prioritise weight and size. That is why this lens has no built-in teleconverter and no filter holder. You can use filters, but you have to work with enormous 112mm filters. I think Canon made a sensible choice.

Are you disappointed by the lack of a built-in teleconverter? Then it may be wise to wait for the 200-500mm f/4, which is the subject of the first rumours. Whether it actually appears remains to be seen.

A heron with prey. (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L + RF2x TC, from a tripod, 600mm, ISO6,400, f/6.3, 1/1000s)

What I like

• f/2.8 throughout the zoom range
  
• Sharpness and detail
  
• Autofocus speed
  
• Not excessively heavy
  
• Good to use handheld
  
• Little to no chromatic aberration
  
• Perfectly compatible with 2x or 1.4x teleconverters
  

What I like less

• Function buttons are positioned too far forward
  
• Zooming makes a lot of noise
  
• No built-in filter holder
  
• Tripod collar has no built-in Arca-Swiss connection
  
• AF buttons and control ring are positioned too far forward (almost out of reach)
  
• Very high price
  

About the price of the RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM

The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM is not a cheap lens. You have to pay no less than 12,199 euros for it. This means it is not within everyone's reach. It is therefore a very specialised lens, intended for the professional market.

Crossing red squirrel (Canon EOS R5 with RF100-300L + RF 1.4x TC, from a tripod, 201mm, ISO3,200, 1/1,600s)
If you are looking for a super-telephoto lens with a wide aperture, the RF100-300L could still be a good investment. Super-telephoto lenses often have a fixed focal length, which limits their versatility.

By choosing a zoom lens, you get more flexibility. Add the use of the teleconverters, and you have the equivalent of a large number of lenses available.

• a 100-300mm with f/2.8 throughout the range
  
• a 140-420mm with f/4 throughout the range with the RF 1.4x TC
  
• a 200-600mm with f/5.6 throughout the range with the RF 2x TC
  

If you chose a 300mm f/2.8 and a 500mm f/4 lens as an alternative, the investment would already be more than what you have to spend on an RF100-300L lens with teleconverters. You also only need to carry one lens instead of two. Despite all that, it remains a lot of money.

You might also like

• 

  Review: Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Review: Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Review: Canon RF 10-20mm f/4L IS STM

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Review: Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Sony FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS: affordable telephoto range for Sony photographers

  by Elja Trum

• 

  Nikon announces the Nikkor Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S

  by Nando Harmsen

4 comments

Have your say

Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.
Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.