Review: Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

Friday 24 July 2020, 15:51 by Nando Harmsen | 8,263 views | 7 comments

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

Until the end of 2019, users of Canon mirrorless cameras had to rely on the excellent EF versions of the 70-200mm lens, which could be mounted on the Canon EOS R and RP using an adapter. It works very well, but of course it is not ideal.

The RF version of the 70-200 has arrived at just the right time.

A focal length range of 70-200mm is perfect for portraits, sports, and wildlife photography. You can also use it very well for semi-macro photography. It allows you to keep some distance from your subject while still maintaining a connection with it.

The RF 70-200mm f/2,8L IS USM on the Canon EOS R. A beautiful combination.

The appearance of the RF 70-200mm f/2,8L IS USM

Anyone used to an EF 70-200mm f/2,8L IS USM will be surprised by the appearance of the RF 70-200mm f/2,8L IS USM. The new lens has a completely different construction. The zoom mechanism is no longer internal, so the lens becomes longer when zooming.

The RF70-200L does not have an internal zoom mechanism. That is absolutely not a disadvantage. Here you can see the difference in length when zooming between an RF70-200L and an EF70-200L.

At 70mm, the RF 70-200L, as I will abbreviate the name from now on for convenience, is a very compact lens that is only a fraction of the length. This has the major advantage that the lens no longer has to lie horizontally in a bag. The RF 70-200L fits upright in many bags, just like other lenses.

The advantage of the RF70-200L over the EF70-200L lenses is its short length. The lens now also fits upright in a camera backpack.

The construction of the lens looks similar at first glance to the excellent EF 100-400mm f/4,5-5,6L II IS USM. Its length also changes when zooming. You do not have to worry about dust or moisture getting into the lens this way.

In all the years I have used the EF 100-400mm f4,5-5,6L II IS USM in harsh weather conditions, that has never happened. The seals on the RF 70-200L will certainly be the same, if not better.

The RF 70-200mm also has a completely new tripod collar. It can be removed easily, without having to remove the lens from the camera. This is a major advantage over the EF versions.

It is now very easy to remove the tripod collar. You can simply leave the lens on the camera.

After removing the tripod collar, the lens still looks good. Although this is personal, and does not affect the way the lens works, I still think it is important. After all, you pay a lot of money, so attention should certainly be paid to its appearance.

The construction of the lens is almost perfect. A lot of attention has been paid to detail and finish. Internally, the lens also appears to have been designed to be particularly robust and well thought out (source: lensrentals). This gives confidence that this lens will provide many years of faithful service.

About the aperture, image stabilisation and control ring

Although the lens changes length when zooming, the maximum aperture is f/2,8 throughout the zoom range. Focusing is quiet and fast, and the lens has image stabilisation of up to 5.5 stops.

Of course, you can switch between the different image stabilisation options, such as a mode for panning.

The buttons on the RF70-200L. All familiar to photographers used to Canon lenses.

A characteristic feature of all RF lenses is the control ring. The RF 70-200L has one too. It is positioned close to the bayonet mount, which means you cannot reach it without moving your hand.

This may be the only disadvantage of this lens. Especially if the ring is programmed for an option you use often, you quickly lose your balance. On the other hand, you will certainly learn to work with it.

The control ring is quite far from the lens bayonet. This can mean that the balance when holding the lens is not optimal when using the control ring.

Image quality and focusing

The most important thing about a lens is of course image quality. But focusing speed also matters, especially because a 70-200mm range is perfect for wildlife photography. Think of photographing pets or horses.

The RF70-200L performs well for action photography. Focusing is extremely fast and quiet. (EOS R + RF70-200L @ 200mm - ISO125 - f/2,8 - 1/1000sec)

Focusing is simply fast and quiet. Because the RF 70-200L was tested on a Canon EOS R, and there is no direct comparison available, it is difficult to get a good impression of its focusing speed.

Nevertheless, I have the feeling that this lens focuses so quickly that the limiting factor is the autofocus system of the EOS R itself. When Canon brings the more professional mirrorless full-frame cameras to the market, such as the EOS R5 and R6, it will certainly become clear how fast the RF 70-200L will be.

I have nothing to complain about regarding the sharpness of the RF70-200L, although this was of course not checked with a test. (EOS R + RF70-200L @ 200mm - ISO640 - f/2,8 - 1/1000 sec)

In terms of image quality, the lens performs very well. There is some vignetting at the maximum aperture, but this decreases quickly when stopping down.

I tested the lens in normal use and did not carry out any specific quality tests, but the findings of specialist testing websites confirm this (source: the-digital-picture).

Reduced photos naturally do not give a good impression of the sharpness and detail in a photo. That is why I have included this enlargement to give you a better idea. The photo has of course been sharpened, even a little more than usual.

A conclusion

The RF 70-200L was used extensively as if it were my own lens. I photographed landscapes, portraits, and dogs in action to try out as many aspects of this beautiful lens as possible.

I do not call it a beautiful lens for nothing, because I think Canon has outdone itself in the field of 70-200mm lenses.

Laura in the home studio, a perfect setting for the RF70-200L (EOS R + RF70-200L @200mm - ISO100 - f/8 - 1/200sec)

The compact dimensions in particular make it a very friendly lens. It fits much better in camera bags and backpacks than the longer EF versions. When zoomed out, the RF 70-200mm may be just as long, but that is not how you carry a lens.

The build is perfect, as we have come to expect from a Canon L lens. Attention to detail and finish means that the lens is not only robust and suitable for intensive use, it is also visually appealing. Even with the tripod collar removed.

Landscape photography at Etretat in France. With the RF70-200L, it is twice the pleasure. (EOS R + RF70-200L @ 168mm - ISO100 - f/16 - 15sec)

The latter is of course a matter of personal preference, but it certainly counts for me. The most important thing, however, is that you can rely on good focusing, almost perfect image quality, and excellent image stabilisation.

There is only one disadvantage. The location of the control ring is not ideal. I would prefer to see it further forward, so that you could reach it more easily without losing your grip.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2,8L IS USM was made available together with the Canon EOS R by Cameraland.nl.

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