Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

The Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM is a bright telephoto zoom for the full-frame EOS R mirrorless system. It’s shorter and lighter than the EF version and focuses closer too, although - spoiler alert - the barrel now extends as you zoom it.

Practically expected by now is that each new RF lens is a game-changer and the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is that. Canon first shared a preproduction mockup of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens at a media event where we were all drooling over the possibility of this lens model being...

A slight upgrade from the Mk II, the new edition looks pricey. If you want a top-flight 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, the Tamron G2 delivers excellent image quality, has a better stabilizer and comes at half the price. A slight upgrade from the Mk II, the new edition looks pricey.

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  Excellent build quality, Very good sharpness and contrast

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  Not that different from the Mk II version, Expensive to buy

The lens is great! It is perfect for both photos and videos, draws very beautifully, autofocus works quickly and accurately. 192.168.l.254

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  autofocus, color rendition, minimum distortion

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  big weight

We’re going to be honest here; the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM isn’t exactly an impulse buy for all of us. But for those who earn taxable income from their photography, it makes sense. Not only is there image stabilization and exceptional build quality, but it’s got beautiful image quality.

The Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM is quite simply an excellent lens, which will reward users with quality images in almost every situation. On full-frame 35mm, sharpness is very good even wide open, becoming excellent corner-to-corner when stopped down.

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  Superb build quality, Highly effective image stabilization, Excellent autofocus and manual override, Consistently high image quality across almost all of the range

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  Slightly soft wide open (most notably on APS-C), Average close-up performance, Somewhat susceptible to flare with direct light sources in or close to the frame

With a minimum focusing distance of approx. 3.9 ft./1.2m, the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens helps enable operation close to the subject, perfect for intimate portraits, headshots and detail work.

Performance of the lens is disappointing - for ~US$1,500 we expect a lens that performs consistently well and that's where Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM fails. The lens shows very good performance in the shorter zoom range (70-135mm), but falls short towards the longer end.

For most photographic applications, either 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is an outstanding tool that produces exceptional image quality. Deciding whether to buy the IS lens or the non-IS lens should probably revolve around the photographer's perceived need to have image stabilization.

It is a bit difficult to get excited about a new lens that is mostly the same as something I already have. But, as I initially wrote this review, the version II predecessor to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens was the most popular lens on this site and the second-best-selling lens at B&H...

I really haven’t used it yet other then two test photos. The lens glass looks great to me, and both focus , zoom rings are nice and smooth.I can say that the only negative that I have was the price. Buy once cry once I say, sometimes you get what you pay for.

This lens paired with the 5Ds body works beautifully. Easy to get the hang of. Not as bulky as my other bigger telephoto zoom lens. Got some great shots at the recent 2018 US Open Men's Semis. Looking forward to learning more about the lens and its capabilities, but so far so good. RECOMMEND.

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  Fairly lightweightVery crisp shotsGreat focal length rangeNice price

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  None that I can decipher

This lens was one of the first lenses that I got when I switched from Nikon/Fuji to Canon 1.5 years ago. I had always wanted a IS version when I had the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8, so I was determined to get it when I switched ( getting the tripod collar was an added bonus compared to my older Nikkor).

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  Great Sharpness, fast aperture, the IS works AMAZINGLY well

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  Not a light, little lens. Causes attention because of it's size, even when unwanted

This lens stays on my camera 80-90% of the time. I use it extensively for sports photos, as well a portraits and some event photography. When I really need to make every shot count, the 70-200 IS is one of the first lenses I will include in my bag.

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  Versatile lens, tack sharp, fast, makes the work of taking great photos easy

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  Pricey, but so is any other quality, professional grade glass, heavy, but not overly so

One of the great zoom lenses. I hired one for a day and walked round london doing some street photography. Like it so much that I bought one on a business trip to HK.

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  Build - do not doubt its solidity. This lens has it all wit 2 modes on the image stabiliser. Incredibly clean shots, sharp angles, clear focus and fast and quiet., Surprisingly decent with converter and zooming is wonderfully fluid., Yes its expensive but you get what you pay for.

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  Weight - but it is what one would expect.

This lens gives such an incredible range of situational uses. From having a beautiful portrait with a shallow depth of field to getting use of a full 200mm telephoto reach. Coupled with the 2x extender it can really do amazing things.

An engineering marvel for sure. Razor sharp crisp and clean images and precise focusing.

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  Awesome solid construction.

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  None.

I have a love hate relationship with this lens and ultimately the hate side prevailed. Well hate is a bit strong. This lens is very sharp, focuses very fast and I think Image Stabilization is the best thing since sliced bread. For spot news, sports and that sort of work it is indispensable.

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  useful zoom range, sharp, image stabilization

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  size, weight, price