Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Prime lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
RF Mount cameras.
What type of photography is the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM is a member of Canon's RF L series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.
RF L Series Lenses in Canon RF Mount
Reasons to Buy Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
| Optical Image Stabilization (up to 4.0 stops) |
| Weather-sealed |
| Autofocus |
| Mode Switch on Lens |
| Focus Range Limiter |
| Focus Hold Button |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Focus Distance Limiter |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
| 1200mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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| Slow Aperture for a Prime Lens |
| Heavy |
Lens Mount
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM is compatible with cameras that have a Canon RF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon RF lenses are Canon R100, Canon R8 and Canon R50.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM has a maximum diameter of 168mm and total length of 537mm. It weighs 3340g / 117.8 oz.
Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM and Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM (Canon RF mount) to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.
Comparison image of the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM and the Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM Size and Weight
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM has a Drop-in type filter holder with a filter thread of 52mm.
Focal Range
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM has a fixed focal length of 1200mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 1920mm.
Weather Sealings
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-1200mm-F8L-IS-USM-sealing.jpg]()
Weather Sealings of the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM
The Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Canon R8, Canon R6 II and Canon R7.
Optical Image Stabilization
The Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting. Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM's stabilization system is effective up to 4.0 stops.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 537mm and a weight of 3340g, the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM MTF Charts
Below you can find the MTF chart of Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM which would give an idea of the its contrast and resolution from the center to its edges.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-1200mm-F8L-IS-USM-mtf-chart-1.jpg]()
MTF Chart of the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-1200mm-F8L-IS-USM-mtf-chart-2.jpg]()
MTF Chart of the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.29x and has a minimum focusing distance of 4.3m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.29x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.
Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Prime type Canon RF mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM has a max aperture of F8 and a minimum aperture of F64.
Optical Formula
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM's optical formula consists of 26 elements in 18 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
- 2 Fluorite
- 1 Super UD Lenses
- 1 UD (Ultra-low Dispersion)
Lens Hood
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is ET-160.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-1200mm-F8L-IS-USM-hood.jpg]()
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM Lens Hood
What's in the Box of Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM:
RF1200mm F8 L IS USM LensCap E-185C Lens Dust Cap RF Drop-in Screw Filter Holder 52(WIII) with 52mm Protect FilterLens Hood ET-160(WIII) Lens Soft Case LS1200 Lens Wide Strap B
Body Colour
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM is available in White color.
Popular Comparisons of Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM Lens
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