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Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM RF Mount Review

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM

Main Features

  • 600mm Focal Range
  • F4 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization (up to 5.5 stops)
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 52mm ( Drop-in type)
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon RF Mount
  • Weight: 3,090g / 6.80 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 168mm x 472mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 4.2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.15x
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Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Overview


Canon RF 600mm F4L 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 600mm F4L IS USM lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeExcellent
SportsExcellent
PortraitPoor
TravelPoor
StreetPoor
WeddingPoor
Walk AroundPoor
VloggingPoor
LandscapePoor
MacroPoor

Canon RF 600mm F4L 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
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z Lens Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z
Compare
35mm FF 1330gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM Lens Canon RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM
Compare
35mm FF 570gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 100-300mm f2.8 L IS USM Lens Canon RF 100-300mm f2.8 L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 2590gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM Lens Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 3340gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM Lens Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 3140gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM Lens Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 540gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Lens Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 730gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 2890gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization (up to 5.5 stops)
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
Compatible with Canon Teleconverters
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh
600mm reach great for Wildlife Photography
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Buy Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Heavy


Lens Mount

Canon RF 600mm F4L 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.

Canon R100 with Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens Size
Canon R100 with the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens
Canon R8 with Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens Size
Canon R8 with the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens
Canon R50 with Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens Size
Canon R50 with the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens

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Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM has a maximum diameter of 168mm and total length of 472mm. It weighs 3090g / 109.0 oz.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM and Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM (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.

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM vs Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM and the Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM Size and Weight

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM has a Drop-in type filter holder with a filter thread of 52mm.




Focal Range

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM has a fixed focal length of 600mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 960mm.


Teleconverter Compatibility

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM changes below:


Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Model Coverage with TC Aperture with TC Street Price
Canon Extender RF 2x Lens Canon Extender RF 2x 1200 - 1200mm F8 Amazon B&H Photo
Canon Extender RF 1.4x Lens Canon Extender RF 1.4x 840 - 840mm F5.6 Amazon B&H Photo

Weather Sealings

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-600mm-F4L-IS-USM-sealing.jpg
Weather Sealings of the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM

The Canon RF 600mm F4L 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 600mm F4L 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 600mm F4L 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 600mm F4L IS USM's stabilization system is effective up to 5.5 stops.

Tripod Collar

With a total length of 472mm and a weight of 3090g, the Canon RF 600mm F4L 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.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.15x and has a minimum focusing distance of 4.2m. 0.15x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Prime type Canon RF mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM: 0.34x - (Compare)
  • Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM: 0.29x - (Compare)
  • Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM: 0.17x - (Compare)

Aperture

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM has a max aperture of F4 and a minimum aperture of F32.

Optical Formula

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM's optical formula consists of 17 elements in 13 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • 1 Super UD
  • 2 fluorite elements
  • Super Spectra
  • ASC coatings

Lens Hood

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-600mm-F4L-IS-USM-hood.jpg
Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens Hood


Body Colour

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM is available in White color.

Popular Comparisons of Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM Lens Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM
Compare
35mm FF 930 g / 2.05 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
Compare
35mm FF 3,040 g / 6.69 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
Compare
35mm FF 3,050 g / 6.71 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 1,365 g / 3.00 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM Lens Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 3,140 g / 6.91 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon Nikkor Z 600mm F4 TC VR S Lens Nikon Nikkor Z 600mm F4 TC VR S
Compare
35mm FF 3,260 g / 7.17 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 2,890 g / 6.36 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS II USM
Compare
35mm FF 3,920 g / 8.62 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Alternatives in Canon RF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM Lens Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 3140 g / 6.91 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM Lens Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM
Compare
35mm FF 1260 g / 2.77 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM Lens Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM
Compare
35mm FF 930 g / 2.05 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Canon
Lens Type Prime
Lens Type Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Canon RF
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 600mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour White
Zoom Method No Zoom
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 1.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4
Min Aperture F32
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 17
Optical Groups 13
Special Elements 1 Super UD + 2 fluorite elements, Super Spectra + ASC coatings

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 4.2m
Max Magnification 0.15X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Focus Distance Limiter Yes
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 3090g
Diameter 168mm
Length 472mm
Materials Magnesium alloy
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 52mm
Filter Notes Rear drop-in filters only
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar Yes
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Frequently Asked Questions about Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM
is the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM
is the Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM
Does Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM have Image Stabilization?
Does Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM


FOLLOW US


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