Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Telephoto Zoom 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 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L 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 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
| Optical Image Stabilization (up to 5.0 stops) |
| Weather-sealed |
| Autofocus |
| Breathing Correction with Supported Cameras |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Focus Distance Limiter |
| Zoom Lock |
| Fast Aperture at Wide end |
| Fast Aperture at Tele end |
| Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades |
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Buy Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO
| Lens Extents while zooming |
| Heavy |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L 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 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a maximum diameter of 90mm and total length of 146mm when not extended. It weighs 1070g / 37.7 oz.
Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and Canon RF 70-200 F4L 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 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Size and Weight
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a filter thread of 77mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM:
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-topview.jpg]()
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Top View
Focal Range
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a focal range of 70-200mm and 2.9X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 112 - 320mm.
Weather Sealings
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-sealing.jpg]()
Weather Sealings of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L 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 70-200mm F2.8L 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 70-200mm F2.8L 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 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM's stabilization system is effective up to 5.0 stops.
Lens Breathing Correction Compatibility
The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is compatible with Canon cameras that features Breathing Compensation/Correction. This feature adjusts the size of the frame dynamically in-camera during video recording by applying a certain percentage of crop in order to minimize change in framing.
Canon cameras that has the Breathing Compensation/Correction feature are:
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 146mm and a weight of 1070g, the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L 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.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-tripod-collar.jpg]()
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Tripod Collar
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM MTF Charts
Below you can find the MTF chart of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L 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-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-mtf-chart-1.jpg]()
MTF Chart of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Zoom Method
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.
![https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-extended.jpg]()
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Extended State
Zoom Lock
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.23x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.7m.
Below are the 2 Telephoto Zoom type Canon RF mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 70mm all the way to the 200mm .
| Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
|
70mm
|
F2.8 |
F32 |
|
200mm
|
F2.8 |
F32 |
Optical Formula
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM's optical formula consists of 17 elements in 13 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
- Two glass-molded aspherical
- one super UD
- four UD
Lens Hood
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L 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-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-hood.jpg]()
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Hood
Body Colour
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is available in White color.
Popular Comparisons of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens
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