RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM (Delivery will take 3 months)
The flagship telephoto zoom lens RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM weights 2,590g only, it is a fast 300mm telephoto zoom lens designed for professional photographers with overwhelming mobility. The lens 100-300mm versatile focal length and constant f/2.8 large aperture make it an ideal choise for sports, portrait and wildlife etc. The lens features a new optical design with 1 Fluorite lens, 4 UD lenses, 1 GMo aspherical lens and ASC, delivering high image quality comparable to single fixed focal length L lenses. The lens delivers up to 5.5-stop2 shake compensation with optical image stabilizer or 6.0-stop3 of Coordinated IS when used in combination with an EOS R series camera featuring In-body Image Stabilization. It is also compatible with Extender RF1.4x and RF2x for extended flexibility.
Compatible cameras: EOS R series mirrorless cameras
The World’s lightest1 f/2.8 Zoom lens with a focal length of 300mm for full frame sensor
Thanks to the advantages of large-diameter, short back focus distance and greater freedom in lens design offered by the RF mount, the classic 300mm f/2.8 telephoto lens is completely re-designed for the EOS R mirrorless camera system to become the world’s lightest f/2.8 Zoom lens with a focal length of 300mm for full frame sensor – The Flagship Telephoto L Zoom Lens RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM.
Due to its thoroughly lightweight design with a new optical design, use of fluorite lens of low specific gravity and aspherical lens to reduce the number of lens elements, simplification of mechanical structure by “Electronic Floating Focus Control” and optimal materials selection, the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM’s length is only 323.4mm and weighs only 2,590g. It weights merely 240g more than EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM (2,350g) but comes with a versatile 3x zoom. Professional photographers will find it more flexible and comfortable to shoot handheld with this lens and will also improve handling when carrying and transporting.
Fast F2.8 Aperture and Versatile Zoom Range
The flagship telephoto zoom RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM provides a 3x zoom from 100mm-300mm, it can covers the telephoto to super-telephoto range of 100–600 mm in combination with extenders. With a high degree of expressiveness and versatility, this single lens can cover the telephoto to super-telephoto range of multiple conventional designed lenses.
With a fixed maximum aperture of f/2.8, the lens seamlessly covers the telephoto range of 100mm to 300mm, allowing for much greater expressiveness by utilizing the bokeh and compression effects. The f/2.8 aperture also allows for clearer motion capture at lower ISO sensitivity for indoor sports and other activities where light levels are often insufficient.
The RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM satisfies photographers’ demands for greater telephoto expression than a 70-200mm lens, higher speed than a 100-500mm lens, and higher quality telephoto and super-telephoto photography in combination with an extender, making this lens an ideal choice for portrait, sports, fashion, press and wildlife etc.
EOS R3 • ISO 200 • f/2.8
Outstanding Image Quality
The RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM flagship zoom lens is a culmination of cutting-edge optical design that takes full advantage of the unique characteristics of the EOS R system. Its newly developed 23 elements in 18 groups optical design takes advantage of the large diameter mount and short back focus of RF Mount. The lens incorporates 1 Fluorite lens and 4 UD lenses to thoroughly suppress chromatic aberrations, a glass molded (GMo) aspherical lens is also added to enhance the image quality to the periphery of the images. Despite being a zoom lens, it achieves high image quality across the entire image that is comparable to fixed focal length L lenses.
Ghosting is also reduced effectively by using ASC (Air Sphere Coating) with high anti-reflective properties on 3 lens surfaces in combination with mechanical structure that avoids unnecessary reflection inside the lens, the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM delivers clear images even when the light source is reflected onto the image.
EOS R3 • ISO 100 • 1/400s • f/2.8 • 300mm
Fluorite and UD Lens
Chromatic aberration is optimally corrected by the effective placement of one fluorite and four UD lenses. High image quality was achieved with minimal color distortion from the center to the periphery of the image.
The use of fluorite, with its low specific gravity, contributes to reduced weight.
GMo Aspherical Lens
1 Glass-moled (GMo) aspherical lens enhances image quality to the periphery of the image. It also contributes to reduced weight by reducing the number of lens elements.
Air Sphere Coating(ASC)
ASC (Air Sphere Coating) with excellent anti-reflection effects are incorporated on 3 lens surfaces to suppress the occurrence of flaring and ghosting to a higher degree.
Compatible with Extender RF1.4X & RF2X
The focal length of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM can be extended by 1.4x or 2x to 140-420mm and 200-600mm with the Extender RF1.4x or RF2x respectively, which will give photographers of all genres, not least sports and press photography, a significant advantage in capturing moments. When used with the RF2x, f/5.6 aperture across the entire zoom range ensures speed at the telephoto end.
Even when an extender is attached, the superior optical performance of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM delivers high image quality similar to that of EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x.
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM + Extender RF1.4x
EOS R3 • ISO 6400 • 1/1600s • f/4 • 364mm
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM + Extender RF2x
EOS R3 • ISO 800 • 1/3200s • f/5.6 • 600mm
Electronic Floating Focus Control
RF100-300mm F2.8L IS USM adopts dual Nano USMs and "Electronic Floating Focus Control" technology with a "floating lens group" in addition to the "focus lens group" for autofocus. With this technology, the positions of the “focus lens group” and “floating lens group” can change according to the focal length and subject distance without the need of complex zoom cam mechanism.
For the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM, a bold design was adopted where the drive range of the floating lens and focusing lens overlaps one another. This contributes significantly to improving image quality and reduced weight.
High Speed and Silent AF
Dual Nano USMs are used in RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM to drive the "focus lens group" and "floating lens group" individually. Precise and instantaneous control of the movements of complex lens groups caused by overlapping drive ranges is possible due to improvements to drive algorithms. The nano USMs provide a rapid and smooth response to any operations, including AF and zoom.
They deliver high speed and high accuracy AF for photo shooting as well as smooth and nearly silent Movie Servo AF for movie recording.
High image quality is maintained at the min. focusing distance
The RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM is designed to maintain high image quality from infinity to minimum focusing distance by using electronic floating focus control.
A minimum focusing distance of 1.8m throughout the zoom range with a maximum magnification of 0.16x (at 300mm) is provided.
Supports Focus Breathing Correction
When paired with EOS R-series cameras supporting Focus Breathing Correction, the changes in the angle of view caused by focus movement can be suppressed. It allows users to record natural movies with no discomfort even if focus is changed from foreground to background or vice-versa.
Image Stabilization up to 6.0-stop
The lens’ built-in Optical Image Stabilizer provides up to 5.5-stop image stabilization2 that facilitates handheld shooting. When paired with a EOS R series cameras equipped with In-Body Image Stabilization, up to 6.0-stop3 image stabilization can be achieved. This allows photographers to capture sharper images with stable framing and focusing when shooting by hand.
IS: OFF
IS: ON
EOS R3 • ISO 100 • 1/25s • f/6.3 • 300mm
3 IS Modes for different situations
IS Mode 1: Suitable for stationary subjects
IS Mode 2: Suitable for pan shots
IS Mode 3: Image Stabilization is performed only during exposure. Suitable for subjects with unpredictable movement
Excellent Operability
Lens function/Focus preset button
A “Lens function/Focus preset” button is added towards the back of the lens barrel, which can be operated while holding the grip.
Its function can be changed between Lens Function or register/recall preset focus distance by using the “Lens function/Focus preset selector” switch.
Focus Preset
Focus preset can be set to allow focusing quickly on a shooting distance that is preset by the user with the “Lens function/Focus preset selector” switch. This is useful for sports photography and other situations where the shooting distance and angle are known in advance.
Lens Function(L-Fn) Button
Four “Lens function” buttons4 are installed at the front of the lens barrel. In addition to the default [AF OFF] function, various shooting functions can also be customized to personal preferences.
Control Ring
Incorporates the RF lens control ring to adjust assigned settings such as ISO speed, shutter speed or aperture value directly from the lens.
The clicking sensation and sound of the control ring can be removed for silent control during photo shooting or video recording. This service is available at Canon Care Center (chargeable service).
Internal Zoom Design
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM utilizes an internal zoom design which the lens does not extend even when zooming. The advantages of a fixed lens length are stability of the center of gravity and ease of use with smooth zoom operation.
In the case of the internal zoom design, the number of lens elements increases to achieve higher performance, but by optimizing the lens configuration and using more glasses with low specific gravity, both lightweight and high performance are achieved.
Tripod Mount Ring
The position of the tripod mount ring5 has been adjusted so that the center of gravity is closer to the camera side when shooting with a monopod, facilitating smoother panning operation. Its center of gravity is almost the same as the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM, bringing a familiar operation for photographer.
Compatible with Electronic full-time MF
Lens is compatible with Electronic full-time MF6, focus can be adjusted manually with focus ring anytime during ONE SHOT AF or SERVO AF.
Uncompromised Reliability
Lightweight and vibration-shock-resistant structure
The internal components of the lens are made of a composite combination of engineering plastics, aluminum, and thixomolding magnesium alloys. The lens is designed in a way that not only reduces its weight but provides optimal performance in terms of durability.
The drop-in filter was omitted by pursuing a compact size, reduced weight, and an optical design where the lens group is placed close to the mount. As a result, the large diameter of the lens barrel, which was a concern in terms of lens strength, has been removed, and the thinner outer barrel also contributed to further weight reduction.
White Heat Shield Coating
Features a white heat shield coating on both body and lens hood to suppress the rise of the lens temperature in hot weather to ensure stable optical performance.
Dust and water-resistant Design
High level of durability and shock resistance with dust-and-water-resistant design7 to meet professional requirement.
Fluorine Coating
Fluorine coating on foremost lens surfaces helps prevent dust, oil and water from sticking to the lens, makes cleaning much easier.
1 As of 20th April 2023. Based on Canon research.
2 CIPA Standard, Focal Length: 300mm, EOS R is used. In yaw/pitch direction.
3 CIPA Standard, Focal Length: 300mm, EOS R3 is used. In yaw/pitch direction.
4 The angular location of the lens function buttons can be adjusted at Canon Care Center. (chargeable service)
5 The tripod mount can be exchanged for a separately sold monopod mount at Canon Care Center. (chargeable service)
6 For EOS R series camera supporting electronic full-time manual focus. Please refer to camera’s instruction manual for details.
7 With Dust-and-water-resistant EOS R series camera; however, it is not recommended for use under rain.
Lens Diagram
MTF Graph
| Lens Mount Type | RF mount |
|---|---|
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 24°-8°15′ |
| Lens Construction | 23 Elements in 18 Groups |
| Fluorite (piece) | 1 |
| UD Lens (Piece) | 4 |
| Aspherical Lens (Piece) | 1 GMo |
| ASC (Air Sphere Coating) | Yes |
| Fluorine Coating | Yes (on foremost lens surface) |
| No. of Diaphragm Blades | 9 (Circular aperture) |
| Minimum Aperture | 22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance (m) | 1.8m |
| Maximum Magnification (x) | 0.06x (at 100mm) 0.16x (at 300mm) |
| Drive System | Dual Nano USM |
| Full Time Manual | Supported |
| Image Stabilizer Effectiveness | 5.5-stop（CIPA Standard, Focal Length: 300mm, EOS R is used. In yaw/pitch direction.） 6.0-stop（CCIPA Standard, Focal Length: 300mm, EOS R3 is used. In yaw/pitch direction.） |
| Image Stabilizer Mode | Mode 1/2/3 |
| Dust and Water Resistance | Supported |
| Filter Diameter | 112mm |
| Extender Compatibility | Compatible with RF1.4x and RF2x |
| Length x Max. Diameter (mm) | 323.4 x Ø128 |
| Weight (g) | 2,590 |
Box Content:
- RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM
- Lens Hood ET-124
- lens Cap E-112
- Lens Dust Cap RF
- Lens Wide Strap B
- Lens Soft Case LS100-300
- Instruction Manual
- Purchase Record Card
