Canon RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Review

Since the launch of the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera and RF lenses line-up, Canon has shown its commitment to the full-frame mirrorless camera market over the years with the launch of the Canon EOS RP, followed by Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6, along with a suite of new RF lenses to their lineup. Canon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras and lenses ecosystem are getting bigger and wider and we are expecting more to come from Canon. One of the RF lenses that was launched earlier is the Canon RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, the 70-200mm focal length range is one of my favourite lenses, along with the 24-70mm focal length range. I recently got the opportunity to review the RF70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens along my Canon EOS RP, followed by testing it with the Canon EOS R6 review camera.

Canon’s 70-200mm L range is built on a legacy and strong standing from the EF70-200mm series, both f/2.8L and f/4L models. They are well loved by professionals and serious amateurs alike, for its accuracy, sharpness, optics and versatility. I started off with the EF70-200mm f/4L USM before upgrading to EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is built upon those strong foundations and it got even better, sharper and lighter with the modern RF lens mount and EOS R technology.

During my review of the Canon RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, I shot a wide range of photography genres from portraiture, wildlife, product and landscapes. This lens was a breeze to use, fast and accurate, sharp and clear photographs, sweet bokeh at f/2.8 too! For those photographers who regularly use the 70-200mm focal length range especially Canon users who have the EF70-200m f/2.8L or EF70-200mm f/4L lenses, this would be a very familiar lens to you when you use it. I personally own the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens and I can attest to its quality and versatility.

Here are some of my content creation articles shot with the Canon RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens:

SingapoRediscovers with Canon RF24-70mm and RF70-200mm

Sudio Tolv Audio Photography Adventure

After using and testing the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, I am also considering whether to make the switch from EF to the RF model even though I am using both EF mount (with my Canon EOS-1DX Mark II) and RF mount lenses (with my Canon EOS RP) in my current setup.

Thoughts and Views

The 70-200mm focal length lens is well loved by professionals, it can cover a number of different photography genres. The photographs shot with this lens are sharp, detailed and beautiful. Bokeh at f/2.8 is creamy, smooth and beautiful. It’s a fast and accurate lens, photographers would love this lens and I do know a number of photographers swear by the 70-200mm lens.

The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is compact, shorter and lighter than its EF counterpart, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens. One distinct difference is when you zoom out, the lens barrel is extended in the RF model versus internal barrel extension in the EF model. There might be some photographers who have concerns on the lens barrel extension allowing air/dust to get inside the lens and/or those who prefer the internal barrel extension in the EF model.

Personally, I believe and trust in Canon’s L lens engineering, design and built quality, along with its weather sealing, they have decades of L lenses design and production. I have pushed my EF 17-40mm and EF70-200mm L lenses in the outdoors and commercial work for over a decade, they are very sturdy and can handle such demanding conditions. The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens can handle the outdoors and commercial usage just like their predecessors from their EF L lenses family.

The Canon RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is most welcomed by professionals, part of the RF holy trinity lenses setup from the Canon RF family (add the RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM lenses to complete the setup).

With the lens image stabilisation up to 5 stops and paired with the EOS R5 or EOS R6 with the 5-axis In-Body Image Stabiliser feature, this powerful function and features helps us photographers and videographers in our shoots that we sometimes don’t realise about the two features in action when using the Canon EOS R6 or EOS R5 that would be most welcomed by photographers.

Key information on Canon RF70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Filter size: 77mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Weight: 1070g
Image Stabilisation: up to 5 stops
Electronic floating focus control with 2 Nano USM
Additional Control Ring
Dust and Drip Resistant

For working professionals who wish to switch to Canon EOS R and RF lenses setup, the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is one of the lenses that you would definitely be getting (or you want to have) for your professional photography setup. There is also the RF70-200mm f/4L IS USM lens that is now available in the market for you to have options to choose from.