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Review: Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Posted on January 1, 2021February 15, 2021 by Jordan Steele

Contents

  • 1Construction and Handling
  • 2Autofocus and Image Stabilization
  • 3Image Quality
  • 4Conclusion
  • 5Image Samples

Conclusion

Pros

  • Compact and light weight for a 70-200mm f/2.8
  • Extremely robust build quality
  • Very fast and accurate autofocus
  • Outstanding optical Image Stabilization
  • Extremely sharp from f/2.8 throughout the zoom range
  • Excellent bokeh
  • Very good chromatic aberration control
  • Excellent color and contrast
  • Reasonable control of distortion

Cons

  • Flare can be bad in some situations
  • Can’t take teleconverters
  • Very expensive

Canon’s RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM was a pioneering lens when it was released in November of 2019. It was the smallest and lightest full frame 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and it set a new standard in portability and convenience in this segment. Tamron followed up with their slightly shorter but also slightly lighter 70-180mm f/2.8 for Sony E-mount, but both the Canon and the Tamron excel at providing outstanding image quality and a fast aperture in a compact lens.

The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L is a joy to handle and carry in comparison to the weighty DSLR 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses that came before. As I noted in my review of the Tamron 70-180mm, I’ve been waiting for lenses like this since I started in photography, and it’s wonderful that Canon has chosen to step into mirrorless with full force with a lens like the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L. I have always loved the look I can get with an f/2.8 telephoto zoom, but until lenses like the RF 70-200mm came along, I couldn’t stand carrying them in the field. Thankfully, now you can get that fast aperture in a relatively lightweight and compact form factor.

Image quality is outstanding, with excellent sharpness right from f/2.8 and very pleasing bokeh. The lens also has very quick and accurate autofocus and an outstanding image stabilizer that is good for up to 6 or more stops of stabilization when used with the EOS R6 or R5.

The lens is impressively well built, convenient to use, produces outstanding technical image quality and really has only one major drawback: price. The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS is priced at a whopping $2,699. This likely won’t be a problem for working pros, but it will be a barrier of entry to most casual shooters. While certainly a very pricey bit of kit, those who pony up the dough will be rewarded with a truly outstanding lens.

Image Samples

Click on an image to enlarge.

Cedar Falls – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70mm, f/10, 5s, ISO 100
Backlit Fronds – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 187mm, f/5.6, 1/6400s, ISO 100
Scioto River – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70mm, f/8, 1/80s, ISO 100
Behind the Veil – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200mm, f/2.8, 1.6s, ISO 100
On the Bike – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200mm, f/2.8, 1/4000s, ISO 200
Cedar Falls – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70mm, f/10, 30s, ISO 100
Under Broad Street – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70mm, f/8, 1/50s, ISO 100
Ohio Statehouse – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/20s, ISO 800
Tennis on Ice – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 100
Night Clock – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 142mm, f/2.8, 1/15s, ISO 640
Autumn Leaf – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200mm, f/2.8, 1/800s, ISO 100
Conkle’s Hollow – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 86mm, f/10, 2 min, ISO 100
Cedar Falls – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 182mm, f/8, 10s, ISO 100
Icy Veil – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 119mm, f/8, 1/50s, ISO 100
Columbus at Night – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70mm, f/11, 30s, ISO 100
Gaming – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 100mm, f/2.8, 1/60s, ISO 2000
ATM – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200mm, f/2.8, 1/30s, ISO 100
We are Strong – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/15s, ISO 16,000
Cedar Falls Runoff – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70mm, f/8, 20s, ISO 100
Charity Newsies – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 95mm, f/2.8, 1/20s, ISO 2000
If you enjoyed this review, check out my other reviews in the Review Index
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1 thought on “Review: Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM”

  1. Harry says:
    January 7, 2021 at 2:02 am

    I am wondering about AF descriptions – Tamron 2.8/70-180 mm on Sony = extremely fast
    and this Canon RF 2.8/70-200 mm on Canon = very fast
    I had used Tamron on Alpha 9 against Sony 2.8/70-200 mm GM – witch I rate only “fast” – but then I must rate the Tamron on Alpha 9 = slow!
    And the Canon is feeling a lot faster then both.
    Do you agree?

    Reply

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