Combining the versatility of a zoom with the reach and speed of a cherished telephoto concept, the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM is a well-rounded lens for indoor sports, events and theater, fashion, and other subjects benefitted by the unique mixture of long reach, high speed, adept image stabilization, and fast autofocus.
Zoom Evolution
Building on the legacy of the popular EF 300mm f/2.8 prime lenses, this RF 100-300mm f/2.8 maintains the quality and speed 300mm f/2.8 shooters are looking for while adding the versatility of a zoom that widens up to 100mm.
- The 100-300mm zoom design offers more versatility for tracking moving subjects, recording candid moments from a distance, and backing off from scenes a bit for a wider frame for more context.
- Despite switching to a zoom design, this lens retains the a bright and constant f/2.8 maximum aperture that excels in available lighting conditions and helps to achieve a shallow depth of field to isolate subjects against a blurred background.
- Wholly new optical design includes fluorite elements and ultra-low dispersion glass, plus one aspherical element, to achieve a higher degree of clarity and sharpness with virtually no distortion.
- Canon's Air Sphere Coating (ASC) and Super Spectra Coating (SSC) minimizes ghosting and flare to better enable working in backlit conditions or when facing strong lighting situations.
Autofocus and Image Stabilization
As a lens designed for sports, events, and other moving subjects, AF and IS functions have been optimized for quick and precise performance along with the ability to work with the lens handheld or from a monopod if desired.
- Dual Nano USM system uses both a ring type USM and an STM mechanism to realize quick and accurate focusing. The smooth and nearly silent focusing suits both photography and video applications and there is full-time manual focus control available.
- Two separate focusing groups are independently actuated for greater maintained sharpness throughout the zoom range and at different focus positions.
- Focus range limiter can be set to the full focusing range, from 5.9' to infinity, or from a 19.7' to infinity range for quicker performance if working exclusively with distant subjects.
- Optical image stabilization compensates for up to 5.5 stops of camera shake; if paired with an EOS R camera featuring in-body image stabilization, this lens also supports Coordinated IS that offers up to 6 stops of shake correction.
L Series Design and Handling
The first lens of its kind designed specifically for mirrorless EOS R cameras, this RF 100-300mm f/2.8 zoom features the durability, weather sealing, and intuitive design professionals expect from an L Series lens.
- Weather-sealed design enables working in harsh environments and prevents dust and moisture from reaching the interior of the lens. Also, there is a front fluorine coating that prevents water, oils, and other residue types from sticking to lens, making it easier to clean.
- Impressively lightweight for its speed and zoom range, this lens weighs 5.8 lb and measures 12.7" long.
- Internal focusing and zooming design maintains the overall length of the lens during operations and promotes quicker operations and more robust weather sealing.
- Built-in rotating tripod mount suits working with the lens atop a monopod or tripod and enables quick switching between vertical and horizontal shooting orientations.
- For intuitive handling and focus control, there is a Focus Preset button near the rear of the lens, which can be triggered with your right hand during use. This function allows pre-focusing on a spot, storing this focus distance, and being able to instantly return to the memorized position at the push of this button. Alternatively, a side switch enables utilizing this buttons as an secondary Lens Function (L-Fn) button instead.
- Four L-Fn buttons surround the front of the lens and these can be programmed to control a variety of lens or camera functions.
- Programmable Control Ring can be used for lens-based adjustment of various exposure or camera settings and comes with a click-stop operation by default for tactile feedback.
- Compatible with optional Extender RF 1.4x and 2x teleconverters for further extending the effective reach of this lens.
| Focal Length | 100 to 300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 24° to 8° 15' |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 5.9' / 1.8 m |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.06 to 0.16x |
| Optical Design | 23 Elements in 18 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9, Rounded |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | Fixed and Rotating |
| Filter Size | 112 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 5 x 12.7" / 128 x 323.4 mm |
| Weight | 5.7 lb / 2590 g |
