Canon Officially Launches the Flagship RF Telephoto Zoom Lens
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM
HONG KONG, 23 May 2023 — Canon announces today that the official launch of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM, a flagship professional RF telephoto zoom lens. The world’s lightest1 f/2.8 Zoom lens with a focal length of 300mm for full frame sensor – RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM innovates upon the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM, for its excellent optical quality and imaging technology accumulated, achieving excellent optical performance, high reliability and high operability required by professionals. The RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM offers a choice of lightweight and high-quality f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens for sports and wildlife photographers and videographers who require large aperture and flexibility to capture decisive moments. The lens’ f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range also allows High Amateurs to create stunning portraits, expanding the realm of photography.
A Professional Telephoto Zoom Lens with Outstanding Image Quality
The new RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM features a newly developed 23 elements in 18 groups optical design, which takes advantage of the large diameter mount and short back focus of RF Mount. With effective use of 1 Fluorite lens and 4 UD lenses elements 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. It also incorporates Air Sphere Coating with high anti-reflective properties on 3 lens surfaces to reduce flare and ghosting, and improves image clarity and contrast when shooting into backlight. The RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM adopts a 9-blade circular aperture that allows photographers to create beautiful and soft background blur when photographing subjects in distance.
Crispy-sharp images are also captured even when shooting handheld at long focal lengths or using slower shutter speed as image blur is drastically reduced by the optical image stabilizer which offers 5.5-stop shake compensation2 and IS Modes 1/2/3. What’s more, the IS effect is further enhanced to 6-stop3 when used with EOS R-series camera equipped with In-Body Image Stabilization. For those that want to go beyond a 100-300mm focal length range, the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM is compatible with Extender RF1.4x and Extender RF2x. When used with these extenders, the focal lengths can be extended to 140-420mm f/4 and 200-600mm f/5.6 respectively which gives photographers even more scope and creative freedom.
Compact and High Mobility Telephoto Shooting System for the Full-frame Mirrorless Cameras
Thanks to the advantages of larger-diameter, short back focus distance and greater freedom in lens design offered by the RF mount, the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM features a 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, results in a length of only 323.4mm and weighs only 2,590g. RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM becomes the world’s lightest1 f/2.8 zoom lens with a focal length of 300mm for full frame sensor. It weighs merely 240g more than EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM but with focal length range extended from 300mm to 100-300mm.
High-speed AF and High image quality at the minimum focusing distance
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM adopts dual Nano USMs and improved "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. 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. This lens offers a 1.8m minimum focusing distance with a maximum magnification of 0.16x (at 300mm) allowing users to focus on close-up objects with ease. RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM also supports focus breathing correction when paired with EOS R-series cameras supporting this function, 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.
Uncompromised Operability
RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM’s next generation large aperture telephoto lens design further enhances its operability. A [Lens Function/Focus Preset] button is newly added towards the back of the lens barrel, which can be operated while holding the camera grip. Its function can be changed between Lens Function or register/recall preset focus distance by using the [Lens Function/Focus Preset selector] switch. Four customizable Lens Function buttons are installed at the front of the lens barrel4. In addition to the default [AF OFF] function, various shooting functions can also be customized to personal preferences. RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM also incorporates the RF lens control ring to assign functions often used, such as ISO speed, shutter speed or aperture value directly from the lens.
Excellent Operability and Reliability
A white heat shield coating developed by Canon are applied to RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM to reduce the rise of the lens temperature by increasing the reflectivity for infrared rays in sunlight. The bundled Lens Hood ET-124 also features this heat shield coating to reduce temperature rises of the hood interior to achieve stable focusing under hot sun conditions.
In addition, the lens inherits the same level of durability and rugged construction as found on other L super telephoto lenses, ensuring high level shock resistance and durability. 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. RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM also features the dust-and-water-resistant design5 to provide the durability that satisfies the strict demand of professional users. Fluorine coatings are applied on the foremost lens surface to repel dust particles and water droplets. It also makes smears and fingerprints easy to remove without the use of lens cleaning fluid. A security slot is installed under the cap of the tripod mount lock nut for attaching a notebook wire-type security lock as an anti-theft precaution. The lens can be securely locked when photographer is away from the workplace.
Suggested Retail Price
The new RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM is now available for sale. The suggested retail price is HK$81,280 and bundled with new Lens Cap E-112, Lens Hood ET-124, Lens Soft Case LS100-300.
The accessories for RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM and their suggested retail prices are as follows:
| Model | Suggested Retail Price |
| Extender RF1.4x | HK$4,080 |
| Extender RF2x | HK$4,880 |
| Lens Hood ET-124 | HK$6,680 |
| Lens Cap E-112 | HK$180 |
| Lens Dust Cap RF | HK$80 |
| Lens Wide Strap B | HK$380 |
[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] It needs to be used with the EOS R3/EOS R5/EOS R6/EOS R body, however it is not recommended for use under rain.