Canon has unveiled the newest addition to their RF line of lenses, the RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM. This remarkable lens is designed to cater to the needs of professional photographers, especially photojournalists who require high-quality equipment to deliver stunning images. It is the lightest f/2.8 lens with a 300mm focal length on the market, weighing just 5.8 lbs. This lens is sure to become the go-to choice for landscape, sports, and event photography.

Pre-order links:

Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

At a glance:

• Telephoto zoom lens that builds on the legacy of the popular EF300mm f/2.8 lens.
• Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the whole zoom range for great control over depth of field, bokeh, and low-light shooting with fast and reliable autofocus.
• Excellent image quality: highlights include one flourite lens, and 4 UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass elements, flourine coating, and Canon SSC (Super Spectra Coating) to minimize ghosting and flare.
• Built-in function/focus preset selector switch allows you to program a focus preset recall into the buttons at the front of the lens.
• Optical image stabilization — up to 5.5 stops* of shake correction. Up to 6.0 stops Coordinated IS when paired with EOS R series cameras featuring In-Body Image Stabilizer (IBIS).
• 2 Nano USMs achieves outstanding image quality throughout the focusing range, from infinity to close-up thanks to 2 focusing groups that are independently actuated.
• Dedicated, programmable Control Ring, with click-stop operation.
• Impressively light at only 5.8 lbs., which makes it the lightest f/2.8 zoom lens with a 300mm focal length on the market.**
• Circular (9 blades) aperture for beautiful, soft backgrounds.

One of the most exciting features of the Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is its impressive focal range, spanning from 100mm to 300mm, making it perfect for capturing distant subjects with ease. With nine circular aperture blades, the lens delivers stunning bokeh, making your subjects stand out against a beautifully blurred background. Additionally, the lens offers an incredible f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range, delivering great low-light performance, incredible bokeh, and fast shutter speeds.

When paired with a Canon EOS camera R series camera, you can unlock the full potential of this lens, taking advantage of six stops of optical image stabilization to capture stunning shots even in low-light conditions. This lens is ideal for capturing action and sports photography, wildlife and nature photography, and stunning portraits.

The Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens boasts Canon’s signature lightning-fast autofocus, thanks to two built-in nano ultra-sonic motors (USMs) that enable the lens to focus effortlessly from close-up to infinity. A focus preset button is also included, which allows you to focus on a predetermined distance where you expect the action to occur. This feature is particularly useful when photographing wildlife or sports.

The lens is designed to fill the gap left by the beloved EF 300mm f/2.8 L lens, and it certainly delivers on that front. While the price tag might seem high at first glance, it is important to note that the RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L is aimed squarely at the professional luxury market, and is therefore competitively priced compared to other similar high-end lenses. This lens is built exceptionally well, featuring one fluorite lens, four ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass elements, a fluorine coating, and a super spectra (SSC) coating to help minimize ghosting and flare. Seals around the mount, switches, and rings prevent dust and moisture from entering the lens, and a specially designed fluorine coating prevents grime from sticking to the exterior.

In line with other telephoto lenses in the RF series, the RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L has an impressive five-and-a-half stops of shake correction, which can be bumped up to six stops when paired with an in-body image-stabilized mirrorless body. This is a marked improvement over its predecessor, the EF 300mm f/2.8 L, which maxed out at four stops of stabilization.

The RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L also has a dedicated, programmable control ring on its barrel, which can be programmed to control anything from shutter speed to ISO. This feature is especially useful for quick adjustments on the fly.

Finally, those looking to enhance the focal length of this lens can use the Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x. These extenders can expand the effective focal length to 140-420mm at f/4 with the Extender RF 1.4x, or to 200-600mm at f/5.6 with the Extender RF 2x.

Press Release:

Canon Introduces the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM to Its Lens Lineup

The new lens combines the flexibility of a zoom lens with the quality of a telephoto lens

MELVILLE, NY, April 20, 2023 – Today, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced the launch of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens, answering calls from photojournalists and professional level customers for a modern 300mm f/2.8 equivalent lens.

“This lens is an absolute game changer! It gives you the most incredible range, but without sacrificing the f/2.8 aperture. To have this kind of performance at your fingertips is incredible!”

Roberto Valenzuela, fashion and wedding photographer

For decades, the 300mm f/2.8 telephoto lens has been an industry standard for photojournalists, professionals, and aspiring enthusiast photographers due to its outstanding image quality, excellent speed for indoor shooting, and relatively light weight for hand-holding. Now, with the launch of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM, Canon delivers the flexibility of a zoom lens design with the truly outstanding quality of a 300mm f/2.8 L-series telephoto lens. Exceeding the reach and potential of traditional 70-200mm lenses, and adding zoom flexibility to its Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS predecessor, the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens brings new value to customers with the following features:

• Wide Focal Range — 100-300mm range
• Extended Zoom — Optional RF1.4x and 2x extenders are supported with this lens, enabling a zoom range of up to 600mm
• Spectacular Image Quality — f/2.8 constant wide aperture; Fluorite Aspherical and UD-glass design
• Reliable Stabilization — Up to 5.5 stops correction with in-lens Optical Image Stabilization and up to 6.0 stops correction with in-body coordinated Image Stabilization (CIPA standard)
• Weather and Dust Resistant — Durable in various environmental conditions
• Compact and Lightweight Design — Despite capabilities to zoom over 300mm, this lens is unusually lightweight, just barely heavier than the EF300mm f/2.8L IS II

“I love this lens! It’s incredibly lightweight, versatile, and sharp. Toss on the 2x extender and you can snipe gorgeous frames at a distance, especially with the built in image stabilizer. This lens is going to change the game for live concerts, weddings, and so much more.”

Ben Hagarty, Grammy award-winning cinematographer

This telephoto zoom lens is ideal for professionals who use a Canon EOS R3, EOS R5 or EOS R6 Mark II full-frame mirrorless camera, but can also be a catalyst for users who have developed into serious, aspirational enthusiasts and are looking to step beyond their traditional telephoto lens experience. Best use cases include, but are not limited to, indoor sports, motorsports, outdoor fashion, video and cinema, photojournalism and theater work. For high-level shooters and videographers particularly working in low-light settings and seeking a hand-holdable solution, this lens provides the total answer.

​​​Price & Availability

​​​​​​​The Canon RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens is expected to be available in May for an estimated retail price of $9,499.00*. For more information, please visit usa.canon.com.