Canon has steadily developed its RF lens lineup over the last handful of years, but while the company has released several super-telephoto lenses – including the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM, the RF 600mm f/4L IS USM, and the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM – a fast RF-mount lens in the 300mm range has remained conspicuously absent.
According to Canon Rumors, however, that’s all about to change. While Canon won’t be releasing a 300mm f/2.8 prime in the near future, the imaging company does plan to unveil an RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom, which will be “announced in the next couple of weeks.”
CR doesn’t offer any specifications for the upcoming 100-300mm f/2.8, but you can expect the lens to pack all of the same perks as the highly regarded EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM – with, of course, the benefit of a flexible focal length. In other words, the lens should be exceptionally sharp (one reviewer claimed that “the Canon EF 300mm f2.8L IS II USM lens may reach as close to optical perfection as any Canon DSLR lens made”), feature lightning-fast focusing, and boast outstanding build quality.
Fast 300mm lenses are designed primarily for sports and wildlife photographers who require super-telephoto focal lengths in low-light scenarios, and the additional 200mm of zoom should allow for a nice mix of close-up and wider perspectives. If the 100-300mm f/2.8 is compact enough, it could even replace the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens (another sports photography staple) for some shooters.
Of course, fast super-telephoto lenses do come with a major drawback: they’re eye-wateringly expensive. And while the RF 100-300mm f/2.8L’s cost hasn’t yet been confirmed, CR does report a hefty $9499 USD price tag – over $3000 more than the existing EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM. So while an RF 100-300mm lens will certainly find its way into the hands of many a professional, enthusiasts and semi-pros may be left out in the cold.
Now over to you:
What do you think of the upcoming RF 100-300mm f/2.8L? Would you be interested? How would you use it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
