Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS Review (highly recommended, Optical Limits)

The experts at Optical Limits (former photozone.de) their Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS review.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, for the EOS R system, is a highly regarded lens, and it sells at rather hefty $2,699. Never the less, the lens is remarkable, and Optical Limits gives the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS a “highly recommended”, and 4.5/5 points for the optical quality and 4.5/5 for the mechanical quality.

Upon the first contact, you can’t be anything but impressed by the size of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L IS especially at a time when lens dimensions tend to super-size rather than shrink.

[…] The results are tack sharp throughout the zoom range and at all relevant aperture settings. Lateral CAs are very low. The same goes for image distortions. Vignetting is a bit of a weak spot though unless you prefer to keep image auto-correction activated. The light falloff in the upper range is too heavy for such a lens. The quality of the bokeh is generally very good – the smooth out-of-focus highlights are especially impressive here. The bokeh fringing is present but quite well controlled. A bit of an ugly aspect are focus shifts (RSAs) when stopping down. This is nothing to worry about when using autofocusing – so most users will never notice it – but the issue can hit you in manual focus mode.

Check all the details, charts and results of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS review at Optical Limits.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS key features:

• RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
• One Super UD Element, One UD Element
• Two Aspherical Elements

Offering versatility and long reach in a notably sleek form factor, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is a flexible telephoto zoom characterized by its bright design and advanced optics. The constant f/2.8 maximum aperture suits working in difficult lighting conditions and also enables greater control over depth of field. A sophisticated optical design comprises a series of specialized elements, which help to suppress a variety of aberrations throughout the zoom range for well-controlled imagery. An Air Sphere Coating has also been applied to suppress flare and ghosting when working in strong lighting conditions.

Balancing the distinguished optical assets is the Dual Nano USM focus system, which delivers fast, nearly silent autofocus performance with full-time manual focus override. An Image Stabilizer also compensates for up to five stops of camera shake to help produce sharper handheld shots in difficult lighting conditions. A unique Control Ring is also integrated into the lens design for intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself. Additionally, this 70-200mm is weather-sealed and has a fluorine coating to protect the front and rear elements.