Canon has recently unveiled the new RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens, aimed at professional photographers, especially photojournalists. With a weight of just 5.8 lbs, this lens is a perfect choice for outdoor photography, and its impressive focal range of 100-300mm, along with nine circular aperture blades, makes it a versatile choice for landscape, sports, and event photography. The lens offers an incredible f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range, which means that photographers can benefit from low-light performance, incredible bokeh, and fast shutter speeds.

Pre-order links:

Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens: $9,499 at B&H, Adorama.

• Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22
• Fast L-Series Telephoto Zoom
• Dual Nano USM AF System
• 5.5-Stop Image Stabilization
• Floating Focus Design
• Internal Zoom and Focusing Design
• Function/Focus Preset Selector Switch
• Fluorite, UD, and Aspherical Elements
• SSC and Fluorine Coatings
• Weather-Sealed Design

This Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is a highly-anticipated addition to Canon’s RF lens lineup, designed to fill the gap left by the beloved EF 300mm f/2.8 L lens. Although the lens has a hefty price tag of $9,499, it is a great investment for professional photographers who want to take their photography to the next level. The lens is built exceptionally well, with one fluorite lens, four ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass elements, a fluorine coating, and a super spectra (SSC) coating that helps minimize ghosting and flare. The lens also comes with seals around the mount, switches, and rings to prevent dust and moisture from entering it.

The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is the lightest f/2.8 zoom lens with a 300mm focal length on the market, making it an attractive option for photographers who want to lighten their camera bags. This lens features two built-in nano ultra-sonic motors (USMs) that allow the lens to focus effortlessly from close-up to infinity. Additionally, the weight and feel of the lens have been improved, reducing stress on your hand and wrist while taking handheld shots.

The RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is not only an excellent lens but also a very versatile one. It has a focus preset button that allows photographers to focus on a predetermined distance where they expect the action to occur, which is especially useful when photographing wildlife or sports. Additionally, this lens 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), a dedicated, programmable control ring on its barrel, and compatibility with two extenders: the Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x.

The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is a perfect addition to the arsenal of photojournalists, sports, and wildlife photographers who are looking to capture stunning images in low light conditions. With its impressive features and outstanding build quality, it is undoubtedly a significant step by Canon in fleshing out the RF line. However, whether this lens outweighs the significant cost is up to the photographer. So if you are looking for a lightweight and versatile telephoto lens that delivers excellent image quality, then the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is the perfect choice for you.

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.