Canon’s RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM takes a different approach, offering the flexibility of a zoom while maintaining the optical quality expected from a prime. The question is whether the trade-offs—extra size, weight, and price—are worth it.
Coming to you from Jan Wegener, this thorough video puts the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM to the test. Weighing 5.7 pounds, it’s heavier than expected, but the internal zoom keeps it well-balanced and easy to handle. Unlike traditional 300mm primes, the flexibility of the zoom is useful in wildlife and sports photography, where reframing quickly is often necessary. The real standout, though, is the image stabilization. Even handheld at 300mm or when using a 1.4x or 2x extender, the viewfinder remains rock solid. This makes tracking moving subjects far easier and allows for stable handheld video, even at 600mm with an extender.
Autofocus is another highlight. Fast, accurate, and reliable, it locks onto birds in flight with ease, even in low light. The f/2.8 aperture helps keep shutter speeds high in darker conditions, an advantage in forests or cloudy environments. The lens also has a relatively close minimum focusing distance of 5.9 feet, which is useful for shooting smaller subjects. However, one of the biggest concerns is how the lens performs with teleconverters. With the 1.4x, it remains sharp, though slightly softer wide open at f/4. Stopping down improves sharpness significantly. With the 2x extender, however, wide-open performance takes a noticeable hit. At f/5.6, the images lack the crispness expected at this price point, requiring stopping down to f/8 or f/11 for better results.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 100-300mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Minimum Focus Distance: 5.9 ft (1.8 m)
- Maximum Magnification: 0.06x to 0.16x
- Optical Design: 23 elements in 18 groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 9, rounded
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Tripod Collar: Fixed and rotating
- Filter Size: 112mm (Front)
- Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 5 x 12.7 inches (128 x 323.4 mm)
- Weight: 5.7 lb (2,590 g)
For those used to carrying both a 300mm f/2.8 prime and a 70-200mm f/2.8, this lens could replace both, reducing the need for multiple camera bodies. That said, the high price may give some buyers pause. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Wegener.
