Canon RF 100-300mm F/2.8L IS USM

This Canon RF telephoto zoom covers 100–300mm on full-frame cameras. It suits sport, wildlife and stage work where subjects stay some distance away. The range also suits portraits when you have enough room to stand back. Canon introduced it in 2023.

The f/2.8 maximum aperture stays available throughout the zoom. The main trade-off is size and weight. Plan how you will carry and support the camera and lens during long sessions at a pitch, circuit or wildlife hide.

A wider lens helps with large nearby subjects and broad scenes. The short end still gives a telephoto view.

The lens weighs 5 lb 13.5 oz (2650 g) and measures 12.73 in (323.4 mm) long and 5.04 in (128 mm) across. A monopod or rest can take the weight during long waits. Screw-in filters must match the large 112mm front thread to attach directly.

At 300mm, one player or animal appears larger than at 100mm from the same position. The shorter setting includes more surroundings and helps you locate action before tightening the framing. How much of the frame a subject fills still depends on distance.

The maximum aperture remains f/2.8 as you zoom. You can retain that opening when framing changes, though a different part of the scene may need a different exposure. Under stadium lights or in shade, f/2.8 gives more room for a faster shutter speed than a smaller opening.

At close portrait distances, f/2.8 can give a thin zone of sharp focus. A background far behind a person can become soft. Focus carefully on the part that matters most. Stop down when several people at different distances need to stay sharp.

Closest focus is 5.9 ft (180 cm) throughout the zoom, measured from the sensor. Anything nearer is too close to focus. Maximum magnification reaches 0.16x at 300mm. This suits larger details, while very small subjects remain modest in the frame. The focusing limit does not determine a suitable approach distance for wildlife.

Image stabilization reduces camera shake and steadies the view at long settings. It helps with still subjects at slower shutter speeds. A running player or flying bird still needs enough shutter speed for its movement. Firm support remains useful for long exposures.

Dust and moisture resistance help outdoors. Use cover in persistent rain. Fluorine coating helps water and oily marks wipe away from the front glass. Remove loose grit before cleaning, especially after working beside a dusty track.

The rotary zoom ring lets you change framing manually. Keep the lens supported when carrying the camera between locations.

One aspherical element helps correct distortion and spherical aberration, which can bend lines or soften detail. Four UD elements and one fluorite element help reduce coloured fringes along high-contrast edges, such as a bird against bright sky.

Internal focusing keeps barrel length unchanged while focus moves.