It’s here, Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM officially announced

[neuroanatomist]

I'm confused as to why there isn't a single word about this lens on any official Canon websites. It has been officially announced, right? Canon USA has only 1 post on instagram.

I'm confused that you're confused.

Canon Introduces the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM to Its Lens Lineup | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

www.usa.canon.com

RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM

Telephoto zoom lens that builds on the legacy of the popular EF300mm f/2.8 lens. Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the whole zoom range for great control over depth of field, bokeh, and low-light shooting with fast and reliable autofocus. Excellent image quality: highlights include one...

www.usa.canon.com

Canon RF100-300/2.8L IS USM - RF Lenses - Canon Europe

With a 100-300mm zoom range in a compact and portable body this lens is ideal for indoor sports photography and surveillance. Dual Nano USM focus motor for smooth, fast focus.

www.canon-europe.com

 

[LSXPhotog]

Your scenario of using a 300 2.8, with 1.4X and 2.0X converters in your pocket/fanny pack tells me that you would really enjoy using Canon's 200-400mm F4 zoom with built in 1.4X. The speed you will gain, plus no more chance of dust getting in every time you add or remove a TC will
help immensely. Also, your techniques with CPLs at motorsports venues tells me that you are there to primarily capture individual cars, esp. those teams that have hired you. On the other hand, if you are trying to capture racing action involving several cars at once, messing with a CPL would serve only to slow me down, and possibly miss important images.

My friend got the 200-400 and adores it - shoots wildlife on an R5. I know it’s the ultimate NFL/Football lens too. I am certainly watching them to see how the prices level out because I would love to own that lens too…but it’s a big boy. The 300 fits nicely in my backpack since it won’t fit in my camera roller bag without destroying its divider layout - I only pack the 300 for a race and that’s not all I shoot. I don’t really change out the teleconverters often. I usually stick to the focal length that works for that spot and that shot before moving on - still treating it like a prime and resisting the idea I can alter it anytime I want.

CPLs really don’t slow me down at all, it’s not rocket science. But I always suggest focusing on specific cars and have done so my whole career. You can also follow the race better when you haven’t seen a particular car in a while, or you can see how they are pacing based on the next time you see them. When I’m hired by a team or teams or I’m covering for a specific publication that wants Ferrari, Ford, Corvette, or Porsche then I use the other cars essentially as a practice window before my cars come back around. I haven’t shot sports cars professional in a few years, but the same applies to off road. I actually print out a list that shows the run order so on opening lap I can mark off our guys and move on from that shooting spot once they’re all shot.

But the 200-400 is on my list of “wants” for sure. However, I’m still shooting a lot more drag racing than anything else and I felt the size/weight/aperture were my best option for purchase since I would use that several times a month and it was easier to travel with.

 

[Del Paso]

Yes, when shooting in landscape orientation I always grip the hood by the side, with my fingers curled inside the hood and pressing tightly against the inside. I find this gives me better stability than cupping the lens from below. I don't see any evidence of my fingers in the image, even at 100mm. I do have quite thin fingers.

O.K. No chance with my sausage sized fingers...

 

[entoman]

I usually stick to the focal length that works for that spot and that shot before moving on - still treating it like a prime and resisting the idea I can alter it anytime I want.

That's the best way to work IMO, whether one is shooting sports, wildlife, or pretty much anything else.

 

[candyman]

Canon RF100-300/2.8L IS USM - RF Lenses - Canon Europe​

With a 100-300mm zoom range in a compact and portable body this lens is ideal for indoor sports photography and surveillance. Dual Nano USM focus motor for smooth, fast focus.

www.canon-europe.com

I must say, I never visit Canon Europe. I read the Canon Netherlands website.
Obviously Canon Netherlands is celebrating May vacation . Because it is not yet listed on the canon.nl website but maybe next week. But first we celebrate Kings day this week.

 

[whothafunk]

I'm confused that you're confused.

Canon Introduces the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM to Its Lens Lineup | Canon U.S.A., Inc.

www.usa.canon.com

RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM

Telephoto zoom lens that builds on the legacy of the popular EF300mm f/2.8 lens. Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the whole zoom range for great control over depth of field, bokeh, and low-light shooting with fast and reliable autofocus. Excellent image quality: highlights include one...

www.usa.canon.com

Canon RF100-300/2.8L IS USM - RF Lenses - Canon Europe

With a 100-300mm zoom range in a compact and portable body this lens is ideal for indoor sports photography and surveillance. Dual Nano USM focus motor for smooth, fast focus.

www.canon-europe.com

I swear to Alah I checked Canon USA website prior to writing that, and I saw Canon R8 introduction, same as on Canon Germany, Slovenia and other websites.

These have nothing of RF 100-300 mentioned on first page.

Canon Global

This is Canon's official global site. You can view Canon's vision, management strategies, business areas, the latest news, corporate information, investor information, sustainability activities, and more.

global.canon

Digital Cameras, Lenses, Camcorders & Printers

Canon Europe, leading provider of digital cameras, digital SLR cameras, inkjet printers & professional printers for business and home users.

www.canon-europe.com

 

[LSXPhotog]

That's the best way to work IMO, whether one is shooting sports, wildlife, or pretty much anything else.

It's why I shoot with 2 cameras at almost all times. I have a zoom on the other camera to get anything else or something closer that may compliment the other lens I'm using. You set up for a single shot and, depending on what your job is, you milk it until you have what you want and then move on. Sometimes you're restricted with where/when you can move - that's where having a second camera with different lens allows for a totally different look to the position your standing (zooms are great for this).

 

[BurningPlatform]

I swear to Alah I checked Canon USA website prior to writing that, and I saw Canon R8 introduction, same as on Canon Germany, Slovenia and other websites.

These have nothing of RF 100-300 mentioned on first page.

Canon Global

This is Canon's official global site. You can view Canon's vision, management strategies, business areas, the latest news, corporate information, investor information, sustainability activities, and more.

global.canon

Digital Cameras, Lenses, Camcorders & Printers

Canon Europe, leading provider of digital cameras, digital SLR cameras, inkjet printers & professional printers for business and home users.

www.canon-europe.com

However, there is information here: https://www.canon.nl/latest-products/

 

[AlanF]

I swear to Alah I checked Canon USA website prior to writing that, and I saw Canon R8 introduction, same as on Canon Germany, Slovenia and other websites.

You can't even spell Allah correctly.

 

[whothafunk]

Single L in my native language, but now you're just splitting hairs

 

[David - Sydney]

Lol. Sure. And the design team picked a 112mm filter thread arbitrarily, it’s just luck that it happens to be the largest size B+W makes and the next step up from 105mm.

I never said that the filter size was arbitrary. It clearly needs to be larger than the front element + frame. I said that the missing window was an oversight and you couldn't believe that it was an "oops" moment

Although B&W have a good reputation, they are far from being the only filter OEM.
Gobe (Urth), Breakthrough and Cokin all have 105 and 112mm
Nisi jumps from 95mm to 127mm
Singh-Ray and Hoya go to 105mm which is probably too small
Others I checked only go to 95mm or use filter holders that wouldn't work with a hood.
Filter systems using custom frames are generally only for UWA lenses rather than telephoto but they may make one specific for the RF100-300 as they have for other specialised lenses.

 

[john1970]

If you are using them both at maximum focal length and cropping to the same size, the 100-300mm stop advantage is only 1.2; eg 500mm 7.1 vs 600mm 5.6 - which would be for my most use situations. That in no way makes it worthwhile for me regarding weight and size. If I was doing indoor sports at 300mm, then it would, but I don't.

Hi Alan,

Looking at the 44 lb weight limit for bags I am going to be taking two cameras and the 24-105 mm f4 L and the 100-500 mm f4.5-f7.1 lens. I am bring a Q.U.E.S.T SCOTTeVEST with 42 pockets just in case I need to carry extra batteries and power banks on my person to lower the weight. Moreover, the lighter lens will be easier to use and maneuver in the safari vehicle. The vest can readily hold two camera bodies and both lenses in a pinch as well.

Cheers,

John

 

[neuroanatomist]

I never said that the filter size was arbitrary. It clearly needs to be larger than the front element + frame. I said that the missing window was an oversight and you couldn't believe that it was an "oops" moment

Although B&W have a good reputation, they are far from being the only filter OEM.
Gobe (Urth), Breakthrough and Cokin all have 105 and 112mm
Nisi jumps from 95mm to 127mm
Singh-Ray and Hoya go to 105mm which is probably too small
Others I checked only go to 95mm or use filter holders that wouldn't work with a hood.
Filter systems using custom frames are generally only for UWA lenses rather than telephoto but they may make one specific for the RF100-300 as they have for other specialised lenses.

The point is that the 112mm filter thread was intentionally selected because it’s a standard size. They didn’t pick, for example, 108mm even though that likely would have worked – the actual front element should be 101-102mm in diameter (with typical rounding, it’ll really be about a 292mm f/2.88 lens just as my 600/4 is really about 584/4.12 and has a measured front element diameter of ~142mm as predicted by those values).

This is a company has decades of experience designing lenses. They put windows in the hoods of several recent L-series lenses, but not in the 100-300. It wasn’t an oversight, it was a deliberate decision. That’s how the design process works. People may disagree with the decision, and it may end up being unpopular, but it wasn’t an oversight.

 

[David - Sydney]

Hi Alan,

Looking at the 44 lb weight limit for bags I am going to be taking two cameras and the 24-105 mm f4 L and the 100-500 mm f4.5-f7.1 lens. I am bring a Q.U.E.S.T SCOTTeVEST with 42 pockets just in case I need to carry extra batteries and power banks on my person to lower the weight. Moreover, the lighter lens will be easier to use and maneuver in the safari vehicle. The vest can readily hold two camera bodies and both lenses in a pinch as well.

Cheers,

John

Their eVests are great. Permanent use wherever I travel by plane. Load it up with lenses, batteries, powerbank, etc to get past checkin weight limits and reload my backpack once I clear security.
My only wish was that the pocket in the back was in portrait orientation rather than landscape as my 16" MBP would fit well portrait but not sideways.
My wife hates it but it was a lifesaver as an additional thermal layer when the airline lost my luggage for 11 days.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Their eVests are great. Permanent use wherever I travel by plane. Load it up with lenses, batteries, powerbank, etc to get past checkin weight limits and reload my backpack once I clear security.

Good tip, thanks. I may consider one for our summer trip (and like you, my wife will hate it). I’ve never had a carryon weighed on a domestic (US) or international flight, but I’m worried that may happen on intra-country flights in Europe that list an 8 kg limit. I’ll have ~1 kg just in spare Li-ion batteries.

 

[David - Sydney]

Good tip, thanks. I may consider one for our summer trip (and like you, my wife will hate it). I’ve never had a carryon weighed on a domestic (US) or international flight, but I’m worried that may happen on intra-country flights in Europe that list an 8 kg limit. I’ll have ~1 kg just in spare Li-ion batteries.

Extremely common for many segments I fly on. Generally 7kg limit and low cost carriers weigh them the most. Even premium economy on long haul trips have the same carry-on limits. Some carriers even weigh/measure them at the gate a second time.
Occasionally you can pay to upgrade to 10kgs (which I do if possible) but would still not be enough for me. The plus+one item is allowed for some carriers and the ladies get away with huge handbags.
No issue for me for my backpack size but weight is a different story and no way will I let them check it in the hold.

US carriers have issues with tickets stating checked-in 23kg bags when they only weigh in pounds that max out at 50lbs. 23kgs gets you an additional 0.7lbs.

The nice airlines allow 30kgs in one bag rather than manage 2 bags as the weight of each empty bag needs to be included. Getting flights with mixed weights/bags for different segments is a pain. We are always amazed at the size that travellers within the US carry-on and get away with.

Iceland Airlines is peculiar where they have 10kg carry-on but the max size is smalll and they measure unless it is a connecting flight from another airline.
"Maximum size (including handles and wheels): 21.6x15.7x7.8 inches (55x40x20 cm)."

Best advice is always to read the each carrier's website carefully - and especially when taking drones.

 

[neuroanatomist]

We are always amazed at the size that travellers within the US carry-on and get away with.

A legacy of when a checked bag stopped being free, and people started trying to fit everything in a carryon plus personal item.

Platinum status gets me two free checked bags, but I agree – one overweight bag would be much better (especially if I bring my big Pelican Progear Elite case that weighs 7 kg empty).

 

[unfocused]

What am I missing here? I’ve taken two bodies (R3 and R5) the 100-500, 24-105 and either the 16 2.8 or 14-35 f4 on trips to South Korea and the Galapagos. Plus extra batteries and cards, while my wife travels with a similar kit (one body only though) and have never had a problem or come anywhere close to hitting any size/weight limits with carry on.

I wouldn’t want to bring any more equipment than that with me anyway.

 

[neuroanatomist]

What am I missing here? I’ve taken two bodies (R3 and R5) the 100-500, 24-105 and either the 16 2.8 or 14-35 f4 on trips to South Korea and the Galapagos. Plus extra batteries and cards, while my wife travels with a similar kit (one body only though) and have never had a problem or come anywhere close to hitting any size/weight limits with carry on.

I wouldn’t want to bring any more equipment than that with me anyway.

Your camera load is ~4.5 kg, my usual travel kit (R3, 14-35, 24-105/4, 100-500, spare battery) is about 4 kg. My 16” MBP adds 2 kg and my camera bag is 1.5 kg, so that’s 7.5 kg without any personal items, which is over the 7 kg limit @David - Sydney mentions. A change of clothes and a couple of Clif bars and I’m over the 8 kg limit for one of my planned summer flights.

Ok, so I’m bringing the R8 instead of the R3, which is 550 g lighter. But then there’s the kilo of spare batteries (mainly for diving lights), so I’m back over 8 kg.

 

[john1970]

Good tip, thanks. I may consider one for our summer trip (and like you, my wife will hate it). I’ve never had a carryon weighed on a domestic (US) or international flight, but I’m worried that may happen on intra-country flights in Europe that list an 8 kg limit. I’ll have ~1 kg just in spare Li-ion batteries.

I have the exact issue in Africa where they have 8 kg limits as well. I am taking the vest so if needed I can put all batteries, both camera bodies in my vest to get under the 8 kg limit. I also upgraded my flights to business class and hopefully that helps as well.