5.0 out of 5 stars The Dream Telephoto Zoom Lens (Almost... see edit)

2025-12-28    -GTBaka

The media could not be loaded. EDIT: 1/8/2020So Canon released firmware update 1.0.6 and I just updated my lens. In my unscientific test shots I can confirm that the front focusing issue is indeed fixed. Funny thing since using it, I never in real world use shot MFD at 200mm. Well it's nice to know it fixed though and big props to Canon for addressing it in short order. Also you will be happy to know that I put it through slightly harsher environments and the lens was fine. Took it out in the rain and some dustier locations and no issues. So back to 5 stars you go.EDIT: 12/3/2019Okay, so it came to my attention that some others were having issues with this lens front focusing when shooting wide open and a minimum focus distance. I decided to test it myself. I shot a small figure that has several towers on it. I aimed it at one particular tower in the back. Sure enough, the tower slightly in front appears sharper. Others have done far more scientific tests using a target card and indicating that the lens front focuses by about 3mm. It's so minute but it's right there... repeatable every time. Knowing that, I've docked it from a perfect 5 stars to 3 as that's obviously a flaw for something so premium. I mean it's a very unique case shooting wide open and MFD so it still works in most other cases, it's just that if you need to hit focus on a razor thin DOF from up close, you need to use manual focus. I'm optimistic that a fix is on the way though as it seems like Canon service centers are aware of this since I know of others having sent there lenses off and the issue is seemingly universal and consistently reproduceable. That bodes well for hopefully a firmware update to universally rectify the front focusing issue. Be happy to add the stars back once it gets fixed.Original:I preordered it and I just received this today, so this will be my initial thoughts on the lens. As I progressively use it, I'll provide updates. Not a photographer by profession, but love photography and videography. So I am a hybrid shooter who does equal parts photos and videos. In the few hours that I've had this lens, I'm completely floored.BuildI have never owned an EF 70-200 f2.8L so couldn't tell you how they stack up. I do know that it is lighter than the EF variant, and the big kicker is that it turns into a short little stubby lens at 70mm. I know many who elect to leave the EF version at home because of the size and weight. This will be lighter in the hands and more importantly, at it's smallest it will take less room in your camera bag. When fully extended to 200mm it's about the same length as the EF version. It feels solid in the hand, and the ergonomics are familiar. The focus and zoom rings feel smooth and nice. The control ring is both too tight and loud for me. If shooting video, turning the control ring will cause camera shake, and a mic will pick up the clicks. I've sent my other lenses to get declicked. If they come back and solve these issues I may send this guy for the modification as well. Some are concerned about this lens extending as opposed to being a fixed lens like the EF version since there may be a propensity for sucking in dust. They do say it's weather sealed, but I will need more time with this lens before I can report on if there are any issues with an extending zoom. I do not beat up my lenses too much, don't shoot in extremely harsh environments. Maybe the worst place will be a windy beach with fine sand. Will report if I have any issues. The lens hood is cool. I don't know why, but I like how it matches the lens. I think the EF versions have a black hood, this one is white and looks cool, lol. It has a sliding window that opens so you can reach circular polarizers or variable ND filters.Auto FocusWow! Totally blown away by this. I do have the latest EOS R 1.4 firmware at the time of writing this review and the autofocus is super snappy. Something about the RF system where I feel like I'm hitting focus so much more of the time. My other camera is a 5D Mk IV and I swear I'm nailing focus more often with the R and RF lenses. This lens is no exception. The other thing that blows my mind, is how ridiculously silent the focus is. I literally cannot hear it... at all! Well, if there is some ambient noise, you cannot hear it. In an absolutely silent environment, you can hear the faint clicking if you put it close to your head. It does have a double motor USM system which I believe is a first for Canon and if that's the reason for it's silence I'm impressed! For comparison, the RF 50 has a little noise. The RF 24-70 a little quieter. In a little ambient noise this lens is dead silent.Image QualityI originally was not going to buy an EOS R. I was waiting for the "pro" variant. I always knew I was going to get into the system because the RF lenses are almost guaranteed to give you amazing image quality. Two things changed. The RF lens line started to fill out, and the EOS R price dropped. So here I am. Could not resist the sweet RF glass. I mean I set the bar pretty high with my expectations. All I can say is I haven't been let down. The photos I've taken are random things around the house, but the detail, edge to edge sharpness, color rendering, smooth bokeh and lack of distortion are all top notch. Telephoto is my favorite type of focal length, and this pretty much is the dream lens. For comparison, I have a 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 and a 100mm f2.0 IS Macro. Image quality blows my non-L EF lens out of the water. Many say the 100mm is one of the sharpest lenses. With the few shots I got, I think this is right there with the Macro.Low LightJust quickly did a few tests. As long as there's just enough light on a subject, the AF is just as snappy as it is during the day. I lock my ISO off at 6400, and to my eyes, noise level is great. The f2.8 aperture and three levels of stabilization really help. Speaking of...Image StabilizationOkay, so there are three levels. I'm not sure if I'm using them properly. Apparently Level 1 is for a single shot. Level 2 is for panning. And level 3, which only activates during exposure. For video it works amazing. Look at the two videos of the bird on a wire to see the difference. (Edit: Could only upload one video, will make a composite at a future update.) Night shots were great too. I didn't stop exposure down too much, but still, the night shots are crazy sharp.VideoVideo quality is great. I already alluded to some of the pros and cons. Focus motor is super quiet so won't be picked up on a microphone. The focus pulling was razor quick. As seen on the sample video. I did not mess with the settings on the Camera but I believe these can be slowed down so you get a smoother focus pull. The control ring is unusable during shooting. It is both too loud and too tight. If you don't plan to get it declicked, it's use is best for pre-shot adjustments to ISO, exposure compensation or whatever. At least you'll be less likely to accidentally change settings.SamplesThese are straight out of camera JPG's and MP4's. Yes Canon Color science is real. Unfortunately I guess I can only upload one video, so it's the bird on a wire with Image Stabilization.ConclusionI presume this will be a staple for pro wedding photographers, sports photographers, wildlife photographers who buy into the RF system. They will likely appreciate the new lighter smaller form factor. But really, I believe anyone with the funds to afford this will enjoy it. The cost is certainly expensive, but I do think it is worth every penny. It's just that much of an upgrade in handling and being able to nail focus a greater percentage of the time. Keep in mind, this is me using it for all of a couple hours. It's just handling it, I could immediately tell that put through it's paces it will perform.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dream Telephoto Zoom Lens (Almost... see edit)

2026-01-07    -GTBaka

The media could not be loaded. EDIT: 1/8/2020So Canon released firmware update 1.0.6 and I just updated my lens. In my unscientific test shots I can confirm that the front focusing issue is indeed fixed. Funny thing since using it, I never in real world use shot MFD at 200mm. Well it's nice to know it fixed though and big props to Canon for addressing it in short order. Also you will be happy to know that I put it through slightly harsher environments and the lens was fine. Took it out in the rain and some dustier locations and no issues. So back to 5 stars you go.EDIT: 12/3/2019Okay, so it came to my attention that some others were having issues with this lens front focusing when shooting wide open and a minimum focus distance. I decided to test it myself. I shot a small figure that has several towers on it. I aimed it at one particular tower in the back. Sure enough, the tower slightly in front appears sharper. Others have done far more scientific tests using a target card and indicating that the lens front focuses by about 3mm. It's so minute but it's right there... repeatable every time. Knowing that, I've docked it from a perfect 5 stars to 3 as that's obviously a flaw for something so premium. I mean it's a very unique case shooting wide open and MFD so it still works in most other cases, it's just that if you need to hit focus on a razor thin DOF from up close, you need to use manual focus. I'm optimistic that a fix is on the way though as it seems like Canon service centers are aware of this since I know of others having sent there lenses off and the issue is seemingly universal and consistently reproduceable. That bodes well for hopefully a firmware update to universally rectify the front focusing issue. Be happy to add the stars back once it gets fixed.Original:I preordered it and I just received this today, so this will be my initial thoughts on the lens. As I progressively use it, I'll provide updates. Not a photographer by profession, but love photography and videography. So I am a hybrid shooter who does equal parts photos and videos. In the few hours that I've had this lens, I'm completely floored.BuildI have never owned an EF 70-200 f2.8L so couldn't tell you how they stack up. I do know that it is lighter than the EF variant, and the big kicker is that it turns into a short little stubby lens at 70mm. I know many who elect to leave the EF version at home because of the size and weight. This will be lighter in the hands and more importantly, at it's smallest it will take less room in your camera bag. When fully extended to 200mm it's about the same length as the EF version. It feels solid in the hand, and the ergonomics are familiar. The focus and zoom rings feel smooth and nice. The control ring is both too tight and loud for me. If shooting video, turning the control ring will cause camera shake, and a mic will pick up the clicks. I've sent my other lenses to get declicked. If they come back and solve these issues I may send this guy for the modification as well. Some are concerned about this lens extending as opposed to being a fixed lens like the EF version since there may be a propensity for sucking in dust. They do say it's weather sealed, but I will need more time with this lens before I can report on if there are any issues with an extending zoom. I do not beat up my lenses too much, don't shoot in extremely harsh environments. Maybe the worst place will be a windy beach with fine sand. Will report if I have any issues. The lens hood is cool. I don't know why, but I like how it matches the lens. I think the EF versions have a black hood, this one is white and looks cool, lol. It has a sliding window that opens so you can reach circular polarizers or variable ND filters.Auto FocusWow! Totally blown away by this. I do have the latest EOS R 1.4 firmware at the time of writing this review and the autofocus is super snappy. Something about the RF system where I feel like I'm hitting focus so much more of the time. My other camera is a 5D Mk IV and I swear I'm nailing focus more often with the R and RF lenses. This lens is no exception. The other thing that blows my mind, is how ridiculously silent the focus is. I literally cannot hear it... at all! Well, if there is some ambient noise, you cannot hear it. In an absolutely silent environment, you can hear the faint clicking if you put it close to your head. It does have a double motor USM system which I believe is a first for Canon and if that's the reason for it's silence I'm impressed! For comparison, the RF 50 has a little noise. The RF 24-70 a little quieter. In a little ambient noise this lens is dead silent.Image QualityI originally was not going to buy an EOS R. I was waiting for the "pro" variant. I always knew I was going to get into the system because the RF lenses are almost guaranteed to give you amazing image quality. Two things changed. The RF lens line started to fill out, and the EOS R price dropped. So here I am. Could not resist the sweet RF glass. I mean I set the bar pretty high with my expectations. All I can say is I haven't been let down. The photos I've taken are random things around the house, but the detail, edge to edge sharpness, color rendering, smooth bokeh and lack of distortion are all top notch. Telephoto is my favorite type of focal length, and this pretty much is the dream lens. For comparison, I have a 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 and a 100mm f2.0 IS Macro. Image quality blows my non-L EF lens out of the water. Many say the 100mm is one of the sharpest lenses. With the few shots I got, I think this is right there with the Macro.Low LightJust quickly did a few tests. As long as there's just enough light on a subject, the AF is just as snappy as it is during the day. I lock my ISO off at 6400, and to my eyes, noise level is great. The f2.8 aperture and three levels of stabilization really help. Speaking of...Image StabilizationOkay, so there are three levels. I'm not sure if I'm using them properly. Apparently Level 1 is for a single shot. Level 2 is for panning. And level 3, which only activates during exposure. For video it works amazing. Look at the two videos of the bird on a wire to see the difference. (Edit: Could only upload one video, will make a composite at a future update.) Night shots were great too. I didn't stop exposure down too much, but still, the night shots are crazy sharp.VideoVideo quality is great. I already alluded to some of the pros and cons. Focus motor is super quiet so won't be picked up on a microphone. The focus pulling was razor quick. As seen on the sample video. I did not mess with the settings on the Camera but I believe these can be slowed down so you get a smoother focus pull. The control ring is unusable during shooting. It is both too loud and too tight. If you don't plan to get it declicked, it's use is best for pre-shot adjustments to ISO, exposure compensation or whatever. At least you'll be less likely to accidentally change settings.SamplesThese are straight out of camera JPG's and MP4's. Yes Canon Color science is real. Unfortunately I guess I can only upload one video, so it's the bird on a wire with Image Stabilization.ConclusionI presume this will be a staple for pro wedding photographers, sports photographers, wildlife photographers who buy into the RF system. They will likely appreciate the new lighter smaller form factor. But really, I believe anyone with the funds to afford this will enjoy it. The cost is certainly expensive, but I do think it is worth every penny. It's just that much of an upgrade in handling and being able to nail focus a greater percentage of the time. Keep in mind, this is me using it for all of a couple hours. It's just handling it, I could immediately tell that put through it's paces it will perform.

Behemoth of a lens, but too expensive for me

2026-01-23    -Moulson

This is a behemoth of a lens. The price tag ultimately was too high for me and I had to return it, but I tested it briefly to see its performance and it was 1000/10. Would recommend if you can swallow the huge price tag. Maybe when the ii version comes out this would be the move.

5.0 out of 5 stars My goto lens all the time

2025-12-28    -Bob Spitznagle

The media could not be loaded. This is easily one of the best lenses I’ve purchased recently. I used to rely heavily on my Canon EF 70-200 Mark II, which served me well and helped capture some amazing shots. But since upgrading to this RF lens, it hasn’t left my Canon R5 camera—it’s that good.I primarily use two lenses now: the RF70-200 and the RF85 1.2. Between these two, I feel like I can handle almost any shoot. The RF70-200 is incredibly versatile, allowing me to capture subjects at a distance while still enjoying the benefits of a wide F2.8 aperture. The images are sharp across the entire focal range, from 70mm to 200mm, even when shooting wide open at 2.8.Unlike its predecessor, this lens isn’t an internal zoom, but I actually like this feature. The design makes the lens more compact, which is a big advantage for carrying it in a smaller bag. It’s a thoughtful update that makes it even more portable without compromising performance.One feature I also appreciate is the lens hood, which includes an opening for adjusting filters. It’s such a practical addition, especially when using ND or polarizing filters, and shows attention to detail in the design.I can’t think of any negatives with this lens. The build quality, sharpness, and overall performance make it worth every penny. If you’re considering an upgrade or need a versatile telephoto lens for your RF system, this one won’t disappoint. I’m very satisfied with this purchase—it’s a game-changer in my photography kit.

Behemoth of a lens, but too expensive for me

2026-01-26    -Moulson

This is a behemoth of a lens. The price tag ultimately was too high for me and I had to return it, but I tested it briefly to see its performance and it was 1000/10. Would recommend if you can swallow the huge price tag. Maybe when the ii version comes out this would be the move.

Ooooh heaven is a place on earth

2025-12-28    -Rodney Wheatdog

This lens is next level, where beyond the X level! This lens could get an average trained monkey selling photos on Getty Contributer. Jokes aside, it's a beast. Never thought much of the 70-200mm range until man handling this sacred optical artifact. Can turn any picture into an art piece, when wielded by someone with skill and a knack for the visual arts, this truly can become something that only few would dare to dream of.

So many uses for it.

2026-02-01    -Jamie

This lens has so many uses. Detail shots in outdoor crowds. Backyard birding. Portraits.I often think, darn, I should have brought my zoom telephoto! So now I bring it every time. It's a nice piece of glass. And everyone compliments the photos I take with it. This is a money shot machinePlus, I feel playful doing photography with this. It makes you see the world so differently than the kit lens. I reccomend for new photograpers to level up!

So many uses for it.

2026-01-25    -Jamie

This lens has so many uses. Detail shots in outdoor crowds. Backyard birding. Portraits.I often think, darn, I should have brought my zoom telephoto! So now I bring it every time. It's a nice piece of glass. And everyone compliments the photos I take with it. This is a money shot machinePlus, I feel playful doing photography with this. It makes you see the world so differently than the kit lens. I reccomend for new photograpers to level up!

Super Duper Sharp lens

2026-02-06    -Andrew

This lens is just amazingly sharp. I shoot the thing wide open all the time and the sharpness just blows me away.

5.0 out of 5 stars This Lens is a Modern Marvel of Engineering

2026-03-05    -Dean Earwicker

TL;DR: image compression won't do these images justice. There's no way this lens is actually real. But it is!This is an INSANE lens!The zoom range and image quality you get is bonkers. I live in the middle of LA so there are tons of city lights. I cannot see stars at all. One of the images was me trying to capture just some leaves on a branch and thought the Moon would look good in the middle. Then I thought, "Wouldn't it be crazy if I was able to capture the Moon in detail though?" So I put my ISO to 100, cranked my aperture to f11, increased shutter speed to 1/250 to let less light in, and zoomed in as much as I could to 200mm, and took the shot.Only after looking back and zooming in on my EOS R100 (imagine what I could get with an R1 🤤) that I was able to capture literal craters and details of the Moon! In the middle of LA! With one of the most budget-friendly digital mirrorless cameras out there right now!I sent a link of my Google Photo album containing my photos of the Moon to my cousin in Hawai`i (because there's less image compression there compared to sending images to iPhone though Android via SMS/MMS). Then I told him:"According to Google, the distance to the Moon and Earth is 238,900 mi. and the distance from LA to Hawai`i is 2,484 mi. If the Earth was flat and you tried to stand out (IDK bright colors/lights/etc. in the middle of the night) at the edge of a beach or something, I could probably see you and take a photo!"As a joke... OR IS IT?! Maybe this lens CAN do just that?!Absolutely insane!Functionality is all there. It is so beefy that the tripod ring that is attached to the lens is a must for me. It gives me another place to wrap my hand around the lens. It stands on its own lifting my EOS R100 off the ground! 🤣 I'm not an active guy so this makes my forearms tired after 15 min. of use. I'm determined to develop strength to lift it for a long while though! 😤 I suggest carrying it by holding the lens (at least when it's on an EOS R100).The color quality, I believe, could totally be better but I think that is due to my budget camera and totally not the lens at this point. I'll use this EOS R100 to its death and will 100% upgrade then.If you got this far, got a kidney to spare, cought it up because this lens is quite literally out of this world.