Find what you are looking for

or search by

Topics

Article
Article

Article

e-Book
e-Book

e-Book

Video
Video

Video

Campaigns
Campaigns

Campaigns

Architecture
Compact Cameras

Compact Cameras

Architecture
DSLRs

DSLRs

Architecture
Videography

Videography

Architecture
Astrophotography

Astrophotography

Architecture
Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless Cameras

Architecture
Architecture Photography

Architecture Photography

Architecture
Canon Technologies

Canon Technologies

Architecture
Low Light Photography

Low Light Photography

Architecture
Photographer Interviews

Photographer Interviews

Architecture
Landscape Photography

Landscape Photography

Architecture
Macro Photography

Macro Photography

Architecture
Sports Photography

Sports Photography

Architecture
Travel Photography

Travel Photography

Architecture
Underwater Photography

Underwater Photography

Architecture
Photography Concepts & Application

Photography Concepts & Application

Architecture
Street Photography

Street Photography

Architecture
Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Architecture
Lenses & Accessories

Lenses & Accessories

Architecture
Nature & Wildlife Photography

Nature & Wildlife Photography

Architecture
Portrait Photography

Portrait Photography

Architecture
Night Photography

Night Photography

Architecture
Pet Photography

Pet Photography

Architecture
Printing Solutions

Printing Solutions

Architecture
Product Reviews

Product Reviews

Architecture
Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography

Products >> All Products Key Features of RF Lenses- Part7

RF Mount Gets Its First Big White Super Telephoto Primes

2021-04-14
8
11.5 k
In this article:

On 14 April 2021, Canon announced the RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM, its first professional grade super telephoto prime lenses for the RF mount. 400mm and 600mm prime lenses are staples in sports, wildlife, and bird photography, and no lens lineup is complete without them. The release of native RF mount versions, much anticipated by enthusiast and professional photographers in these genres, is testament to Canon’s commitment to creating a well-considered camera ecosystem. We take a closer look at the key features of these two lenses.

 

The RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM are Canon’s first red-line (L-series) super telephoto prime lenses for the RF mount. 400mm and 600mm lenses are go-to lenses for many sports photojournalists, as well as wildlife, bird, railway, and aviation photographers, providing the reach crucial for capturing their subjects. The release of native versions for the RF mount paves the way for a seamless switch to the EOS R system, removing the need for a mount adapter.

What to look forward to

 

Continuing the heritage of excellent optical performance in a lighter body

Both the RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM inherit the optical and mechanical design as the EF400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF600mm f/4L IS III USM, which went on sale in December 2018, adapting them for the RF mount. The two EF lenses were highly acclaimed, boasting significant weight reductions and improvements in optical quality over their predecessors (the Mark II models), thanks to the use of new design simulation technologies.

The RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM each incorporate two fluorite lens elements and one Super UD lens element. These thoroughly correct chromatic aberration and achieve excellent rendering and contrast, making them capable of impressive close-up shots even at their respectable focal lengths. The application of Canon’s own Air Sphere Coating (ASC) effectively keeps ghosting and flaring under control, even when a strong light source is in the frame—a quality that comes in handy for scenes such as motorsports when vehicle headlights are on.


RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM

EOS R5/ RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM/ FL: 400mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/2.8, 1/3200 sec)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight


RF600mm f/4L IS USM

EOS R5/ RF600mm f/4L IS USM/ FL: 600mm/ Manual exposure (f/5.6, 1/2000 sec)/ ISO 200/ WB: Auto

 

Handhold with ease with up to 5.5 stops’ optical image stabilisation

Whether it is sports or wild birds, the subjects that you usually shoot with a super telephoto lens tend to be on the move and easier to follow by hand. Yet, camera shake is visible at longer focal lengths. But with the RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM, there’s no reason to hesitate. The lenses offer up to 5.5 shutter speed stops’ equivalent optical (in-lens) image stabilisation (Optical IS), which significantly reduces camera shake, making it easier to achieve successful shots.

 

EOS R / IS ON/ @ 1/8 sec

EOS R / IS OFF/ @ 1/8 sec

Both images: EOS R/ RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM/ FL: 400mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/8 sec)/ ISO 400/ WB: Auto

 

3 IS modes to cater to different scenes

Like EF-mount super telephoto lenses, the RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM feature three IS modes that optimize IS performance for different types of subjects and scenes.

 

MODE 1: Compensates for camera shake in all directions. Ideal for stationary subjects.
MODE 2: Does not compensate for camera shake in the direction that the lens is moving. Ideal for panning shots.
MODE 3:  Compensates for camera shake only during the exposure. Makes it easier to keep subjects with unpredictable movement in sight when looking through the viewfinder.

When either lens is attached to a camera with in-body image stabilisation (In-Body IS) such as the EOS R5 or EOS R6, angular camera shake is corrected by the Optical IS whereas shift and rotational camera shake are corrected by the In-Body IS, achieving five-axis image stabilisation.


EOS R5/ RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM/ FL: 400mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/15 sec)/ ISO 6400/ WB: Auto

 

Excellent AF control; supports MF fine-tuning during Servo AF

As the RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM are equipped with high-performance in-lens microprocessors, they are capable of high-precision focusing motor control. This, combined with improved coordination with the AF algorithm on the camera end, makes it possible to achieve faster, more precise AF.

Full-time manual focusing functionality during Servo AF*, which was available only on demand on the EF versions, is supported straight out of the box, allowing any user to make fine adjustments to focal position with MF regardless of whether they are in One Shot AF or Servo AF mode. Users can enjoy the best of both worlds: the precise AF and subject tracking of the EOS R system, along with the option to take control and adjust focus manually according to their intuition.

*Not supported on EOS R/RP/Ra. Update to Firmware version 1.3.0 or later required on the EOS R5/R6.


EOS R5/ RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM/ FL: 400mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/640 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight

 

The focus preset function lets users store up to two custom focus position. These are instantly recalled by turning the playback ring, which instantly sets focus on the preset shooting distance.

 

A focusing ring with customisable operational feel

By default, the electronic focusing ring moves the USM (ultrasonic motor) and drives the focusing unit according to the rotation degree of the ring. This enables easy, intuitive MF by using the appropriate torque. It also allows users to select from three levels of focusing sensitivity (how much the focus position moves in relation to the degree of rotation), catering to different requirements for manual focusing speed and precision.

While the lenses have no physical control ring, the focusing ring can be assigned control ring functions on cameras whose interface support such customisation.

 

A force to reckon for video shooting

The EOS R series cameras are meant for more than still shooting—as the 8K video capabilities of the EOS R5 demonstrate, they are also equipped with excellent video capabilities.

The RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM are designed to allow users to better harness these video capabilities. One example is in their capacity for finer exposure control during video shooting, where the shutter speed is usually fixed, leaving the aperture setting as main way to adjust the exposure of frames, making them brighter or darker. However, the usual 1/3-stop increments of adjustment is too sudden for video. The RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM support aperture control in 1/8 stop increments in movie shooting mode, thus enabling brightness to be changed seamlessly.

 

Power Focus Mode

Power Focus Mode lets users electronically control the focusing position by turning the playback ring. The speed of focus movement is determined by the degree of rotation, with two levels of sensitivity to choose from. This is useful for racking focus when shooting video.

 

Extend your reach: Support for Extender RF 1.4x/ 2x

Both the RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF600mm f/4L IS USM support the Extender RF 1.4 x and Extender RF 2x, which extend the focal length of the master lens by 1.4x and 2.0x respectively. This takes the focal length of the RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM to 560mm and 800m, and the RF600mm f/4L IS USM to 840mm and 1200mm, achieving even greater reach for scenes where it is necessary.

 

Extender RF 1.4x

Extender RF 2x

 

Professional-grade durability and reliability

 

Heat shield coating

The lenses bear the iconic white heat shield coating that gives Canon’s professional telephoto lenses their “big white” nickname. The coating keeps image quality from deteriorating due to heat buildup inside the lens when shooting outside on a hot day.

Dust- and drip-proof design

The lenses are designed to prevent dust and water droplets from entering, with weather sealing on the rings, switches, and other joints and controls. This further increases the durability and reliability.

 

RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM

 

Lens construction

A: Fluorite lens elements / B: Super UD lens elements / C: ASC
Smudge-resistant fluorine coating on the front and rear lens surfaces


Key specifications

Lens construction: 17 elements in 13 groups
Closest focusing distance: 2.5m
Maximum magnification: 0.17x
No. of aperture blades: 9 (circular blade)
Filter diameter: 52mm (drop-in filter)
Size: φ163×367mm
Weight: approx. 2,890g

 

RF600mm f/4L IS USM

 

Lens construction

A: Fluorite lens elements / B: Super UD lens elements / C: ASC
Smudge-resistant fluorine coating on the front and rear lens surfaces


Key specifications

Lens construction: 17 elements in 13 groups
Closest focusing distance: 4.2m
Maximum magnification: 0.15x
No. of aperture blades: 9 (circular blade)
Filter diameter: 52mm (drop-in filter)
Size: φ168×472mm
Weight: approx. 3,090g 

 

Bundled accessories

Lens Hood
ET-155(WIII) for RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
ET-160(WIII) for RF600mm f/4L IS USM

Lens Cap
E-180 for RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
E-185 for RF600mm f/4L IS USM

 

Tripod mount
Features an improved grid shape.

Soft Lens Case LS400 or LS600
A lightweight, soft-type case for easier handling.

 

Drop-in screw filter holder 52 (WIII) with 52mm protective filter

 

Other accessories (sold separately)

 

Short Lens Hood
ET-155B for RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
ET-160B for RF600mm f/4L IS USM

Monopod mount
(via service centre)

 

Drop-in Circular Polarizing Filter PL-C52 (WIII)
Drop-in Gelatin Filter Holder 52 (WIII)

 

Sample images


EOS R5/ RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM/ FL: 400mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/2.8, 1/1600 sec)/ ISO 200/ WB: Daylight


EOS R5/ RF400mm f/2.8L IS USM + Extender RF 2x/ FL: 800mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/800 sec, EV -0.3)/ ISO 800/ WB: Daylight


EOS R5/ RF600mm f/4L IS USM/ FL: 600mm/ Manual exposure (f/10, 1/160 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto


EOS R5/ RF600mm f/4L IS USM+ Extender RF 2x/ FL: 1200mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/8, 1/1250 sec, EV -0.3)/ ISO 2500/ WB: Daylight

 


Receive the latest update on photography news, tips and tricks.

Be part of the SNAPSHOT Community.

Sign Up Now!

Share your photos on My Canon Story & stand a chance to be featured on our social media platforms