The new Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens is an affordable ultra-telephoto zoom designed primarily for entry-level users.
With an impressive 75-300mm zoom range on full frame – which expands to a 35mm equivalent of roughly 120-480mm when used with an APS-C format camera like the R100 – this lens is ideal for shooting sports, wildlife, landscapes, concerts, live events and more with mirrorless Canon R Series cameras.
If you’ve been shooting with Canon long enough, you’ll probably notice a distinct resemblance to the venerable EF 75-300mm III introduced back in 1999. In fact, their spec sheets are in many respects almost identical, right down to the budget-friendly price tag.
As always when dealing with RF lenses optimized for today’s latest mirrorless models, however, the biggest advantage is the expansive diameter of the mount and the closer flange distance, which combine to deliver exquisitely detailed images from corner to corner, edge to edge.
View Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 Lens Pricing and Availability at Vistek
For a lens of this size and reach, it’s relatively lightweight (at 507g) and compact (146mm in length), which will appeal to novices seeking to acquaint themselves with the power and versatility of a telephoto zoom (and master its heft).
The zoom ring is helpfully marked with 75mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm and 300mm focal lengths, and the barrel sports an auto/manual focus mode switch, which also comes in handy.
The lack of in-body stabilization is an unfortunate drawback, since handheld blur is inevitable at such extended zoom lengths, but not unexpected at this price point. Overall, this lens remains an attractive entry-level option for many budget-conscious buyers despite its minor cost-cutting flaws and foibles.
Features
- RF mount
- EOS R Series compatibility
- f/4-5.6 to f/32-45
- 7-blade diaphragm
- 13 elements in nine groups
- 1.5m minimum focusing distance
- 0.25x maximum magnification
- DC motor for autofocus
- Super Spectra coating to reduce ghosting and flare