Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 evaluate: a brand new mirrorless lens, or a skeleton from Canon’s DSLR closet?

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Roll the clock again to April 1999, earlier than the appearance of mainstream digital SLRs, and Canon launched the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III for its EOS 35mm movie cameras. Means again then, the Mk III was an ‘enchancment’ over the Mk II, which was launched 4 years earlier, however didn’t impress me. The fundamental model had a sluggish, noisy and fundamental electrical autofocus motor. There was no full-time guide focus override and the main focus ring in addition to the entrance aspect rotated throughout autofocus, which impaired dealing with. There was additionally no optical picture stabilization, no weather-seals, a cheap-feeling construct and also you had to purchase the hood individually as an ‘non-obligatory further’. There was additionally a barely extra up-market USM (UltraSonic Motor) model however autofocus was nonetheless sluggish and had the identical dealing with disappointments. Quick-forward to 2025 and the brand new RF version looks as if an nearly actual copy of the previous Mk III EF lens. It’s similar within the variety of optical components and teams, the aperture vary, the essential electrical autofocus system, the dearth of stabilization and the dealing with flaws. It additionally shares the identical minimal focus distance, magnification ratio, filter thread and makes use of the identical ET-60 hood, once more offered individually. I don’t suppose it’ll be incomes a spot as one of many greatest Canon telephoto lenses or the greatest Canon RF lenses for EOS R system cameras. After greater than 1 / 4 of a century, it’s onerous to see what’s new and improved on this RF lens.

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 product shot held in hand — The zoom ring works with clean effectivity and has marked focal lengths of 75mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm and 300mm. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6: Specs

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Mount choices	Canon RF
Lens building	13 components in 9 teams
Angle of view	32.1-8.25 levels
Diaphragm blades	7
Minimal aperture	f/32-45
Minimal focus distance	1.5m
Most magnification	0.06x (W) 0.25x (T)
Filter dimension	58mm
Dimensions	71x146mm / 2.8×5.7″
Weight	507g / 1.12lb

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6: Value

The final time I used to be fully underwhelmed by a Canon 75-300mm lens was again in 2009, once I examined the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III after it had already been on sale for 10 years. On the time, it had a listing value of £280 within the UK. The place I stay, the listing value of the brand new RF version is barely any completely different, at $TBA / £289 / AU$399, in order that’s no less than one thing in its favor, contemplating how a lot all the pieces else appears to have gone up in value over the past 16 years. It’s remarkably cheap for an own-brand Canon RF lens, with a value that’s in the identical ballpark as some finances primes, together with the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM and RF 28mm f/2.8 STM, though the superb RF 50mm f/1.8 STM prices considerably much less to purchase. As I’d count on the extra refined Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM full-frame appropriate zoom and even the APS-C format Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM are pricier to purchase.

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6: Design & Dealing with

Having presumably labored the purpose about all of the similarities between this new RF lens and the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III from manner again in 1999, I received’t repeat them. Let’s begin contemporary and take the design and dealing with on their very own advantage. Whereas many mirrorless zoom lenses have apertures that shrink to smaller values on the lengthy finish, just like the spectacular but nonetheless compact and reasonably priced Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM, this 75-300mm lens has a extra DSLR-friendly f/4-5.6 score, higher suiting the autofocus talents of entry-level DSLR cameras. That’s no dangerous factor, as the complete further f/cease in velocity on the lengthy finish in contrast with the RF 100-400mm lens makes it simpler to freeze motion beneath low lighting situations, with out bumping up your digicam’s ISO setting as a lot.

Okay, I stated I wouldn’t however I’ll. I ponder if the optical design is identical as that of the EF lens, because it has the identical variety of components and teams, minimal focus distance, most magnification ratio and so forth. The RF lens is bodily about an inch longer, which may account for the extra distance required because of the EOS R system’s lack of a reflex mirror meeting. On the different finish of the worth scale, I’ve seen one thing related within the form of the Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, which is basically the identical because the older EF lens however with an RF mount adapter constructed into the again finish.

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 product shot held in hand

The lens is bodily longer than the previous EF version, and the rear aspect is additional recessed throughout the barrel. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)

Both manner, the RF 75-300mm is a significantly compact and light-weight lens that’s ideally suited to entry-level EOS R system cameras. Within the full-frame camp, that features the EOS RP and EOS R8, whereas the lens has a boosted ‘efficient’ zoom vary of 120-480mm on APS-C format EOS R system cameras. It’s subsequently unlucky that the lens doesn’t characteristic optical picture stabilization. Digital camera-shake is an ever-present hazard when taking pictures handheld with telephoto lenses, and neither of the full-frame our bodies I’ve talked about have IBIS (In-Physique Picture Stabilization), and the one APS-C physique that presently has IBIS is the EOS R7.

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 product shot held in hand

The inside barrel extends significantly as you zoom from 75mm to the utmost focal size of 300mm. It is proven right here at full stretch. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)

Typical of the breed, this budget-friendly, variable-aperture telephoto zoom has an inside barrel that bodily extends as you stretch from the shortest to the longest zoom setting. That’s solely to be anticipated and, positive sufficient, there’s a sizeable enhance. What’s far more unusual in trendy lenses is that the entrance aspect and actually the entire inside barrel rotates throughout focusing, in addition to extending barely at shorter focus settings. This impairs dealing with, as it’s a must to preserve your fingers away from the main focus ring throughout autofocus. In equity although, the main focus ring is positioned proper on the entrance of the lens so it’s pretty simple to keep away from any unintentional contact. It’s extra of a ache in the event you’re utilizing rotation-specific filters, like a round polarizer, ND grad (Impartial Density, graduated) or starburst filter, because the filter rotates throughout focusing.

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 product shot held in hand

The AF/MF focus mode swap has refined black-on-black lettering that’s not simple to learn but it surely falls neatly beneath the thumb. There’s no zoom lock swap. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)

The lens options an AF/MF auto/guide focus mode swap, which is one thing I at all times wish to see because it cuts down the time spent rummaging round in digicam menus. Autofocus itself depends on a fundamental electrical ‘DC’ motor, as Canon calls it. It’s usually sluggish and clearly audible in operation, in addition to precluding the opportunity of guide override of autofocus, making that AF/MF swap much more essential. It’s a very long time since I’ve seen a Canon autofocus lens with this fundamental sort of motor, and it’s a really poor relation to all the opposite RF lenses with STM (Stepping Motor), USM (UltraSonic Motor), Nano USM or VCM (Voice Coil Motor) programs.

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 product shot held in hand

Canon’s standard Tremendous Spectra coating is utilized to withstand ghosting and flare. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)

As anticipated for one among Canon’s low-budget lenses, this one doesn’t characteristic any weather-seals however, in contrast to some, it does no less than have a steel moderately than plastic mounting plate. It’s additionally no shock that the lens is offered with no hood, which just about an important further in my e book. Canon tends to solely embody hoods with its expensive L-series lenses. For the official Canon ET-60 hood, you’ll must shell out a further $30 / £22 / AU$25, or thereabouts. On the plus facet, there’s no less than some resistance to ghosting and flare even within the absence of a hood, due to the applying of Canon’s trusty Tremendous Spectra coating.

Canon RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6: Efficiency

It bears repeating that autofocus is comparatively sluggish and noisy, in contrast with the overwhelming majority of contemporary autofocus lenses made by Canon and different producers. On the plus facet, it’s no less than correct on fairly a constant foundation. On the heart of the picture body, ranges of sharpness are fairly cheap all through many of the zoom vary, solely dropping off on the longest zoom setting. Sharpness within the intermediate space between heart and edge is comparatively lackluster, and extra disappointing out on the edges and corners.