Lens Review | Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z - it works with teleconverters! But what else is new?

[@MichealSeaghdha]

Excellent review and particularly refreshing that the presenters can obviously say what they like without fear or favour.

[@WilkinsonCameras]

Thank you Michael! 😊

[@robgerety]

Thank you. I am 90% stills. I have the "old" 70-200 2.8 AND the 100-500. I also have the two RF teleconverters. I am tossing around selling my 70-200 AND my 100-500 and buying this lens with the idea of using it with one of the tele converters when needed for some sports and wildlife (rare). Not sure.

[@WilkinsonCameras]

The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a fantastic lens-compact, lightweight, and incredibly versatile, especially with the RF teleconverters. However, the 100-500mm offers unparalleled flexibility for wildlife and sports. If those use cases are rare for you, consolidating to the RF 70-200mm with teleconverters could streamline your kit without losing too much functionality. It really depends on how much you value the extended reach and the specific scenarios you shoot.

[@queenbreakeryt3394]

Great review. One of the only ones with example shots with the TCs! I'd love an RF 200 f/2 for the same price :')

[@tonygreenmike]

Hi Alex, I found this video after watching the other one which covered the other 3 new lenses. I left a query about this lens at that video's comment section. I will share the query here again. I have been more curious about the 70-200 for quite sometime. I was a bit disappointed with the 1st version of RF70-200's design and construction. I was and I am so fond of the EF version especially due to its rugged construction. Is the version 2 of RF 70-200 a solid one ? How dos it compare with its EF predecessor (build and performance)? Looks like the performance is a lot better... imo, the aesthetics of this lens takes a hit with the current lens hood, it looks a bit outdated. 03:21 the diverging margin/outline of the EF version is subtle and gradual and the petal lens hood compliments the aesthetics. Having the zoom ring at front is something I don't appreciate, Its nice to know Canon has decided to keep the zoom ring closer to the camera the way they have been. Thanks again for your review.

[@WilkinsonCameras]

Hi Tony, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I would say that this is a very solid lens option and I much prefer this one to the current RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS lens thanks to the internal zoom and the way it handles. Thanks to that internal zoom you will also have a lot less potential for dust and it should (though I don't have concrete facts to back this up) be better weather sealed as well - fewer moving external parts! It is a fair bit lighter than the old EF lens, but don't confuse weight with quality - new lens element designs can minimise weight and improve balance, adding to lenses "feeling" lighter even if they aren't. While I haven't had the chance to do a direct comparison with the EF lens, I'm confident that this new RF Z version will outshine the old EF III. The new RF lenses are consistently surpassing the old EF ones in terms of resolving power, autofocus speed, and sharpness. I'm sure this one will follow suit, and I can't wait to put it to the test in some side by side comparisons (but don't ask me when, because we're being kept very busy at the moment! 😅) I have to say, the new lens hood is a real winner in terms of design. It's well-constructed and features a large window that allows easy access to the control ring or the ability to change a circular polariser or ND filter. We were particularly impressed because we usually can't use an ND and a lens hood together, but this lens makes it possible. Thanks again for watching - Alex

[@tonygreenmike]

@@WilkinsonCamerasHi Alex, Thanks for your reply. "but don't confuse weight with quality" - yes... many years ago Titanium was replaced by Magnesium alloy in camera construction. In the case of 70-200, version 3 was made lighter than ver 2, yet the construction remained solid and rugged. I hope the RF version's iterations also stick with the same principle. cheers.

[@CanonEurope]

🙌🙌🙌

[@tuanraven131]

9:29 7.5-stop Stabilization THEORATICALLY 🙄 I admit that new lenses have much better optics, but picture resolutions are increasing everyday. If you pair this (on high-res camera) with some 10-year-old combo, there will be a tiny difference in performance. I guess this new lens was designed for hybrid shooters rather than fulltime photogaphers.

[@WilkinsonCameras]

The lens is 5.5 stops (which we do say in the video too) or up to 7.5 stops with a body with IBIS. Please remember that as an RF lens js it designed specifically for EOS R mirrorless series cameras and can’t be combined with Canon’s older DSLR cameras.

[@chiliverde66]

I have the EF 70-200 f/2.8L III series lens along with the R5 M2 and R6 M2 cameras. I have debated whether I want to upgrade to an RF lens of this focal length. I did upgrade my EF 24-70 f/2.8 lens which was 16 years old to the RF 24-105 f/2.8 Z lens which I thought might be overkill for me, but I really like it. I mainly photograph sports and think this version of the 70-200 might be worth looking into. I prefer the internal zoom mechanism because sometimes I am outdoors in dusty conditions and think that would be more advantageous to help keep dust from getting in. Love your review, thank you.

[@47Lancelot]

these prices are killing me

[@JoJo-jl2lz]

Hi Alex, are you using the R5 ii or R6 ii in this video ? Also do you know if with the R5ii, you can apply in settings, a lower resolution than the 45 MP of the sensor ? (with the A7Rv for exemple, it is possible to shoot at a lower resolution than the 60 MP when you need to Have a good day

[@3-piece129]

If I may, yes, as in the R5, the jpeg on the R5ii can be adjusted from 45(L), 24(M), 12(S1), and 3.8(S2) and it also has the RAW and cRAW, where the cRAW is a bit smaller than full RAW.

[@WilkinsonCameras]

Hi, the examples here were shot with both the EOS R5 II and the EOS R6 II-we had a body each and were switching lenses. However, most of the 70-200mm and power zoom examples were shot on the R6 Mark II. Do you mean shooting in crop mode so that you get the effect of using an even longer lens? If so, yes both the R6 II and the R5 II allow you to do this. Thank you for watching 😊- Alex

[@JoJo-jl2lz]

@@3-piece129 do you know if the RAW form the R5ii (45MP) is bigger in size than the RAW of the R6 ii (24 MP) ?

[@JoJo-jl2lz]

@@WilkinsonCameras I'm hesitating between buying a R6ii and a R5ii as a new amateur photograph and I wondered if the autofocus of the R5ii is really improved a lot compared to the R6ii and the R3, and if you think it is worth the additional cost ?

[@WilkinsonCameras]

@@JoJo-jl2lz they’re higher resolution images, so yes bigger file sizes

[@lobanrahmantonoy4130]

I really don't like the look of 70-200mm. But the 24, 35 and 50mm looks stunning. (I am just talking about the outlook of the lens)

[@WilkinsonCameras]

Hi, thanks for watching! Do you mean you prefer the wider lenses for the scenes we were shooting? They definitely added a lot more context to the story and suited the documentary style. We will be sharing a mini-documentary featuring all the lenses in a couple of days so you can see how they complement each other. Hopefully, I can get this lens back in the future for some sports/portrait/maybe wildlife, where it will feel more at home. -Alex

[@Manager-k1g]

Lesbians?

[@coldmedina]

I was thinking the same

[@WilkinsonCameras]

Hi there! Just to clarify (not that we have to) - Alex and I are colleagues who enjoy creating content and sharing insights on gear. In a male-dominated industry, we’re all about supporting and empowering each other as creators, hoping to inspire more women to pursue and collaborate in this field. Thanks for watching, and we’re glad to see people curious! Olivia 😊

[@christophewagner4028]

​@@WilkinsonCamerasyou dont have to respond for such a question

[@neostephens8980]

Douche bag!