Canon RF 1200mm f8 L IS USM Lens

Canon’s RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM lens introduces the longest ever focal length for unparalleled close-ups. Featuring industry-leading optics in a durable, lightweight design, this super-telephoto lens offers a premium shooting experience. With 4 stops of image stabilisation, an F8 aperture and a ring-type USM AF system, the Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM lens provides more versatility than ever before.

Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM Lens Key Features:

• 1200mm super-telephoto length ideal for sport and wildlife
• Full-frame format with the RF-Mount Lens for mirrorless cameras
• Air Sphere and Super Spectra Coatings improve image quality
• Optical Image Stabilisation compensates for 4 stops of shake
• Compact lens weighing just 3.4kg for improved handheld use
• Large F8 aperture benefits results in low-lighting environments
• Minimum focusing distance of 4.2m suits working with nearby subjects
• Fluorite and Super Ultra Low-Dispersion elements for outstanding clarity
• Rounded nine-blade diaphragm provides a smooth bokeh quality
• Ring-Type USM AF System delivers fast, accurate, and near-silent autofocus
• Rotating tripod mount for switching between shooting orientations
• Weather-sealed design for reliable use in punishing conditions

New Canon RF 1200mm and 800mm | First Look Review

Expanded Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM Lens Key Features:

Unparalleled Focal Power

Exceptional focal power and unparalleled performance. This beast of a lens is equipped with a highly advanced optical structure that enables that huge 1200mm reach.

The lens is made up of 26 elements in 18 defined groups, including one Super Ultra Low-Dispersion (UD) and two Fluorite elements that significantly reduces chromatic aberrations, resulting in outstanding clarity and colour accuracy. Additionally, the lens uses Air Sphere and Super Spectra Coatings that are added to maintain high contrast and colour accuracy while reducing lens flare and ghosting, resulting in improved image quality.

Conversely, despite its huge focal reach, the lens features an impressively close 4.3-meter minimum focusing distance and a maximum magnification of 0.29x. This means that you can work with a wide range of subjects, all with exceptional detail and image quality.

Exceptional Performance

Accompanying that huge focal range, this lens offers exceptional autofocus performance and effective image stabilisation.

First up is the AF system. This is lens is equipped with a powerful Ultrasonic Motor that is designed to offer fast, accurate, and near-silent autofocus performance that benefits both photographers and videographers. It is fitted with a focus range limiter that improves responsiveness by constraining the usable focusing range, and you can even store up to two focus presets for immediate recall. This mechanism also offers variable speed manual focusing with three options allowing for a greater focusing control.

Aiding the AF system is the Optical Image Stabilisation system. This system benefits both handheld and monopod-base shooting, effectively compensating for up to 4 stops of camera shake, resulting in sharper images.

Please Note: Due to the length and size of this lens, the in-body image stabilisation and Coordinated IS from the EOS R-series is not supported.

Aperture Control

While we may be used to seeing new lenses released with wide f1.4 apertures etc., this lens features a comparatively impressive f8 maximum aperture. This is an incredible feat considering the focal range of this lens. This aperture offers an impressive amount of light control and its 9 rounded-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth and natural bokeh quality.

L-Series Build Quality

Of course, as a Canon L-Series lens, it is built to the highest possible standards and offers intuitive handling and professional reliability. The lens is fitted with a built-in rotating tripod mount for attaching to a monopod or tripod, as well as allowing for quick transition from vertical and horizontal shooting orientations. It's finished with a distinctive heat-resistant white paint finish and is weather-sealed for use in adverse weather conditions.

The front and rear lens elements feature a fluorine coating that helps to repel moisture, dust and debris, as well as making it easier to clean in general. The lens accepts drop-in style 52mm filters via its filter slot at the rear of the barrel, and the lens is compatible with optional RF 1.4x and 2x teleconverters an even further optical reach!

Our Review

Why we love the Canon RF 1200mm f8 L IS USM Lens:

Use this lens for:

Look and feel:

Is it better?

What’s in the box?

• 1 x Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM Lens
• 1 x Canon Drop-in Screw Filter Holder 52 (WIII) with 52mm Protector Filter
• 1 x Lens Cap E-185C
• 1 x Canon Lens Dust Cap RF
• 1 x Lens Hood ET-160 (WIII)
• 1 x Lens Soft Case LS1200
• 1 x Lens Wide Strap B

FAQs:

What is the difference between RF and EF lenses?

RF and EF refer to the mounts of the Canon lenses. Canon introduced a range of RF lenses for use on their lineup of full-frame mirrorless cameras. The EF range of lenses refers to an older mount used by Canon in their film SLR and digital SLR cameras.

What cameras are compatible with this lens?

The Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM lens is designed for use with:

• Canon EOS C70
• Canon EOS R
• Canon EOS R3
• Canon EOS R5
• Canon EOS R5 C
• Canon EOS R6
• Canon EOS RP
• Canon EOS Ra

What accessories are compatible with this lens?

The Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM lens is compatible with the following optional accessories:

• Canon 1.4x RF Extender
• Canon 2x RF Extender
• Canon Drop-In Circular Polarizing Filter 52 (WIII)
• Canon Lens Drop-In Gelatin Filter Holder 52 WIII
• Canon Lens Short Hood ET-155B