The Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Canon 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Here’s Canon’s official video:
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- EF vs RF:
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H):
- The Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM is an amazing telephoto lens for its price. Great focal range and decent optics but at the expense of a smaller max. aperture (f/4).
- The constant f/4 aperture is great for video work.
- Focus ring can be changed to fly-by-wire for follow focus work.
- Control ring can be de-clicked for a small fee at a Canon service center for aperture transitions.
- The lens has Image Stabilization, and you will get even better stabilization with a Canon R camera (R5, R6, etc.) that has IBIS as well.
- Great for dual pixel autofocus for video.
- It is not a parfocal lens.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wedding filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Journalism
- Low budget music videos
- Gimbal use
- Sports
EF vs RF: What’s the difference?
Difference between the RF and EF mount
Both are lens mounts specific to Canon. Let’s take a look at some important distinctions.
Flange focal distance
The RF is a new lens mount, with a smaller flange focal distance.
Here’s how the flange focal distance compares:
| Mount | Flange Focal Distance |
|---|---|
| RF | 20mm |
| EF | 44mm |
EF lenses were designed for DSLRs. Now with the mirror gone, that’s space and weight savings. However, that’s not the only advantage.
Canon (and every one else) maintains the smaller flange focal distance allows for larger apertures (for some focal lengths), better corner to corner sharpness and reduced light fall off.
Ergonomics
RF lenses are supposed to be lighter, making them easier to handle for photography, but slightly problematic for video. Weight gives better stability and smoother movement for most use cases. For gimbal, drone and steadicam use, the lower weight is an advantage because a lighter lens puts less strain on motors, and the human arms that have to hold it up.
The RF mount is equipped with 12 communicator pins compared to 8 pin connection of the EF mount. Canon claims this contributes towards quicker autofocus, better AF tracking and improved image stabilization.
Canon has redesigned the focus actuators for a hassle-free filming. They claim the new Nano USM and Dual Nano USM have been designed for video. Canon claims that the introduction of these actuators in RF lenses will result in a quieter and quicker autofocus.
The last major change is in the optics. Canon have redesigned the optics from the ground up to account for the smaller flange focal distance. This one simple change considerably changes the optical characteristics and challenges.
Naturally the prices of RF lenses match the high quality Canon have put into these series! The assurance is, the quality isn’t compromised, and with proper care Canon RF lenses should last for years. Let’s compare the EF version of the 70-200mm with its newer RF counterpart.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM vs RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM
| Lens | RF 70-200mm f/4 | EF 70-200mm f/4 |
| Filter Thread | 77mm | 72mm |
| Size | 83.5 x 119mm | 80 x 176mm |
| Weight | 695g | 780g |
| Closest Focusing Distance | 1.97 ft / 0.6m | 3.28 ft / 1m |
| Lens Control | Ring control | none |
| Image stabilization | 5 Stops | 3.5 Stops |
| Max. Aperture | f/4 | f/4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 34° – 12° | 34° – 12° |
There are big differences.
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM (Amazon, B&H) is heavier by 85 grams and longer than the RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM by 63mm. The EF also has a smaller non-standard filter thread size than the RF 70-200 f/4.
Canon claims that RF has better image stabilization and smoother, quieter autofocus.
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has a closer focusing distance than for me this is one of the standout improvements with this lens.
RF lenses come with a special customizable control ring this can be customized to change exposure on the go. This is only available on cameras that natively have an RF mount.
Features
Coverage
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Range
The minimum focal length is 70mm. This is considered mid telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 200mm. This is considered telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for event coverage, journalism, sports and wildlife filmmaking. Any videography where you are forced to be some distance away from the action can benefit from this focal range.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/4 and the minimum aperture is f/32.
Having a constant aperture is a great option for video and cinematography. Imagine you’re covering a scene or event where the light doesn’t change. You can move quickly from wide to telephoto at a fixed aperture and not have to worry about compensating for exposure.
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM (Amazon, B&H) has 9 rounded diaphragm blades. This ensures a smooth bokeh (Canon knows what they are doing!). If you want more blades, you might want to take a look at the Canon Cine Zooms, but most of them are for Super 35mm sensors.
Resolution
Canon hasn’t published official an MTF chart for the RF 70-200 f/4 so we don’t know much about the optical characteristics. I’ll publish the charts when available.
I would be surprised if the lens didn’t perform well, being an L-series lens. However, I expect it to be worse than the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (Amazon, B&H).
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus Distance
The closest focusing distance is 1.97 feet or 0.6 meters. This is a massive improvement over the EF version’s 3.28 feet or 1 meter close focus distance. I believe it stays consistent throughout the focal range.
For me this is makes up for the price of entry. It’s a great feature and seriously increases the versatility of the lens. In fact, it has better close focus than the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (Amazon, B&H), and this will make the decision of which lens to pick tough!
Image Stabilization
Canon claims the RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM has up to 5 stops of Image stabilization (IS).
5 stops? 8 stops? What are these stops?
How do you calculate Image Stabilization? Check this out:
Pairing the 5-axis IBIS-equipped Canon EOS R5 or Canon EOS R6 with an IS-equipped lens can deliver 8-stops of combined IS. This can be toggled on and off if you choose so.
It’s obvious the best stabilization is realized when an RF lens with IS is combined with an R-body camera with IBIS. E.g., the 24-105mm f/4L will be more stabilized on a Canon EOS R5 over a Red Komodo (which also has an RF mount).
The RF 70-200 mm has 3 stabilization modes. But I think it is more targeted towards photographers.
Three image stabilization modes (standard, panning, and during exposure only) provide corrective camera shake functions for outstanding results in a wide range of shooting situations. These include when shooting stationary subjects like portraits (IS Mode 1); helping to correct vertical camera shake when panning horizontally, or horizontal camera shake when panning vertically, depending on the camera’s orientation (IS Mode 2); and when tracking movement during a sporting event, for example (IS Mode 3).
Canon USA
Is it Parfocal?
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) is not a parfocal lens. To know what a parfocal lens is, check this out:
Control
Manual focus system
By default the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) is set to ‘fly by wire’.
Even though the Canon RF focus ring is technically a ‘focus by wire’ system, the RF lenses are the first line of lenses in the world which have enabled turning focus by wire off.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
How to change to fly by wire on RF lenses
You can switch to ‘link to rotational degree’ where the focusing distance will be directly proportional to the rotational degree regardless of the rotational speed.
It is a quick two-step affair that requires you going into the Canon menu and switching the RF manual focus ring sensitivity to ‘linked to rotational degree’ instead of ‘varies with rotational speed’.
This feature will be exceptionally useful for anyone who wants absolute control over the focus ring.
This feature makes an RF lens a game changer for many videographers, filmmakers and cinematographers.
Autofocus system
Dual Pixel Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. Canon claims the new AF actuators will help focusing to be smooth and phantom-quiet.
They have made the motors smaller and smoother with the new Nano USM and Dual Nano USM. The practical application of these new motors can only be judged in real time scenarios.
The dual pixel AF system works better (in theory) than original EF lenses on native EF bodies. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed with its performance.
The RF 70-200 provides a focus limiter switch, permitting the autofocus range to be limited to 8.2′ (2.5m) – infinity or the full range.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring allows you to manually change the focal length from 70mm to 200mm and anywhere in between.
The only focal length at which the zoom ring can be locked in is at 70mm. This is handy when you want to move from one place to another and are slinging the camera, or if you are transporting the camera in a case and don’t want the lens to extend itself.
Zoom extension
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) extends while zooming. At 200mm it adds 2.3 inches to the body of the lens. Not a great prospect for matte box work.
Control System
Canon RF lenses come with an extra customizable ring. This third ring is in addition to the zoom and focus rings.
This ring is only customizable with cameras that have a native RF mount, such as the Canon EOS R5/6 and Canon EOS C70.
To toggle the Control Ring on and customize it to control one of the exposure determinants, follow these steps:
- Go into Settings
- Go to the Customize dials option
- Select Control Ring and switch it to Enabled.
- Now you can customize it to control aperture, shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation.
Some videographers will find it helpful in riding the aperture due to its favorable placement right on the lens close to the focus and zoom ring.
Although the turn of the ring appears to be smooth, there is a soft clicking sound. Some might find it inconvenient. If you want to remove the sound you can.
The clicking of the control ring on every RF lens is removable through a chargeable service fee of about $79.99 (depending on your country) at your nearest Canon service center.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 77mm. This is the most common “large” filter diameter.
It makes it easier for people with EF lenses to pick up RF lenses and use the same filters. Do you need a UV filter? Technically, no. I keep one at all times on my lenses to protect the front element from scratches and dust. If you’re shooting in dusty environments you know it’s important to get sand off your front element!
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lenses don’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 16 elements in 11 groups, including four low refractive and ultra-low dispersion lenses with Air Sphere coating (ASC).
Size and Weight
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 83.5mm and a length of 119mm. It is shorter than the EF variant and is quite handy to fit in smaller camera bags.
The weight is about 695 grams. It’s not feather light, but it’s really light for its zoom range and class.
Weather resistance
Canon claims that all RF lenses are weather sealed. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
Canon proudly claims the RF 70-200 f/4 is dust and water resistant and that sealing is applied to lens joining sections and switch panels to help prevent water and dust from entering into the lens.
Canon L series lenses have performed well in the past, and I’d be surprised if the RF 70-200mm f/4L can’t match established standards.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Lens cap (E-77 II)
- Lens dust cap (D1)
- Lens hood ET-83G (WIII)
- Drawstring soft pouch (LP-1319)
The hood might be useful for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens.
Canon has not included the tripod mount ring with the RF 70-200 f/4 IS USM as they have done with RF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM. It’s not important due to the smaller weight and size of the lens.
Alternatives to the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens
If you are on the fence about either renting or buying the 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) for your next film or project maybe these lenses will be interesting alternatives:
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM (Amazon, B&H) – same focal range for a little cheaper, but – lower IS performance and the added cost (and weight) of an adapter. I don’t recommend it.
- Really cheap: Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM (Amazon, B&H) – more zoom range but not a constant aperture, also the aperture is narrower. You get what you pay for.
- Better Optical Quality: Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM (Amazon, B&H) – Better lens construction, wider aperture, but also about $1000 more expensive.
I hope you found this overview of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
