The Best Canon Rf L Lens Guide for Every Photographer

Good news, everyone. Depending on when you’re reading this, we’ve reviewed every single Canon RF L lens. And if we haven’t done so yet, then we will soon. We’ve thoroughly field tested these lenses and rounded them up in this Canon RF L Lens Guide. Trying to figure out which lens you want? Take a look!

The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups. If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Table of Contents

Here’s some insight into who we chose the best super telephoto lens options for Canon cameras.

Lots of products featured within this Canon RF L Lens Guide have different designations in them. So we’re summarizing what those mean:

In our review, we state:

I wasn’t expecting such a wide-angle lens to be able to get in close. The Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L can focus as close as 7.9 inches from the focal plane. Adding in the length of the lens, you can get quite close. The close-up ability made this lens very fun to use. I could easily switch from landscape to close-up type shots.

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In our review, we state:

There are just two options for the image stabilization: on or off. For the most part you will want to leave it on unless you’re on a tripod, in which case I recommend turning it off. The image stabilization is excellent on the Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8, and you’ll find the lens easy to get sharp images with even at low shutter speeds. The IS, of course, makes the glass easy to use in low light situations as well. Canon has some of the best lens stabilization around, and this lens gives us another excellent example of Canon’s IS technology.

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In our review, we state:

While the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8 L IS USM has beautiful bokeh, it isn’t as good as other lenses in the Canon lineup. This is because of the nature of what this lens is. The bokeh is sweet enough for most uses. Portrait photographers will surely appreciate it, and photojournalists will be more than happy with it. The bokeh is creamy at the longer end but hazier at the shorter end.

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In our review, we state:

I think the Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM is a great lens. Considering that this used to be my bread and butter lens for years when I was a DSLR owner, I’m pleasantly content with the latest version. It’s almost impossible to get a blurry shot due to camera shake. I pretty much never got one. Then there is the weather sealing, the fast focus, etc. I can’t really find fault with the Canon RF 24-105mm f4 L IS USM.

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In our review, we state:

The Bokeh of the Canon 28-70mm f2 L USM is very creamy on the longer end and hazy enough to still be gorgeous on the shorter end. With an f2 aperture, you get a full stop more of extra bokeh than you would from competing lenses. Combine this with an off-camera flash and what you have is a subject that really stands out against the background due to the effects of the nine aperture blades. This is going to be very important to portrait photographers and documentary style shooters. Those who wish to isolate elements of a scene will appreciate the f2 aperture. If you also want to keep your ISO down, f2 gives you a lot of extra light.

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In our review, we state:

Look at that bokeh. It’s simply beautiful. Combine this with the micro contrast this lens offers and you’re guaranteed gorgeous photos.

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In our review, we state:

One of the best things about the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM is the image quality. By and large, I wouldn’t consider this to be a lens about pixel peeping. However, it’s still very sharp if that’s what you’re aiming for. The lens has a character I’ve only ever seen in Canon lenses. Besides the beautiful bokeh, you’ll also be very happy with the colors it renders.

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In our review, we state:

While Canon’s f4 variant of the Mirrorless 70-200mm doesn’t deliver the same bokeh as a 2.8, the lens boasts a similar level of sharpness and lack of aberration. It delivers that pro-level quality, without quite so much bokeh, in a smaller, more affordable package.

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In our review, we state:

The Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM is one of the best 85mm lenses I’ve ever used, and between reviewing cameras and lenses for The Phoblographer and photographing headshot clients, I’ve used a hell of a lot of lenses. Sure, it’s bulky and weighs a ton, but boy are the resulting images worth lugging the lens around. Portrait photographers will appreciate the f1.2 aperture–especially if you miss that from the old Canon EF lenses.

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In our review, we state:

When we reviewed the Canon RF 85mm f1.2 L USM, we absolutely loved the quality of the bokeh the lens produced. With the DS variant, Canon cranked the bokeh dial all the way up to 11. The Defocus Smoothing coatings that Canon applied to the RF 85mm f1.2 L USM DS gradually reduce the amount of light passing through the lens from the center outward to the periphery.

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The Canon RF 100mm Macro not only expertly mixes technical greatness with character, but allows photographers to choose when they want that super sharp image or a bit more character. With what feels almost like a built-in variable mist filter, this lens can add a little or a lot of softness. Of course, that softness applies to the bokeh as well. That’s not the only way the 100mm macro impresses. This lens adds the type of flare that software will try to imitate. This flare is also easy to control by adjusting the position of the lens so, once again, photographers can intentionally add flare or adjust to keep contrast intact. You’d think this is an obvious thing, but you’d be shocked as Sony, Sigma, Nikon and others work hard to eliminate all lens flare.

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In our review, we state:

As stated before, the autofocus here is fantastic. Part of this is thanks to the work Canon has done to improve their autofocus. Better yet, it’s impressive on both the Canon EOS R and the Canon EOS R5. With the Canon EOS R, I was able to track the face of a woman walking all the way down the other side of my block. Every shot was sharp. That’s truthfully all any modern photographer can ask for.

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In our review, we state:

To bring super telephotos to the RF mount quickly, Canon reused the optical design from the EF 400mm f2.8 IS III USM. It shares enough qualities of the EF mount lens that owners of the older optic who are switching to mirrorless will want to see how well the EF lens focuses on the RF camera before considering RF mount. While this lens doesn’t offer any dramatic new technologies, Canon is adding more full-frame mirrorless super telephotos at a faster rate than Nikon or Sony.

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In our review, we state:

The Canon RF 600mm f4 is the kind of lens that produces backgrounds so soft, it looks as if it’s a solid color. The super-telephoto focal length mixed with the brighter aperture makes distant subjects pop. The focus is also solid considering how large the lens is. However, it’s heavy and large, and $13,000.

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In our review, we state:

The Canon RF series has only been around for a few years, yet they’ve managed to create an impressive super telephoto reach with the RF 800mm f5.6 L. While it’s not the only 800mm (Nikon has one in Z mount), it’s a rare focal length to find. But, what’s more impressive is that this 800mm, this nearly seven pound lens, can be shot handheld.

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In our review, we state:

The Canon RF 1200mm f8 L captured some of my best wildlife photography yet. While it’s an f8 lens, the 1200mm focal length delivers sharp subjects that melt away into, yes, incredible bokeh. Despite the f8, backgrounds melt like butter. While higher ISOs are needed on the right camera body, those higher ISOs are no big deal. Stabilization is even good enough to handhold this lens, just not for long periods. As an L series lens, the Canon RF 1200mm is also weather-sealed and built to last.

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