My take on the RF 70-200 F4 Locked

This lens is awesome, its a pleasure to use. There are two small details I don't care for.

#1 you cant use it with an extender, none made at this time, same for the 2.8 version.

#2 the hood is a monster, does not have a small door to adjust your CPL.

Details I DO care for
#1 Its SMALL, 1/2" longer than the RF 24-105 f4L, same width and a few grams lighter.

#2 Most of the weight of the lens is near the mount, its easy on your wrist

#3 The focus is very fast, silent and dead on.

#4 It has the same size filter 77mm filter and lens cap as the RF 24-105, same hood mount as the RF 24-105 and I would think the same as RF 70-200 f2.8.

#5 My finger is long enough to reach a rotating filter and I DONT have long fingers

#6 It does not rattle when used in the horizontal position but it does rattle a bit in a vertical position.

#7 Its very sharp.

#8 With the BIS in the R6, I can get a high degree of good shots at 1/10 of a sec hand held even at 200mm,

#9 The zoom action is very smooth

#10 did I say its SILENT

I plan on using it with the Rf 24-105 f4 for event shooting. I replaced the EF 70-200 f4 IS with this and am SO GLAD I did. In a room with people, when I did the half press to focus half the room would stop and turn to me, sorta blows your chance for a candid. This lens on my R/R6 is silent

I would not hesitate to use this on a tripod with out a collar for the lens.

Like I said in the first line this lens is a pleasure to use

davel33 wrote:

#10 did I say its SILENT

I plan on using it with the Rf 24-105 f4 for event shooting. I replaced the EF 70-200 f4 IS with this and am SO GLAD I did. In a room with people, when I did the half press to focus half the room would stop and turn to me, sorta blows your chance for a candid. This lens on my R/R6 is silent

Thank you so very much for posting such a glowing review after I convinced myself I can live with EF 70-200F4L IS v1 for another few years. You really do know how to rub people’s GAS wound the wrong way, don’t you? *sniff*

quiquae wrote:

davel33 wrote:

#10 did I say its SILENT

I plan on using it with the Rf 24-105 f4 for event shooting. I replaced the EF 70-200 f4 IS with this and am SO GLAD I did. In a room with people, when I did the half press to focus half the room would stop and turn to me, sorta blows your chance for a candid. This lens on my R/R6 is silent

Thank you so very much for posting such a glowing review after I convinced myself I can live with EF 70-200F4L IS v1 for another few years. You really do know how to rub people’s GAS wound the wrong way, don’t you? *sniff*

It doesn't help I guess , but don't Blame someone els for you 'Weakness'

have you seen the cameralabs review it's between  the RF f4/ EF f4 and the RF f2.8.

should be interesting for you .

quiquae wrote:

davel33 wrote:

#10 did I say its SILENT

I plan on using it with the Rf 24-105 f4 for event shooting. I replaced the EF 70-200 f4 IS with this and am SO GLAD I did. In a room with people, when I did the half press to focus half the room would stop and turn to me, sorta blows your chance for a candid. This lens on my R/R6 is silent

Thank you so very much for posting such a glowing review after I convinced myself I can live with EF 70-200F4L IS v1 for another few years. You really do know how to rub people’s GAS wound the wrong way, don’t you? *sniff*

Don't be tempted, not just yet anyway.  It actually costs more than I paid (new) for my EF 100-400 L mk2, which was the most expensive lens I have bought.  I do have the EF 70-200 L IS (v1) and it's a wonderful lens on my R. Sure it feels a bit long, but it's a great lens. Also I'm only using EF glass on my R, with the standard adapter permanently mounted on the body. Maybe in a year's time the cost of the RF version will come down and then maybe I'll consider it, especially if I've already bought any other RF lenses. Until then its the EF for me. Sometimes you have to stop your GAS in its tracks and think, what would this change really offer me, in terms of my photography?

"It actually costs more than I paid (new) for my EF 100-400 L mk2"

Where can you get the 100-400 L mk2 for less then  $1600 ?  Amazon price on the EF 100-400 mk 2 is $2400.  You must be thinking of the RF 70-200 F2.8 @ $2600.  Let me tell you if I paid $2600 for a lens  I would be looking for new wife

Thanks OP, your input and thoughts were helpful!

davel33 wrote:

"It actually costs more than I paid (new) for my EF 100-400 L mk2"

Where can you get the 100-400 L mk2 for less then $1600 ? Amazon price on the EF 100-400 mk 2 is $2400. You must be thinking of the RF 70-200 F2.8 @ $2600. Let me tell you if I paid $2600 for a lens I would be looking for new wife

Well, a new wife to go with a new lens .......😩

davel33 wrote:

"It actually costs more than I paid (new) for my EF 100-400 L mk2"

Where can you get the 100-400 L mk2 for less then $1600 ? Amazon price on the EF 100-400 mk 2 is $2400. You must be thinking of the RF 70-200 F2.8 @ $2600. Let me tell you if I paid $2600 for a lens I would be looking for new wife

I found a great solution to this wife problem. Basically if you plan on buying a 2600 dollar lens just round it to twice that, at 5200. Then when you buy the lens for 2600 give the wife 2600 as well to spend. They will never complain! haha

davel33 wrote:

"It actually costs more than I paid (new) for my EF 100-400 L mk2"

Where can you get the 100-400 L mk2 for less then $1600 ? Amazon price on the EF 100-400 mk 2 is $2400. You must be thinking of the RF 70-200 F2.8 @ $2600. Let me tell you if I paid $2600 for a lens I would be looking for new wife

In the UK, the RF 70-200 f4 L is GBP1700 (about USD 2400) including tax. I paid GBP1600 (about USD 2300) for my EF 100-400 L mk ii, about 2 years ago, including a cashback offer. Prices do differ between countries, and discounts on new model lenses are rare.  I might consider the RF70-200/4 if the price drops by about 25%, but not at the current price.

Just got this RF lens, so far so good except Adobe doesn't have any lens correction profiles for it yet.  Peace!

There was a bit of inflation in the past 10 years like 20.62%

davel33 wrote:

This lens is awesome, its a pleasure to use. There are two small details I don't care for.

#1 you cant use it with an extender, none made at this time, same for the 2.8 version.

#2 the hood is a monster, does not have a small door to adjust your CPL.

Details I DO care for
#1 Its SMALL, 1/2" longer than the RF 24-105 f4L, same width and a few grams lighter.

#2 Most of the weight of the lens is near the mount, its easy on your wrist

#3 The focus is very fast, silent and dead on.

#4 It has the same size filter 77mm filter and lens cap as the RF 24-105, same hood mount as the RF 24-105 and I would think the same as RF 70-200 f2.8.

#5 My finger is long enough to reach a rotating filter and I DONT have long fingers

#6 It does not rattle when used in the horizontal position but it does rattle a bit in a vertical position.

#7 Its very sharp.

#8 With the BIS in the R6, I can get a high degree of good shots at 1/10 of a sec hand held even at 200mm,

#9 The zoom action is very smooth

#10 did I say its SILENT

I plan on using it with the Rf 24-105 f4 for event shooting. I replaced the EF 70-200 f4 IS with this and am SO GLAD I did. In a room with people, when I did the half press to focus half the room would stop and turn to me, sorta blows your chance for a candid. This lens on my R/R6 is silent

I would not hesitate to use this on a tripod with out a collar for the lens.

Like I said in the first line this lens is a pleasure to use

In a pinch, you can leave the 70-200  lens hood at home if you have the RF 24-105 + hood.  I did a limited amount of testing, but it looks like you can use the 24-105 hood on the 70-200.  The hood is not as deep, but it should provide some benefit.

I did do fast test around the house and was fine.  Next time I go out, I will give it a try

How do you find the corner sharpness at various focal lengths and apertures? There have been reports of inconsistent sharpness...

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/au/reviews/canon-rf-70-200mm-f4l-is-usm-review#section-canon-rf-70-200mm-f-4l-is-usm-performance

https://admiringlight.com/blog/canon-rf-70-200mm-f-4l-is-vs-canon-rf-70-200mm-f-2-8l-is/#comment-349532

The following reviewers seem to have a good copies:

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F4-L-IS-USM-Lens.aspx

https://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_rf_70_200mm_f4_l_is_usm_review/sharpness_4

I am also a happy owner of the lens and its definitely an upgrade to the previous ef version.

Other than all the known advantages we know, its finally  at a size I can casually carry with me while not sacrificing the look&feel. This is a big plus for me.

one thing I didnt enjoy is that it attracts dust more than the previous models. Which is an obvious tradeoff when having a retractable zoom.

Yes yes dust wont affect IQ I know I know. But it sure is annoying to look at.