Best Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II in 2024

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a powerful and versatile full-frame mirrorless camera aimed at enthusiast photographers and video shooters. It boasts a 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor, improved AI subject detection autofocus, a class-leading burst shooting rate of 40fps with the electronic shutter, UHD 4K 60p 10-Bit internal video recording, 8-stops of IBIS, expanded 50-204,000 ISO range and a weather-protected build round out the features, making it a popular choice among photographers and videographers.

To get the most out of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, you need the right lenses. A good lens can significantly enhance the camera’s capabilities, allowing you to capture stunning images in different lighting conditions and shooting scenarios. However, with so many lens options available on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your needs.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the best lenses for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. We will explore the different types of lenses available and their specific applications, including portrait, wedding, macro, travel, street, landscape, sports, and wildlife photography. We will also discuss the critical factors to consider when choosing a lens, such as aperture, focal length, and image stabilization.

We will cover Canon’s own lenses, as well as third-party options and other manufacturers. We will examine each lens’s features, image quality, and performance, providing a detailed analysis of their strengths and weaknesses. We will also provide sample images taken with each lens to give you a sense of their capabilities.

Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiast, this article will help you find the perfect lens for your Canon EOS R6 Mark II. So, let’s dive in and explore the best lenses for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II.

Canon EOS R6 Mark II Store Links: B&H, Adorama.

Top 10 Recommended Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, we suggest checking out our top recommended lenses for your Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera.

However, if you prefer a more in-depth analysis of the lens options that are compatible with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera, we have provided detailed reviews for each lens below. These reviews will provide you with a thorough understanding of the diverse features and advantages offered by each lens.

Canon EOS R6 Mark II Lens Compatibility

With its 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor and RF-Mount, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II is fully compatible with Canon RF (Full-Frame) lenses. Additionally, the RF mount design allows for seamless compatibility with existing EF mount lenses by using an optional EF-EOS R Mount Adapter.

Canon EF to RF Lens Mount Adapters

If you own older Canon EF lenses and wish to use them with the Canon R6 Mark II, you will need to acquire one of the available adapters. These adapters are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of individual users.

Mount Adapter Version

Check Price & Reviews

Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Canon Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Circular Polarizer Filter

Canon Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter

Best Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon EOS R6 Mark II Kit Lenses

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM

A great lens with affordable price for landscapes, travel and everyday shooting.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 24-105mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4 to 7.1
  • Minimum Aperture: f/40
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 5.16″ / 13.1 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.5x
  • Optical Design: 13 Elements in 11 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 67 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.02 x 3.5″ / 76.6 x 88.8 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 5.45″ / 138.4 mm
  • Weight: 13.93 oz / 395 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Light and compact
  • Impressive sharpness
  • 0.5x macro capability
  • 5-stop optical IS
  • Minimal focus breathing
  • Quiet autofocus
  • Good build quality
  • Very affordable at just $399

Cons:

  • No weather sealing
  • Lens hood is not included
  • Narrow aperture limits low-light use
  • Distortion, though correctable, is a little much at 24mm
  • f/7.1 is limiting at 80mm and longer

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is an affordable, compact, and lightweight general-purpose zoom lens for Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera. This lens is perfect for a range of photography, including landscapes, portraits, and macro photography. The maximum aperture of f/4-7.1 helps to maintain a compact profile for everyday shooting needs, and it features an impressive maximum magnification of 0.5x using Center Macro Focus, allowing you to capture photos from as close as one inch away.

The lens comes with a leadscrew-type STM motor that enables smooth autofocusing, and optical image stabilization with up to 5 stops of shake correction. The control ring allows for quick setting changes, including shutter speed and aperture, making it easy to use.

The Canon RF 24-105 f4-7.1 STM is a budget kit zoom that delivers respectable sharpness across the frame, throughout the range, and even with the aperture wide-open. Although it lacks the glamour of the brighter aperture and more exotic models, it is a practical and attainable option. The variable aperture that dims to f7.1 at the long-end keeps size, weight, and cost down, making it very practical and attainable, while the reasonably close focusing increases its flexibility further.

The Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens fills the empty slot in the RF lens lineup, and it is an affordable, small, and light general-purpose/standard zoom kit lens. It is a great option for beginners and travel, and it excels at capturing those images that show up unexpectedly. The smooth, quiet STM AF system is especially welcomed for video use, and the 0.5x maximum magnification capability extends this lens’s versatility. The image quality produced by this lens is good, making it the right choice for those who value size, weight, and affordability.

While it may not be the highest performing standard RF zoom lens available, the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens is the smallest, lightest, and most affordable standard RF zoom lens available at review time. Its expansive focal range is extremely versatile, making it capable of everything from portraits to close-ups.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is a very capable lens that offers quality, convenience, and control at an affordable price. It is an excellent choice for beginners and travelers, and it is a great option for those who value size, weight, and affordability.

Canon EOS R6 Mark II with 24-105mm f/4-7.1 Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

A Great Lens for landscapes, portraits, events, everyday shooting and much more.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 24-105mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.48′ / 45 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.24x
  • Optical Design: 18 Elements in 14 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 77 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.29 x 4.22″ / 83.5 x 107.3 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 5.94″ / 151 mm
  • Weight: 1.54 lb / 700 g
  • Store Links at B&HAdorama.

Pros:

  • Very well built
  • Extremely fast and quiet autofocus
  • Good low light sensitivity and focus
  • Excellent color rendition
  • Great contrast
  • Good sharpness across focal range
  • Weather sealing
  • Control ring is very useful

Cons:

  • Flare prone
  • Some barrel distortion at 24mm
  • Small amounts of lateral CA
  • Some vignette

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens is a versatile and high-quality lens that is an ideal partner for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera. It is perfect for landscapes, portraits, events, and everyday shooting, among other things. Despite being a kit lens, it delivers excellent performance and features a control ring that allows users to adjust exposure without taking their eye away from the viewfinder.

The lens has a fast and constant f/4 maximum aperture, and its 5-stop image stabilization and Canon’s speedy NANO USM make it an excellent choice for various shooting situations. The lens is made up of 3 aspheric and 1 UD lens element that correct aberrations, distortion, and astigmatism, ensuring sharp and dynamic images with excellent detail and contrast throughout the zoom range. It has a 9-blade circular aperture, which delivers beautiful and soft backgrounds.

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens has excellent build quality, and its lightweight design makes it easy to carry around. The Nano USM autofocus is both fast and silent, allowing users to forget about their old DSLR combos. The image stabilizer is proven tech and delivers very good results. Although there is still room for improvement, the lens is one of the better, if not the best, in its class.

The lens has a zoom range that covers wide-angle, normal, and telephoto, making it an ideal choice for various shooting situations. It is an ideal zoom lens for all-day photography. However, users may need to complement the lens with a good telephoto lens and a wide-aperture prime lens, depending on their needs.

Overall, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens is an excellent lens that offers amazing versatility with its zoom range. It is a solid introduction to the Canon EOS R mirrorless system, offering a well-made zoom with a useful range, strong close-up capability, and sharp optics. While it is not perfectly corrected for distortion and does not have the head-turning f/2 design of the RF 28-70mm, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality lens that delivers above-average image quality and truly excellent autofocus performance.

Canon EOS R6 Mark II with 24-105mm f/4 Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Best Portrait Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 85mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.2
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 2.79′ / 85 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.12x
  • Optical Design: 13 Elements in 9 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 82 mm
  • Dimensions: 4.06 x 4.62″ / 103.2 x 117.3 mm
  • Weight: 2.63 lb / 1195 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Outstanding build with advanced weather sealing
  • Optically nearly perfect
  • Exquisite sharpness at f/1.2 right across the frame
  • Excellent resolutionNice bokeh
  • Good contrast
  • Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics banish fringing
  • Otus levels of microcontrast
  • Great Eye AF focus results
  • Good control of flare and aberrations
  • Customizable control ring

Cons:

  • Extremely expensive
  • Large and heavy
  • No image stabilization

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens is one of the best 85mm lenses on the market, offering perfect optical quality, beautiful smooth bokeh, and almost no chromatic aberration or color fringing. It is ideal for use in low-light situations and for producing soft, beautiful backgrounds, making it perfect for portraits, weddings, fashion, and more. The lens is especially well-suited to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, which has in-body stabilization to help steady the setup while shooting. The lens does not have image stabilization, but its optical quality and responsive autofocus make it Canon’s most effective wide-aperture portrait lens yet.

This lens is possibly one of the best portrait lenses ever made. It is fiercely sharp, even when shooting at f/1.2, and when shooting wide open, it delivers sublime subject separation and a beautifully blurred background. The lens is somewhat expensive and heavy, weighing almost 1.2kg, with dimensions of 103.2×117.3mm. However, if you are willing to accept that, you will be rewarded with glorious performance from this lens.

The lens is equipped with 13 elements in 9 groups, a 9-blade aperture system, and great compatibility with Eye Detection AF on EOS R System cameras, which helps create detailed portraits with gorgeous background blur and consistency. In addition, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 2.79 ft./0.85m and maximum magnification of approx. 0.12x, helping deliver sharp, detailed images from various distances with minimal distortion, great for portraits, still life, or close-ups.

The lens snaps shots with a razor-thin depth of focus, making it perfect for use in extremely dim light. The lens produces distinctive image character and perfect image quality that rocket it above just about everything else. The lens’s control over key aberrations such as longitudinal chromatic aberrations is mighty impressive, and distortion and lateral chromatic aberrations are not a concern. The lens may have a touch of vignetting at the widest few apertures, but this is not undesirable for portraiture and is easily removed in-camera when not wanted.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens is not for everyone, and few will be able to afford it or justify its purchase. Still, it is somewhat refreshing that the lens is so unashamedly big and bold, capable of delivering stellar results with minimal intervention. If this is a sign of where the L-series selection of RF lenses is heading, then photography enthusiasts are in for a treat.

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

In addition, Canon also released a RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens, which is exactly the same as the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens with three exceptions.

  • There is a “DS” included in the name.
  • The words “Defocused Smoothing” are present on the side of the lens.
  • Two lens elements have a unique coating.

Differentiating itself from Canon’s other RF 85mm f/1.2 lens, this version features a DS (Defocus Smoothing) coating that helps to soften and smooth the bokeh quality when working at wider aperture settings, making it particularly suitable for shallow depth of field applications.

Although the DS version of the lens costs an additional US $300 compared to the non-DS model, it’s a valuable purchase for photographers who crave exceptional bokeh and demand nothing but the finest quality. However, the price tag of US $2,999 is undeniably high for most people.

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM

Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 135mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 2.3′ / 70 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.26x
  • Optical Design: 17 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 82 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.1″ / 89.2 x 130.3 mm
  • Weight: 2.1 lb / 935 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Fast Aperture
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • AF/MF Switch on Lens
  • Aperture Ring
  • Focus Hold Button
  • Control Ring
  • Hood supplied
  • Full-time Manual Focusing
  • 9 Diaphragm Blades

Cons:

  • Pricey

The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM lens is a powerful medium telephoto prime lens designed for portrait, wedding, and corporate photography, as well as sports and wildlife photography. It is a perfect lens for professional photographers who require exceptional image quality, fast autofocus, and reliable image stabilization. This lens is specifically designed for Canon’s EOS R mirrorless system and offers excellent optical quality, making it one of the best portrait lenses available in the market.

One of the most outstanding features of the RF 135mm f/1.8 L lens is its fast f/1.8 aperture, which allows for excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field, making it an ideal choice for portrait photographers. The lens also features Optical Image Stabilization, which provides up to 5.5 stops of shake correction, and up to 8 stops when paired with EOS R series cameras featuring In-Body Image Stabilizer (IBIS), making it easy to capture sharp and steady images in low-light situations.

The RF 135mm f/1.8 L lens also features an advanced L-series optical design with 17 elements arranged into 12 groups, including three Ultra-Low Dispersion elements and Air Sphere Coating (ASC), which reduces chromatic aberration and ghosting, providing sharp and contrasty images. The lens also has a circular (9 blades) aperture, which produces beautiful, soft backgrounds, perfect for portrait photography.

Focusing is achieved with Canon’s Nano USM motors, which provides fast and smooth autofocus, making it ideal for both stills and video shooting. The motor is also quiet enough for use when shooting movies, which is perfect for wedding photographers and videographers. The lens also has a minimum focus distance of 2.3 feet (70 cm), which allows for close-up portraits and allows for shooting at a maximum magnification of 0.26x.

The RF 135mm f/1.8 L lens is also weather-sealed, making it ideal for outdoor shoots in various weather conditions. The lens also has two programmable lens function buttons (one on the top and one on the side), previously only available on Canon super-telephoto lenses, allowing instant access to temporarily lock Servo AF, or a multitude of other possible camera features.

The lens also features an AF/MF switch on the lens, an aperture ring, a focus hold button, and a control ring, making it easy to adjust the settings without taking your eyes off the viewfinder. The lens also comes with a hood, which helps to reduce flare and ghosting.

In terms of dimensions and weight, the RF 135mm f/1.8 L lens is 3.5 x 5.1 inches (89.2 x 130.3 mm) and weighs 2.1 lbs (935 g), making it a slightly bulky lens to carry around, but not too heavy for extended use.

Overall, the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM lens is an exceptional lens for portrait, wedding, and corporate photography, offering excellent optical quality, fast autofocus, and reliable image stabilization. While it is a bit pricey, it is a worthwhile investment for any professional photographer looking to step up their portrait game or shoot fast-action sports and wildlife photography.

Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Best Macro Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 100mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/32
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 10.2″ / 26 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 1.4x
  • Optical Design: 17 Elements in 13 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 67 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.2 x 5.8″ / 81.5 x 148 mm
  • Weight: 1.6 lb / 730 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • High grade build
  • Professional grade weather sealing
  • 1.4x magnification
  • Dual Nano USM delivers fast, silent focus
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Beautiful color and great contrast
  • 5.5 stops IS, up to 8 stops with IBIS
  • Chromatic aberrations well controlled
  • Minimal flare
  • Very nice bokeh and general rendering
  • Makes for an excellent portrait lens

Cons:

  • High price
  • Tripod collar is not included

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM lens is the world’s first medium telephoto macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1.4x. It has a fixed 100mm focal length, a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, fast and highly precise autofocus, and an SA (spherical aberration) Control Ring, making it a highly effective lens for macro photography. The lens also features strong built-in optical image stabilization and Canon’s Hybrid IS system, ensuring sharp and stable close-up shots and videos.

One of the major advantages of this lens is its high image quality, delivering detailed images with gorgeous background blur and versatility in low light, even wide open at its f/2.8 maximum aperture. It has 17 elements in 13 groups and a 9-blade aperture system, which contributes to its edge-to-edge sharpness. The lens also offers a more significant magnification of up to 1.4x, providing more flexibility for macro work.

The autofocus system of the RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM is fast, smooth, and quiet, thanks to its Dual Nano USM technology. The lens also has an SA Control Ring, which allows users to adjust the shape and character of foreground and background bokeh, offering greater flexibility for creative and artistic vision.

However, the lens does have some limitations, such as the potential for focus shift issues and the SA Control feature, which may be considered a gimmick by some users. Additionally, the lens is larger and more expensive than its EF predecessor, and it is not compatible with teleconverters.

Overall, the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM lens is an exceptional lens for macro photography, offering high image quality, a versatile maximum magnification, and a fast and quiet autofocus system. While it is an expensive lens, it is a worthy investment for photographers looking to produce stunning macro shots with their Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera.

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Want to know more about the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM lens, we suggest watching the review by DPReview TV.


Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM

Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 85mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.15′ / 35.05 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.5x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:2
  • Optical Design: 12 Elements in 11 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 67 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.07 x 3.56″ / 78 x 90.5 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 3.54″ / 90 mm
  • Weight: 17.64 oz / 500 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Compact, nicely made lens
  • Good up close performance
  • 1:2 Macro Capabilities rare in an 85mm lens
  • 5 stops of image stabilization that increases to 8 stops with the R7
  • Excellent image sharpness across the frame
  • Soft and creamy bokeh
  • Good control of aberrations
  • Good flare resistance

Cons:

  • Autofocus is noisy and slow
  • No lens hood included and low-rent packaging
  • No weather sealing
  • Fairly heavy vignette

The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM lens is a versatile lens for portraits and macro photography. With a short-telephoto field of view and close-focusing performance, this lens is well-rounded for a range of subjects, including weddings, street photography, and close-ups of subjects such as flowers or insects.

One of the key features of this lens is its close-focusing design, allowing users to work with subjects as close as 1.15 feet away with a 1:2 maximum magnification. The STM stepping motor provides fast, quiet, smooth, and accurate autofocus performance that is ideal for both video recording and still shooting. It also includes a built-in Optical Image Stabilization that compensates for up to 5-stop of shake correction to enable shooting in low-light conditions and slower shutter speeds. Additionally, the Hybrid IS setting compensates for angular and shift-type camera movements, which is particularly beneficial for close-up shooting.

The RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is a lightweight and affordable lens that offers high image quality and an impressive optical image stabilization system. It weighs only 500g (1.1 lbs), less than half the weight of the 85mm F1.2L. This lens is a great choice for portraits and street photography, as well as low-light scenes or during concerts. The RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is an ideal travel companion for your portrait, macro, low-light, and video needs. The lens is an affordable alternative to the pro-oriented 85mm F1.2L, although not as fast as the f/1.2 version.

While the optical performance of this lens is excellent, the autofocus system leaves something to be desired. The STM motor is not as advanced as the Nano-USM, and the autofocus can be slow and frustrating at times. However, user reviews are generally very positive, with most people finding the lens to be a great value for its price.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM lens is a great all-around value lens choice. Its focal length is very useful, especially for portraits, and the macro focusing capabilities add greatly to its versatility. The compact size and light weight make it comfortable to carry and use for long periods, while the image stabilization feature allows for handheld shooting in low-light conditions. Despite the autofocus issues, this lens performs well with accurate AF performance, ensuring sharp image quality is fully realized even with the very shallow depth of field this lens creates at close focus distances with narrow apertures.

Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Want to know more about the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM lens, we suggest watching the review by Vanessa Joy.


Best All-in-one Lens for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 24–240mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: F4-6.3
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.64′ / 50 cm
  • Filter Thread: 72 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.2 x 4.8″ / 81.28 x 121.92 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 3.66″ / 93 mm
  • Weight: 1.65 lb / 751.26 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • 10x zoom power
  • Sturdy build
  • 1:3.8 magnification
  • Optical stabilization
  • Quick, quiet autofocus
  • Nano USM focus is quiet and fast
  • Flare resistance is pretty good
  • Low amounts of longitudinal CA
  • Reasonable price and size

Cons:

  • Omits weather protection
  • Shows some chromatic aberration
  • Not as sharp as shorter zooms
  • No lens hood included

The Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM lens is an all-in-one travel lens designed for generalist photographers who want to travel light and capture any number of shooting scenarios with ease. This lens offers a 10x optical zoom range from 24mm wide-angle to 240mm telephoto, complemented by an Optical Image Stabilizer that compensates for up to five stops of camera shake. The Nano USM autofocus motor ensures quick, quiet, and precise focusing performance, while Dynamic IS benefits video recording, compensating for footage shot while walking or moving.

The RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM lens is an excellent choice for those who do not want to carry or swap around multiple lenses, or who cannot afford to invest in several Canon prime lenses that cover similar focal lengths. It is perfect for travelers who want to capture landscapes, portraits, telephoto shots, and more without having to lug around a bag full of lenses all day. The lens is also suitable for wildlife photography, but photographers capturing small subjects such as birds will need more reach.

In terms of optical performance, the RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM lens delivers solid performance with unrivaled convenience at a decent price. While it may lack the glamour and quality of larger, heavier, and more expensive pro lenses, it still performs respectably, delivering good results across the frame, throughout the range, and even at the maximum apertures. The lens may not be bitingly sharp or contrasty, but it does not show obvious aberrations on out-of-camera JPEGs. Canon applies substantial lens corrections behind the scenes, but most users will have them applied automatically, making it ideal for day-to-day use.

While the maximum aperture of f/4 does not work well for astrophotography or allow for portraiture with a shallow depth of field and bokeh, the RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM is still an excellent all-in-one zoom option for the EOS R system. It is the first native super-zoom for the system, providing the convenience of a 10x range taking you from wide-angle to respectable telephoto. It is a perfect all-in-one travel lens that can be used for any number of shooting scenarios.

In summary, the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM lens offers a mega zoom range in a portable package at an affordable price. It may not be the best option for those who require specialized lenses for specific types of photography, but it is an excellent all-in-one option for those who want to capture any kind of scenario with ease.

Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Best Wide-Angle Prime Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM

Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 16mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 5.1″ / 13 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.26x
  • Filter Thread: 43 mm
  • Dimensions: 1.6 x 2.7″ / 40.1 x 69.2 mm
  • Weight: 5.8 oz / 165 g
  • Store Links at B&HAdorama.

Pros:

  • Slim, light form factor
  • Ultra-wide angle of view
  • Sharp, colorful imaging
  • Quick and accurate autofocus
  • Hybrid manual focus/control ring
  • Very affordable

Cons:

  • Extremely high native distortion that requires digital correction
  • Edge and corner sharpness suffer after distortion correction
  • Moderate to high vignetting
  • No lens hood included
  • No weather-seals or IS

The Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM lens is an ultra-wide-angle lens that is perfect for vlogging, landscapes, architecture, and astro photography. It has a bright f/2.8 aperture, which helps in controlling the depth of field and allows shooting in available lighting conditions. The lens is lightweight and portable, weighing just 165g, making it an excellent choice for vloggers and travelers. It also has a close 5.1″ minimum focusing distance, making it suitable for close-up shooting.

Although it is not comparable to L-series lenses in terms of optics, the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM produces images with a certain pop that stands out. It is a competent lens and provides an ultra-wide-angle alternative to standard zoom lenses. The lens is relatively cheap, and it is a great purchase for anyone on a tight budget.

The Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is also an innovative lens, reducing optical complexity to drive down the size, weight, and cost of the lens. The lens correction profiles make a lot of sense, and it performs well in certain key areas, similar to the larger and pricier Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm F2.8. It is much smaller and lighter, making it an excellent option for anyone on a tight budget.

Overall, the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM lens is an amazingly versatile lens that delivers impressive image quality and boasts a speedy, unerringly accurate autofocus system. It is incredible value for money and a no-brainer for anyone looking for an ultra-wide-angle lens that is portable and affordable. The lens is perfect for shooting anything from architectural interiors to sweeping landscapes, and from close-ups to the starry sky at night.

Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 35mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 6.69″ / 17 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.5x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:2
  • Filter Thread: 52 mm
  • Dimensions: 2.93 x 2.47″ / 74.4 x 62.8 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 2.44″ / 62 mm
  • Weight: 10.76 oz / 305 g
  • Store Links at B&HAdorama.

Pros:

  • Compact size
  • 0.5x macro with hybrid stabilization
  • Good center sharpness
  • Good edge performance stopped down
  • Beautiful sunburst
  • Accurate autofocus
  • Effective IS
  • Reasonable price

Cons:

  • No weather sealing or fluorine coating
  • Doesn’t include lens hood or pouch
  • Vignette at wide apertures
  • Some barrel distortion
  • STM focus a little noisy

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM lens is an excellent choice for Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera users looking for a lightweight, compact, and affordable prime lens. It is one of the lightest and smallest native lenses for the RF system, making it easy to carry around. The lens is versatile, with a 35mm focal length that delivers a natural perspective, making it ideal for street, travel, and close-up photography.

The lens is sharp, renders pleasing colors, and produces nice bokeh. Its brighter f/1.8 aperture allows for shallower depth-of-field effects and enables you to maintain lower ISOs or faster shutters in dim conditions. Furthermore, the lens has a macro mode that delivers 1:2 or 50% magnification from 17cm, making it great for capturing close-up shots.

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 also features optical stabilization, allowing for handheld use at slower shutter speeds and easy filming of videos on unstabilized EOS R bodies. Its integrated Dual Sensing IS (5-stop image stabilization) helps combat camera shake, while the STM motor ensures silent focusing, making it an excellent lens for videography. It also features a dedicated control ring that enables quick, tactile exposure adjustments while looking through the EVF.

The lens has some limitations, with the autofocus noise being an issue for video shooting. Additionally, it does not offer L-series features such as weather protection. Nevertheless, it is still a great value-for-money lens for Canon EOS R6 Mark II users looking for a compact, versatile, and affordable lens for everyday shooting and close-up work.

In summary, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM lens is highly recommended for anyone looking for a versatile and affordable prime lens for their Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera. Its compact size, high-quality optics, and macro capabilities make it a great choice for street, travel, and close-up photography.

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 24mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 5.5″ / 14 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.5x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:2
  • Filter Thread: 52 mm
  • Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.5″ / 74.4 x 63.1 mm
  • Weight: 9.5 oz / 270 g
  • Store Links at B&HAdorama.

Pros:

  • Small and lightweight
  • Extremely versatile lens
  • Image stabilization up to five stops
  • Silent and fast STM focus system
  • Focus accuracy is very high
  • Stable AF tracking on eyes for vlogging
  • Excellent sharpness in the image center
  • Macro capability up to 1:2 magnification

Cons:

  • Extreme distortion
  • Very heavy vignette
  • Coma performance isn’t good
  • No lens hood or weather sealing

The Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is a compact and lightweight wide-angle lens that is perfect for photographers who prefer prime lenses. It is easy to carry around all day for landscape or street photography without noticing any added bulk. The lens has a wide aperture of f/1.8 that will enable a wider and more creative depth of field, and it is packed with features from image stabilization to macro capabilities for close-up photography.

However, the lens suffers from weak corner sharpness and vignetting when wide open, as well as some strong color fringing. This can be corrected with modern photo editing software, but it is still a downside. It is also disappointing that the lens does not come with weather sealing or a hood as standard, considering its price.

Despite its flaws, the RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM remains a solid option for both stills and video. The lens can deliver nice shallow depth-of-field effects and is fairly sharp into the corners, making it great for full-body portraits and landscape photography. The STM focus system works silently and smoothly, and the lens also has image stabilization built in that rates up to five stops.

Overall, while the RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM may not be perfect, it is a versatile and affordable lens that expands your options with the EOS R System. It is great for still photography and videography, and can provide drama in your still images while still maintaining a natural look.

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Best Wide-Angle Zoom Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 15-35mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 11.02″ / 28 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.21x
  • Optical Design: 16 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 82 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.48 x 4.99″ / 88.5 x 126.8 mm
  • Weight: 1.85 lb / 840 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Strong, robust build quality
  • Wide zoom with fixed f/2.8 aperture
  • Quiet and quick autofocus
  • Effective image stabilization
  • Consistent performance across frame and zoom range
  • Quality weather resistance
  • Ability to use traditional filters

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Very heavy vignette
  • Some vulnerability to flare
  • Close up image quality a little soft

The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is an ultra-wide zoom that offers excellent functionality for professionals, be it wedding photographers, journalists, or landscape photographers. It offers a wide maximum aperture and image stabilization in a single package, while retaining the ability to use traditional screw-in filters. The lens can be used to capture beautiful landscapes or dramatic wedding shots, but it is designed around professionals and is large and heavy, which requires an extra level of commitment to use.

The lens offers great autofocus, an excellent image stabilizer, and delivers sharp images with good color and contrast. It has an f/2.8 maximum aperture, a 15-35mm focal length, and smooth image stabilization. The lens is furnished with edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the zoom range to capture clear images with high image clarity from the center of the image throughout the entire focal range. Three aspheric lenses deliver high image quality from center to corner, while two UD lenses help reduce aberrations, delivering sharp images with reduced distortion no matter the subject. Up to 5 stops of stabilization dramatically reduce camera-shake blur, both for video and stills. The lens can provide stunning images with minimal distortion.

The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lives up to the expectations that come from the L series. It is built to withstand the rigors of use by pros, whether it be event photography, reportage, travel, or landscape. It is protected from dust and splashes, just like the EOS R6 Mark II, R5 or R6 body.

However, the lens is expensive, which will be the chief obstacle to many potentially interested customers. It has an obscene amount of vignette and a fair amount of distortion at 15mm. Canon may give an F4 alternative at about 60% of the price, which will be more accessible and easier to use for some. The lens is not an essential buy for all Canon EOS R6 Mark II owners, but it is perfect for landscape, architectural, and travel photography, as well as close-up sporting action.

There are a few good, affordable options, notably the Tamron SP 17-35mm, but you will need to have an adapter to use it. However, if you’ve got the budget, the RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM is undoubtedly appealing. You won’t have to fiddle with adapters, and you can rely on it without worry. The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is a no-brainer for most pros and a key model for the Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless system.

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Want to know more about the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM lens, we suggest watching the review by Jared Polin.


Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM

Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 14-35mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 7.9″ / 20.1 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.38x
  • Optical Design: 16 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 77 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.9″ / 8.4 x 9.9 cm
  • Weight: 1.2 lb / 544 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Great build quality
  • Reasonably compact and light
  • Wide 14mm field of view
  • Close focusing distance
  • Professional grade of weather sealing
  • Retains ability to use screw-in filters
  • Incredible image stabilizer
  • Canon’s sharpest wide angle zoom yet
  • Fast, accurate and virtually silent AF
  • Beautiful color and great contrast (save at 35mm)
  • Well-controlled flare
  • Moderate vignetting
  • Useful control ring features
  • Chromatic aberrations well controlled
  • High level of magnification

Cons:

  • Still a pricey proposition
  • Fully retracted position in the middle of the zoom range
  • Focus ring hard to find by feel
  • Mechanical vignette at 14mm
  • Heavy vignette through a lot of the range
  • Heavy distortion at 14mm

The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM lens is a compact, lightweight, and highly capable ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera. It is a flexible and high-quality lens that offers a compelling alternative to the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. It sacrifices one stop of aperture to become smaller, lighter, and roughly two thirds the price, while capturing fractionally wider coverage.

The RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM is a member of the L-series, with smooth control rings, quick and quiet focusing, weather sealing, and a lens hood in the box. It is a great option for photographers who are consistently shooting subjects such as landscapes and architecture. Additionally, as it goes to a more “standard” focal length of 35mm, it is well worth considering as a general walk-around option too.

Optically, both the centre and edge sharpness are very high throughout all of its focal length range. Chromatic aberrations are almost completely absent, distortion is well-controlled, and flare is notably absent even when shooting directly into the sun. The in-lens image stabilization provides 5.5 stops of compensation when this lens is used with Canon cameras which don’t have IBIS built into the body, increasing to an even more impressive 7 stops when mounted on those cameras that do have in-built stabilization, like the EOS R6 Mark II and EOS R5.

However, it does rely on substantial software correction through lens profiles applied automatically to JPEGs in-camera or during RAW processing. Now, in use you may never be aware of the processing taking place behind the scenes, but the optically superior 15-35 requires much less geometric correction, or can even get away with none at all, and as such boasts slightly crisper corners at the wide-end due to less pixel-wrangling.

Despite being a more affordable alternative, it is not exactly cheap, but it is still a great value L-series lens. While it may not be as fast as its flagship F2.8 sibling, for many photographers, the extra portability will be much more attractive, not to mention the added bonus of an ever so slightly wider field of view and the significantly lower price tag.

In summary, the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM lens is an excellent all-day walk-around addition to the Canon RF lens range that we’d recommend to most users of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera, especially those looking for an ultra-wide-angle lens for travel and architecture photography.

Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Best Standard Prime Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM

An ideal lens for portraiture, weddings, street shooting, and fine art photography.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 50mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.2
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.31′ / 40 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.19x
  • Optical Design: 15 Elements in 9 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 77 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.54 x 4.25″ / 89.8 x 108 mm
  • Weight: 2.09 lb / 950 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Outstanding build with advanced weather sealing
  • Very bright aperture
  • Edge-to-edge clarity
  • Fabulous optical performance
  • Good contrast
  • Lovely bokeh
  • Minimal distortion
  • Fast, dependable autofocus
  • Dust and splash protection
  • Fluorine lens coat

Cons:

  • Extremely expensive
  • Big and heavy
  • No image stabilization
  • High vignetting

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM is a high-end lens designed for Canon’s EOS R mirrorless system. It offers exceptional performance and produces stunning images, making it ideal for portraiture, weddings, street shooting, and fine art photography. The lens has a large maximum aperture of f/1.2, which allows for increased light-gathering power and beautiful bokeh effects. The ring-type USM autofocus system is fast and precise, ensuring tack-sharp results even in low-light situations.

One of the standout features of the RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM is its ability to reduce depth of field creatively, isolating subjects from the background with smooth and beautiful rendering. The lens is incredibly sharp from maximum aperture in the center of the frame, although the performance towards the edges is not as good. The lens also has a minimum focusing distance of roughly 15 inches, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

However, the lens is unapologetically large, heavy, and expensive, almost twice the length, weight, and price of the earlier EF 50mm f/1.2L USM. While it delivers superior performance in terms of sharpness, distortion, and fringing, other options, such as Sigma’s 50mm f/1.4 ART, deliver excellent results across the frame at less than half the price.

Overall, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM is one of the best standard lenses available, a joy to shoot with, and a persuasive reason to consider the EOS R system. Its high price coupled with compelling alternatives means it misses out on the highest award. Still, it delivers excellent performance, making it a must-have for event, wedding, and portrait photographers who shoot with Canon mirrorless cameras. If you need a lens that will serve you well in low-light and allow you to apply your artistic vision to images easily, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM is an excellent choice.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Want to know more about the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM lens, we suggest watching the review by Christopher Frost.


Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 50mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 11.8″ / 30 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
  • Filter Thread: 43 mm
  • Dimensions: 2.7 x 1.6″ / 69 x 40 mm
  • Weight: 5.6 oz / 160 g
  • Store Links at B&HAdorama.

Pros:

  • Same size & weight as EF version
  • Significantly improved build quality over previous EF 50mm F1.8 lenses
  • STM motor is much more refined and faster than EF STM version
  • Stable AF tracking during video capture
  • Impressive image quality
  • Bokeh quality quite good in most conditions
  • Very affordable

Cons:

  • Not weather sealed
  • No lens hood included
  • Wide open contrast not exceptional
  • Corners aren’t sharp at wide apertures

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact and lightweight lens, perfect for everyday shooting, portraits, landscapes, and food photography. It has a classic, versatile field of view and a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture that allows photographers to work in challenging lighting conditions and control depth of field. The lens has an optical design that includes one aspherical element, which reduces spherical aberrations and distortion, and a Super Spectra coating that minimizes flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy. The lens is equipped with an STM motor that provides quiet and smooth autofocus performance and full-time manual focus override.

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is an affordable option for photographers just starting out, but it may not be the best fit for hobbyists who are looking for a lens with more advanced features. The autofocus isn’t the quickest or quietest, but it’s better than similar budget lenses for other systems. The lens is a good fit for beginners who want a wide aperture for portraiture and low-light imaging. Serious hobbyists may want to wait for Canon to release a midrange option in the 50mm focal length, as the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM falls just shy of what they may require in a lens.

The RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is a low-cost standard lens for the EOS R mirrorless system, providing an affordable entry into the world of prime lenses, low-light photography, and shallow depth-of-field effects. While it costs roughly double that of the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, it is still the cheapest native lens in the RF system, making it tempting for anyone looking for a second lens to complement an existing kit-zoom. The lens is smaller than the EF version when taking a mirrorless adapter into account, and while the overall style and rendering is similar, the newer RF version is noticeably sharper across more of the frame when wide open. However, it’s not up to the same standard as the RF 35mm f/1.8 and RF 85mm f/2 in terms of sharpness, which are both sharper across more of the frame and deliver better quality at close range while enjoying the benefit of optical stabilization. But while the RF 35mm and 85mm lenses are at the cheaper end of the catalogue, they are still up to three times more expensive than the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a bargain and an essential lens for EOS R owners. It is perfect for everyday shooting and is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry on any trip or excursion. While the lens is not the best fit for serious hobbyists who require more advanced features, it is an excellent option for beginners looking to enter the world of prime lenses and low-light photography.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

If you want to know more about the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens, we suggest watching the review by Irene Rudnyk.


Best Standard Zoom Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 24-70mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 8.27″ / 21 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.3x
  • Optical Design: 21 Elements in 15 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 82 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.48 x 4.95″ / 88.5 x 125.7 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 6.06″ / 154 mm
  • Weight: 1.98 lb / 900 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Strong, robust build quality
  • Quiet and quick autofocus
  • Strong optical performance
  • Superb stabilization
  • No focus breathing
  • Good bokeh
  • Good flare resistance
  • Quality weather resistance

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Large and heavy
  • Heavy vignette at 24mm

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is a high-quality standard zoom lens for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera, designed for professionals and serious photographers who need a versatile and reliable lens for a wide range of photographic situations. It covers a practical range, from landscapes to portraits, and its bright aperture makes it especially appealing for wedding photographers and others who need to take candid shots in difficult light conditions. The optical stabilization allows you to use slower shutter speeds than with IBIS alone, which is a significant advantage.

The lens has a fantastic build quality, designed for professional use in different environments and conditions. It has 21 elements in 15 groups, a 9-blade aperture system, and a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, which provides sharp and stunning images with beautiful background blur and remarkable consistency. The NANO USM technology ensures accurate and silent autofocus operation and reduced focus breathing for seamless focus transitions. The RF mount and short back focus design provide a balanced and comfortable design for ease of use, and exceptional performance in various lighting situations, even in low-light areas.

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is an Editors’ Choice award winner and a must-have lens for event photographers, photojournalists, or anyone who needs versatility and unparalleled quality. The lens is a bit heavy and expensive at $2,299, but it offers excellent image sharpness across the frame, even at f/2.8, which is an advantage over some competitors. There is some barrel distortion at 24mm, and the vignette is heavy, but both of these can be corrected.

For years, wedding photographers mainly used prime lenses, but the need for quick changes in framing during certain parts of the day made it clear that a standard zoom lens was necessary. The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is a lens that you can keep on your camera for most of the day, and it is light enough to carry around without causing too much fatigue. It delivers excellent image quality and has image stabilization, making it a versatile and reliable lens.

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is an especially capable lens for videographers too. It suppresses focus breathing, making it an ideal choice for videographers who need to adjust the focus during recording. The lens is not perfect, but it is still the best all-around standard zoom lens available for the EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera. The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM is a monster-sized lens, and the Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM is quite big and one f-stop slower.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is an excellent lens for professionals and serious photographers who need a versatile and reliable lens for a wide range of photographic situations. It is light, well-designed, and engineered to deliver sharp and stunning images with gorgeous background blur and remarkable consistency. It has fantastic autofocus, great stabilization, and fantastic handling, making it a pro-grade lens worth owning and using for many years.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Want to know more about the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens, we suggest watching the review by Jared Polin.


Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 28-70mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.28′ / 39 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.18x
  • Optical Design: 19 Elements in 13 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 95 mm
  • Dimensions: 4.09 x 5.5″ / 103.8 x 139.8 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 6.34″ / 161 mm
  • Weight: 3.15 lb / 1430 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Superb image quality
  • Fast f/2 aperture
  • Robust build with weather-sealing
  • Fluorine coating
  • Peerless

Cons:

  • Big, heavy and expensive
  • No image stabilization
  • No ‘de-click’ switch for the control ring

The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens is a high-quality standard zoom lens that offers impressive capabilities for photographers looking for a professional-quality all-around lens for portraiture, landscape, wedding photography, and photojournalism. The lens boasts a wide-angle to portrait-length focal range with a constant maximum aperture of f/2, allowing for faster shutter speeds and delivering exceptional image quality in low-light conditions.

One of the standout features of the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens is its impressive maximum aperture, which is almost as bright as most fixed focal lengths. This makes it an ideal choice for portrait and event photographers who need the extra stop of light gathering power to work in dimmer light conditions and achieve shallower depth-of-field effects. Additionally, the lens has nine rounded aperture blades that deliver exceptional bokeh quality for isolating subjects and adding more dramatic results while taking photos and recording videos.

The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens is equipped with Canon’s reliable Ultrasonic Motor (USM) ring, which provides fast and quiet autofocus performance, as well as seamless manual focus control. The lens is also built to withstand harsh weather conditions, with weather-sealing being a natural feature at this price point.

The lens is big and heavy, weighing just under 1.5kg, which might make it cumbersome for some photographers. The lens also lacks image stabilization, meaning you will have to hold steady and choose sufficiently fast shutter speeds to avoid camera shake. However, the lens compensates for these drawbacks with its exceptional image quality and the convenience of a zoom lens, allowing you to change focal lengths without having to change lenses.

In terms of image quality, the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens performs exceptionally well. The broader center quality is as good as the best prime lenses, and the outer image field is also superb in the lower zoom range. The corners soften a bit at 70mm, but they remain easily on a good level. On a 45-megapixel sensor, the lens performs exceptionally well, and on 20 to 30 megapixels, it is almost perfect.

In summary, the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens is an ideal lens for professionals, advanced photographers, and anyone looking for phenomenal image quality in a standard zoom lens. While it is heavy and lacks image stabilization, the lens compensates for these drawbacks with its exceptional image quality, fast and quiet autofocus performance, and weather-sealed construction. The lens is not for everyone due to its size, weight, and price, but it is an extraordinary standard zoom lens that delivers stunning image quality and is worth considering for serious photographers who demand the very best from their equipment.

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Want to know more about the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens, we suggest watching the review by Jared Polin.


Best Telephoto Prime Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM

Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 600mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/11
  • Minimum Aperture: f/11
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 14.76′ / 4.5 m
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.14x
  • Filter Thread: 82 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.66 x 10.61″ / 93 x 269.5 mm
  • Weight: 2.05 lb / 930 g
  • Store Links at B&HAdorama.

Pros:

  • Attractive pricing for a telephoto
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Effective image stabilizer
  • Excellent sharpness across the frame
  • Good control of aberrations and distortion
  • Low vignette
  • Autofocus is effective
  • Nice bokeh
  • Compatible with optional Extender RF 1.4x and RF 2x teleconverters

Cons:

  • Aperture is fixed at f/11
  • Autofocus in low light will be poor
  • Minimum focus distance is long and magnification is low
  • No weather-seals
  • Neither hood nor tripod foot included

The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM lens is an affordable and compact super-telephoto prime lens designed for Canon’s mirrorless full-frame cameras. It makes use of diffractive optics and a retractable design to keep its weight down, while also featuring a fast and silent autofocus system and image stabilization.

Despite its quirky design and limitations, this lens offers impressive image quality, making it a great choice for wildlife and sports photography when you can’t get close to your subject. It’s also a good value for its price, which is less than $700 USD.

The lens is easy to live with, though its fixed f/11 aperture can be limiting in low light conditions. It also lacks any kind of weather sealing, and the tripod mount cannot be rotated from landscape to portrait position. Additionally, its retractable design raises some durability questions.

For bird photographers or those needing more reach, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens may be a better choice, though it is larger and heavier.

Overall, the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM lens is a unique and brave attempt by Canon to offer something new and useful to the masses, and is ideal for photographers who like to shoot wildlife or birds occasionally in good weather. However, it may not be suitable for hardcore wildlife photographers due to its autofocus and weather sealing limitations.

Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM Lens at B&HAdorama.

To learn more about Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM lens, we suggest watching the review by DPReview TV.


Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM

Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 800mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/11
  • Minimum Aperture: f/11
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 19.69′ / 6 m
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.14x
  • Optical Design: 11 Elements in 8 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 95 mm
  • Dimensions: 4 x 11.1″ / 101.6 x 281.8 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 13.85″ / 351.79 mm
  • Weight: 2.77 lb / 1260 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • The cheapest way to get to 800mm
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Effective image stabilizer
  • Excellent sharpness across the frame
  • Good control of aberrations and distortion
  • Low vignette
  • Autofocus is effective
  • Excellent eye AF tracking on good bodies
  • Nice bokeh
  • Works with RF teleconverters

Cons:

  • Extremely slow maximum aperture
  • Autofocus in low light will be poor
  • Lens requires a LOT of light
  • Neither hood nor tripod foot included
  • No weather sealing
  • Minimum focus distance is long and magnification is low

The Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens is a telephoto prime lens that is designed for bird, wildlife, outdoor sports, and aviation photography, or any scenario where you want to bring your subject closer. This lens is also ideal for those who want to have an extreme telephoto lens without spending too much money. The lens is characterized by its retractable design, which makes it very compact and easy to carry around. With a fixed f/11 aperture, the lens’s sleek profile makes handheld super-tele shooting a very real possibility, and four stop-effective optical image stabilization further helps to achieve sharp imagery when working in difficult lighting conditions.

One of the most notable features of the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens is its gapless dual-layered diffractive optical elements that help reduce chromatic aberration to achieve clear images with minimal to no color fringing, even at a fixed aperture of f/11. Additionally, Diffractive Optics technology helps to reduce the necessary number of lenses and greatly diminish the cost of the lenses, making them affordable for a broader group of photographers.

The lens is compatible with the 1.4x and 2x RF Extenders for an equivalent focal length of 1120mm or 1600mm, respectively. The lead screw-type STM focus motor helps achieve smooth and quiet autofocus whether you’re capturing stills or tracking a subject while recording videos. The Control Ring is also integrated into the lens design for intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself.

While the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lens delivers extreme telephoto optics at a down-to-earth price, the restricted f/11 aperture is its major drawback. It needs masses of light to secure a high enough shutter speed to arrest subject movement, and the only control photographers have is to up the ISO value. As a result, you need to have a camera body that is capable of offering high ISO values with low noise. However, it is still possible to shoot at ISO 1600, ISO 3200, and sometimes even ISO 6400 in full daylight. To offer shutter speeds high enough to record birds sharply, you need to shoot at higher ISOs.

Despite its limitations, the lens offers great quality at a very reasonable cost and gets photographers affordably into long-range telephoto photography. While dedicated bird photographers may prefer more expensive lenses, such as the 600mm f/4 or 800mm f/5.6, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM is ideal for casual wildlife shooters or anyone who wants to carry a very long lens without breaking their back. The lens produces images with good sharpness, nice bokeh, and an overall pleasing rendering that punches above its price point and weight.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM is a unique telephoto prime lens that offers excellent value for the price. Its compact design and retractable mechanism make it a perfect lens for photographers who want to have an extreme telephoto lens without carrying too much weight. Its gapless dual-layered diffractive optical elements help reduce chromatic aberration, and its STM focus motor ensures smooth and quiet autofocus. While its fixed f/11 aperture limits its use in low light, this is an excellent lens for daylight photography, and the Control Ring gives you intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself.

Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM

An ideal pro lens for sports, wildlife and more.

Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 400mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/32
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 8.2′ / 2.5 m
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.17x
  • Optical Design: 17 Elements in 13 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 52 mm
  • Dimensions: 6.4 x 14.4″ / 163 x 367 mm
  • Weight: 6.4 lb / 2.9 kg
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • High image and build quality
  • Fast autofocus
  • Great bokeh
  • Beautiful color with little aberration
  • Usable with teleconverters
  • Rear filter holder
  • Lots of physical controls

Cons:

  • Heavy and large
  • The price makes it a luxury most can’t afford
  • The paint shows some signs of wear

The Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is an outstanding piece of glass for professional photographers who demand uncompromised performance. It maintains the same high image quality as the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM, which is achieved through a combination of Fluorite and Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass. Chromatic aberration is significantly reduced, even at the widest aperture of f/2.8, to achieve tack-sharp images with minimal color fringing.

The lens has an optical image stabilization system with up to 5.5 stops of shake correction, including three IS operation modes, making it ideal for shooting hand-held or mounted on a monopod. The circular nine-blade aperture provides beautiful bokeh at smaller lens apertures, and Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coatings minimize ghosting and flare for exceptionally clear results when shooting in backlit situations. Additionally, the lens incorporates a dust and water-resistant design with a fluorine coating on the front element for easy cleaning.

The autofocus system of the Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is impressive, with a great hit rate even with fast-moving subjects. The lens’s durability and control scheme are designed for professionals who demand reliable performance in harsh conditions.

However, the Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens comes at a high cost of $12K, making it out of reach for hobbyists. Canon borrowed the optics of the EF lenses to make this lens, and it could have been made smaller if they made more changes. The lens lacks a Control Ring compared to other RF lenses, and whether you choose an EF or the RF version depends on whether you work with other cameras.

The Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is not just a super-telephoto lens but also a statement that EOS R is ready for pro sports and wildlife photography. The lens has native RF comms that support faster burst speeds, finer aperture increments in video, improved stabilization, and the chance to exploit faster focusing on upcoming bodies with Dual Power Drive. The lens is unashamedly aimed at pros, agencies, or well-heeled enthusiasts, but it is not more expensive than the previous EF versions or Sony’s equivalents.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is an exceptional lens that delivers uncompromised performance at long focal lengths. It is designed for professional photographers who demand the best image quality, reliable performance, and durability. However, the high cost of the lens puts it out of reach for hobbyists, and it may not be the best option for photographers who work with other cameras. Overall, the Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is a five-star lens that delivers exceptional performance for professionals.

Canon RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM

An ideal lens for sports, wildlife, and nature shooting.

Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 600mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/32
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 13.8′ / 4.2 m
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.15x
  • Optical Design: 17 Elements in 13 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 52 mm
  • Dimensions: 6.6 x 18.6″ / 168 x 472 mm
  • Weight: 6.8 lb / 3.1 kg
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Amazing soft backgrounds
  • Rich colors
  • Solid autofocus
  • Bright aperture
  • Great stabilization
  • Minimal aberration and distortion
  • Weather-sealed
  • Lots of physical controls

Cons:

  • Heavy and large
  • Very expensive
  • Not quite as sharp as shorter L glass

The Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens is an exceptional super-telephoto lens optimized for sports, wildlife, and nature shooting. This lens offers professional and advanced photographers excellent image quality, quick and intuitive handling, and high-speed performance. This lens is designed exclusively for EOS R-series cameras and is optically identical to the EF 600mm f/4 IS III USM lens. Its advanced, lightweight design, and up to 5.5 stops of shake correction make it easy to capture sharp images both hand-held or mounted on a monopod.

The lens features a customizable electronic manual focus ring on the lens barrel, which allows you to select from three different speed levels to adjust manual focus to your desired preference. The aperture of f/4 and 9-blade circular aperture helps to create intimacy in background and foreground bokeh for both photos and videos. Additionally, Super UD and fluorite elements used in the optical design reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for high clarity and color accuracy.

The lens is also compatible with Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders, allowing you to get the equivalent of 840mm at f/5.6 focal length coverage with the Extender RF1.4x or 1200mm at f/8 using the Extender RF2x. This added flexibility and versatility make the RF600mm F4 L IS USM an excellent option for wildlife photography and more.

The RF 600mm F4 L IS USM lens also features a circular nine-blade aperture that provides beautiful bokeh at smaller lens apertures, and Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coatings minimize ghosting and flare for exceptionally clear results when shooting in backlit situations. The lens provides quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance, and two focus presets allow you to instantly return to one or two memorized focus distances. For conditions requiring manual focusing, the customizable electronic focus ring on the lens barrel lets you select from three different speed levels to adjust manual focus to your desired preference.

The RF 600mm F4 L IS USM lens’s build quality is exceptional, and its long super-telephoto focal length, ultra-wide aperture, high-performing image stabilization, and fast and precise AF system make it an outstanding option for serious and discerning sports photographers, wildlife photographers, and photojournalists. This lens is also dust and water-resistant with a fluorine coating on the front element for easy cleaning.

Overall, the Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens is a top-performing super-telephoto lens with excellent build quality, advanced image stabilization, and superb optical performance. Its compatibility with Canon RF extenders makes it even more versatile, and its lightweight design makes it easy to bring to the action and capture it even from a distance. Although it comes with a high price tag, it is a worthwhile investment for professionals who demand the highest image quality and performance from their equipment.

Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.


Best Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 70-200mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/32
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 2.3′ / 70 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.23x
  • Optical Design: 17 Elements in 13 Groups
  • Filter Thread: 77 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.54 x 5.75″ / 89.9 x 146 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 8.03″ / 204 mm
  • Weight: 2.35 lb / 1070 g
  • Store Links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Extremely fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
  • Highly effective image stabilization
  • Improved maximum magnification
  • Gorgeous bokeh and color
  • Good global contrast and rendering
  • Good center sharpness and excellent mid-frame performance
  • Good control of aberrations and flare

Cons:

  • Extremely expensive
  • Not compatible with teleconverters
  • Tripod foot not Arca-Swiss compatible
  • Not particularly sharp in corners until smaller apertures

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is an excellent workhorse lens for professional and amateur photographers, perfect for sports, wildlife, wedding, and event photography. With a large and bright f/2.8 aperture and 70-200mm focal zoom ranges, this lens is a must-have for any professional or serious amateur photographer’s kit.

The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM features two Nano USM motors, which provide an even greater level of high-speed autofocus for still image shooting and quiet and smooth autofocus for video shooting. The lens also incorporates a floating focus control, driving the two lens groups individually, which shortens focusing distance and helps reduce breathing, providing fast, consistent, and reliable performance.

The autofocus is amazingly rapid, based on dual Nano USM actuators, and three switchable modes are on offer for static and panning shots, plus a third option that applies stabilization only during exposures, making it easier to track erratically moving objects in the viewfinder or via the camera’s rear screen.

Compared with the latest EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens for Canon’s D-SLRs, the RF edition is significantly smaller and only about two-thirds of the weight, mostly because it has an extending inner barrel rather than a fixed physical length. It is reasonably slim and svelte, which is a plus for Canon’s RF lenses, which are often criticized for feeling big and heavy on mirrorless bodies.

The look and feel of images from the lens are excellent, and the stabilization is exceptional. The weight and balance of the lens make it easy to use on Canon EOS R5. The lens is ideal for portrait sessions, video, stills, and tracking action, and it offers a real value with its compact, flexible form factor.

However, there are two significant disadvantages to this new lens design that potential buyers must consider. Firstly, teleconverters do not physically fit, which is an inconvenience for those who relied heavily on them in the past. Secondly, the lens is expensive, priced at $2700 USD ($3500 CAD in Canada), $600 USD more than the EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS III. This lens is what one would call an indispensable lens for a working professional or hardcore amateur, but its price is a hindrance for many buyers.

Overall, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is a phenomenal lens that delivers slightly sharper and crisper images than its EF equivalent. Although it is priced at a premium, it is a must-have for any professional or serious amateur photographer’s kit.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Or if it is a little expensive for you, you can also try the f4 version:

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Want to know more about the RF 70-200mm f/4 vs RF 70-200mm f/2.8, we suggest watching the review by Jared Polin.


Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 100-500mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4.5 to 7.1
  • Minimum Aperture: f/32 to 54
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 2.95′ / 90 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.33x
  • Filter Thread: 77 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.7 x 8.2″ / 93.8 x 207.6 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 11.7″ / 297.6 mm
  • Weight: 3 lb / 1365 g
  • Store Links at B&HAdorama.

Pros:

  • Useful focal length of 100-500
  • Excellent image quality
  • Reasonably light at 1525g with the tripod mount
  • Lens hood is included
  • Supports hybrid stabilization
  • Very fast and accurate autofocus
  • 0.33x magnification
  • Removable tripod collar
  • Excellent aberration control
  • Weather sealed

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Maximum aperture of F7.1 at 500mm
  • Lens can not be fully retracted when used with extenders

The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is a high-quality supertelephoto zoom lens designed for Canon’s EOS R-series cameras, particularly the EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera. It is a powerful addition to the RF-mount lens line-up, offering a 5x zoom range and excellent optical performance that rivals some of the best Canon zoom lenses.

One of the key advantages of the RF 100-500mm lens is its reach, particularly for sports and wildlife photographers who need to capture distant subjects. With a maximum focal length of 500mm, this lens offers an extra 100mm of zoom range compared to the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, making it a more versatile option for photographers who need that extra reach.

The lens is built to the high standards of Canon’s L-series lenses, with a sturdy, weather-sealed construction that’s designed to withstand tough shooting conditions. The lens barrel is made of high-quality magnesium alloy, which keeps the weight down to a manageable level. The zoom and focus rings are smooth and well-damped, making it easy to make precise adjustments.

The autofocus system on the Canon RF 100-500mm lens is fast and accurate, thanks to its optimized design that matches the AF and in-body stabilization of the EOS R6 II camera. The lens also features built-in optical image stabilization, which is particularly useful when shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.

Optically, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is superb. The lens is sharp throughout its zoom range, with only a minor drop in sharpness at the extreme telephoto end of the range. Chromatic aberration and distortion are well-controlled, and the lens produces beautiful bokeh with its circular 9-blade aperture.

One potential drawback of the Canon RF 100-500mm lens is its relatively small maximum aperture of f/4.5-7.1. While this may be sufficient in bright daylight conditions, it may limit the lens’s usefulness in low-light situations, particularly when shooting at the extreme telephoto end of the range. Additionally, the lens is only partially compatible with extenders, working with them only from 300-500mm.

One other consideration when thinking about purchasing this lens is its price point. At around $2900, it is a significant investment, and may be out of reach for some photographers. While the lens offers excellent performance and build quality, there are other options on the market, such as the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5-6.3 G OSS lens, which offer similar performance at a lower price point.

Overall, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is an excellent addition to the Canon RF-mount lens line-up, particularly for photographers who need that extra reach. While its small maximum aperture and price point may limit its usefulness for some photographers, its superb optical performance and build quality make it a top choice for those who demand the very best.

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Want to know more about the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens, we suggest watching the review by Jared Polin.


Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM

Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Canon RF
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 100-400mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/5.6 to 8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/32 to 45
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 2.9′ / 88 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.41x
  • Filter Thread: 67 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.1 x 6.5″ / 79.5 x 164.7 mm
  • Weight: 1.4 lb / 635 g
  • Store Links at B&HAdorama.

Pros:

  • Powerful super-telephoto zoom range
  • Very compact
  • Fast and quiet autofocus
  • Good central sharpness over most of the zoom range
  • Good control of aberrations
  • Compatibility with 1.4x and 2x extenders
  • Low vignette
  • 5.5-stop optical image stabilizer
  • Low price

Cons:

  • Fairly slow f/5.6-8 aperture rating
  • No weather sealing
  • No lens hood included
  • Poor corner sharpness

The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens is a great choice for photographers who are interested in capturing telephoto subjects such as wildlife, sports, and other distant actions. It is a compact and lightweight lens, making it easy to carry around, and is affordable compared to other high-end telephoto lenses. The lens is ideal for those who are not able to afford pro-grade RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens.

The optical quality of the Canon RF 100-400mm lens is excellent, with sharp results across the frame near and far, and at the maximum apertures. The lens’s aperture range is f/5.6-8, which may not produce much blurring unless the photographer is very close to the subject, and shooting in good light is necessary to achieve a fast shutter to freeze any action. The lens lacks weather sealing and a lens hood in the box, but focusing is fast enough to capture fast action, impressively lacking any breathing, and it works with the RF teleconverters throughout the zoom range.

The autofocus of the Canon RF 100-400mm lens is super-fast, and image stabilization is highly effective, making handheld photography easy. The image quality is highly impressive in all respects, with the caveat that sharpness drops off noticeably when combining close focusing distances with the longest zoom setting. The aperture rating of f/8 at the long end of the zoom range might be a bit slower than some would like, but that’s the price you pay for the downsized design.

The lens is a great choice for landscape photographers who have figured out that telephoto landscapes are often very compelling. It will also work fine for those who shoot action, birds, or wildlife in reasonably good light. The autofocus is quick and quiet, and it locks onto subjects without any problems. While the lens’s small maximum aperture might struggle in low light conditions, it is a great lens for capturing long-range images in bright daylight.

The lens is compatible with 1.4x and 2x extenders, giving even more reach for those who need it. The low vignette and good control of aberrations make for a satisfying shooting experience, but unfortunately, there is no lens hood included in the package, so you will need to purchase the Canon ET-74B lens hood separately.

Overall, the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens is a solid lens that performs well for its price range. While it may have its limitations, it is a great option for those who want a portable telephoto lens with a long reach without breaking the bank. This lens is an excellent choice for those looking for a bridge lens for the telephoto option they can afford now while they save for a more premium option in the future.

Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens at B&HAdorama.


Canon RF Extenders

Canon’s RF Extenders can increase the focal length of specific lenses. However, utilizing them will result in the reduction of one or two stops of light.

Canon Extender

Lens Compatibility

Check Price & Reviews

  • Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM

  • Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM

  • Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM

  • Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM

  • Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM

  • Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM

  • Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM

  • Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM

  • Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM

  • Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM

  • Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM

  • Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM

  • Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM

  • Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM

  • Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM

  • Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM

Canon Lens Acronyms

Canon employs several acronyms to describe its camera and lens technologies. The following acronyms are commonly used for RF lenses:

USM
Ultrasonic Motor or USM is an autofocus motor type utilized in Canon RF and EF lenses. It is the fastest autofocus motor available in Canon lenses and ensures lightning-fast and precise focusing.

STM
Stepping Motor or STM is another autofocus motor used in Canon RF and EF lenses. It is often found in Canon’s more budget-friendly lenses and provides decent autofocus speed and quality.

L
The L-series of lenses represents Canon’s premium line of lenses, which are renowned for their professional-level performance and superior image quality.

IS
Image Stabilization or IS is a feature that helps reduce image blur caused by camera shake when shooting with slower shutter speeds. The Canon EOS R6 Mark II comes equipped with In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), which can correct up to 7 stops of camera shake when shooting handheld. This 5-axis system can also be used in conjunction with lenses featuring optical image stabilization to compensate for up to 8 stops of camera shake depending on the specific lens in use. Furthermore, the Movie Digital IS combines optical and sensor-shift stabilization methods with digital IS to acquire steadier footage while moving.


We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to browse through our guide on the best lenses for the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. We understand that having the right equipment is vital in unlocking your creativity, and we hope our recommendations have been useful to you.

However, we also acknowledge that everyone’s requirements are unique, and we welcome any suggestions or feedback you may have for us to consider in our future evaluations. Our objective is to offer informative and current guides, so please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us.

Furthermore, we highly value personal experiences and perspectives not only for ourselves but also for our readers. If you have utilized any of the suggested lenses, we would be delighted to hear about your experiences. Your feedback could assist others in making an informed decision when selecting the perfect lens.

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