Canon has announced its new RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z which was designed to bridge the gap between traditional Canon RF lenses and their high-end CN-E cinema lenses. For documentary and run-and-gun shooters, this could be an interesting lens.
The lens features a clickless manual aperture along with the same IS and AF capabilities of the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM. It also has a built-in 5.5-stop Optical Image Stabilizer.
Key features
- Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22
- Fast Hybrid Telephoto Zoom
- Dual Pixel CMOS AF System
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- Manual, Lockable Iris Ring
- Two L.Fn Buttons and Function Ring
- Super UD, UD, and Aspherical Elements
- Air Sphere and Super Spectra Coatings
- Fluorine Coating
- Durable Weather-Resistant Construction
The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is a compliment lens that goes with the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS Z that was announced last year.
The optical design of the lens consists of 18 elements in 15 groups and there are 11 aperture blades. This is slightly different from the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM which has 17 Elements in 13 Groups.
Size & Weight
The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is longer than the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM, but only slightly heavier at 1100g / 2.42 lbs. The front filter diameter is 82mm.
It doesn’t extend out like its stills counterpart as that would be problematic when shooting video. The lens is available in both black and white versions.
Servo Zoom
There are 2 options for the Power Zoom Adapter, the PZ-E2 and PZ-E2B (this version includes a 20-pin port). These were announced and released with the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS Z last year and the power zoom adapters will work on either lens.
PZ-E2 or PZ-E2B are easily attached to the side of the lens by hand with mounting screws, there is no need for a special tool.
The optional Power Zoom Adapters – PZ-E2 or PZ-E2B – can be used by hand or remotely via Canon’s Camera Connect / EOS Utility applications, Browser Remote function or using Canon’s XC Protocol with compatible cameras.
The PZ-E2 and PZ-E2B Power Zoom Adapters don’t come with the lens, and they are available to purchase separately.
The PZ-E2 retails for $999 USD and the PZ-E2B costs $1,299 USD.
If you have the PZ-E2B which includes a 20-pin port, these other accessories are also compatible:
- Zoom servo grip ZSG-C10
- Zoom demand ZSD-300D/380D
- Focus demand FPD-400D
In this case, the zoom servo grip could be used to control zoom off camera to ensure that the lens is not being touched during operation.
The servo grip is different from the Canon ZSG-C10 Zoom Grip that comes with the CN-E 70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S zoom and CN-E Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4. I personally think this is a much better design for a servo unit than the PZ-E2.
Compatible with 1.4x and 2x Extenders
The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is also compatible with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x and the Canon Extender RF 2x.
Full Frame RF Reboot
In some ways, the new Canon is a full-frame RF reboot of the CN-E 70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S zoom.
Canon announced the CN-E 70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S zoom lens way back in April 2017. It was touted as being a compact and lightweight hybrid stills and video lens that shared a lot of similarities with its sister lens the CN-E Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4.
Not only did the CN-E 70-200mm share the exact same constant T4.4 aperture as the CN-E 18-80mm, but it also had the same weight (2.65 lb / 1.2kg)) and physical size. Some shooters were disappointed that these lenses didn’t feature a faster constant T3.1 (f2.8) aperture, but regardless, they still sold pretty well.
The lenses included a servo drive unit as a standard, and they incorporated image stabilization, autofocus, and auto iris functionality.
Both lenses could be used with EF-mount Super 35mm large-format cameras.
Thoughts
Canon isn’t calling this a cine lens as they did with the CN-E 70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S zoom. It is arguably still a still lens with the addition of a manual aperture and a fixed length so it doesn’t extend when zooming.
With the increase in video content creation, you could make an argument that all still lenses should feature a manual aperture.
For video shooters, this looks like a good lens and a better alternative to the existing Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM. I don’t personally like the servo units that can be used with this lens and I do wish that Canon had come up with something similar to what was on the CN-E 70-200mm T4.4 L IS KAS S zoom.
Price & Availability
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is now available to order for $2,999 USD.
Specifications
