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Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM

Photo: Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)

RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM

  • 400mm
  • f/2.8
  • Prime
  • Stabilized
  • 2890 g
  • Min focus 2.5 m
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Quick answer

Canon's super-telephoto prime with stabilization and f/2.8 maximum aperture, at about 2.9kg, introduced in 2021. It is lighter than the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III and aimed at pro sports and wildlife.

Pros

  • f/2.8 aperture
  • Image stabilization
  • About 2.9kg
  • Takes RF extenders

Cons

  • Large
  • Needs a monopod or gimbal
  • Minimum focus of 2.5m

Verdict

A current pro 400mm for RF, lighter than its EF predecessor.

About this lens

This 400mm f/2.8 telephoto prime lens from Canon fits Canon RF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with Image Stabilizer and ultrasonic-motor autofocus. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.

Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM specifications

Brand
Canon
Mount
Canon RF
Focal length
400mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Lens type
Prime
Format coverage
full-frame
Released
2021
Optical construction
17 elements in 13 groups
Aperture blades
9
Image stabilization
Yes
Autofocus motor
USM
Minimum focus distance
2.5 m
Maximum magnification
0.17x
Weight
2890 g
Length
367 mm
Diameter
163 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM?

  • Pro sports
  • Wildlife
  • Motorsport

Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.

Full-frame equivalent and field of view

Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.

Sensor Crop Equivalent Horizontal FOV Diagonal FOV
Full frame 1.0x 400mm 5.2° 6.2°
APS-C 1.6x 640mm 3.2° 3.9°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

How heavy is the Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM?

About 2.89kg, lighter than the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III at about 3.85kg.

Does the RF 400mm f/2.8 work with extenders?

Yes, Canon's RF 1.4x and 2x extenders are supported. Autofocus depends on the resulting aperture and camera body.

Is the RF 400mm f/2.8 weather sealed?

Yes, it is an L-series lens with dust and moisture resistance.

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Cameras that fit the Canon RF mount

All Canon RF cameras (14)