Canon makes recycling for its cheapest telephoto lens in history
By discovering the new RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 of Canon, the French chemist Lavoisier would undoubtedly have applied his adage again “nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed”. Because if we are in April 2025, this optics refers us in 1995. Its optical formula is indeed that which is at the heart of four versions of the EF 75-300mm F4-5.6 (version II, II USM, III and III USM), an optics whose last iteration is still in the catalog!
On the technical level, we are entitled to an (old) optical formula made up of 13 lenses combined in 9 groups, with a super spectra surface treatment on a lens. The engine is neither STM nor USM, but with direct drive (DC). Not recommended for video uses. On the weight side, the beast weighs 507 grams and has the bad taste for not being delivered with a sun visor (cannon and 60, optional).
Far from being a luxury perspective, this RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 is, like the EF 75-300mm F4-5.6 III USM, the cheapest telephoto zoom in the whole range. A zoom at € 299 that Canon presents as “a zoom to discover the telephoto lenses”. This full -format perspective thus offers a first step in the world of “TVs”. Whether on a 24×36 mm box only on an APS-C box, or it is then equivalent to a 120-480 mm.
Cheap, powerful, so this is the ideal optics to start … on paper.
The lack of stabilization in question
With such a price, Canon targets the first users of telephottos who are equipped with entry -level boxes, such as the EOS R100 for example. The problem being that the entry -level cannon boxes do not benefit from mechanical stabilization of the sensor. And that this perspective is devoid of stabilization lens.
It must therefore be understood that it is not the old optical formula that is embarrassing, sufficient for 24 Mpix sensors. It is not its AF engine with continuous training either, hardly cut for efficient follow -up in burst and very noisy – what we want is the bird on the branch.
No, what we regret is that the optics could disappoint quickly if it is not used each time in very good light conditions.
Canon task to explain well as taking advantage of a telephoto zoom which, well used, could convert many users to nature photo. Who is on the rise: weighing three billion dollars in 2024, this telephoto market could think of four billion by 2035.
The Canon RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 will be available in the month of May at € 299. But above all should be the subject of selling in kit with the entry -level cannon boxes.
