The Ultimate Travel Companion: How Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 Changed My Photography
Today I'm excited to share with you my absolute favorite lens: the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8, a lens I’ve owned for 5 years. Even if you're not a Canon mirrorless camera user, you might still find this review useful, especially if you're curious about the 70-200mm F2.8 lenses regardless of the brand.
Why the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8?
The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 is the lens that drew me back to Canon after being with Sony for years. If you're an amateur photographer who loves capturing memories while traveling, whether it's people, kids, or candid moments in nature, this might be the top lens to consider.
Previously, I mentioned in another video about my essential camera gear and accessories that this lens wasn't always my first choice. However, recent trips – from the majestic Western Sichuan province in China to the vast landscapes of Iceland – proved its worth. These locations, with their stunning mountains and open spaces, created the perfect backdrop for this lens to truly shine.
Who is This Lens For?
This lens is your ideal companion if you mainly photograph outdoors. It's perfect if:
1️⃣ You mostly photograph outdoors, particularly in nature—whether the backdrop is mountains, canyons, forest, prairies, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, or oceans, you name it.
2️⃣ You want a lens that works for a wide selection of subjects, including people and landscapes. I’ll come back to this with more details later.
3️⃣ You love capturing candid, authentic moments—like kids playing, jumping, people walking or enjoying the scene.
4️⃣ You often photograph fast-moving subjects and prefer a zoom lens for its convenience to adjust your composition.
5️⃣ You care about image quality. While there’s a smaller f4 version for the 70-200mm lens, the f2.8 gives you that beautiful subject-background separation, laser sharp focus, and more importantly, in low light conditions such as in forest settings or golden or blue hour timing.
6️⃣ You want a telephoto lens that does not take up a huge space in your camera backpack and is easy to carry. There are many 70-200mm lenses, but this one is the smallest. I used the Canon EF70-200mm f2.8 for over 10 years, but I wouldn’t walk around with it on long hikes — it was just too big and heavy. When traveling with young kids, the situation gets worse since you’re already hauling tons of their stuff. But since I got the Canon RF70-200mm f2.8, I would simply leave it on my camera while on a hike and it didn’t break my neck or arm.
7️⃣ Last but not least, you’re a Canon mirrorless camera user—this lens is part of Canon’s RF lineup, and is built for their mirrorless cameras.
Where This Lens Truly Shines
The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 truly shines in open spaces. During our road trip across Western Sichuan in China, I could capture breathtaking landscapes without cumbersome setups. The lens allowed me to zoom in on the grandeur of mountain peaks, without the need for wide angle lenses that might include too much sky.
Another key advantage of this lens is its ability to create beautiful compositions in crowded places. With the F2.8 aperture, you can cleverly blur unnecessary crowd elements, focusing on your intended subject. This technique was particularly useful during busy parts of our trip, like the bustling tea markets in Chengdu.
For additional composition tips, check out 6 Proven composition Tips For Unique Travel Photos
Pros and Cons
✔️Compact compared to other 70-200mm F2.8 lenses.
✔️Image quality: The F2.8 aperture delivers exceptional clarity and sharpness, even in low light.
✔️Versatility: Allows for seamless transitions between wide scenic shots and detailed portraits.
❌ Price: The lens is not cheap, especially compared to alternatives like the F4 version.
❌ Canon only: Designed exclusively for Canon mirrorless cameras, limiting its compatibility.
❌ Not suitable for indoors and narrow spaces. A bit short for wildlife.
❌ The lens hood is large and cumbersome.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 is a remarkable all-around lens, perfect for travel photography, landscapes, and capturing candid moments. If you're a Canon mirrorless camera user seeking a compact, versatile lens that delivers professional-quality images, this is certainly worth considering.
Thank you for reading! If you found this helpful, don't forget to hit like and subscribe for more photography tips. See you next time!
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