Canon RF 16mm F/2.8 STM and RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM Introduced

Lens News

by Jeff LochSeptember 14^th, 2021

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Along with the launch of the Canon EOS R3, the company also released two new lenses: the Canon RF 16mm F/2.8 STM and RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM. The RF 16mm F/2.8 STM is a compact and lightweight prime lens mainly targeted at vloggers and people looking for an extra wide-angle view, whereas the RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM would be great for sports and wildlife shooters. So let’s take a closer look at these!

The Canon EOS R3 will make some waves for sure, but Canon also continues to expand its RF lenses lineup. The two new lenses are not Canon RF L lenses – the company’s top-of-the-line pieces of glass – so they are much lighter, compact, and more affordable too.

Indeed, if you’re looking for a wide-angle alternative to the Canon RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM, the new RF 16mm F/2.8 STM could be a good option.

Canon RF 16mm F/2.8 STM features

The Canon RF 16mm F/2.8 STM is the first ultra-wide-angle prime lens in the EOS R system. If you’re using this lens with EOS R cameras to shoot in APS-C crop mode, you’ll end up with a 25.6mm prime lens.

With a maximum aperture of F/2.8, the RF 16mm F/2.8 STM should give you decent low-light capabilities, which is helpful if you’re often vlogging. With a weight of only 165g, you’ll probably don’t even feel the weight of the lens at the end of the day.

In addition, as its name suggests, the lens features an STM focusing motor for smooth, fast, and near-silent focusing during video recording.

There is a ring in front of the lens, as well as a control/focus switch. You can use this ring to control either your focus or any other setting – ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and more – that you which via your camera’s menu.

In terms of lens design, the Canon RF 16mm F/2.8 STM lens elements received a Super Spectra Coating to reduce ghosting and lens flares. On the inside, you’ll find a single aspherical lens to reduce chromatic aberrations. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of only 13cm, with a maximum magnification of 0.26x.

Canon RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM features

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the new Canon RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM is designed mainly for sports and wildlife shooters. Indeed, with such a huge zoom range, having a constant, very bright aperture is often not a must-have since you’re shooting in daylight conditions. However, you’ll still benefit from the same incredible reach as much more expensive telephoto lenses, all in a reasonably compact and lightweight (635g!) package.

The RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM features built-in image stabilization up to 5.5 stops, according to Canon. In addition, the lens is equipped with a Nano USM focus motor for smooth and fast autofocus performances.

The lens has three rings: a zoom ring, a focus ring, and a control ring. Like the RF 16mm F/2.8 USM, you can assign the control ring to various settings, including AV, Tv, exposure, and ISO settings.

About the lens design of the Canon RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM, all-glass elements received a Super Spectra Coating, and there is a single aspherical lens to reduce chromatic aberrations. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of only 88cm at 200mm.

Pricing and availability

Both lenses are available now. The Canon RF 16mm F/2.8 STM retails for $299, while the RF 100-400mm F/5.6-8 IS USM is $649.

For more information, please visit Canon’s website here.

What do you think about these new Canon RF lenses? Did you already start investing in Canon RF lenses, or are you using a Canon EF-RF adapter? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!