topic Re: Telephoto lens options for R5 in Gear Guide

Telephoto lens options for R5

mknabster — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 18:28:51 GMT

After living with the R5 for nearly a year now, I'm finding that my older Tamron G1 lenses don't work too well with the R5. I just replaced my 24-70mm G1 with the Canon RF 24-70mm L and just wow, I'm glad I invested in it! But now my Tamron 70-300mm G1 is left, and it's posing the exact same issues as the other Tamron did, which was mostly related to the built in VC where the lens would shake a little bit when a picture is taken. My guess is that their VC doesn't communicate with the R5 when a picture is taken, but it is a pretty old set of lenses, I got many years of use from them with my 5D MKIII.

I would like to replace the Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6 but I don't see any RF versions of the 70-300mm available. I know they have the 75-300 and the 100-400mm lenses, but I feel like the 70-300mm is the sweet spot for my uses. I like the extra reach it gives over a 70-200mm lens, though the variable aperture isn't as good as the f/4 or f/2.8 L versions of the 70-200mm currently available. As far as my use of it goes, the 70-300mm is purely for travel when I don't feel like lugging the RF 200-800mm with me. I can say that since getting the 200-800, I haven't picked up the 70-300 as often, unless I wanted to get a different perspective. Right now, I have the 24-70 and the 200-800; would it be a better choice to have a 70-200 and not have overlap?

At this moment, I'm between the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS L and the RF 70-200mm f/4 IS L with a possible 1.4x teleconverter to get me that extra reach.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

deebatman316 — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 21:03:22 GMT

Teleconverters are not compatible with the RF 70-200mm F/4 or the original non-Z RF 70-200mm F/2.8 lenses. Canon also made the EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II Nano USM lens too in the EF Mount. So that’s another option and it has very fast AF.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

March411 — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 22:32:50 GMT

I may have missed it but is the RF100-500mm an option? Higher price point but smaller than the RF200-800mm and really nice piece of glass! For it's focal length it really is quite compact.

These were taken on the R5 with the RF100-500mm mounted.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

mknabster — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:25:43 GMT

I haven't thought about the 100-500 since i have the 200-800. I'm looking more for something that bridges the gap between the 24-70 and 200-800 while still giving me some good telephoto reach.

And good to know about a teleconverter not working on the 70-200mm f/4, I head read elsewhere that they were, but i guess not. I did see the newer 70-300mm non-L, is that a better choice over the older L version?

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

ebiggs1 — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:43:32 GMT

"... teleconverter not working on the 70-200mm f/4,..."

I ~~hate~~, ah, don't like tel-cons but off brand models may fit and, ugh, 😕 work on the f4 zoom.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

deebatman316 — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:56:41 GMT

There are no 3rd Party RF Mount teleconverters. Now had the OP said the older EF version then yes they would work. But I don’t recommend using teleconverters.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

March411 — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:59:09 GMT

Understood.

Another choice could be the RF24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM @ $1050. You give up a couple stops @ 240mmm but is is a decent lens with good range and pretty good IQ. I run it mostly on my R6m2 when I travel and it is a really easy all day carry.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

deebatman316 — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:59:47 GMT

Most RF lenses when they say USM in the name they’re actually using Nano USM. Instead of the original Ring Type USM AF motor from 1987. Nano USM is very fast sometimes even faster than Ring Type USM. Ring Type USM is still in use today in the RF Mount. The RF 85mm F/1.2L USM lens uses this AF motor.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

mknabster — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:10:43 GMT

Do you all think there would ever be chance Canon would release an RF mount of the 70-300mm focal length? It seems like they have all around it but not the specific one.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

March411 — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:17:39 GMT

They have, the RF75-300mm F4-5.6 @ $240

The reviews on this lens are all over the place, some say it's the same as the old EF and not very sharp as well as other complaints. Some love it. I would deep dive on the reviews or see if you can rent one to trial before you buy,

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

shadowsports — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:51:14 GMT

Greetings ,

My colleagues appear to have your questions covered 🙂. The RF 70-200 f4/f2.8 mkI's don't accept TC's. You'll have to go Z series for that, but you will get the additional 120 mm of focal length with the 1.4x TC. It's a lot of money though (Z + TC),

The 24-240 has also proven itself, as you can see from Marc's beautiful photos. Admittedly, (however) from the very first time I used my 100-500 I was hooked. 😍

Modest investment strategy. Since you already have the 24-70 and 200-800, the RF 70-200 mkI would integrate with your existing gear well. I have the f2.8 mkI and absolutely love it. Biggest draw for me was the compactness of the mkI. I never intended to use it with a TC though. Look at your metadata. What focal lengths do you shoot at most commonly? Depends on you, what you want to carry and what you need to shoot.

I honestly don't mind carrying 24-70 70-200 and 100-500. If you find that you need that extra 120 mm more times than not then go with the Z series plus TC. You may use the TC less than you think. 😉 Only you can answer that.

Re: Telephoto lens options for R5

mknabster — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 18:19:07 GMT

Thanks for your response Rick! Yes, I need to do some soul searching on this one. Getting a faster 70-200 was always on my dream list, I guess I really need to think if the extra 100mm is worth it for me to get something older. But you all gave me some good options to think about!