Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM Manual

Introduction

Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM is a telephoto zoom lens for use with EOS R series cameras.

• "IS" stands for Image Stabilizer.
• "USM" stands for Ultrasonic Motor.

Camera Firmware
Please use the latest version of firmware with the camera in use. For details on whether the firmware is the latest version or not, and for details on updating the firmware, please check the Canon website.

Conventions used in these instructions
Warning to prevent lens or camera malfunction or damage.
Supplementary notes on using the lens and taking pictures

Nomenclature

Attaching and Detaching the Lens

Attaching the Lens
Align the lens mount indexes of the lens and camera, and turn the lens clockwise until you hear a click.

Detaching the Lens
Turn the lens counterclockwise while pressing the camera's lens release button. Detach the lens once it has stopped turning.
Please refer to the camera's instructions for details.

• Set the camera's power switch to OFF when attaching or detaching the lens.
• Attach the lens cap before detaching the lens from the camera.
• After detaching the lens, place the lens with the rear end up and attach the dust cap to prevent the lens surface and contacts from getting scratched. Make sure the lens and dust cap mount indexes are aligned when attaching the dust cap.
• Contacts that are scratched, soiled, or have fingerprints on them may result in faulty connections or corrosion, which may lead to malfunctions. If the contacts get soiled, clean them with a soft cloth.
• The lens mount has a rubber ring to improve dust-resistance and water-resistance performance. This rubber ring may cause friction marks to appear around the camera's lens mount, although this will have no effect on usage.

• Rubber rings can be replaced at Canon Service Center. (chargeable)

Setting the Focus Mode

To shoot in autofocus (AF) mode, set the focus mode switch to AF. To use only manual focusing (MF), set the focus mode switch to MF, and focus by turning the focusing ring.

• Quickly turning the focusing ring may result in delayed focus.

• The lens' focusing ring is electronic.
• When AF operation is set to [ONE SHOT], manual focus is possible after autofocusing has been completed by continuing to press the shutter button halfway. (Full-time manual focus) However, the camera settings need to be changed. Please refer to the camera's instructions for details.

Zooming

To zoom, turn the lens' zoom ring.

• Be sure to finish zooming before focusing. Zooming after focusing can affect the focus.
• Blurring may temporarily occur if the zoom ring is quickly turned.
• Please be careful not to let your fingers get caught in between the lens' front and the control ring when zooming.

Fixing the Zoom Ring

The zoom ring can be fixed to keep the lens at the shortest point. This function is convenient for carrying a camera on a strap because it prevents the lens from extending.

1. Turn the zoom ring to the wide end position (70 mm).
   
2. Slide the zoom ring lock lever in the direction indicated by the arrow.
   
   • To release the zoom ring, slide the zoom ring lock lever in the direction opposite to the arrow.

• The zoom ring cannot be fixed in place at any position other than the wide end position.

Setting the Focusing Distance Range

You can set the focusing distance range with a switch. Setting the focusing distance range prevents the lens from focusing on unintentional subjects at different distances.

Focusing distance range

1. FULL (0.6m/1.97 ft. - ∞)
2. 2.5m/8.20 ft. - ∞

Control Ring

The control ring can be assigned the functions that are commonly used with cameras, such as shutter speed and aperture settings.

The click action of the control ring allows you to have a sense of how much it is being turned. Please refer to the camera's instructions for details on how to use the control ring.

• There are cases in which the sound of control ring operations may be recorded when shooting movies.

• The clicking sensation of the control ring can be removed by the Canon Service Center. (chargeable)

Image Stabilizer

Image stabilization corrects vibrations that occurs with hand-held shots.

1. Set the STABILIZER switch to ON.
   
   • If you are not going to use image stabilization, set the image stabilizer switch to OFF.
2. Select an Image Stabilizer mode according to the application and shooting conditions.
   

Image Stabilizer modes

• MODE 1: Corrects vibrations in all directions. It is suited to shooting still subjects.
• MODE 2: When you take a panning shot either horizontally or vertically, corrects vibrations at right angles to the direction of panning.
  It is suited to shooting moving subjects.
• MODE 3: During exposure, corrects vibrations in the same way as MODE 2.
  Since vibration is corrected only during exposure, It is suited to shooting irregularly moving subjects.

Image Stabilizer
The Image Stabilizer for this lens is suited to hand-held shots in the following conditions.

MODE 1
Shooting still subjects

• In semi-darkened areas such as indoors or outdoors at night.
• In locations where the flash cannot be used, such as art museums and theater stages.
• In situations where your footing is uncertain.
• In situations where fast shutter speed settings cannot be used.

MODE 2
Shooting moving subjects

• Panning shots of vehicles, trains, etc.

MODE 3
Shooting irregularly moving subjects

• Sports photography of soccer, basketball, etc.
• Photography of animals

Image Stabilizer

• The Image Stabilizer cannot compensate for a blurred shot caused by a subject that moved.
• The Image Stabilizer might not be fully effective in the following conditions:
  • Large shake or fast vibration
  • Panning in MODE 1
• When using a tripod, it is recommended that you set the image stabilizer switch to OFF.
• Even with a monopod, the Image Stabilizer will be as effective as during hand-held shooting. However, depending on the shooting conditions, there are cases in which the Image Stabilizer effect may be less effective.

Hood

Attaching the Hood
Align the red attachment position mark on the hood with the red dot on the front of the lens, and then turn the hood in the direction of the arrow until you hear a click.

Detaching the Hood
Keep your finger pressed down on the button located on the side of the hood, and then turn the hood in the direction of the arrow until the attachment position mark on the hood is aligned with the red dot on the front of the lens to detach it.
The hood can be reverse-mounted on the lens for storage.

• If the hood is not attached properly, vignetting (darkening of the perimeter of the picture) may occur.
• Grasp and turn the base of the hood when attaching and detaching it. There are cases in which it may become deformed if the hood is turned with it grasped near to the rim.

Filters (Sold separately)

You can attach filters to the filter mounting thread (Sold separately) on the front of the lens.

• Only one filter may be attached.
• If you need a polarizing filter, use the Canon Circular Polarizing Filter PL-C B.
• Detach the hood when adjusting the polarizing filter.

Attaching a 500D (77 mm) Close-up Lens enables close-up photography.
It provides a magnification of 0.14x to 0.51x.

• Close-up Lens 250D cannot be attached because there is no size that fits the lens.
• MF mode is recommended for accurate focusing.

Specifications

• The lens length is measured from the lens mount surface to the front end of the lens.
  Add 24.2 mm/0.95 in. when including the lens cap and dust cap.
• The size and weight listed are for the lens only.
• You cannot use extenders.
• All data listed is measured according to Canon standards.
• Product specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

Safety Precautions

Precautions to ensure that the camera is used safely. Read these precautions thoroughly. Make sure all details are observed in order to prevent risks and injury to the user and other people.

Details pertaining to risks that may result in death or serious injury.

• Do not look directly at the sun or other strong light sources through a lens. This may result in loss of sight.
• Do not leave a lens in the sun without the lens cap attached. The lens may concentrate entering sunlight and cause a malfunction or fire.

Details pertaining to risks that may result in injury or damage to other objects.

• Do not leave the product in places exposed to extremely high or low temperatures. The product may cause burns or injury when touched.
• Do not insert your hand or fingers into the product. This may result in injury.

General Precautions

Handling Precautions

• Do not leave the product in excessive heat such as in a car in direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause the product to malfunction.
• If the lens is taken from a cold environment into a warm one, condensation may develop on the lens surface and internal parts. To prevent condensation in this case, first put the lens into an airtight plastic bag before taking it from a cold to warm environment. Then take out the lens after it has warmed gradually. Do the same when taking the lens from a warm environment into a cold one.
• The lens interior may appear to waver, but this does not indicate a defect or failure, and will not cause any problems in use.
• In order to optimize aperture control, there are occasions in which the aperture blades will move during zooming and focusing, even when the aperture value is set for aperture-priority AE or manual exposure, etc.
• Please also read any lens related handling precautions listed in your camera's instruction manual.