The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM is a unique and highly specialized super-telephoto prime lens designed for Canon's RF-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, offering an incredibly long focal length in a surprisingly compact and lightweight package. This lens is an excellent choice for wildlife, sports, and birding enthusiasts who need extreme reach to capture distant subjects. The fixed f/11 aperture, while narrow, contributes to the lens's portability and affordability, making super-telephoto photography more accessible. Despite the narrow aperture, the lens incorporates Canon's advanced optical image stabilization (IS) system, providing up to 5 stops of shake correction, which is crucial for achieving sharp handheld shots at such extreme focal lengths. The optical design features a Diffractive Optics (DO) element, which helps to keep the lens compact and lightweight while effectively correcting aberrations. The STM (Stepping Motor) autofocus system provides smooth, quiet, and reasonably fast autofocus performance, which is beneficial for both still photography and video recording. A retractable design further enhances portability, allowing the lens to be significantly shortened when not in use. Its weather-sealed construction provides dust and moisture resistance, ensuring reliability in various outdoor shooting conditions. While the f/11 aperture requires good lighting conditions or higher ISO settings, the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM offers an unparalleled combination of extreme telephoto reach, image stabilization, and portability, making it a compelling option for photographers who need to get closer to their subjects without breaking the bank or their back.
Mount | RF |
Format | Full Frame |
Weight (g) | 930 |
lens groups | 7 |
lens elements | 10 |
Diaphragm blades | 7 |
Filter thread (mm) | 82 |
Maximum aperture | f/11.0 |
Minimum aperture | f/11.0 |
Max focal length (mm) | 600 |
Min focal length (mm) | 600 |
Image stabilization | Yes |
maximum magnification | 0.14x |
Min focus distance (m) | 4.5 |