RF lens bonanza
Four new lenses, including lightweight 800mm super-telephoto for under £1,000
ALONG with the EOS R5 and R6, Canon has released a slew of new optics, including a pair of extraordinary and innovative ultra-telephoto primes that are both lightweight and affordable. There’s also a pro-spec telezoom, backed up by a pair of teleconverters, and a very attractive-looking portrait/macro lens.
Starting at the top, the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM is a long telephoto zoom that was previously revealed on Canon’s 2020 lens roadmap, alongside the 1.4x and 2x RF Extenders. At 94 x 208mm and weighing 1,530g, it’s only a little larger than the firm’s 100- 400mm f/4.5-5.6 for DSLRs, despite its extended range. It’s also only 1/3 stop slower at the 400mm setting. It features optical stabilisation that’s rated to 5 stops, along with a fast, silent ultrasonic motor for autofocusing. A minimum focus distance of 1.2m, 77mm filter thread and weathersealed construction round off the spec of this £2,900 optic. Meanwhile the 2x and 1.4x Extenders will cost £700 and £560 respectively. Unfortunately though, users of the superb RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens will find that it’s not compatible with these teleconverters.
At a much more affordable price point of £650, the RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM provides half life-size magnification at its minimum focus distance of 35cm. At 91mm long and 500g, it’s noticeably more portable than the firm’s EF 100mm f/2.8 macro offerings. Its IS is rated for 5 stops benefit, and the lens uses 67mm filters. It’s sure to become an extremely popular lens.
Finally, the Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM (£700) and Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM (£930) are very similar lenses that exploit diffractive optics and a sliding, collapsible barrel design to deliver ultra-telephoto reach in eminently hand-holdable packages. Such lenses simply wouldn’t be practical on DSLRs, but the firm has imaginatively exploited the ability of mirrorless cameras to autofocus at smaller apertures while providing a bright viewfinder image. The 600mm measures just 20cm long when collapsed and weighs a mere 930g, while the 800mm is 282mm long and weighs 1,260g. Both lenses are even compatible with the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, with fully working AF.
Exact details of when the new RF lenses will go on sale are still to be confirmed.