Canon is developing three super telephoto lenses for its full-frame mirrorless system – 400mm, 500mm and 600mm
The EF version of the Canon 500mm f/4L lens is getting an RF system update
Canon is working on not one, not two, but three super telephoto lenses for its mirrorless R-system cameras, headlined by a new version of its EF 500mm f/4L optic.
The company continues to expand the range of lenses available for the full-frame Canon EOS R and Canon EOS RP, as well as the upcoming hi-res EOS R camera that has been the subject of endless camera rumors.
We heard rumblings last week that three new RF lenses were being added to the Canon RF lens roadmap, but now news has broken that a trio of RF super telephoto lenses are in development.
Canon Rumors first reported that the Canon RF 500mm f/4L IS would be the company's first super tele to launch for the system, speculating that it likely wouldn't see release until the professional version of the EOS R is announced.
The Canon RF 500mm f/4L IS may not materialize until a pro-grade version of the Canon EOS R appears
"No timeline was given," wrote the site, "and I wouldn’t think RF mount super telephoto lenses would come until we get that EOS-1D level EOS R body, which is still a ways away."
Canon News then shared details of patent filings by the manufacturer detailing an additional Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L and Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM, noting that they were definitely not EF lenses.
"EF mount super telephotos have the back focus distance between 60-75mm well exceeding the distance between the sensor and the lens mount of 44mm for the EF mount.
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"The backfocus distances shown here are well under the 44mm required for the EF mount, therefore these are super telephoto designs specific for the RF mount which has a focal plane distance of 20mm."
While these optics haven't been confirmed, the Canon RF lens roadmap is constantly swelling these days
The specs for all three lenses, according to the patents discovered by the website, are as follows:
Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
Focal length: 392mm
F number: 2.9
Angle of view: 3.16°
Image height: 21.64mm
Entire lens length: 360mm
Backfocus: 31mm
Canon RF 500mm f/4L IS USM
Focal length: 490mm
F number: 4.12
Angle of view: 2.53°
Image height: 21.64mm
Entire lens length: 412mm
Backfocus: 33mm
Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM
Focal length: 588mm
F number: 4.12
Angle of view: 2.11°
Image height: 21.64mm
Entire lens length: 476mm
Backfocus: 33mm
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
