Has Canon finally eased up on third party RF lenses? New Tamron patent suggests so

Tamron RF 17-50mm f/4 patent
(Image credit: Asobinet)

It’s no secret Canon can be pretty difficult when it comes to allowing third-party lenses for RF mount cameras. Compared to other brands, very few exist and the ones that do don't feature autofocus. However,  there is hope on the horizon that Canon could be easing up on restrictions as a patent for a Tamron 17-50mm f/4 lens has emerged.

Tamron and Sigma arguably make some of the best third-party lenses for Sony, Nikon and Canon EF mount but as things stand, there isn't a single lens available for RF-mount Canon cameras from either brand.  When it comes to wide-angle lenses, there's the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM for APS-C systems such as the Canon EOS R50 or the Canon EOS R7 but nothing even close for full-frame systems. For anyone who shoots landscapes, portraits or street photography, a 17-50mm lens would be a versatile choice and I'd hazard a guess it won’t break the bank either. 

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Hannah Rooke
Freelance contributor

Having studied Journalism and Public Relations at the University of the West of England Hannah developed a love for photography through a module on photojournalism. She specializes in Portrait, Fashion and lifestyle photography but has more recently branched out in the world of stylized product photography. Hannah spent three years working at Wex Photo Video as a Senior Sales Assistant, using her experience and knowledge of cameras to help people buy the equipment that is right for them. With eight years experience working with studio lighting, Hannah has run many successful workshops teaching people how to use different lighting setups.

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