Canon has announced three new RF lenses, which now means there are 22 different lenses in their range to choose from.
The three new lenses are:
The 100mm F2.8L IS USM is quite a unique lens and not just a copy of the EF mount version. The 400mm F2.8L IS USM and 600mm F4L IS USM are essentially the same lenses that are already available in EF mount.
All three lenses will be available in late July.
100mm F2.8L IS USM Macro
The 100mm F2.8L IS USM Macro has a couple of card tricks up its sleeve, including the ability to be used at either a 1:1 macro or a 1.4:1 (1.37x) macro.
The lens has a minimum close focus ability of:
- 11.2cm (4.4″) at 1x
- 8.6cm (3.38″) at 1.4x
It also has an interesting new feature where there is a Spherical Aberration (SA) Control Ring that you can use to change the bokeh depiction and out-of-focus areas.
This allows you to create a more defined bokeh or a softer more washed-out look. Just how useful this actually is in the real world will be interesting to see.
One of the other big advantages the new 100mm F2.8L IS USM Macro has over the EF mount version is that Canon has been able to massively reduce the focus breathing. Canon claims that the focus breathing has been suppressed by around 50% compared to the EF version. Now, you need to be aware that this focus breathing suppression improvement only works at 1x magnification. Once you go to 1.4x the improvement isn’t nearly as drastic.
The lens will also offer up to 8 stops of IS and Canon also claims that the AF performance should be better than that of the Canon 100mm F2.8L EF.
The RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM will be available from late July 2021. The list price is $1,399 USD.
If you are in Australia the RRP of the lens will be AUD$2,599. The RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM will be supported by Canon Australia’s 5-year warranty when purchased from an authorized Canon Australia reseller
400mm F2.8L IS USM
This fast telephoto prime lens is based around the 400mm F2.8L IS USM EF version. Optically they should be very similar.
The 400mm F2.8L IS USM tips the scales at 2.89kg (6.37 lb). As a comparison, the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens weighs (6.25lb).
The optical design of the lens consists of 17 elements in 13 groups and it has 9 aperture blades. The lens offers up to 5.5 stops of IS when used with a Canon R5 or R6.
The minimum focusing distance is 8.2′ / 2.5 m and it is compatible with the Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders.
For video shooters, you will be happy to know that the aperture can be adjusted in 1/8 increments.
The list price will be $11,999 USD and it will be available in late July.
600mm F4L IS USM
Just like the 400mm F2.8 IS USM the 600mm F4L IS USM is based on the existing EF version of the lens.
The 600mm F4L IS USM tips the scales at 3.09kg (6.81 lb). As a comparison, the Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens weighs 3.05 kg (6.71 lb).
The optical design of the lens consists of 17 elements in 13 groups and it has 9 aperture blades.
The minimum focusing distance is 13.78′ / 4.2 m and it is compatible with the Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders.
Just like the 400mm F2.8 IS USM the aperture can be adjusted in 1/8 increments.
The list price will be $12,999 USD and it will be available in late July.
