Canon has announced two new super-telephoto lenses, the
RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM.
The RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM is the world’s longest AF focal length lens for mirrorless cameras. You can also use both the 800mm and 1200mm with the RF 1.4 x or RF 2 x extenders, with full AF and IS functionality.
Size & Weight
According to canon, the newly designed optical system enables them to achieve these long focal lengths in a design that is smaller and lighter in weight than traditional super-telephoto lenses. They are both significantly smaller in size from their EF counterparts. The RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM is Canon’s lightest and shortest 800mm L-series lens and it tips the scales at 3.1kg. The RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM just 3.34kg which makes it more than 13kgs lighter and 30cm smaller than its legendary predecessor the EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM.
Optical Performance
Both the RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM work with Image Stabilization. The RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM provides up to 4.5 stops and the RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM up to 4 stops.
Both models feature a 9-blade circular aperture that can move in 1/8th
steps, this allows for smoother transitions between aperture changes when shooting video.
Other Features
The lenses feature Fluorite, Super UD and UD elements. ASC coatings are used in conjunction with the improved lens design to minimize ghosting and flare. Even with all of these extra optics in these lenses, Canon has managed to reduce the focusing distances to 2.6m for the RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM, which is less than half the distance of other 800mm f/5.6 lenses,
and 4.3m for the RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM.
With a Ring USM Drive, Dual Power Drive, high-speed CPU and optimized AF algorithm, these lenses are claimed to provide fast, yet quiet autofocusing.
Build Quality
The RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM have been built to withstand a range of challenging shooting scenarios, from high temperatures to wet or dusty environments. Dust and drip-resistant sealing is used for mounting, switch and focus rings, and a fluorine coating is applied to the front element to reduce the chance of oil, water or dust sticking to the front of the lens. The RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM also feature a highly reflective infrared heat shield coating. This white coating is claimed to offer excellent UV weather resistance and helps reduce the temperature of the lens body to help maintain optical quality.
Pricing & Availability
The Canon RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and Canon RF1200mm F8 L IS USM are both scheduled to be available in late May 2022 for an estimated retail price of $16,999 USD and $19,999 USD respectively. In Australia, they will cost
$29,799 for the RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RRP of $35,099 for the RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM.
