The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro was announced this week, and judging by the preorder numbers, it’s going to be a huge success. I think partially because of the very competitive pricing for this unique Macro lens.

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro isn’t scheduled to begin shipping until the end of July, so you have some time to save those pennies and wait impatiently for this lens.

Above is another promotional video from Canon Europe showcasing the features of the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro.

Key Features

I have been reporting for a long while that an RF 35mm f/1.2L USM was coming for the RF mount. Here we have a very detailed patent showing four different optical formulas for such a lens.

The RF 35mm f/1.2L USM is on the known RF lens roadmap, so I think we may see this lens sometime in 2021.

Canon has released new firmware for the Canon EOS R5.

Canon EOS R5 Firmware v1.3.1

1. Fixes a phenomenon, in which when shooting with Canon Log 3, if the [View Assist.] setting is set to [On], the image in the viewfinder and on the LCD screen is displayed brighter than it should be.

Download Canon EOS R5 Firmware v1.3.1

You can now preorder the new lenses announced by Canon. All three lenses are scheduled to begin shipping in July.

Preorder

• Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro $1399
• Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM $11999
• Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM $12999

Canon has officially announced the first professional super-telephoto lenses with the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm f/4L IS USM. Both of these lenses are pretty much identical to to their EF mount brothers.

Press Release:

The Canon RF400mm F2.8L IS USM and Canon RF600mm F4L IS USM are both designed to be optically identical to their EF counterparts. The RF400mm and RF600mm weigh in at 6.37 and 6.81 pounds with a minimum focusing distance of 8.2 and 13.8 feet, respectively. Both lenses share many of the same critical features that help professional high-end super-telephoto lenses stand out from the crowd. Those features include:

• Ideal for a wide variety of shooting situations, including sports, aviation, trains, automotive, and wildlife, such as birding.
• Optical Image Stabilization with up to 5.5 stops6 of shake correction. Including three IS Operation Modes — still subjects, panning, and irregular movement.
• Proprietary Canon lens coatings, Super Spectra Coating (SSC), and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) help minimize ghosting and flaring. Lens placement and coatings are optimized to provide users with clear, high-contrast images even when there is a bright light source.
• Lenses include fluorite and super UD lens elements arranged in such a way to help correct chromatic aberration and make the models more compact. Like the latest Canon EF400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF600mm f/4L IS III USM lenses, released in the fall of 2018, weight on these RF-series super-telephotos has been significantly reduced vs. previous-generation Canon super tele designs.
• Compatible with Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders, and feature a customizable electronic focus ring, with manual focus capability during SERVO AF.
• A nine-blade circular aperture provides users beautiful bokeh and ideally blurred backgrounds when the aperture is stopped down.
• For added convenience when on a shoot, two focus presets are available. Users can instantly return to one of two memorized focus distances.
• Rugged Canon L-series dust and water-resistant design with vibration and shock resistance. The front element has been dressed with a fluorine coating for easy cleaning.
• Infrared reflective pigments with high reflectance and titanium oxide lens barrel coating with silica provide excellent UV weather resistance and heat reduction.

Canon RF Lenses Pricing and Availability
The Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM are scheduled to be available in July 2021 for an estimated retail price of  $11,999.00 and $12,999.00, respectively.

MELVILLE, NY, April 14, 2021– Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced that its parent company, Canon Inc., is developing a new, high-performance professional camera — the Canon EOS R3^*. When it arrives, the EOS R3 will be an outstanding complement to the three new RF lenses the company also introduced today — The Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM, RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF600mm F4 L IS USM.

“The development of the Canon EOS R3 and the launch of the new RF lenses are the latest testament to the company’s commitment to professional still and video image and content creators,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of Canon U.S.A.’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “When the camera becomes available, it will pair well with each of the new RF lenses announced today. Canon is excited to share this news today, and we look forward to seeing the images captured with the new RF lenses and upcoming EOS R3.”

Read more…

Canon USA has officially announced the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro, the first dedicated macro lens for the RF mount.

Press Release

The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM lens is not only Canon’s first RF lens designed specifically for macro photography, but also the world’s first[1] medium telephoto macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1.4x. The new lens, designed for both advanced photo enthusiasts and professionals, takes macro photography expression to the next level with the introduction of a spherical aberration (SA) control ring. The SA control ring allows users to change the character and appearance of the bokeh and obtain a softer focus effect with a simple turning of the ring to the desired result.

Additional features of the Canon RF100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM include:

• Optical Image Stabilizer with up to five stops of Shake Correction[2].
• When combined with a camera featuring In-Body Image Stabilizer, up to eight stops of shake correction[3] is possible with the coordinated operation of Optical and In-Body Image Stabilizer.
• Hybrid IS helps to compensate for angular and shift camera shake during macro shooting.
• High-speed, smooth and quiet autofocus with dual nano USM.
• Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO.
• Rugged Canon L-series dust and water-resistant design.

The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USMis scheduled to be available in July 2021 for an estimated retail price of $1,399.00.

Canon will be officially announcing an RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM super-telephoto lens. This lens is optically identical to the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM III. I do wonder if this and the RF 600mm f/4L IS USM will be stopgaps while Canon designs new super-telephoto lenses to take full advantage of the RF mount.

The Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM will launch at $11,999 USD.

Below is official Canon information about the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM.

High-performance, Wide-aperture 400mm f/2.8 Super-telephoto Lens, Exclusively for EOS R-series cameras

Inheriting the optics of the EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM, the same high image quality is maintained in the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM with outstanding sharpness and contrast, center to corner, even at maximum aperture. A combination of Fluorite and Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass is at the heart of this lens’s outstanding optical performance. At the widest aperture of f/2.8, chromatic aberration is significantly reduced, to achieve tack-sharp images with minimal color fringing. This means detailed results in any shooting condition, particularly in low light levels.

Optically Identical to EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens

The latest EF version of the 400mm f/2.8L IS lens, introduced in late 2018, preserved the legendary sharpness of previous EF400mm f/2.8L lenses, but with a dramatic reduction in overall weight. The RF version, dedicated to EOS R-series cameras, preserves this advantage, providing outstanding handling for a super-tele lens with an f/2.8 maximum aperture. Numerous optical and mechanical steps combine for this supremely light weight, transforming the RF400mm F2.8L IS USM into a lens that’s equally at home in situations requiring mobility and portability — such as motorsports and wildlife — as it is fixed on home plate at a night baseball game. And, since it uses the same optical design as the EF version III lens, the same superb image quality can be expected.

Optical Image Stabilization with up to 5.5 Stops of Shake Correction, Including Three IS Operation Modes

The RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM features an Optical Image Stabilizer system that provides up to 5.5 stops of shake correction, delivering consistent and sharp results. Whether hand-held or mounted on a monopod (or other devices allowing mobile positioning), the lens’s Image Stabilization can deliver clear image detail in low-light situations or at lower ISOs. This applies when capturing both stills and video, for stable shooting, and sharp final imagery.

Three IS Operation Modes

Three image stabilization modes provide shake-correction for outstanding results in a wide range of shooting situations. These include traditional stabilization, with the correction visible any time IS is active in the camera’s viewfinder (IS Mode 1); helping to correct camera shake when intentionally panning horizontally (or vertically), providing shake-correction perpendicular to the photographer’s panning movement (IS Mode 2); and stabilization that instantly goes into effect only when the shutter is released — no correction visible between shots, in the camera’s viewfinder (IS Mode 3).

Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) Helps Minimize Ghosting and Flare

The RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens features Canon’s Super Spectra Coating (SSC) that helps maintain overall image quality and color fidelity, as well as Air Sphere Coating (ASC), which significantly helps to reduce the occurrence of lens flare and ghosting. The RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM continues to deliver outstanding images and video, even at maximum aperture, in harsh back-lighting conditions.

Compatible with Canon RF 1.4x and 2x Extenders

To help get you even closer to the subject, attach the compatible Extender RF 1.4x or Extender RF2x to the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM. Expand effective telephoto power to 560mm at f/4 with the Extender RF 1.4x, or to effective 800mm at f/5.6 using the Extender RF2x. The extenders allow even more telephoto reach when it’s needed, yet allow the user to convert back to an f/2.8 lens for low-light situations by simply removing the extender.

Customizable Electronic Focus Ring, with Manual Focus Capability during SERVO A

The lens’s large manual focus ring is located directly on the lens barrel, and allows you to select from three different manual focus speed levels, to adjust the focus ring rotation to your desired preference. The “1” position on the M.Focus Speed switch provides the fastest sensitivity (a small amount of focus ring rotation provides significant focus change in the lens); settings 2 and 3 reduce this sensitivity, allowing for finer manual focus adjustments.. This can help whether you need a slow speed to switch between someone’s eyes in a distant profile, or a fast speed to dial in on different birds in a large, swiftly moving flock. Additionally, depending on camera settings, manual focus is still possible while AF is engaged, letting you fine tune focus adjustments to suit your shooting preferences.

9-blade Circular Aperture for Beautiful Bokeh

Thanks to its 9-blade, circular aperture, the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM is capable of gorgeous, evocative out-of-focus areas and soft backgrounds. With rounded rendering of background blur, the 9-blade circular aperture helps create intimacy and intensity in both photos and videos for impactful results.

Two Focus Presets Available — Instantly Return to One or Two Memorized Focus Distances

Quickly select between one or two memorized focus distances, with focus presets. Especially useful for fixed-position sports photography, you can focus upon and memorize two separate focus distances. Then, with a simple twist of the playback ring, immediately jump back to one or the other. A sports photographer, for example, could easily pre-focus on home plate and 2nd base at a baseball game, with the ability to rapidly move focus back to either position with a slight turn of the playback ring on the lens barrel.

Dust- and Water-resistant Design, with Fluorine Coating on Front Element for Easy Cleaning

Built to L series lens specifications, the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM features a highly durable design for excellent performance even in inclement weather conditions. It delivers a dust- and water-resistant construction with seals around the mount, switches, rings and more. To help maintain a clean lens, even after multiple lens changes in sub-optimal conditions, the RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM has a specially designed fluorine coating on its front and rear surfaces. The coating helps to prevent water, oil and other surface residue like fingerprints from sticking to the lens, which facilitates quick and easy wiping, without the use of solvents.

Canon will be announcing the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro very soon, as we now see Canon marketing leaks ahead of the official announcement.

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro will launch at $1399 USD.

Here is some official information from Canon regarding the RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro.

World’s First Medium Telephoto Macro Lens with a Maximum Magnification of 1.4x

The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM Lens is the world’s first medium telephoto AF Macro lens with a maximum magnification ratio of 1.4x. At its minimum focusing distance of 0.26m, the RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM is capable of capturing detailed images while being remarkably versatile in operation. Whether capturing details of food, jewelry, or traditional macro shots, the RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM is a highly effective lens for macro photography.

High Image Quality and Bright, Fixed f/2.8 Aperture Telephoto Macro RF Lens

The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM lens distinguishes itself by maintaining incredibly high image quality, edge-to-edge, even wide open at its f/2.8 maximum aperture. With 17 elements in 13 groups and a 9-blade aperture system, it can deliver detailed images with gorgeous background blur and versatility in low light.

Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5 Stops of Shake Correction

Because RF lenses are designed specifically for the RF Mount found on EOS R series cameras, the lens and camera combine to share shooting data, helping to dramatically reduce the effect of camera shake that can occur when using handheld. This applies when capturing both stills and video, with up to 5 stops of stabilization for accurate and clear imagery.

Hybrid IS Compensates for Angular and Shift Camera Shake during Macro Shooting

Equipped with the Hybrid IS technology, the Image Stabilizer of the RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM effectively reduces blurring in handheld macro photography by compensating for both angle and shift camera shake. This helps to deliver impressively clear, up-close results.

Spherical Aberration (SA) Control Ring Allows Adjustments to Shape and Character of Foreground/Background Bokeh

The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM features Canon’s first adjustable Spherical Aberration (SA) control ring on the lens barrel that allows you to adjust the depiction of the image’s background bokeh. Used to add a unique emphasis to your imagery, the SA Control Ring allows the user to change the shape and character of the foreground and background bokeh. A minus setting creates a dreamy, soft-focused look, while a Plus setting creates a bubble-bokeh-type look. Adding a third ring to the lens, the SA Control Ring has a notable surface that can be differentiated from the Control Ring and Focusing Ring. A lock mechanism can be found on the side of the lens which locks the SA control ring to the middle position rendering standard, traditional operation, with no SA optical effects.

Up to 8 stops of Shake Correction with Coordinated Optical Image Stabilizer and In-Body Image Stabilizer

When combined with an EOS R series camera equipped with In-Body Image Stabilizer, the lens’ Optical Image Stabilizer teams up with the In-Body Image Stabilizer to provide coordinated IS up to 8 stops, further helping to alleviate shaking for photos and video, and adjusting the ratio from optical to in-body stabilization automatically throughout the zoom range so you have the best of both worlds.

High Speed, Smooth and Quiet Auto Focus with Dual Nano USM

The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM is equipped with dual independent Nano USMs to help achieve high-speed and focus accuracy throughout its focusing range. This helps you quickly focus and keep up with fast-moving subjects as well as provides smooth and virtually silent autofocus while shooting movies, so there is relatively no disturbance for you, the subject or in what you see visually and hear audibly during shooting and playback.

Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes

The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM lens has a separate, independent Control Ring that is located towards the front of the lens, which can be programmable for immediate exposure adjustments during still and video shooting. With the Control Ring, you can directly adjust settings such as shutter speed, lens aperture, exposure compensation and more. For photographers and moviemakers who would prefer a silent control ring, the clicking mechanism can be removed by a Canon service provider for a fee.

Dust – and Weather-resistant

For reliable performance even when weather conditions get difficult, the RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM lens features dust- and weather-resistant construction in the lens mount, switch panel and all rings. Sealing is applied to lens joining sections, and switch panels to help prevent water and dust from entering into the lens.

Canon will soon announce the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and the RF 600mm f/4L IS USM. The first super-telephoto lenses for the RF mount. They aren’t stopping there.

I have been told the that two following lenses are also in development and will arrive next year.

Canon RF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM

This new DO super-telephoto lens will be the smallest and lightest lens of its kind. It’s a completely new optical formula for the RF mount.

Canon RF 200-500mm f/4L IS USM

A lot of people love the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x, and Canon will be bringing us a successor. The source wasn’t sure if the new super-telephoto zoom would have a built-in teleconverter or not.