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    A timeline for the Canon RF 200-500mm f/4L IS USM?

    By Updated:57 Comments Canon Lens Rumors 2 Mins Read

    The Canon RF 200-500mm f/4L IS USM has been rumored for more than year and has had varying levels of excitement surrounding it. Now, we did say it would be coming in Q4 of 2023 and smacked a big [CR3] on it. So after that didn't come to pass, we now roll with CR4, which you've never seen since, and never will.

    While the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z was at the Paris Games, no one has mentioned that the big super telephoto zoom was there, and we don't believe that it was. Someone would have said something, even if we couldn't have mentioned it here. It's pretty difficult to have checks and balances on photographic gear at an event like that.

    We now know such a lens has been used by a few photographers on a certain continent over the last few months and one such person that has used one has confirmed its existence, but also mentioned that there is a “surprise” with the lens design.

    Might we actually get a 1.4x teleconverter built into the lens? Is it possible there have been two designs of the lens floating around, which isn't uncommon at all. We have also seen an optical design for such a lens, albeit a long while ago and things have probably evolved since then.

    So when could such a lens finally be announced? We don't know, we have heard dates between late Q4 of this year to late Q2 of 2025, and everything in between. That's convenient for us, but not all that helpful for you.

    As always, we hope to hear something more solid some time soon, it's going to be one of the better selling big white lenses, though like the rest of them, it's going to cost a ton of money.

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    57 comments

    3. I have the EF 200-400 f4 and its still a superb allrounder. Use it with the R3 for sports action and its my go to combination for soccer, cricket and motorcycle racing. Stick on a 1.4x mkiii extender and it gives great reach, in combination with the internal 1.4x, without any significant compromise in image quality.
      If the 200-500 eventually comes, it'll be some beast, particularly if they can reduce the weight as I hand hold mine for sport and it does take a bit of effort.
      Unfortunately I can see the price being in the 15k range when it eventually hits the shelves, so I'll likely have to wait a year or two later until a few used ones appear.
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    6. This would be a dream lens for my bird photography but far beyond my means at this stage. Also would be great for sports.
      Be interesting to see what it will weigh and whether Canon includes a built-in extender or makes the rumoured variable extender (1x, 1.4x and 2x) to pair with it.
      Also hoping the minimum focus distance is 1m or less.
      The Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM has a MFD of 2m and weighs 3.8kg.
      Perhaps they can make it about 3.5 kg or even less ?
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    10. I can imagine it and Goldilocks complaining about not having a 200-500 f/6.3 because f4 is too heavy and expensive, but 100-400 f8 is not expensive enough!
      Yes, and the RF 100-500 mm is useless since you cannot take pictures with a lens that has a 7.1 aperture at 500mm ;) .
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    13. This is one of two lenses that could complete my conversion of all equipment from EF to RF mount. The other being an UWA fast lens (prime or zoom) for astrophotography. The one thing I wish Canon would solve is filtering for UWA lenses similar to the slide in filter adapter you can use as a replacement for the EF to RF adapter. I love that solution for UWA lenses and would use it for other lenses if they would make one that was just a filter adapter with RF mount on both ends.
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    14. My 200-400mm is the go to lens for shooting soccer. Even in low light @5.6, many denoise programs can easily render outstanding images. However since the arrival of the RF 100-300mm, several folks have left the 200-400mm at home, and are putting a 1.4X TC on that lens, giving you a hand hold able 140 - 420mm F4. IMHO, Canon would get a bigger buying audience by creating a 600mm RF with an internal 1.4X (like Nikon). Bird folks should jump at that guy.
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    15. Here in Germany, the price for the RF 100-300 is 12.000€. This is twice of the EF 300/2.8. So, since the EF 500/4 was about 10k€ i expect the RF 200-500/4 to be around 20k€.
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    18. This would be a dream lens for my bird photography but far beyond my means at this stage. Also would be great for sports.
      ....
      In my opinion, way to heavy for typical bird photography where you really need to hand hold and move quickly for Birds in Flight., so hardly a dream lens for that. The RF 100-500 gives you the same reach, will be less than half the weight, and will be a fraction of the price. And is certai9nly sharp enough. It will be a great lens for sports (and is certainly targeted for that) where one would typically be on a monopod or tripod.
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    19. In my opinion, way to heavy for typical bird photography where you really need to hand hold and move quickly for Birds in Flight., so hardly a dream lens for that. The RF 100-500 gives you the same reach, will be less than half the weight, and will be a fraction of the price. And is certai9nly sharp enough. It will be a great lens for sports (and is certainly targeted for that) where one would typically be on a monopod or tripod.
      If it has the built in tele, that'd be pretty sweet for birds compared to the 100-500. Weight is an issue, but if they could get it lighter than the 200-400, might still be usable.
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