Close Menu

    An RF Zoom fisheye is coming [CR2]

    By 84 Comments2 Mins Read Canon Lens Rumors
    ef815f4 - An RF Zoom fisheye is coming [CR2]

    We have been told that a zoom fisheye similar to the EF version will be coming for the RF mount. It will be an “all-new” optical design and will work just fine on both crop and full-frame cameras. The EF 8-15mm f/4L USM was quite a popular niche lens, and we'd expect a similar focal length and speed in the RF variant.

    Currently, Canon only sells the RF 5.2mm f/2.8L USM Dual Lens Fisheye for VR/AR applications, at least that is how it is being sold and marketed. We haven't seen too many people using it for stills applications.

    One of the strength of the EF line-up was the “niche” lenses such as the zoom fisheye, the MP-E 65mm and probably the best tilt-shift line-up of any manufacturer.

    We know new tilt-shift lenses are coming and they will somehow have autofocus, and I received further confirmation of these lenses coming in the last couple of weeks. Though a timetable for launch is still a mystery.

    The MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1x-5x had a lot of fans, and we expect Canon to address such a lens in the future, but we haven't heard anything about it from any sources.

    Once we have a bit more information about the coming zoom fish-eye, we will add it to our roadmap.

    Some of our articles may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

    Go to discussion...

    Share.

    Related Posts

    84 comments

    1. Is there really a demand for fish eye lenses these days with so many 3rd parties offering options for both FF and Crop. Granted personally I would like to see atleast some MILC manufacturer address 180/200mm Macro and in case of Canon MP-E 65mm replacement.
    2. Is there really a demand for fish eye lenses these days with so many 3rd parties offering options for both FF and Crop. Granted personally I would like to see atleast some MILC manufacturer address 180/200mm Macro and in case of Canon MP-E 65mm replacement.
      Me too!
      A 180 macro with optical stabilization would be fine! A 50-60 macro too!
    3. Is there really a demand for fish eye lenses these days with so many 3rd parties offering options for both FF and Crop. Granted personally I would like to see atleast some MILC manufacturer address 180/200mm Macro and in case of Canon MP-E 65mm replacement.
      But wouldn't you rather need an RF 800mm macro for cobras and other friendly reptiles? :D
    4. Is there really a demand for fish eye lenses these days with so many 3rd parties offering options for both FF and Crop.
      Yes, people who need a fish-eye need a fish-eye.
    5. I don't think it's an error launching such an ultra specialized lens. Neither Nikon nor Sony have anything similar in their program. It is, for Canon, a way to differentiate themselves from their main competitors, and to attract customers in need of such a lens.
    6. I bought the ef 8-15mm L fisheye as soon as it was available and it's a really fun lens that is suprisingly versatile. However it needs judicious use in a collection of photographs. It's ability to cover fully circular 8mm and full recilinear 15mm fisheye views is unique. It's very small and light...and with a ef-rf drop in filter adapter...I can use ND filters with it.
      I personally can't see what a RF version can bring to the table except that it gives Canon permission to kill off the old ef version in 5 years or so.
      There are a few niche ef lenses that really do need a warm over. These will never see the light of day as mk II ef lenses...so my only hope is that thye will be RF lenses instead. The ef 180mm f3.5 L macro is another of those niche lenses. It's far better than any other variant of it's type from any other brand. It's not until you try the Sigma, Nikon, tamron etc until you realise how good the Canon variant is in comparision. But it could do with newer optics, coatings, AF motors and yes...a modern macro capabile IS system. However, the EF version is so niche it still commands a high price...I shudder to think what Canon would charge for an RF version!
      If canon were smart with their TSE-RF lenses, they would include a rear drop in filter slot. That would level the "features" playing field between ef and rf variants.
      I like the idea of a super wide f1.2 prime lens. Looking at the block chart...that's got some seriously funky glass shapes in there...that isn't going to be cheap or light weight!
    7. Is there really a demand for fish eye lenses these days with so many 3rd parties offering options for both FF and Crop. Granted personally I would like to see atleast some MILC manufacturer address 180/200mm Macro and in case of Canon MP-E 65mm replacement.

      Absolutely! I love my EF version and use it at every wedding. I will be upgrading when the RF version comes out. As stated in other posts, niche lenses like the fisheye, MP-65mm and tilt-shift varieties are what makes Canon special.
    8. Is there really a demand for fish eye lenses these days with so many 3rd parties offering options for both FF and Crop. Granted personally I would like to see atleast some MILC manufacturer address 180/200mm Macro and in case of Canon MP-E 65mm replacement.
      Absolutely - still using my 8-15 for sports regularly.
    10. I bought the ef 8-15mm L fisheye as soon as it was available and it's a really fun lens that is suprisingly versatile. However it needs judicious use in a collection of photographs. It's ability to cover fully circular 8mm and full recilinear 15mm fisheye views is unique. It's very small and light...and with a ef-rf drop in filter adapter...I can use ND filters with it.
      I personally can't see what a RF version can bring to the table except that it gives Canon permission to kill off the old ef version in 5 years or so.
      There are a few niche ef lenses that really do need a warm over. These will never see the light of day as mk II ef lenses...so my only hope is that thye will be RF lenses instead. The ef 180mm f3.5 L macro is another of those niche lenses. It's far better than any other variant of it's type from any other brand. It's not until you try the Sigma, Nikon, tamron etc until you realise how good the Canon variant is in comparision. But it could do with newer optics, coatings, AF motors and yes...a modern macro capabile IS system. However, the EF version is so niche it still commands a high price...I shudder to think what Canon would charge for an RF version!
      If canon were smart with their TSE-RF lenses, they would include a rear drop in filter slot. That would level the "features" playing field between ef and rf variants.
      I like the idea of a super wide f1.2 prime lens. Looking at the block chart...that's got some seriously funky glass shapes in there...that isn't going to be cheap or light weight!

      Interesting because i heard exactly the opposite from a pro photographer who sold the Sigma 180mm macro for the Canon version and said it was not worth it.
    11. I agree that there is a demand for this lens. It’s a fun lens and useful for pros to have in their lineup. But I’m having a hard time imagining what they could do to make me trade in my EF version.
    12. Is there really a demand for fish eye lenses these days with so many 3rd parties offering options for both FF and Crop. Granted personally I would like to see atleast some MILC manufacturer address 180/200mm Macro and in case of Canon MP-E 65mm replacement.
      Yes a long RF macro would be good... but, more importantly, where's my RF 35mm f/1.2L?!? :LOL:
    13. but, more importantly, where's my RF 53mm f/1.2L?!? :LOL:
      Are you sure that’s what you want? Really? Just an extra 3mm over the existing lens? You must have a very, very specific need for that focal length. :p :ROFLMAO:
    14. But wouldn't you rather need an RF 800mm macro for cobras and other friendly reptiles? :D
      but cuddling with those amazing creatures is half of the experience, don't you think? :love:
      don't forget about effective aperture though. you'd be blasting those animals with laser light to get a bright image...
    15. [...]There are a few niche ef lenses that really do need a warm over. These will never see the light of day as mk II ef lenses...so my only hope is that thye will be RF lenses instead. The ef 180mm f3.5 L macro is another of those niche lenses. It's far better than any other variant of it's type from any other brand. It's not until you try the Sigma, Nikon, tamron etc until you realise how good the Canon variant is in comparision. But it could do with newer optics, coatings, AF motors and yes...a modern macro capabile IS system. However, the EF version is so niche it still commands a high price...I shudder to think what Canon would charge for an RF version! [...]
      The EF180L allows me to use the CPL drop in filter, which saves $$$$ for a front mount CPL :) Comparing the RF100L, RF85STM and the EF180L, I find that the R5/R8 AF system works a lot better with fast AF motors. That makes me wish for an RF180L, but I agree that will likely be a €2500 lens.
    17. My wishlist for an RF 180 or 200mm L macrolens, ranked by importance (to me, from high to lower):
      • Same (or better) optical quality as the EF 180 mm
      • 1:1 magnification
      • Fast AF
      • Compatible with RF extenders (for increased working distance with dragonflies, butterflies and other insects)
      • Sufficient number of aperture blades for a round opening (for good bokeh)
      • Image stabilization
      • Internal focusing (like the EF 180 mm)
      • Focus limiter (from closest focus to +/- 1 meter)
      • f 2.8
      • Removable tripod collar
      • Weight: equivalent to, or lighter than, the EF 180 mm
      And please NO Spherical Aberration Control.
    18. But wouldn't you rather need an RF 800mm macro for cobras and other friendly reptiles? :D
      For really dangerous snakes(large vipers) have been using EF 100-400mm II and with mirrorless I will get RF 100-400(saw one of birder carry that lens recently so gave it a try on dragonflies, found it highly impressive for its price). Otherwise its for small butterflies(for larger butterflies and Odonates EF/RF 100-400mm work beautifully) and some shy frogs for which 180/200mm Macro will work perfectly.
      Interesting because i heard exactly the opposite from a pro photographer who sold the Sigma 180mm macro for the Canon version and said it was not worth it.
      What version of Sigma 180mm lens were they using? I know quite a lot of butterfliers who still use their Sigma 180mm(2.8 and old 3.5) and they are very happy with their lens(with 2.8 common complaint is the weight). Unfortunately all 180mm lenses have been discontinued(though they seem to be fairly common on used market), given Tamron was quite old by the time Sigma updated their 180mm and it was choice between heavy 2.8 with stabilization but no Weather sealing vs Canon's 180mm macro without OS but with weather sealing and light on back.
      My wishlist for an RF 180 or 200mm L macrolens, ranked by importance (to me, from high to lower):
      • Same (or better) optical quality as the EF 180 mm
      • 1:1 magnification
      • Fast AF
      • Compatible with RF extenders (for increased working distance with dragonflies, butterflies and other insects)
      • Sufficient number of aperture blades for a round opening (for good bokeh)
      • Image stabilization
      • Internal focusing (like the EF 180 mm)
      • Focus limiter (from closest focus to +/- 1 meter)
      • f 2.8
      • Removable tripod collar
      • Weight: equivalent to, or lighter than, the EF 180 mm
      And please NO Spherical Aberration Control.
      Add NO focus shift as well otherwise that wishlist is what any new 180/200mm Macro lens should be.
    19. but cuddling with those amazing creatures is half of the experience, don't you think? :love:
      don't forget about effective aperture though. you'd be blasting those animals with laser light to get a bright image...
      Been there done that and cant share pics of that rather its a behaviour forwned upon and for a good reason.

    Leave a comment

    Please log in to your forum account to comment