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    Canon officially announces the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM and RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM

    By Updated:29 Comments3 Mins Read Canon Lens News
    rf100400rf16 - Canon officially announces the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM and RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM

    MELVILLE, N.Y., September 14, 2021 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the RF16mm F2.8 STM and RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM lenses. Both lenses invite current EOS R series users and those who are considering a move to Canon’s prominent mirrorless system, such as the EOS R or EOS RP, to expand their content creation abilities with the visual drama of an ultra-wide-angle lens and true telephoto-only zoom lens. As the “lens first” EOS R series continues to expand, these latest lenses open the door to a wide-range of imaging creators, encouraging them to test the powers and possibilities of their art.

    Preorder: Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM $299 | Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM $649

    Ultra-Wide Perspectives

    Whether you are excited to start exploring the creative world of ultra wide-angle photography or someone who is looking to add another lens to expand your imaging offerings, the Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM is compact, lightweight and affordable. Long gone are the days of optical corrections or sharpness challenges – the new ultra-wide, 16mm RF lens, for full-frame cameras, comes with a fast and bright f/2.8 maximum lens aperture, as well as smooth and brisk AF (autofocus). This lens is a strong addition to the landscape, architecture or travel photographer — but it also provides the vlogging creator and the EOS Webcam Utility software user the power to integrate environments into their imagery, with its super-wide coverage.

    Preorder: Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM $299

    Additional features of Canon’s new ultra wide-angle prime lens with 16mm focal length F2.8 include:

    • STM Motor for smooth focusing when recording video
    • Compact size and light weight — similar to RF50mm F1.8 STM
    • Minimum focus distance of 5.11”
    • Maximum magnification of 0.26x
    • 43mm filter thread

    Truly Telephoto Possibilities

    The Canon RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM provides users with a versatile and popular zoom range that brings subjects closer with ease. It’s an affordable and easily hand-holdable entry into the world of super-telephoto, full-frame photography and video. Offering superb performance and sharpness, the 100–400mm focal length provides a versatile range for all types of telephoto opportunities — be it portraits and documenting events, to sports, birding and wildlife. And, for the first time in a non-L-series lens, the RF100–400mm will accept optional Canon RF 1.4x and 2x tele extenders, offering even more telephoto potential in a lightweight package. Yes, the Canon RF100–400mm is an excellent gateway into the world of wildlife, nature, and sports photography. However, this lens and its super-telephoto abilities can also be leveraged for the video content creator or vlogger when compiling b-roll type footage or for subjects who are at a distance.

    Preorder: Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM $649

    Additional features of the Canon RF100-400mm include:

    • High image quality — similar to the well-regarded EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
    • 100-400mm telephoto zoom range
    • Accepts optional Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders
    • 6 – F8 variable maximum aperture
    • Easy hand-held operation — lighter than EF70-300 IS II lens
    • Up to 5.5-Stops i optical IS and 6-stops ii correction with coordinated IS
    • Nano USM for high-speed and smooth AF
    • Smooth and nearly silent AF during video recording
    • Superb close-focusing — at 400mm, excellent 0.41x magnification
    • 9-blade aperture, for smooth backgrounds/foregrounds
    • 67mm filter thread

    Pricing and Availability

    The Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM and RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM are scheduled to be available in October 2021 for an estimated retail price of $299.00 and $649.00, respectively*.

    Preorder: Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM $299 | Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM $649

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    29 comments

    5. Canon really added the lens hoods + soft case with both lenses? At least that's what it says at Wex UK. Might be a mistake.
      May be market-dependent. I recall that in Malaysia, Canon included the hood with the EF 50/1.8 II (and other non-L lenses, but the nifty fifty stuck out as it was the cheapest lens). B&H list only the front and rear caps as included with the RF 100-400 and 16/2.8.
    7. May be market-dependent. I recall that in Malaysia, Canon included the hood with the EF 50/1.8 II (and other non-L lenses, but the nifty fifty stuck out as it was the cheapest lens). B&H list only the front and rear caps as included with the RF 100-400 and 16/2.8.

      Makes sense. At least UK customers get something extra for the much higher GBP price.
    10. Here's the 16mm's MTF. Pretty convenient for Canon to not show MTF@f/8 anymore, isn't it? Of course, what else would you expect from a $300 UWA lens?

      cweb.canon.jp

      仕様　RF16mm F2.8 STM：レンズ交換式カメラ・レンズ

      交換レンズ RF16mm F2.8 STMの仕様について紹介しているページです。
      cweb.canon.jp cweb.canon.jp

      Following are full size samples@f/8, f/9, and f/2.8 (too large to attach here):

      cweb.canon.jp

      RF16mm F2.8 STM：レンズ交換式カメラ・レンズ

      交換レンズ RF16mm F2.8 STMについて紹介しているページです。
      cweb.canon.jp cweb.canon.jp
    13. Canon really added the lens hoods + soft case with both lenses? At least that's what it says at Wex UK. Might be a mistake.
      The parkcameras linked here also offer hood and soft case, for the same price as just the lens on Canon store. The hood is over £70 alone???

      I'm deciding on whether I want this nice, compact zoom, or if I should get a cheap second hand 400 5.6. I'll probably be at the 400 range more often than not anyway, but I already have the rf800 to fit in my bag and another large >1kg lens won't fit!

      Ofc, my thin wallet has made the decision a lot easier...
    15. I got my preorder in for the 16mm! I was eyeing that lens since I saw it announced here. Hoping to do an extensive review if I get it in early enough. Who knows with all the shortages. That is why I did not want to wait for the reviews. It's cheap enough that I can test it out and decide if it will stay in my bag.
    16. Unless that 100-400's weight is comparable to my tamron 18-400 (APS-C)...I'll likely pass. I do have that range covered with my EF 100-400 L mk II (with dedicated adapter).
      They are identical in price: $649.

      The weight shows the canon is 10% lighter: 100-400 at 635 grams and 18-400 at 710 grams.
    18. *dry heave*
      *reminds self it’s a $300 lens*
      The lines are supposed to remain relatively flat from left to right, aren't they? I don't think I've ever looked twice at an MTF chart, but I seem to remember all the ones I've seen having far less slope...

      Was hoping for a lighter (hiking) alternative to my EF 16-35. Maybe not? I'm a bit finicky with lens quality, perhaps I need to cancel my pre-order.
    19. The lines are supposed to remain relatively flat from left to right, aren't they? I don't think I've ever looked twice at an MTF chart, but I seem to remember all the ones I've seen having far less slope...

      Was hoping for a lighter (hiking) alternative to my EF 16-35. Maybe not? I'm a bit finicky with lens quality, perhaps I need to cancel my pre-order.
      Here are the MTFs of the EF 16-35/4L IS (this is the older format, the new one above for the 16/2.8 does not have the curves shown as thin lines below, so only compare the 4 thick lines here to the MTF above. Short version of interpretation is that the center of the frame is on the left and the edges are on the right, and higher lines are better.

      Screen Shot 2021-09-14 at 3.38.46 PM.png

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