Canon EOS R6 Mark III & RF 45 F1.2 STM November 6

[Del Paso]

Hmmm, funnily afaik, Sonys 28-70mm F2 (among other lenses) relies on digital correction as well. Sony even stated they were only able to built these lenses so lightweight because they relied on dc for vignetting and distortion. So, if you despise Canon for dc, please don't praise Sony lenses for it.

I really don´t mind digitally corrected lenses. In fact, I´d like to see some kind of proof which states optical corrected lenses are in fact better. Furthermore, I love the weight savings DC provides. Yes, I mean the VCM line-up. But one should also compare Canons optical corrected 28-70mm F2 (1.427 kg) and Sonys offering (0,918 kg): a difference of 500gr is huge! I don't how much DC does account for, but given the choice I´d go for a lighter DC anytime.

I fully agree on the Sony 28-70 heavily relying on digital corrections. Only Canon products face criticism...
On the other hand, it depends -for Canon, since I don't care at all about Sony - on how heavy these corrections are, compared to purely optical ones. If a lens needs to "light up" corners by 5 EV, or if corners need massive stretching to cover FF, this could render those lenses unsuited for night pictures, due to noise.
Nothing against digital correction, within certain limits. What matters is the resulting picture, as long as it does not suffer excessively from corner noise, I'm ok with digital.
And yes, lighter is always better...

 

[SvO2]

I fully agree on the Sony 28-70 heavily relying on digital corrections. Only Canon products face criticism...
On the other hand, it depends -for Canon, since I don't care at all about Sony - on how heavy these corrections are, compared to purely optical ones. If a lens needs to "light up" corners by 5 EV, or if corners need massive stretching to cover FF, this could render those lenses unsuited for night pictures, due to noise.
Nothing against digital correction, within certain limits. What matters is the resulting picture, as long as it does not suffer excessively from corner noise, I'm ok with digital.
And yes, lighter is always better...

From what I'm seeing on the digital picture, the Canon has more vignetting while the Sony has more geometric distortion. So the noise in corners issue would be worse on the Canon. Similar trends can be seen in other optically vs digitally corrected lenses.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

It’s most of the R6 Mark II in a RP body, with pretty much all the same settings and customisation available.
The R8 allows ISO on the top dial, two back button focus, etc.

Actually, the R8 has a few extra customisation options, when compared to the original R6, and I’m tempted to keep it specifically for the customisation. I use two back button focus, I like ISO on the top dial (where the RP adjusts aperture and doesn’t allow ISO). The R8 could give me an almost seamless experience. It doesn’t have rear dial but, honestly, it’s not that often that I need to adjust aperture.

It’s funny that you mention the joystick, because i only use it on my R6 to reset the focus point to the center. I drag it with the rear screen and reset with the joystick.
On the RP, I drag the focus point with the rear screen and reset with delete button.

@Canon Rumors Canon USA yesterday scheduled a YouTube stream, but it looks like they’ve deleted it in the meantime.

I really miss my R8. I love it's size and pocket-ability. It's way more portable that a R6ii. Same AF system and sensor too. The battery life is very dissapointing, however, if it used a bigger battery then it wouldn't be such a small camera. The only spec I find hard is the very low resolution and small EVF. It's fine 90% of the time, but for those 10% moments when I really want to see the detail or check focus...it's not so great.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

I fully agree on the Sony 28-70 heavily relying on digital corrections. Only Canon products face criticism...
On the other hand, it depends -for Canon, since I don't care at all about Sony - on how heavy these corrections are, compared to purely optical ones. If a lens needs to "light up" corners by 5 EV, or if corners need massive stretching to cover FF, this could render those lenses unsuited for night pictures, due to noise.
Nothing against digital correction, within certain limits. What matters is the resulting picture, as long as it does not suffer excessively from corner noise, I'm ok with digital.
And yes, lighter is always better...

I generally agree, the only lens I admore for it's digital corection and diminuative size is teh comparison between the EF 11-24mm and the RF10-20. The RF lens is way more portable. As a general walkabout UWA, the RF 10-20mm is hard to beat.

 

[mb66energy]

RF 45mm:
→ on par with EF 50 1.2 looks much more plausible! Understood!
→ digital breathing correction matches the price too better
A little bit disappointing because I hoped at least for some partial breathing correction by lenses!

 

[Walrus]

I'm not buying internationally, only at national stores. All the gear is new, open box or returned, with standard warranty.
I'm not purchasing items as used unless the price is insane and I can return them if something's wrong (which has happened in the past).

You're too classy :-D I buy only used stuff on eBay, and the most battered the gear is, the less I can pay for it.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, when I'm the seller) eBay is pretty forgiving with purchasers and gives you 30 days to return the item if there is fault or it's not corresponding to description and conditions stated, usually when you buy used stuff, if it doesn't break in the first 30 days, it's not gonna break later.

Until 5 years ago eBay community was great, rarely if ever had I to return a single item, everything was honestly described in its real conditions; but recently quality of the community went really down, I had to return some items whose descriptions were real fantasy when compared to the status of item I received (and many I didn't purchase because description was "mint, like new", but pictures clearly showed that it wasn't the case), and also quality of purchasers is down, non-paying buyer were pretty rare, while nowadays 1 on 3 items I sell, I have to relist again because buyer either disappears without paying, or writes me "sorry, I didn't understood I needed to buy the item if I win auction, I thought it was like a game and I can decide if I wanted to purchase after the auction ended", so I'm getting really sick of it, in 2024 I sold around 10.000€ worth of stuff on eBay (of course not pure margin, just the gross sales; margin was like 2500/3000€), this year I don't even reach 3.000€ of gross sold gear, I have not so much time anymore and not so much will.

 

[Del Paso]

I generally agree, the only lens I admore for it's digital corection and diminuative size is teh comparison between the EF 11-24mm and the RF10-20. The RF lens is way more portable. As a general walkabout UWA, the RF 10-20mm is hard to beat.

The RF 10-20 is indeed an excellent example of how digital corrections can positively affect lens development.

 

[P-visie]

It's tough to create halo lenses again.

So yes there are less opportunities to create halo lenses, but Canon don't seem to be that interested in making them.

What is the definition of “halo lens”? Which competitor has a FF 10-20mm rectilinear zoom? A 24-105mm f 2.8 zoom? Super telelenses for 800-1000€?

And keep in mind that the camera market has shrunk by a factor of 20 since a lot of the halo lenses you mention where released. That may have something to do with Canon’s “lack of interest”.

 

[roby17269]

I never said it has to be digital corrected. But at 1.2 kg the 85mm should be put on a diet. The difference between Sonys F1.2 and Canons is roughly 170 gr (778 gr to 950) so I really do think there is room for improvement in this regard. Canon really started to design lighter lenses with the arrival of the RF 100-500mm in 2021 (it had something to do with a new front element and new design approach, it was in one of the articles here on CR) and both lenses were released before that time. My theory actually fits with the rumored roadmap from 2021 which featured the 35mm f1.2, the fact it has obviously been pushed back several times and now the 24-70mm F2.8 IS VCM rumor which kind of gives a small hint what to expect of mkii´s.

Obviously lighter is better... but eventually the way to keep shaving weight will lead to reducing the image circle and to more and more digital correction needed.
Long teles have naturally a lot more room inside to move stuff around - not sure that's the case with an 85. I may be wrong.

We will probably never know if the rumored 35 1.2 was actually on an official Canon (internal) roadmap or not. Whatever the reason for the delay (or disappearance), the thing that matters to me is that there is no 35 1.2 for RF cameras. And the fact that Nikon has a great optically corrected 35 1.2 just pours salt in the wound, so to speak.
And I still think that releasing a digitally corrected VCM 35 1.2 would cannibalize (or be cannibalized by) the 35 1.4, unless the release will be in 3-4 years? (which would not make me happy)

 

[roby17269]

It's tough to create halo lenses again. Canon have done this so many times in the past, EF 50mm f1.0 and EF 85mm f1.2 are prime (soz for the pun) examples. Even Canon are shy of matching the 50mm f1.0 in a modern context. However they were the first to make a 35mm f1.4 and a 24mm f1,4 and these days all of the competition brands have similar lenses. Even independant brands like Sigma have a 85mm f1.2 these days. Canon where the first to make a 28-70mm f2.8 and then were the first to push it to 24-70/2.8. Now it's a standard that everybody is used too. Canon made the first 70-200.2.8. There were all halo lenses of yesteryear. The 28-70/f2.0 is aleap forwards but Canon haven't bothered with a sequal....a 70-135mm f2 has been long overdue. Where is out 180mm Macro replacement or 8-15mm fisheye (an astonishing little lens).
Other brands have lenses like the 35-150mm f2-2.8 from Tamron is a legend and for many a true one lens pro portrait solution. canon had their 200mm f1.8, replaced it with the f2 version and then dropped it....Sony, Nikkon and even Sigma now have one.
What of the other big whites? Even Sigma have made a 300-600mm f4. We are still wondering why Canon seem to be dragging their heels with their halo lens developement. Why didn't Canon do drop in TC's across all their white telephoto lens range? It's baffling. I love my 400mm f2.8 II L, but the amount of time I spend swapping TC's on that lens!
So yes there are less opportunities to create halo lenses, but Canon don't seem to be that interested in making them.

I guess it depends on what we mean by "halo"? In my mind it's not necessarily a combination of fl/aperture/etc. that has never been done before: it could also be a no-compromise quality-above-all version of something that already exists. Maybe "prestige" is a better word?

I agree that whatever the definition, Canon hasn't been doing many of those recently

 

[frankchn]

Whatever the reason for the delay (or disappearance), the thing that matters to me is that there is no 35 1.2 for RF cameras. And the fact that Nikon has a great optically corrected 35 1.2 just pours salt in the wound, so to speak.

Life is short, get a used Z8 and the 35mm f/1.2 S, and be happy

 

[P-visie]

I'd never dare to say that a line of shamelessly optically uncorrected lenses with extreme vignetting is 'a great accomplishment'. I don't even think the VCM line is worth of the red ring. At that price tag the least I expect is the lenses to be optically corrected.

Just like the Sony 50-150mm f2 you recently bought that also relies on digital corrections.

 

[roby17269]

Life is short, get a used Z8 and the 35mm f/1.2 S, and be happy

Unfortunately, my hobby money has been already partially eaten up by DJI drones and the rest is earmarked for Hasselblad

Canon did nothing in 2025 for me...

But seriously, I do not want to mess with a 3rd system. If I were do as you say, it would be the beginning of a full transition from Canon to Nikon. 'cause the Hassy is here to stay

 

[Del Paso]

What is the definition of “halo lens”? Which competitor has a FF 10-20mm rectilinear zoom? A 24-105mm f 2.8 zoom? Super telelenses for 800-1000€?

And keep in mind that the camera market has shrunk by a factor of 20 since a lot of the halo lenses you mention where released. That may have something to do with Canon’s “lack of interest”.

What is a halo lens?
Not a "me too" lens, but something new and different, like for instance a 14mm TSE, a 14-28 TSE, a 24-70 f/2 or the lenses you just named.

 

[m4ndr4ke]

You're too classy :-D I buy only used stuff on eBay, and the most battered the gear is, the less I can pay for it.

Nah, I just don't want the hassle of dealing with used gear Open boxes and returned items are as far as I go, these days, and they have to be cheap enough to ensure a quick sell. I don't buy unless I see the price is low enough to sell to MPB. I may sell elsewhere, but they're my reference for how much I'll be willing to pay.

From what I'm seeing on the digital picture, the Canon has more vignetting while the Sony has more geometric distortion. So the noise in corners issue would be worse on the Canon. Similar trends can be seen in other optically vs digitally corrected lenses.

I don't see anything weird with either the Canon or Sony 28-70mm f/2. We've had EF lenses with more distortion, that could be used in cameras that didn't allow for corrections (like film cameras).

As for software vignetting corrections, today I compared several lenses for EF, RF, Z, and FE mounts (including Sigma), uncorrected, and let's just say I was pretty surprised with what I saw, specially for the EF lenses.

Just like the Sony 50-150mm f2 you recently bought that also relies on digital corrections.

That lens is very well optically corrected.

 

[archie]

What kind of things can affect the rolling shutter effect? Sensor readout right?? What about that accelerator chip? Is that just for processing and does it (or can it) have anything to do with how fast the data is pulled from the sensor. DOES the sensor itself affect the readout speed—that is to say, is it a limiting factor in some way? Are there other things that could affect this phenom that a person like me who doesn't know anything about the internals might not be aware of? Like, I know what a shutter is. That's about it.

Or do I just have to WAIT until specs are published somewhere that reveals what this new R6 will give us?

 

[rombe3jr]

Typically Canon and Sony have had at least a year to respond to each other in their mid/low tier hybrid cameras:

Canon R6 - July, 2020
Sony A7IV - October, 2021
Canon R6 II - November, 2022
----------------------------------
Canon R6 III - November, 2025
Sony A7V - November or December, 2025 (just rumors - unconfirmed)

This is very exciting! Assuming neither company had spies checking on the other, we get a blind offering from both companies in the same price bracket (presumably) and at nearly the same time.

Who will win the spec / price wars this time?

 

[David - Sydney]

With these specs I don't really see the point of a side grade from a R6ii. I've needed a 2nd camera since I moved my R8 on and I've been waiting on the R6iii. However, considering I can buy a R6ii for so little £££ and R6iii offers very little in the way of upgrades for a Lot more £££. I can currently buy a new R6ii via grey import for £1350. A new R6iii is going to come in around £2K, maybe more.
So instead I've just bought a S/H R5 with only 50 clicks...yes it's practically brand new for only £1650. So yes, the R6iii is going to be a tough sell for Canon until the price drops to realistic prices and is seen a cheaper alternative to a mint R5. Maybe the R7ii will offer more tech for the money?

I hope that Canon retains selling the R5 new for some time to come.
It is great value vs my pre-order currently at 40% price drop.
While the R5ii has a lot of incremental upgrades for some, and a better all round body, the price difference isn't worth it for my usage.

The R5 may be a better upgrade path for R6/R6ii users rather than the R6iii but we won't know how many choose that path.

 

[David - Sydney]

Canon really started to design lighter lenses with the arrival of the RF 100-500mm in 2021 (it had something to do with a new front element and new design approach, it was in one of the articles here on CR) and both lenses were released before that time. My theory actually fits with the rumored roadmap from 2021 which featured the 35mm f1.2, the fact it has obviously been pushed back several times and now the 24-70mm F2.8 IS VCM rumor which kind of gives a small hint what to expect of mkii´s.

The RF100-500 is great for size/weight but that came after the RF70-200/2.8 in 2020.
The new one dropped almost 40% weight to 1070gm vs 1480gm for the EF70-200/2.8 plus shorter as well
It was an instant buy for me and approved by my wife who reminds me all the time about "can't you get a smaller kit of gear?". I even bought it on special before I had a R body to mount it on!

 

[David - Sydney]

Canon, or their opponents, have:
14mm f/1.8
Many 20mm f/1.4
Many 24mm f/1.4
35mm f/1.2
50mm f/1.2
85mm f/1.2

So, for every single one of the VCM lenses, I expect Canon to release a higher grade photo-oriented option within, say, 5 years from the first VCM release (50 and 85 are already available, obviously).

Add the Sigma 14/1.4 as well. Wishful thinking that Canon has a 14mm prime at any aperture at the moment except for the CN-R/Sumire. Strangely enough, B&H still have the EF14/2.8ii still on the shelf!