Meike launches the AF 85mm f/1.4 autofocus lens for the RF mount

[antonio_s]

The Samyang versions were basically DSLR lenses with built in adapters. You could see the space for it when you looked at the DSLR and RF versions side by side. I don’t recall Canon ever going after Samyang. If memory serves, it was Viltrox (or another brand?) that got the cease and desist and Samyang proactively pulled their lenses in response to that. Perhaps to avoid what they thought might be future legal fees?

The Samyang lenses weren't DSLR ones with built-in adapters. They were bona fide mirrorless designs, the same that Samyang released for Sony E-mount cameras. I used to have the Samyang 14mm AF for RF mount, and it did not have a space in the back to account for the flange difference (and in fact was quite different optically from the EF 14mm AF lens which Samyang then did and still does sell).

However, there have been some MF lenses for the RF mount that are more or less EF lenses with adapters. And a number of Sigma lenses for Sony cameras were DSLR designs, in the same vein...

 

[Chaitanya]

If Canon is licensing 3rd parties then only 2 lenses that I want for RF mount are Sigma 105mm DG DN Macro and Sigma 24mm f3.5 DG DN.

 

[koenkooi]

So after DR, overheating and 3rd party lenses, what do I need to tell the online mobs to agitate about to get that trolling money from Sony? Some of them have gotten rid of all their Canon gear like 10 times the past year!

 

[entoman]

If Canon is licensing 3rd parties then only 2 lenses that I want for RF mount are Sigma 105mm DG DN Macro and Sigma 24mm f3.5 DG DN.

Sigma 105mm DG DN Macro has a good reputation, but why not get the Canon RF 100mm macro? It's extremely sharp, focuses down to 1.4x magnification, has very fast and accurate AF, and excellent OIS.

 

[entoman]

So after DR, overheating and 3rd party lenses, what do I need to tell the online mobs to agitate about to get that trolling money from Sony? Some of them have gotten rid of all their Canon gear like 10 times the past year!

I have a horrible feeling that with dpreview on its death bed, we'll find some of the trolls emigrating here...

 

[koenkooi]

Sigma 105mm DG DN Macro has a good reputation, but why not get the Canon RF 100mm macro? It's extremely sharp, focuses down to 1.4x magnification, has very fast and accurate AF, and excellent OIS.

The RF100L is almost double the price of the Sigma here, €800 vs €1500. It's a great lens and I enjoy using it, but compared to the EF100L pricing, I find it overpriced.

 

[Chaitanya]

Sigma 105mm DG DN Macro has a good reputation, but why not get the Canon RF 100mm macro? It's extremely sharp, focuses down to 1.4x magnification, has very fast and accurate AF, and excellent OIS.

Same reason as mentioned above RF 100mm is extremely expensive INR128500(~US$1566) vs INR73000(~US$890) for Sigma 105mm Macro, also I do currently own a EF 100 mm L and Laowa 100mm(for time when I need above 1x mag ratio). In future it would be easier for me to replace EF 100mm(when it fails in rainforest) with Sigma 105mm(granted it comes for RF).

 

[Chaitanya]

The suspense is killing all of us. They should follow the Netflix model and drop all the episodes day 1 so we can binge until we get to the end!

-Brian

So similar to F1 drive to survive.

 

[webphoto]

Great, thanks Canon! We are looking forward to have more options for RF lenses.

 

[lote82]

I have a horrible feeling that with dpreview on its death bed, we'll find some of the trolls emigrating here...

Please remember I was here before dpreview died!

 

[nunataks]

There's probably something behind the scenes related to the backlash that Canon got that led them to approve this.

Either way, the door is now open and please Tamron I want that 28-75 for RF!

 

[Konachu]

Be interesting to see how this works, I have the Samyang AF 85mm 1.4 RF.
When powering off the aperture does not close, so you get the warning about using the lens cap. As it works just as a EF lens adapted onto RF.

 

[neuroanatomist]

There's probably something behind the scenes related to the backlash that Canon got that led them to approve this.

Either way, the door is now open and please Tamron I want that 28-75 for RF!

Backlash? Lol. Tempest in a teapot. Logically, Meike made a lens that doesn’t infringe on Canon’s issued patents, whereas Viltrox and Samyang did not.

 

[Toglife_Anthony]

If this lens is at NAB, it’s not at the Meike booth, or the gentlemen here are feeding me BS. They’re acting like the thing doesn’t even exist yet, let alone actually being here to see and hold.

 

[Czardoom]

There's probably something behind the scenes related to the backlash that Canon got that led them to approve this.

Either way, the door is now open and please Tamron I want that 28-75 for RF!

The door was never closed. People on the internet took a known fact (Canon has two lens makers stop making AF RF lenses due to patent infringement) and blew it up into "Canon won't allow 3rd party lenses" or "There will never be any 3rd party AF lenses for the RF mount." Alas, a typical scenario in today's social media world where fact, rumor and downright lies are all mingled together and treated equally. (Actually lies and misinformation are far more accepted than facts in many cases). Canon says they have no 3rd party policy at this time and never had one. They will look at things on an individual basis. So we have no idea how open the door is or will be.

 

[entoman]

Same reason as mentioned above RF 100mm is extremely expensive INR128500(~US$1566) vs INR73000(~US$890) for Sigma 105mm Macro, also I do currently own a EF 100 mm L and Laowa 100mm(for time when I need above 1x mag ratio). In future it would be easier for me to replace EF 100mm(when it fails in rainforest) with Sigma 105mm(granted it comes for RF).

Yeah, all Canon gear is very expensive in India - Nikons seem to be cheaper and more popular in your country.

 

[mimbu]

"Approved". I have my doubts that a two-bit Chinese lens manufacturer with a grand total of one mirrorless AF lens and a Zeiss-knock-off logo has received any sort of official approval from Canon.

 

[mimbu]

The door was never closed. [...] They will look at things on an individual basis. So we have no idea how open the door is or will be.

We know that neither Sigma nor Tamron have any 3rd party glass on Canon's nearly 5-year-old RF mount. Whatever Canon's policy is, the main players that make the most (and best) 3rd party glass are staying away.

 

[AJ]

"Approved". I have my doubts that a two-bit Chinese lens manufacturer with a grand total of one mirrorless AF lens and a Zeiss-knock-off logo has received any sort of official approval from Canon.

Good point. Maybe Canon will threaten a lawsuit tomorrow.

 

[AlanF]

If so, that implies that they could be using the EF protocol for the RF mount - which in turn *may* possibly mean that there could be compatibility issues with future RF cameras, if/when the 2 extra pins of the RF mount are used for something other than merely speeding up data flow.

It doesn't necessarily imply that they are using EF protocols. According to patent law, you can patent a new lens mount but you cannot patent the complementary mount on the lens as that would inihibit competition. Further, it is perfectly legal to reverse engineer any communication protocol provided you don't illicitly get hold of Canon's own protocols and use them partly or in full.