We're told that Canon may announce two more RF mount lenses in 2019, but it's possible they will get pushed into early 2020.
Apparently, the original plan was to announce the development of 8 lenses with the EOS RP, but for whatever reason, that plan was scrapped. Lens launches have always been a moving target.
We weren't told what the other two lenses might be, and we don't want to guess at this point in time. One patent in particular maybe give us some clues about what's next for RF mount lenses. The patent shows optical formulas for an RF 100-400mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM and a likely Non-L RF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS.
We do think the extremely popular 100-400mm zoom will be one of the next few of lenses to be announced.
I suspect we'll get more clues over the next couple of months with further patents being uncovered.
We don't yet know when the 6 latest RF lenses will begin shipping, but we think that'll come into focus in Q2 of 2019.
There is no further news about the next EOS R camera body.
...talk of an RF version of the 100-400? Oh my.
Exciting times for Canon; fun and enjoyment for me.
Personally, I think they need a small "regular" zoom, like an inexpensive 24-105 or 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 or something of that nature. Remember the old 28-105 f/3.5-4.5? Small, inexpensive, light, useful range, perfect for the RP (though 24 on the wide end would be very useful).
Canon: "We don't care about R cameras, let's drown the people in new Canon RF lenses \o/"
They also need
- 70-200/4 which is also very popular (the current is a fresh design, shouldn't need much work)
- lightweight 50/1.8 and/or 50/1.4
- macro in the 90-120mm range (easiest is probably just to port the current very good 100mm)
- 1.4x and 2x teleconverters
- some pencake stuff
- I don't care about the 70-300 but it's a pretty safe bet they'll make it
They'd then be covering 15mm to 400mm.
100mm macro you'd think would be the next natural lens to come for the R system.
Both of these will be expensive lens for EOS RP buyers.
It would seem to need a number of cheaper F4 lens for those RP buyers
The same reason the car industry keeps their new ones secret:
The minute you publish a roadmap, the previous model can only
be sold with heaviest rebates, if at all.
They published these 6 lens development announcements as a
statement of where they are going, a full fledged kingpin system.
Now that they drew their line in the sand, they will monitor sales
and feedback before deciding what to introduce next.
One thing became obvious for sure: They have the capacity to
churn out around 10 new lenses per year. This will go on for
some time.
The emphasis is on the workhorses for professionals and enthusiast
amateurs first, because the have the highest profit margin and
benefit the most from the new mount, just look at the 70-200.
Next are consumer mass production lenses. Just two or three.
After that they will check inventory and replace specialties
where stock is nearing end in EF.
All of this might see an override following the highest demand
in user feedback.
In the near future, Canon will stop publishing roadmaps again.
They have made their point, and will return to protecting sales
of old stock.
That said I would also like to see more compact 1.8 primes