100% agree. We’ve all heard that f7.1 isn’t an issue on mirrorless and that, but come on! F7.1 for a non-L lens sure, not not a white one.
A "L" on a lens is not a warranty for big aperture, it is a warranty for pro quality.
it is also the meaning that it's built for professionnal use, so the proof that they made an analysis that it does exist a professionnal market for it.
I'm also sceptical, but if they produce a very sharp lense, enough to fit a lot of pixels, 6/8k video, not too high price and also rain-proof sealed, it could justify 7.1 aperture.
I'm sure they will make big whites F/2.8 or F/4 RF lenses soon, because they want to make a full range fitting every need.
But we have to be patient... and rich
Canon guys said the R5 is a 5 series, kind of Swiss knife camera. They release this 100-500 in the same time, same philosophy.
Big whites are more the kind of lenses used by pros on a monobloc camera like 1D.
It would be logical if they planned to release some RF big whites and a monobloc R1, in the same time, next year?
With the olympics posponed, I'm sure they will try to release a full R1 pro kit before next summer.
Advantage of quarantine is that engineering can be very productive, without market pressure...
let's dream