New type of teleconverter coming from Canon alongside a Supertelephoto zoom

Canon Rumors Guy

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We have been told that Canon will introduce a new type of teleconverter alongside the Canon RF 200-500mm f/4L IS, which will likely be announced in Q4 of this year, or Q1 of next year. We are still trying to nail down the timetable. The new teleconverter is basically a “zoom” TC. It can be

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john1970

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the TC for people who don't like TCs - because changing is cumbersome and exposes the sensor (esp. desert, beach / seafront, snowstorm, rain)

i'll definitely check it out!
Good point with regards to maintaining weather sealing while changing the magnification.
 
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Canon RF plus a mention of "It won't be cheap" will move it into the $2000+ range. At some point it will be cheaper to get a new body with more megapixels instead of a TC.
$2K is basically what Nikon is charging extra for a built-in TC vs the same Canon lens without one.
Here we would just be paying once for every compatible lens and getting 2 instead of one.
 
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unfocused

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Wouldn´t it be advantegeous for Canon to make it compatible with other RF-glasses as well ? At least I hope it will. Could be used with RF 70-200mm:s and hopefully also with RF 100-500mm for the whole focal length.
It’s the design of the lenses that make the 70-200 incompatible and restrict the zoom range of the 100-500. I doubt that will change with a new teleconverter.
 
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It’s the design of the lenses that make the 70-200 incompatible and restrict the zoom range of the 100-500. I doubt that will change with a new teleconverter.
It's the front-protruding optical train (inner barrel) of the existing TCs that preclude compatibility with the RF 70-200 and full compatibility with the RF 100-500. The lenses won't change, but if the new TC lacks the protruding front portion then it would be compatible with all RF lenses. I doubt Canon will do this, but it's certainly possible. The patent diagrams do not show an optical train protrusion, but that doesn't mean much.
 
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I really like the concept, if it can be executed at the right IQ. A dedicated TC has the advantage of being able to be optimized for the single lens, which presumably makes it easier to get better IQ. External TCs have always had a hit in IQ, with 2x much worse than 1.4x. The hit on IQ has reduced over the years with both lens and TC evolution. If this 3-setting external TC can have IQ comparable to the existing RF TCs then I think this is a winner.

Having the 100-300 and 200-500 lenses ship with no TC, but having a multi-setting external TC is a much better solution. The lens is lighter (and presumably cheaper) with no TC. The multi-setting TC will be expensive but will work with (at least) two lenses and can be added for occasions where the added flexibility matters.
 
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Mar 17, 2020
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Canon RF plus a mention of "It won't be cheap" will move it into the $2000+ range. At some point it will be cheaper to get a new body with more megapixels instead of a TC.
Another reason why we want more and more MPIX. It really delivers flexibility big time when shooting- not least for fast primes.
 
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roby17269

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It's the front-protruding optical train (inner barrel) of the existing TCs that preclude compatibility with the RF 70-200 and full compatibility with the RF 100-500. The lenses won't change, but if the new TC lacks the protruding front portion then it would be compatible with all RF lenses. I doubt Canon will do this, but it's certainly possible. The patent diagrams do not show an optical train protrusion, but that doesn't mean much.
Question: is part of the reason of having the protrusion on the current extenders mechanical stability and / or weather-proofing?
In any case I'd be in the market for this for sure. But first I need to see some tests about the impact on image quality at all settings, especially 1x. If it works well it'd be great not having to choose among nothing / 1.4x / 2x

So I am getting ready for a loooong wait...
On the bad side, if this will come out this year, since Canon is probably going to count it as a new RF lens, it means that there are less chances of getting the 35 f/1.2L in 2023 :cry:
 
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