Canon Developing a New Slower Supertelephoto Lens [CR2]

[Canon Rumors]

We’re told that Canon is developing a new supertelephoto lens that is slower than f/4. One immediately thinks about an update to the EF 400mm f/5.6L, but we’re told that is not the case and it’ll be a new lens altogether.</p>
<p>While the source couldn’t nail down the exact focal length, speed or even if it was going to be a L lens, they did say the hope was to have such a lens to be announced some time in 2016 and that it would be “affordable”.</p>
<p>This sort of lens is definitely missing from the Canon lineup, both Tamron and Sigma have had a lot of success with 500mm and 600mm zoom lenses.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>

 

[Don Haines]

my bet is either a 500F5.6 or a 600F5.6 prime.... probably the 500 as a 600F5.6 would probably cost near a 300F2.8 and there goes "low cost" and "affordability"...

 

[Dekaner]

I'm guessing it's an update to the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lens. All of the other great whites have already undergone a refresh.

 

[ScottyP]

If it is 400mm or longer and "affordable" it is not an L lens.

Probably a cheap consumer grade variable aperture zoom that slots in after the inexpensive EF and EFS zooms that end at 250m or 300mm (55-250, 70-300 and 75-300). Maybe a cheap 100-400 or a 150/200 - 500.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Whereas the 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L II replaces well the old 400 F5.6 (which did not have Image Stabilizer), I see no need for another 400mm.

It may be a 200-500mm F4-5.6 IS STM costing around $ 1200 ...

 

[MrFotoFool]

There is definitely a market for this kind of lens and that market includes me. I have a low wage job and could never afford a 500 4 or 400 DO or anything like that. An affordable 500 5.6 would be killer. I mean the depth of field is already so shallow at that focal length that a larger aperture seems almost unnecessary, especially with the high ISO ability of modern cameras (to maintain a usable shutter speed).

 

[Pixel]

I'd jump all over anything longer than 500 with a 5.6 aperture.

 

[AlanF]

A 500/5.6 of L quality for me please. The right weight for a hiking lens, going up to 700/8 with a 1.4xTC.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'm thinking a competitor to the Tamron and Sigma 150-600mm lenses.

 

[Maximilian]

We’re told that Canon is developing a new supertelephoto lens that is slower than f/4. One immediately thinks about an update to the EF 400mm f/5.6L, but we’re told that is not the case and it’ll be a new lens altogether.

Hmm!
Sounds interesting and strange at the same time.

Something that will not be an update to the EF 400mm f/5.6L, that is "affordable" and no competition to the 100-400L II.

500/5.6 or even longer seems too big and too expensive to me to be "affordable".
x00/6.3 or smaller aperture seems not "Canon like" and is normally getting into conflict with the AF.
A 150-600 SigRon zoom competitor that is not cannibalizing the 100-400L II but good enough to compete against SigRon will be difficult.
There was not mention of this lens beeing a zoom. I suppose that this information would leak out.

Let's wait an see what's about to come.

 

[heptagon]

An affordable 400mm or better 500mm f/5.6 lens with IS would certainly be welcomed. The Tamron/Sigma alternatives lack a bit in sharpness on the long end. It just needs to be a tad better with a price not much higher than the Tamron/Sigma.

 

[slclick]

Is STM in a Superzoom feasible? Not using ring USM might bring down the cost and keep it out of the L category.
Maybe a 150-500 variable aperture. 4.5-6.3? Something like the Bigma but with better AF.

 

[sulla]

Oh how I would be all-in for a 500 f/5.6!! Should be L, should be IS and should be USM !!
Since the advent of the 100-400 II, anything below and including 400 f/5.6 doesn't make too much sense anymore, and anything above 600 couldn't be affordable, so I hope for a 500mm 5.6 lens!

 

[pierlux]

Interesting and exciting news! I'm saving for the siggy 150-600 sport since I bought the 7D2, but this CR2 might change my plans and make me wait for more rumors before pulling the trigger...

Supposing that it is a prime longer than 400mm it's not directly comparable to the 150-600, nevertheless, although being apples and oranges, I'd prefer a 500 or 600 f/5.6 prime from Canon to the Sigma zoom which is f/6.3 @ 600 mm any day, even if it will be priced higher... would $ 3000-3500 seem realistic for a Canon 500-600 mm f/5.6 with IS? What do you guys think?

 

[MrFotoFool]

Is STM in a Superzoom feasible? Not using ring USM might bring down the cost and keep it out of the L category.
Maybe a 150-500 variable aperture. 4.5-6.3? Something like the Bigma but with better AF.

I could be wrong, but I thought the main purpose of STM is for video. Surely a supertelephoto lens would be aimed at still photographers, not videographers.

 

[meywd]

A 500mm f/5.6 would be amazing, if its as sharp or sharper than the 100-400 II, then they can price it @ 2k and it would be a great price.

 

[Don Haines]

An affordable 400mm or better 500mm f/5.6 lens with IS would certainly be welcomed. The Tamron/Sigma alternatives lack a bit in sharpness on the long end. It just needs to be a tad better with a price not much higher than the Tamron/Sigma.

A 500mm f/5.6 would be amazing, if its as sharp or sharper than the 100-400 II, then they can price it @ 2k and it would be a great price.

Making it a prime instead of a zoom will get rid of a couple of lens groupings and that keeps weight and cost down. A single focal length allows the optical design to be optimized, and that should mean a lens that is far sharper than the sigma and Tamron, and certainly sharper than the 100-400.....

If they come out with a 500F5.6, one will be in my kit.....

 

[lol]

Any clue as to if it will be a prime or zoom? I find it hard to imagine Canon making a prime >400mm non-L, and if L wont be affordable. So I'm betting on a zoom.

How do we even define affordable anyway? Based on Sigma "C"/Tamron 150-600 street pricing I'd say that was "affordable". Canon could do a similar f/5.6 priced a bit above those (maybe closer to Sigma "S") with IS STM perhaps? Or maybe they will be more conservative and only go to a 500mm zoom.

For fun, what about a 28-350mm lens? If 350mm is "super" enough... such a lens may be useful for those going full frame on a budget. The 28-300L isn't affordable, and I'm throwing in 350mm maximum length as a nod towards the even earlier 35-350L.

 

[Maximilian]

I could be wrong, but I thought the main purpose of STM is for video. Surely a supertelephoto lens would be aimed at still photographers, not videographers.

AFAIK STM has the following features compared to (ring) USM:
+ cheaper
+ silent
- slower
- less accurate
- less increments/steps per rotation

Being silent is THE feature for video.
But main feature for Canon is CHEAPER.

 

[RGF]

A 500mm f/5.6 would be amazing, if its as sharp or sharper than the 100-400 II, then they can price it @ 2k and it would be a great price.

As a replacement for the 400 F5.6 L.

Perhaps DO but unlikely

Priced similar to the 100-400 II.