Canon executives address third-party RF future

[roby17269]

This what I always want to do. Only essentials.
But I usually end up taking (also to Italy, mostly hiking) : Leica + 18+28+35+90, Eos 5 D IV+ 50 Zeiss macro, EF 100-400 + 1,4 Ext + TSE 24, binos etc... Sometimes I just hate myself!

Used to do the same, but I'm getting older and lazier
Once I went with my Hasselblad digital back and 2 lenses (equivalent to 24mm and 50mm more or less) and, while it is an heavy, delicate beast, I still got images I like to this day.
Seriously though, I've never felt the need to cover every possible mm - I am happy with fairly large gaps and I believe that this makes me a bit more adventurous with my compositions

 

[roby17269]

I spent two weeks in Italy as well, took the R8 with RF 14-35/4L, 24-105/4L, RF 24/1.8, RF 28/2.8, RF 100-400 and TS-E 17/4L. Pretty much entirely urban (Venice, Rome, and several small cities on Sicily), the only real nature outings were a sunset trip up Mt. Etna and scuba diving (for which I used my iPhone 14 Pro in a dive housing with good flood lights). Lots of lenses, but on any given outing I took only 2-3. For daytime walkarounds it was the 14-35 and 24-105 with either the 24/1.8 or the 28/2.8. Blue hour just the TS-E 17 and 24-105, and I used the 100-400 only on Mt. Etna.

The majority of my images were with the 14-35/4 and 24-105/4:

View attachment 210879

Nice graph
Looks like we have different styles, which is great.
How do you find the ergonomics of the R8? I was considering it for my daughter...

I would also suggest you think about a small drone: I had huge fun flying it around in Alpine valleys and taking videos of beautiful cliff-hanging villages from the sea. And am really happy with the 4K videos I have taken with it at a first cursory look (still working through the mass of images... down to around 200 from 4.5K now). I do not do much photography with it at all since the photo quality of the DJI Mini 3 Pro is akin to phones, which I am not a fan of... although you can use it for the sake of taking different compositions that would not be possible with a camera from the ground. This may change now that I have a Mavic 3 Pro which has tele lenses and the main sensor is a 20mp 4/3rd one. But even with the Mini video quality is great. And it is light! The drone + controller + 3 batteries + ND filters + bag are 1 Kg or less. That's the biggest drawback of the Mavic which is significantly heavier...

Incidentally I hope Italy has treated you well! For me is always great but I am Italian after all.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Nice graph

Done with PhotoStatistica.

Looks like we have different styles, which is great.
How do you find the ergonomics of the R8? I was considering it for my daughter...

For occasional use, it's fine for me. I would not want to hold it all day, but while traveling the camera was mostly in a messenger bag and pulled out only to shoot (the exception was that with the 28/2.8 pancake I would sometimes let it dangle from my wrist via the Peak Design wrist strap). With small hands, I think it would be fine for frequent use. The controls are good for casual photography, some complain about the lack of a 3rd dial but with Fv mode that's not really a problem as two are sufficient to rapidly adjust everything. AF point selection using the upper right quadrant of the LCD works well (used that with the EOS R), though nothing really compares to the Smart Controller on the R3 (and 1D X III).

Depending on her hand size, the grip extension may be helpful. Or if she'll use a tripod, consider an L-bracket or a base plate that mimics the grip extension in terms of adding height. I have the RRS L-bracket for the EOS RP, fits perfectly (but sadly, RRS discontinued them; I picked one up used from KEH after ordering the R8).

I would also suggest you think about a small drone:

I have, though I'm don't shoot a lot of video.

Incidentally I hope Italy has treated you well! For me is always great but I am Italian after all.

It was a great trip!

 

[Del Paso]

Nice graph
Looks like we have different styles, which is great.
How do you find the ergonomics of the R8? I was considering it for my daughter...

I would also suggest you think about a small drone: I had huge fun flying it around in Alpine valleys and taking videos of beautiful cliff-hanging villages from the sea. And am really happy with the 4K videos I have taken with it at a first cursory look (still working through the mass of images... down to around 200 from 4.5K now). I do not do much photography with it at all since the photo quality of the DJI Mini 3 Pro is akin to phones, which I am not a fan of... although you can use it for the sake of taking different compositions that would not be possible with a camera from the ground. This may change now that I have a Mavic 3 Pro which has tele lenses and the main sensor is a 20mp 4/3rd one. But even with the Mini video quality is great. And it is light! The drone + controller + 3 batteries + ND filters + bag are 1 Kg or less. That's the biggest drawback of the Mavic which is significantly heavier...

Incidentally I hope Italy has treated you well! For me is always great but I am Italian after all.

Do you know what we say in France about Italians?
That Italians are like the French, but friendly...
See you (maybe) in September in Val di Sole.

 

[Walrus]

That Italians are like the French, but friendly...

As an Italian I would definitely agree

And I was just reading this morning an article about the "return of USA people in Italy" after some time, due to Covid and lessened international trips; journalist was arguing about this spike in USA presence because during Covid, people saved money on trips, and now the dollar has a good change rate with euro, so there's good convenience in coming to Europe.

But lot of hotel and restaurant owners were also glad about the USA tourists returning, because at the same time there's a certain reduction in domestic Italian presence, as the prices are often too high for us, and many people either went to cheaper countries like Albania or Croatia (but in Croatia they just adopted the euro this year, and many people found the prices had spiked since last year, and next year they wouldn't go there anymore), or directly stayed at home (like I'm doing) because they cannot afford any travel and outside sleeping and eating.

 

[AJ]

I have so far been able to buy top quality RF glass for the kind of scenic shooting I like to do, with one exception. I want a top quality nightscape lens with the latest features. Sigma has made some nice primes for this. The original one I wanted was the Sigma 14mm f/1.8, only available in EF mount of course. At that time it wasn't yet obvious that an RF version was not going to come out shortly so I waited. Now there are a couple of newly designed Sigma mirrorless optimized UWA lenses that have specific nightscape features, like locking manual focus and a dew heater restriction flange on the front of the lens to keep the strap in place. They also have even better performance on stars with less aberrations than any other lenses out there. But due to spin down of Canon's EF lens family and the restrictions on 3rd party AF capable RF lens manufacture, these are only available in Sony or L mount styles. And there is as of yet no 14-20mm Canon RF or even EF prime with respectable aberration performance on stars. So I am officially frustrated. It is strange to me that a company that has shown a willingness to come out with multiple bodies with modified filtering optimized to be used for astrophotography (even though obviously a niche market) has not seen any need to put out any lenses that would also be optimized for that same usage. I am certainly not going to be leaving Canon over this, but I REALLY wish there was a decent alternative out there with the features shown in some of the latest Sigma lenses that could be used on my R5...

Canon offered astro-specific bodies in the past, but since the Ra was discontinued there have been none in the line-up. Canon seems to have abandoned this user base. At the moment the only choice is open-heart surgery to remove the IR filter. Good luck trying to find a used Ra - when they do come up they are snapped up quickly and demand a pretty penny.
Come on Canon: R8a? Please?

 

[AlanF]

Do you know what we say in France about Italians?
That Italians are like the French, but friendly...
See you (maybe) in September in Val di Sole.

Italy is one of my favourite countries. Not only does it have history, culture, artistic and natural beauty but also the friendliest and most helpful of people. And, Rome never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Del Paso]

Italy is one of my favourite countries. Not only does it have history, culture, artistic and natural beauty but also the friendliest and most helpful of people. And, Rome never ceases to amaze me.

And also excellent food, wine, the second best cheese , and more than 150 different wild orchids!
A beautiful and friendly country, indeed.

 

[AlanF]

And also excellent food, wine, the second best cheese , and more than 150 different wild orchids!
A beautiful and friendly country, indeed.

Spain is another country where you ask someone the way and they grab your hand and lead you there.

 

[Walrus]

And also excellent food, wine, the second best cheese , and more than 150 different wild orchids!
A beautiful and friendly country, indeed.

Mon ami, le fromage du l'Italie c'est le premiere

 

[LSXPhotog]

There are plenty of affordable RF lenses and EF lenses work just fine.
I want third-party lenses too but that is a problem that does not exist

You greatly underestimate how little people want to adapt lenses. The affordable RF zoom lenses are very slow apertures. It’s like you didn’t even comprehend what I said.

 

[LSXPhotog]

Do your nephew a favor and teach him how to use an incredible selection of EF lenses on an RF body using the extremely reliable and affordable EF-EOS R adapter. There is almost no EF lens that doesn't work fantastically on R bodies. In addition, and especially since your nephew is a beginner, he will save a lot of money along the way.

This isn’t an option many people want to explore. He already adapts an EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS II USM and he could sell that lens along with his RF 24-105 and buy a native E-mount 28-70 and 70-180 f/2.8 from Tamron or any other assortment of lens options. People don’t like to adapt lenses. His goal is for a small, light kit that fits into a side bag. Canon is just not the right system for his personal needs. As much as that upsets me…

 

[roby17269]

Do you know what we say in France about Italians?
That Italians are like the French, but friendly...
See you (maybe) in September in Val di Sole.

That's nice I did not know about that
Unfortunately I am back in NY... I will be on the Alps around Xmas

 

[roby17269]

For occasional use, it's fine for me. I would not want to hold it all day, but while traveling the camera was mostly in a messenger bag and pulled out only to shoot (the exception was that with the 28/2.8 pancake I would sometimes let it dangle from my wrist via the Peak Design wrist strap). With small hands, I think it would be fine for frequent use. The controls are good for casual photography, some complain about the lack of a 3rd dial but with Fv mode that's not really a problem as two are sufficient to rapidly adjust everything. AF point selection using the upper right quadrant of the LCD works well (used that with the EOS R), though nothing really compares to the Smart Controller on the R3 (and 1D X III).

Depending on her hand size, the grip extension may be helpful. Or if she'll use a tripod, consider an L-bracket or a base plate that mimics the grip extension in terms of adding height. I have the RRS L-bracket for the EOS RP, fits perfectly (but sadly, RRS discontinued them; I picked one up used from KEH after ordering the R8).

She's 9 turning 10 soon... her hands are still small. Nothing decided yet, I've offered her some options for daddy-daughter activities. So far she's decided for Lego projects (we've built our own massive aquarium ) and now she wants me to teach her how to make games with Roblox (not that I know how). But I am still hopeful she'll opt for photography sooner or later. The R8 would be good to use with my lenses. I could lend her the 24-240 that I do not use pretty much anymore.

I have, though I'm don't shoot a lot of video.

To be honest I wasn't as well until I moved to R. The R5 is a much better video machine than the 1D X I had before. Then between the GoPro (skiing) and the drone I learned a bit about video and now I like it. Not like photography but almost

It was a great trip!

Glad to hear! Mine too, albeit too short

 

[neuroanatomist]

You greatly underestimate how little people want to adapt lenses. The affordable RF zoom lenses are very slow apertures. It’s like you didn’t even comprehend what I said.

I wonder who has a better understanding of people’s desire to adapt lenses…you or Canon? No, I don’t wonder.

 

[neuroanatomist]

To be honest I wasn't as well until I moved to R. The R5 is a much better video machine than the 1D X I had before. Then between the GoPro (skiing) and the drone I learned a bit about video and now I like it. Not like photography but almost

To be fair, I do shoot some video. But when I need to, I typically use a Canon Vixia HF G60 for that.

 

[dlee13]

In a way you’d hope this that means Canon will only the more reputable brands like Tamron and Sigma to license their mount and not so much brands like Yongnuo, but if they want to continue their greed at the detriment of their users they could do the opposite and only work with brands like Viltrox.

For anyone who claims EF lenses compare to modern third party lenses clearly haven’t used any from Tamron or Sigma.

 

[Del Paso]

Mon ami, le fromage du l'Italie c'est le premiere

La guerre du fromage est declaree!
PS: this evening, I'll have some excellent Castelmagno, from number 2 cheese country
PPS: let's not start a food war, because Japan, China, Mexico may chime in...
PPPS: I had some great meals in Britain too!

 

[Snapster]

I hate adapting EF lenses on RF. That's why I have only one and the adapter is permanently attached.

RF lenses are better in every way. Which is the whole point why people are annoyed with Canon not allowing a bigger selection 5 years into the system. They market mirrorless as smaller, lighter, cutting edge. What you get with EF is bigger, heavier and old compared to the competition.

I was lucky to snatch a Samyang RF 85mm f/1.4 before Canon forced them out of the market. It's a great example of what kind of midrange RF lenses should be available. Good IQ, better build quality than Canons STM's with internal focusing and weather sealing, and at around 600g it balances perfectly with the R and R5 compared to the tanky L primes that make the camera front heavy and aren't comfortable to carry around all day.

My friend has the Viltrox RF 85mm f/1.8 and the bang for buck you get for 299-399€ is amazing. These kind of lenses are important in getting new photographers to choose Canon over Sony.

 

[Del Paso]

I hate adapting EF lenses on RF. That's why I have only one and the adapter is permanently attached.

RF lenses are better in every way. Which is the whole point why people are annoyed with Canon not allowing a bigger selection 5 years into the system. They market mirrorless as smaller, lighter, cutting edge. What you get with EF is bigger, heavier and old compared to the competition.

I was lucky to snatch a Samyang RF 85mm f/1.4 before Canon forced them out of the market. It's a great example of what kind of midrange RF lenses should be available. Good IQ, better build quality than Canons STM's with internal focusing and weather sealing, and at around 600g it balances perfectly with the R and R5 compared to the tanky L primes that make the camera front heavy and aren't comfortable to carry around all day.

"EF bigger and heavier"?
I let you guess why I never even thought of buying a Sigma brick. A Tamron? No lens I'm interested in.
A Samyang? Only if you are lucky to find a good sample, their QC is funny at best.
People (photographers) are different. I'm very happy with the Canon system, using presently only adapted EFs. The RF lenses I'm waiting for are specialised ones, like TS and tele-macro. Progressively, I may replace my EFs with some RFs, but only if I see a real benefit. Yes, the RF lenses are better!
To be honest, I don't care if the RF system is open or not, even though I understand this is a disappointment for many.
But Canon is no welfare company, they want to sell lenses, not to encourage you to buy Sigmas ot Tamrons. Let's not be naive about that!
And do not forget please, this is only my personal opinion. No need to share it!