Canon Shows off RF 500mm F5.6 L IS in Latest Patent

[Canon Rumors]

Something will be happening with Canon's super telephoto lineup at some point this year, with some expecting Canon to show off new “Big White” lenses ahead of the World Cup in June. Canon has generally shown off things prior to the summer Olympics, but the World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world […]

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[Exploreshootshare]

Yet another surprise. I thought I read the RF 500mm F5.6 won't happen because it isn't needed anymore and a 400mm plus a 1.4 TC is basically the same thing.

“There is a need to provide an optical system that is small, lightweight, and has good correction of various aberrations.”

Maybe Canon found a way to make it very lightweight and therefore it could make sense.

 

[Marc73]

what is the use of a 300-600 f5.6 if Canon has the 100-500 of very decent quality. You would gain 100mm and 2/3 stop of light at the cost of 7k? IMHO 600/5.6 would be ideal in combination with the 100-500. Light, small and with very good optical quality. With the extender RF 1.4 and 2.0 ideal which would cover all needs from 100-1200mm.

 

[stillviking]

I'm asking here for this lens for years, thank god!! Make it happen Canon!!

I loved my EF 400mm 5.6L and never had a lens like this again! (no, 100-500 L is not close).

 

[Adhagglund]

Interesting. It could be a nice combo with the expected R7II

 

[DocInfoSci]

Finally! If priced competitively with industry peers this would be my first RF lens. And 1.4x extender. Sans 300mm f/4 and 400mm f/5.6 this is a huge hole in the lineup, imo. Fingers crossed!

In Canada the Sigma 500mm f/5.6 goes for $4,400 on their site so would be looking for something similar. Or, if a silver ring edition then closer to $3,500 to be priced in line with the 200-800 zoom assuming a similar build but better optical quality due to, say, a larger optical exit lens. The zoom goes for ~ $2,800.

 

[Steve Balcombe]

Canon's RF line-up is missing the 500mm f/4 lens from the EF days. With how much weight Canon has shaved off of the 600mm F4 L IS USM over the years, I don't think there's a need for a 500mm F4 in the line-up.

I have an EF 600/4L Mark III, which I bought to upgrade my previous 500/4L II. The problem isn't weight, it's bulk. The 600 is awesome for working from a hide or another fixed position with reasonably nearby parking, but it's too big to fit in a conventional backpack along with the other things you need for a wildlife day away from the car. It's the only real mistake I made in many years of buying Canon gear, but I was never quite unhappy enough to take the financial hit and switch back.

If the RF 500/5.6L is for real, it could potentially be a better choice than my 100-500 in some situations, especially if it plays well with the 1.4x or even the 2x.