Canon will release RF versions of the 300mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4 in early 2022 [CR2]

[blackcoffee17]

Nikon already has a 120-300 2.8, so it's expected that Canon would make something similar. Even tho Nikon is not Canon's main competitor anymore. I'm looking forward to the new RF 500mm, although I will probably pick up a used EF 500 F4 for half the price.

 

[Ozarker]

So, what range of 300 f/2.8 incorporated into a zoom do you see it being then (assuming that part of the rumour might be real)?

Personally, the 35-350L was the first white Canon lens I bought (a long time ago), and while its quality is passed by any white prime and almost any shorter range zoom too, it wasn't useless, and is a great safari lens when you don't know what range you need and can't change lenses easily due to dust and bouncing in the back of a landrover Given the direction of some recent lenses, I wouldn't rule a super zoom out (though not at a fixed 2.8 aperture, mind you).

The words, “may release the 300mm f/2.8L as a zoom” lead me to think it will be a 300-300mm zoom. How’s that? Certainly won’t be any f/2.8 “L” 10x+ zoom silliness.

 

[blackcoffee17]

Yeah, well, it won’t be a Sigma and won’t be a 28-300mm super zoom. Not gonna happen. Especially not as an “L”. Let’s keep it real.

Will not be a 28-300 but very much possible to be a 120-300 type lens, just like Nikon released not so long ago for $10K

 

[Ozarker]

Will not be a 28-300 but very much possible to be a 120-300 type lens, just like Nikon released not so long ago for $10K

Sure, it’s possible. However, bringing a 28-300 into this discussion of an L super-tele is silly. I think speculating about what is more appropriate as an italicized footnote is unrelated. If the rumor is true (about the zoom), then why no mention of the range? More logically, this is about the 2 primes.

 

[H. Jones]

Honestly the more I think about it, the more I'd love a good 100-300mm f/2.8L. It would honestly probably be the perfect lens for my uses.

100-300 2.8 for night sports/fires, 1.4x teleconverter giving me 140-420mm F/4 like the 200-400 for in-between uses, and a 200-600mm F/5.6 for wildlife and birding. It would honestly cover all of my bases. Would love that from Canon.

 

[Deleted member 381342]

Nikon already has a 120-300 2.8, so it's expected that Canon would make something similar. Even tho Nikon is not Canon's main competitor anymore. I'm looking forward to the new RF 500mm, although I will probably pick up a used EF 500 F4 for half the price.

Nikon are still Canon's main (and in many areas, only) competitor. Who else is going to push them?

 

[AlanF]

Nikon are still Canon's main (and in many areas, only) competitor. Who else is going to push them?

For DSLRs, Nikon is Canon's main competitor, but not for mirrorless where every indicator is that it is Sony.

 

[john1970]

For DSLRs, Nikon is Canon's main competitor, but not for mirrorless where every indicator is that it is Sony.

I wonder if DSLRs are even going to be around five years from now?

 

[H. Jones]

Another thought that crossed my mind, I can understand if Canon decided to go more of the small, DO route on the 500mm vs the 600mm. People who are using a 600mm are trying to get the most reach no matter what it costs, whereas the 500mm is more often for people who want long reach, but also want a more compact lens with less weight.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Canon decided to make the 500mm F/4 collapsible, much like the 800mm F/11. It would be a perfect big white contender for something like that, if someone had an issue with the design, they could just go for the 600mm.

 

[AlanF]

Another thought that crossed my mind, I can understand if Canon decided to go more of the small, DO route on the 500mm vs the 600mm. People who are using a 600mm are trying to get the most reach no matter what it costs, whereas the 500mm is more often for people who want long reach, but also want a more compact lens with less weight.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Canon decided to make the 500mm F/4 collapsible, much like the 800mm F/11. It would be a perfect big white contender for something like that, if someone had an issue with the design, they could just go for the 600mm.

A 500 DO lens will be short anyway. The Nikon 500mm PF is only 237mm long, compared with the 291mm of the RF 800mm when it is collapsed and 362mm extended. The RF 100-500mm zoom when collapsed is only about 25mm (1") shorter than the 500PF. So, I doubt if they are going to make a collapsible 500 DO, given the extra difficulties and weight required to have a sliding weatherproofed L-class lens.

 

[GMAX]

I own and love my EF2,8/300 II, but an additional lighter and shorter RF4.0/500 (against the EF) will be a hard test for my bank account as well as for my unavailable self control...

 

[john1970]

I am excited to see what specs Canon puts into the soon to be announced 400 mm and 600 mm and would expect similar for the 500 mm and 300 mm. For example, if the 400 and 600 mm both and DO elements I would expect the same for the 500 and 300. Wait and see, but it is always fun to speculate....

 

[H. Jones]

A 500 DO lens will be short anyway. The Nikon 500mm PF is only 237mm long, compared with the 291mm of the RF 800mm when it is collapsed and 362mm extended. The RF 100-500mm zoom when collapsed is only about 25mm (1") shorter than the 500PF. So, I doubt if they are going to make a collapsible 500 DO, given the extra difficulties and weight required to have a sliding weatherproofed L-class lens.

Great point honestly, I knew the 500mm PF was short, but didn't realize it was that short!

 

[Deleted member 381342]

For DSLRs, Nikon is Canon's main competitor, but not for mirrorless where every indicator is that it is Sony.

I don't agree. Sony only has a 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4.0 for wildlife shooters. Nikon has a whole host of lenses that compete with and push Canon forward. Sony still looks like a non-entity and aren't going to push Canon to make the next TS-E, DO super-tele, or MEP-65. Nikon pushes Canon, Sony is unlikely ever going to push Canon in any meaningful way.

Where's Sony's 300mm f/2.8, 180/200-400mm TC, DO super-tele, tilt-shift, 1-5x macro? Sure, event, wedding, and journalists can go Sony. But Canon covers that better with the little fat 70-200 and the f/1.2 50, and 85.

Sony put out a new body frequently and that is pushing Nikon and Canon's bodies, but they aren't putting out lenses that make me want to get into their system. Canon and Nikon have entire segments of photography to themselves.

 

[Hector1970]

The EF 300 2.8 II is a most beautiful lens. I'll be really curious to see how Canon could improve on it as I couldn't imagine anything being better. It's my favourite of all my lens. I use it handheld alot. It's no lightweight but its manageable. The image quality it outstanding. It's hard to justify the cost of it and I'm sure the RF will be even more expensive but I think the EF 300mm II has been worth it,
I've never used the 500 F4 but its probably the most common of the big whites. I'm sure it will be a good update.

 

[AlanF]

Great point honestly, I knew the 500mm PF was short, but didn't realize it was that short!

It's remarkably small, about the same weight and size as the 100-500 f/7.1. I've reached the age where that is as about as much as I can manage to carry comfortably. So, I am very happy with the RF 100-500 and want more at that weight.

 

[vladk]

The words, “may release the 300mm f/2.8L as a zoom” lead me to think it will be a 300-300mm zoom. How’s that? Certainly won’t be any f/2.8 “L” 10x+ zoom silliness.

Easy. Focus breathing can make it 295-305mm "zoom"

 

[navastronia]

Why are people talking about zooms in a thread about primes to be released next spring? Jeez... start another thread.

Because Craig mentioned it?

 

[AlanF]

I don't agree. Sony only has a 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4.0 for wildlife shooters. Nikon has a whole host of lenses that compete with and push Canon forward. Sony still looks like a non-entity and aren't going to push Canon to make the next TS-E, DO super-tele, or MEP-65. Nikon pushes Canon, Sony is unlikely ever going to push Canon in any meaningful way.

Where's Sony's 300mm f/2.8, 180/200-400mm TC, DO super-tele, tilt-shift, 1-5x macro? Sure, event, wedding, and journalists can go Sony. But Canon covers that better with the little fat 70-200 and the f/1.2 50, and 85.

Sony put out a new body frequently and that is pushing Nikon and Canon's bodies, but they aren't putting out lenses that make me want to get into their system. Canon and Nikon have entire segments of photography to themselves.

Sony also has the very popular 200-600mm. Just look at the sales figures of MILCs - Nikon is a very distant third. Maybe the Z9 will help Nikon catch up.

ps - the Sony 200-600mm thread on Fredmiranda has 213 pages compared with 212 pages for the Nikon 500PF.

 

[Danglin52]

When talk about one of the great whites turns to it getting much shorter and lighter, one starts to think diffractive optics.

I will buy if priced in the ballpark of the 400 DO IS II with typical BW IQ.