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

Canon Rumors Guy

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As you may already know, Canon plans to officially announce the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm f/4L IS USM likely later this month. These are the first of many professional super-telephoto prime lenses for the RF mount.
The EF versions of the 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 were updated in September of 2018 to bring them to version 3.  Both the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM and EF 500mm f/4L IS were last updated in 2011.
I have been told that the RF versions of the latter lenses will come in early 2022 and that the new RF 500mm f/4L IS USM will be extremely light and much shorter than the current version. The 300mm is a bit more interesting, according to my source, Canon may actually release the RF mount version of the 300 f/2.8 as a zoom. Though there is reportedly a prime version also in development. I apologize for the confusion about the...

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bbasiaga

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When talk about one of the great whites turns to it getting much shorter and lighter, one starts to think diffractive optics.
There was an interview a while back where someone from Canon basically said that DO was a major part of the future of lens design, and that it would be included in many RF lenses. They will not be green banding them anymore - DO is just a normal part of many designs now.
 
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There was an interview a while back where someone from Canon basically said that DO was a major part of the future of lens design, and that it would be included in many RF lenses. They will not be green banding them anymore - DO is just a normal part of many designs now.

Aye DO is just a standard part of the lens now. And that green band somehow made the product feel 'lesser' than if it had a red ring. Canon's DO and Nikon's PF is how these companies are going to really push super-tele lenses for mirrorless. But it looks like we are going for tried and proven first for the staple lenses.
 
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docsmith

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I actually do not mind the weight of the EF 500 f/4 II that I own. Even saving 1-2 pounds would not be enough for me to upgrade as it is already such an amazing lens.

But shorter? ...and lighter? I'll wait for the IQ comparisons as I am not willing to compromise, but yeah, packing the 500 f/4 II can be a challenge. Heck, I own the Mindshift 40L just for that purpose.

A 100-300 f/2.8 L might be a pre-order for me.

Still haven't bought an RF lens. The EF lenses work fantastic on the R5, but those are two that could tempt me.
 
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eosbob

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Why are people talking about zooms in a thread about primes to be released next spring? Jeez... start another thread.
Did you not read the full article? This is why people are talking about zooms: "The 300mm is a bit more interesting, according to my source, Canon may actually release the RF mount version of the 300 f/2.8 as a zoom."
 
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Billybob

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I've been going back and forth about the 600mm. Although I'd really love a brighter lens, I'm not carrying a tripod, and I doubt that I'd enjoy shooting that beast handheld.

Now, if a smaller, lighter 500mm f/4 is in the works, I might go for that one instead despite giving up 100mm. I have and love the 500mm f/5.6 pf, but an extra stop of brightness might be enough to induce be to let go of the Nikon.
 
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Ozarker

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Did you not read the full article? This is why people are talking about zooms: "The 300mm is a bit more interesting, according to my source, Canon may actually release the RF mount version of the 300 f/2.8 as a zoom."
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.
 
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When talk about one of the great whites turns to it getting much shorter and lighter, one starts to think diffractive optics.
Yes, I don't know how else you get a fixed length prime to be "much shorter" than the existing item (and I hope/assume a mirror is definitely out of the question).
 
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john1970

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Exciting times in which we live. I always enjoyed the 500 mm f4 as a lightweight alternative to the 600 mm f4 (based on equivalent design). The 500 mm f4 v2 is ~1.5 lbs lighter than 600 mm f4 v2. The 600 mm f4 III weighs in at 6.72 lbs so I am hopeful that the RF 500 mm f4 will weigh 5-5.25 lbs.
 
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Del Paso

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Aye DO is just a standard part of the lens now. And that green band somehow made the product feel 'lesser' than if it had a red ring. Canon's DO and Nikon's PF is how these companies are going to really push super-tele lenses for mirrorless. But it looks like we are going for tried and proven first for the staple lenses.
Get used to it, green is the new red!;)
 
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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.
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).
 
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