Is a ‘Holy Trinity’ of f/2.8 STM Zoom Lenses on the Horizon?

[Zadak]

It's not hard for Canon to design and produce such lenses, from a technical standpoint. From a strategic standpoint, Canon doesn't care what you personally want, they care what a significant number of users will buy.

You're saying that as if we have some good equivalents for them.

The Sony 200-600 with internal zoom is bigger, but seems to be more desirable than the 200-800 to me and some people I talked to. There should be many people that can afford 6000$ but not 10000$ for a lens, enough to make sense economically to make it.

And for a fast ultra-wide prime, still missing anything remotely interesting from Canon. Rip night-shooters

 

[scyrene]

I continue to use the EF 200 f/2

 

[neuroanatomist]

You're saying that as if we have some good equivalents for them.

I'm saying it doesn't matter what 'we' have. What matters is what Canon's market research determines 'we' will buy. Note that 'we' means the market as a whole, not the niche microcosm that is CR forum.

The Sony 200-600 with internal zoom is bigger, but seems to be more desirable than the 200-800 to me and some people I talked to.

You and some people you talked to. Are you suggesting that such a group is somehow representative of Canon's market for high end lenses?

There should be many people that can afford 6000$ but not 10000$ for a lens, enough to make sense economically to make it.

Based on what? The broader economic data disagree with you, the gap between the haves and have-nots is only widening, and it's the disposable income of the former that drives high-end lens sales. It seems logical that someone willing and able to spend $6K on a lens could also spend $10K on a lens.

And for a fast ultra-wide prime, still missing anything remotely interesting from Canon. Rip night-shooters

20mm is ultrawide and the 20/1.4L VCM is great for night shooting. If you need wider, then there are 3rd party options.

 

[scyrene]

I don't own any prime lens longer than 50mm because I know I won't use them

 

[m4ndr4ke]

I don't own any prime lens longer than 50mm because I know I won't use them

It’s absolutely true. I sold my 85mm over four years ago, after years of making 100 shots/year or less with it — and those were the days I intentionally decided to take it out.

About 80% of my photography is shot between 28 and 70mm, mainly with the 28-70mm f/2. And no, it’s not often that I shoot at f/2.

To be completely honest, I barely use any prime lens but the RF 16mm. I have three others, but essentially for fun or personal stuff.

 

[neuroanatomist]

About 80% of my photography is shot between 28 and 70mm, mainly with the 28-70mm f/2. And no, it’s not often that I shoot at f/2.

My focal length range is more widely distributed, with about 50% between 20 and 74mm.

 

[roby17269]

I continue to use the EF 200 f/2 (I would buy an RF variant).

Aw I regret selling the EF 200 f/2L IS - loved that lens

 

[roby17269]

There should be many people that can afford 6000$ but not 10000$ for a lens, enough to make sense economically to make it.

Regardless of whether that is true or not (it isn't since these price-demand relationships are not linear), there is also the question, from a production standpoint, whether the lens would bring enough profit at $6000 to justify making it. Consider that Canon, shippers, retailers and governments (taxes) all need to make a profit out of that lens. And that, logistically, if you make a high end lens which will see limited (relatively) sales, you want to see a high profit from each sale.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

I don´t believe the 2.8 STM version will go from 70 to 200mm. With the first two lenses, Canon really gave the market a great f2.8 option, but they've also done some market segmentation since both zooms are noticeably shorter, especially the UW 16-28 which is missing 9mm or 10mm in comparison to F2.8/ F4 L´s. Even compared with the 15.30mm ,it is shorter. Therefore, I believe Canon will make a 70-180mm F2.8 STM in terms to segment the market. They'll do it even if they could give us a full 70-200mm F2.8 STM.

 

[P-visie]

Regardless of whether that is true or not (it isn't since these price-demand relationships are not linear), there is also the question, from a production standpoint, whether the lens would bring enough profit at $6000 to justify making it. Consider that Canon, shippers, retailers and governments (taxes) all need to make a profit out of that lens. And that, logistically, if you make a high end lens which will see limited (relatively) sales, you want to see a high profit from each sale.

As I posted in the RF300-600mm thread: the rumored price of 6000-6500 US$ would be 50-55% of the 2013 launch price of the EF 200-400mm f4 L lens. That seems unlikely low to me.

 

[blackcoffee17]

28-70mm? I owned one once. It was the most useless lens I have ever owned. Always too long at the short end and too short at the long end. It doesn't matter if it is f/2.8. I wouldn't buy one even if it were a f/2.
24-70 is ok, 24-105 still better.
Just my 2 cents.

That's my opinion of any 24-70 type of lens. After the 24-105, the 70mm feels really short, especially for a big and heavy lens.

 

[grilled_rooster]

That's my opinion of any 24-70 type of lens. After the 24-105, the 70mm feels really short, especially for a big and heavy lens.

The look of the 28-70/2 is special. Not the typical "boring" 24-70/2.8. When I need more reach I'm using the 70-200/2.8. I thought about switching to the 24-105/2.8. But I would lose the f/2.0 look. And I the 24-105 is as big as the 70-200/2.8 Z (which I own). Two long lenses would be difficult to pack. And I don't like my lenses to overlap (here from 70-105mm). Useless. And I don't mind carrying two cameras to an event. I sometimes bring three

 

[scyrene]

It’s absolutely true. I sold my 85mm over four years ago, after years of making 100 shots/year or less with it — and those were the days I intentionally decided to take it out.

About 80% of my photography is shot between 28 and 70mm, mainly with the 28-70mm f/2. And no, it’s not often that I shoot at f/2.

To be completely honest, I barely use any prime lens but the RF 16mm. I have three others, but essentially for fun or personal stuff.

I still think of anything under ~500mm as a bit short

 

[HMC11]

I quite like the portrait images produced by the RF 70-200 f2.8L, but the weight and size of this lens puts me off somewhat for use when travelling. If there is a 70-150 (or so) f2.8L with IQ closed or better than that of the 70-200 f2.8L, and is lighter and smaller (both by a factor of about 30%), then I would be most interested to get it. Unfortunately, as most things in life, Canon probably doesn't care what I wish for . Although there seems to be a chance of a 70-150 f2.8 STM which might work (for me) .

 

[m4ndr4ke]

My focal length range is more widely distributed, with about 50% between 20 and 74mm.

View attachment 226961

I scanned my hard drives a few days ago, but I didn't load the information to a graph, and I didn't save it
I have the largest amount of photographs taken at 28mm, then 70mm (where the two zoom lenses meet), then 50mm.
I remember that, out of a sample of 39k photographs from 2025, about 30k were taken at 28, 45 to 55 and 70mm, even without considering the other focal lengths in-between. I was scanning the hard drive from a prime lens perspective, because I'm considering adding the 45 to my kit, and that's why I was looking at specific focal lengths.

So yeah, it's a massive domination of the standard zoom here, which is understandable, considering most of my photography is running and gunning, shooting reportage.

I still think of anything under ~500mm as a bit short

I don't own any lens longer than 200mm

 

[neuroanatomist]

I scanned my hard drives a few days ago, but I didn't load the information to a graph

I use PhotoStatistica.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

I was using the EF 85 1.4 until the VCM came. I'm going to keep it, I continue to use the EF 200 f/2 (I would buy an RF variant).

I am also seriously considering the EF 800 5.6, I have seen them as low as $3000. The only thing "wrong" with it is it vignettes at 5.6.

The EF 800mm f5.6 is a seriously sharp lens, embarrassing the current RF by some margin. The only issue with it is that it won’t hit H+ in 1st curtain shutter, it’s limited to 8fps unless the cam is in ES.
The EF 200 f2.0 lis has been on my wish list for longer than I care to admit. I’ve nearly bought it so many times!
Im thinking that the RF 24mm f1.4 VCM might be my first RF lens, followed by a RF 50mm f1.2 L. I think they are both exceptional lenses and are missing from my current lens compliment. I think the 50L for my portraiture work is a good fit for me. I love my current my current 35/85 combo, but having a 24/50 option would be nice in tighter spaces.
I can see a RF 70-200 2.8 LIS at some point too, the size / weight and versatility of this type of lens puts it quite high on my wish list.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

Out of curiosity: were there any great deals on canon refurbished gear on Black Friday besides the 200-800mm? I checked several times and didn't see any. Did I just miss it or was nothing special going on?

 

[neuroanatomist]

Out of curiosity: were there any great deals on canon refurbished gear on Black Friday besides the 200-800mm? I checked several times and didn't see any. Did I just miss it or was nothing special going on?

There have been a bunch of lenses and bodies. They usually sell out within minutes (or faster). Best thing if you’re interested in something is to set an alert on CPW, and if you get a ping act immediately.

 

[PinholeR5]

Out of curiosity: were there any great deals on canon refurbished gear on Black Friday besides the 200-800mm? I checked several times and didn't see any. Did I just miss it or was nothing special going on?

There were some interesting deals, though I found them a bit less attractive than previous years. Still I did get a couple of items.

This year Canon had the "Black Friday" deals earlier. On Wednesday/Thursday. Then on the actual Black Friday, there were no new Canon refurb deals. I think that is actually a smart way for them to do it so the retailers can have their Black Friday specials for the new gear and not compete with the Canon Refurb store. I'm sure they will have more deals, especially after the Black Friday returns start kicking in.