Patent: Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

[Canon Rumors Guy]

We expect to see an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM announced some time in 2019 as part of the “holy trinity” of f/2.8 zoom lenses for Canon’s EOS R system.
Here’s the first patent for such an optical formula uncovered by Canon News.
US Patent Application 20190004296

Focal length: 72.00 135.00 194.99
F-number: 2.92   2.92   2.92
Half angle of view (deg.): 16.73   9.10   6.33
Image height: 21.64  21.64  21.64
Length of the zoom lens : 172.73 227.50 242.86
BF: 14.38  26.45  39.44

Continue reading...

 

[padam]

Looks like 18 elements instead of 23 in the last EF versions, so it will be lighter. (typo edited)

 

[colorblinded]

Looks like 8 elements instead of 23 in the last EF versions, so it will be lighter.

I count 18, which is still a nice reduction.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Are the 3 numbers suggesting the lens will extend at longer focal lengths, reaching a max of 242mm at 200mm focal length? That would be about 1.7" longer than the current model.

 

[mclaren777]

Given how great the adapter is, I don't see myself buying any native lenses that mimic EF lenses.

In fact, I could see my 28-70mm being the only RF lens I own through 2020.

 

[rsdofny]

I thought the bigger RF lens mount allows the lens designer to move the heavier lens elements towards the side of the body. So Canon has not explored that design concept here.

 

[sid.safari]

What are the potential advantages in using the RF 70-200 f/2.8 over the recently released EF 70-200 f/2.8 III? Would the AF be faster? I don't get why Canon releases the 70-200 III and then another almost similar version a year later (albeit for the RF system)

 

[Pooshoes]

That are the potential advantages in using the RF 70-200 f/2.8 over the recently released EF 70-200 f/2.8 III? Would the AF be faster? I don't get why Canon releases the 70-200 III and then another almost similar version a year later (albeit for the RF system)

The III is just a soft refresh of the II version which came out a long time ago, the RF sounds like a brand new design. Lighter, shorter, and presumably sharper and faster focusing. Can't wait to see what comes out of Japan this year!

 

[JonSnow]

as landscape guy i don´t want or need a heavy f2.8.
hope they will release a RF 70-200mm f4 IS soon too.

when the highend mirrorless comes out i will buy it.
the EOS R is unfortunately nothing i would want beside my 5D Mk4.

 

[JonSnow]

I thought the bigger RF lens mount allows the lens designer to move the heavier lens elements towards the side of the body. So Canon has not explored that design concept here.

or you just oversimplify things....

i wonder more that there is no mentioning of IS.
is this normal for a lens that would have IS, to not be mentioned in the patent?

 

[Antono Refa]

i wonder more that there is no mentioning of IS.
is this normal for a lens that would have IS, to not be mentioned in the patent?

L2, just in front of the aperture, is marked as IS.

Then again, I might be reading the diagram wrong, as it seems to me there's a second aperture marked as SSP.

 

[Viggo]

I thought the bigger RF lens mount allows the lens designer to move the heavier lens elements towards the side of the body. So Canon has not explored that design concept here.

The RF mount still isn’t any bigger than the EF mount...

 

[JonSnow]

L2, just in front of the aperture, is marked as IS.

Then again, I might be reading the diagram wrong, as it seems to me there's a second aperture marked as SSP.

lol.... could have sworn that was not there yesterday... i did not see it.

 

[rsdofny]

The RF mount still isn’t any bigger than the EF mount...

https://www.canonrumors.com/the-benefits-of-the-large-diameter-of-the-eos-rs-rf-mount-explained/

This is the article that talks about the advantage of RF lens design. It makes a lot of sense to use this design philosophy for long white lens to achieve a better balance, perhaps shorter and lighter lens along with other benefits.

 

[Maximilian]

I hope, we'll see this lens soon as I am very curious how this will perform compared to the EF zoom.
I am also really surprised that Canon changed the design, as the EF was already outstanding.
Does this just mean saving production costs with less material or will there be an improvement of IQ as well?
Or is the reason the extending lens design?

 

[Viggo]

https://www.canonrumors.com/the-benefits-of-the-large-diameter-of-the-eos-rs-rf-mount-explained/

This is the article that talks about the advantage of RF lens design. It makes a lot of sense to use this design philosophy for long white lens to achieve a better balance, perhaps shorter and lighter lens along with other benefits.

I know the benefits, but it’s still the same 54mm size as EF...

 

[Maximilian]

Are the 3 numbers suggesting the lens will extend at longer focal lengths, reaching a max of 242mm at 200mm focal length? That would be about 1.7" longer than the current model.

There are different numbers to understand.
The "Length of the zoom lens" (172.73, 227.50, 242.86 mm) is the overall length of the optical formula from first (the front) element to the image plane. As we have a flange distance of 20 mm for the R system, the mechanical length of the lens barrel should be about (243 - 20 =) 213 mm. As we have three numbers this lens will probably have an extending lens barrel.
And this could be a reason for the different optical formula: saving barrel length if possible for a smaller system as the R system is.

The other three numbers (BF: 14.38 26.45 39.44 mm) is the distance between last lens element and the image plane.

 

[neuroanatomist]

besides portraits whats the point of this LENS cant use the EOS R for legit SPORTS,ACTION SHOOTING eg: hs football or nfl or even
indoor-outdoor bball

I suspect there are many competent photographers who could use the EOS R successfully for sports photography, even if you’re not among them. Granted, it’s not the best choice in cameras for that use case, IMO, but still...

 

[3kramd5]

I suspect there are many competent photographers who could use the EOS R successfully for sports photography, even if you’re not among them. Granted, it’s not the best choice in cameras for that use case, IMO, but still...

You didn’t seen the firmware patent for the EOS-R where it uses subject recognition to disable the camera in a sports setting?

 

[dwilz]

I suspect there are many competent photographers who could use the EOS R successfully for sports photography, even if you’re not among them. Granted, it’s not the best choice in cameras for that use case, IMO, but still...

I have a 1Dx which I shoot college soccer. I shoot the games as a hobby and give the images to the kids. I have used the EOS R to shoot the last 2 games of the 2018 season. While it's true that you can't rely on fps to get you the perfect shot I found that I was getting pretty good shots with the R. I should add that this late in the season they were night games.