Will it Finally Happen? A New Macro Lens Longer Than 100mm With Variable Magnification

[Canon Rumors]

I'll say from the top that this information comes from an anonymous source, but I'm told that a new macro lens longer than 100mm is planned. The source claims that it would would have multiple magnification ratios. Canon has made macro lenses that are longer than 100mm. The last one being the EF 180mm f/3.5L […]

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[P-visie]

A RF 200mm f4 macro lens would be great for my "needs". Support for the EF 180mm macro ends in 2027 so if Canon releases this lens somewhere between now and 12 months .....

 

[JonS]

A RF 200mm f4 macro lens would be great for my "needs". Support for the EF 180mm macro ends in 2027 so if Canon releases this lens somewhere between now and 12 months .....

....it would get my money too....

 

[EricN]

In macro, if it's a prime, "magnification ratio" will extend the front element enough that using it as a normal focus ring becomes impossible (as with mp-e 65)? However, the rumor mentioned autofocus... if it's more than a rumor it should be very impressive.

 

[jim]

I use the MP-E 65 and the EF-S 35mm f/2.8 macro on an R7 for moth photography. Both have their advantages/disadvantages but I'm tired of swapping lenses (often in the dark) and the absurd working distances. I tried the RF 100mm macro but it is a beast and hardly better than its smaller EF counterparts. I would welcome a fixed 150-200mm macro that goes to 2x life size, takes the 1.4/2x converters and keeps the macro flash adapter on the front. And don't even think about adding an SA control! A full-frame equivalent of the EF-S 60mm macro going to 2x life size would be welcome in my stable.

 

[john1970]

This would actually be a lens that I would consider purchasing. Wait and see.

 

[Distinctly Average]

I have never been a fan of long macro lenses. I have owned the 180mm and never got on with it. I can see why people like long focal lengths but I much prefer the 60-100mm range. Much lighter and easier to manoeuvre around in tight locations. So for me a 60mm on a crop body has been my most used lens, closely followed by the MPE-65 also on crop bodies. I much prefer a crop body for macro. It is probably also why the OM has become so popular with macro shooters.

 

[Noreaster]

I use a Laowa 85 on my RP a lot and I love it. I just bought the canon RP 100 macro and on my R5 I feel like I am carrying a brick.
It is nice to carry something super lightweight. It is a nice break from carrying a 200-800 all day.

 

[becceric]

After all of the articles on rumored lenses to be, you are really holding me captive with this!
I may camp outside Canon headquarters in anticipation for the release date.
I need to change my user name to Roby200MM5X!

 

[AcaPixus]

Probably fine to use AI to make some illustrations, but I am not a fan of AI inventing new lenses like the "180" mm lens labelled both 100 and 109 mm for this article - particularly since it is a photography site, not an AI site.

 

[blackcoffee17]

I have never been a fan of long macro lenses. I have owned the 180mm and never got on with it. I can see why people like long focal lengths but I much prefer the 60-100mm range. Much lighter and easier to manoeuvre around in tight locations. So for me a 60mm on a crop body has been my most used lens, closely followed by the MPE-65 also on crop bodies. I much prefer a crop body for macro. It is probably also why the OM has become so popular with macro shooters.

A long macro is much better for moving subjects like insects and animals.

 

[David - Sydney]

Does a patent exist? It would hit one of the smaller niche areas missing from the EF range. TS-E would be the last one I think plus the mythical 35/1.2, mid priced teles and 200-400/1.4x replacement.

How would a variable magnification work? Wouldn't the max magnification be at the minimum focal distance like the RF100.
I am not sure how the MP-E lens achieved the variable magnification.

 

[David - Sydney]

And don't even think about adding an SA control!

Has anyone actually used the SA control? Mine has been locked at 0 since I got it.
Is it just for bokeh shape control?

There is only one example of bokeh underwater when a buddy puts metal foil behind the subject with strobes / back lighting. Focus at f2.8 underwater is really hard to nail.
I did a studio portrait shoot yesterday and no bokeh so would SAC be only used for outdoor portraits?

 

[PinholeR5]

A RF 200mm f4 macro lens would be great for my "needs". Support for the EF 180mm macro ends in 2027 so if Canon releases this lens somewhere between now and 12 months .....

....it would get my money too....

One more here! I'm a fan of the 180mm macro. I have had the focusing system repaired by canon a couple of years back. It would be great to have a new version of the 180mm macro released before the support runs out.

 

[EricN]

How would a variable magnification work? Wouldn't the max magnification be at the minimum focal distance like the RF100.
I am not sure how the MP-E lens achieved the variable magnification.

variable magnification seemed to be like focus extending the front of the lens forward. at normal distances, this doesn't change much, but at macro distance, you most likely would want to move the entire camera in a way that I felt was counter intuitive. If a new autofocus design can prevent that need to move the camera, I think most mp-e users will feel impressed and be happy to buy it.

 

[dominic_siu]

A long macro is much better for moving subjects like insects and animals.

Especially butterflies, you need longer focal length macro lenses to shoot them

 

[Exploreshootshare]

I am not a macro guy, but every spring I really enjoy shooting butterflies, bees, bumblebees on flowers and other crawling insects. My 85mm F2 with its "macro-capabilities" just doesn't cut it, so next week I´m renting the RF 100mm macro. I imagine it'll be too short, but I can't really rent the EF 180mm macro. Therefore, I´d love to see Canon release a long macro, I´d surely rent it next spring. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get so fired up I end up buying a true macro lens.

 

[mb66energy]

There is a strong indication that Canon will introduce one in the next 12 months ...
because I bought the LAOWA 180 / 4.5 macro with 1.5x magnification (== EF version ==). Two weeks after waiting for some 1.4 50mm RF and buying the EF version the introduced the RF 1.2 45 ;-)

This applies to the EF version with AF (the RF version has NONE):
While not sporting image stabilization and full range AF it is a great lens because IBIS on R7, R6ii work well and the current update adds at least AF below 1.5m to the closest focus distance with one caveat: You have to turn the focus ring to a roughly usable focus distance - the rest is done by that lens with AF and it works reliable in my experience.

Maybe Canon sees some potential now by trying to find out the sales of the LAOWA ...? At least the introduction of the LAOWA held me back to buy the EF brick type counterpart and it is a real joy to use a 600g lens as TELE + Macro with the RF 24-105 4.0 as a light, versatile combo in a small backpack!

 

[scyrene]

I am not a macro guy, but every spring I really enjoy shooting butterflies, bees, bumblebees on flowers and other crawling insects. My 85mm F2 with its "macro-capabilities" just doesn't cut it, so next week I´m renting the RF 100mm macro. I imagine it'll be too short, but I can't really rent the EF 180mm macro. Therefore, I´d love to see Canon release a long macro, I´d surely rent it next spring. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get so fired up I end up buying a true macro lens.

Do consider the RF 100-400 too - it has good magnification (though not true macro) especially at the long end of the range. Butterflies are generally too big for 1:1 anyway.

 

[sanj]

Why would anyone want a 'light' macro lens? IMHO, all serious macro photography happens on a tripod. And I have found that a longer macro lens works better for me as it gives me space to place strobes and other lights without getting cramped.