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    More Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Information

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    canonrf100macro - More Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Information

    Canon will be announcing the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro very soon, as we now see Canon marketing leaks ahead of the official announcement.

    The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro will launch at $1399 USD.

    Here is some official information from Canon regarding the RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro.

    World's First Medium Telephoto Macro Lens with a Maximum Magnification of 1.4x

    The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM Lens is the world’s first medium telephoto AF Macro lens with a maximum magnification ratio of 1.4x. At its minimum focusing distance of 0.26m, the RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM is capable of capturing detailed images while being remarkably versatile in operation. Whether capturing details of food, jewelry, or traditional macro shots, the RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM is a highly effective lens for macro photography.

    High Image Quality and Bright, Fixed f/2.8 Aperture Telephoto Macro RF Lens

    The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM lens distinguishes itself by maintaining incredibly high image quality, edge-to-edge, even wide open at its f/2.8 maximum aperture. With 17 elements in 13 groups and a 9-blade aperture system, it can deliver detailed images with gorgeous background blur and versatility in low light.

    Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5 Stops of Shake Correction

    Because RF lenses are designed specifically for the RF Mount found on EOS R series cameras, the lens and camera combine to share shooting data, helping to dramatically reduce the effect of camera shake that can occur when using handheld. This applies when capturing both stills and video, with up to 5 stops of stabilization for accurate and clear imagery.

    Hybrid IS Compensates for Angular and Shift Camera Shake during Macro Shooting

    Equipped with the Hybrid IS technology, the Image Stabilizer of the RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM effectively reduces blurring in handheld macro photography by compensating for both angle and shift camera shake. This helps to deliver impressively clear, up-close results.

    Spherical Aberration (SA) Control Ring Allows Adjustments to Shape and Character of Foreground/Background Bokeh

    The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM features Canon’s first adjustable Spherical Aberration (SA) control ring on the lens barrel that allows you to adjust the depiction of the image’s background bokeh. Used to add a unique emphasis to your imagery, the SA Control Ring allows the user to change the shape and character of the foreground and background bokeh. A minus setting creates a dreamy, soft-focused look, while a Plus setting creates a bubble-bokeh-type look. Adding a third ring to the lens, the SA Control Ring has a notable surface that can be differentiated from the Control Ring and Focusing Ring. A lock mechanism can be found on the side of the lens which locks the SA control ring to the middle position rendering standard, traditional operation, with no SA optical effects.

    Up to 8 stops of Shake Correction with Coordinated Optical Image Stabilizer and In-Body Image Stabilizer

    When combined with an EOS R series camera equipped with In-Body Image Stabilizer, the lens' Optical Image Stabilizer teams up with the In-Body Image Stabilizer to provide coordinated IS up to 8 stops, further helping to alleviate shaking for photos and video, and adjusting the ratio from optical to in-body stabilization automatically throughout the zoom range so you have the best of both worlds.

    High Speed, Smooth and Quiet Auto Focus with Dual Nano USM

    The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM is equipped with dual independent Nano USMs to help achieve high-speed and focus accuracy throughout its focusing range. This helps you quickly focus and keep up with fast-moving subjects as well as provides smooth and virtually silent autofocus while shooting movies, so there is relatively no disturbance for you, the subject or in what you see visually and hear audibly during shooting and playback.

    Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes

    The RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM lens has a separate, independent Control Ring that is located towards the front of the lens, which can be programmable for immediate exposure adjustments during still and video shooting. With the Control Ring, you can directly adjust settings such as shutter speed, lens aperture, exposure compensation and more. For photographers and moviemakers who would prefer a silent control ring, the clicking mechanism can be removed by a Canon service provider for a fee.

    Dust – and Weather-resistant

    For reliable performance even when weather conditions get difficult, the RF100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM lens features dust- and weather-resistant construction in the lens mount, switch panel and all rings. Sealing is applied to lens joining sections, and switch panels to help prevent water and dust from entering into the lens.

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    18 comments

    1. Well done Canon!
      This is a desirable macro lens, with an enviable list of specifications:
      - 1.4x magnification (useful for even greater close-up detail)
      - spherical aberration control (which I had guessed in the original post about this lens - as I understood it would impact bokeh)
      - 5.5 stops of optical image stabilisation (combined with Canon's IBIS can achieve 8 stops in total!)
      - expected impressive optical quality, sturdy build quality and great handling.... (pretty much a given on these)

      I love my EF 100mm IS L macro, which I use extensively for macro photography, but also find it incredibly powerful as a portrait & event lens.
      My intention was to keep the EF 100mm IS L macro for mirrorless (with the EF-RF adapter)... however this RF version may tempt me to go 'all RF'... and lighten my back pocket just another... bit.... more.....

      Brave Canon, bravo! ;)

      PJ
    2. I am very impressed on this lens and am also impressed that Canon kept the price within reason at <$1500. The 1.4x magnification and adjustable SA were the two features that really stood out for me.
    3. This lens looks fantastic! I believe the original rumor listed the magnification ratio as 1:1.4 but, if I'm understanding this latest info correctly, it is actually 1.4:1. Everything about this lens sounds great. I'm curious about its weight.
    4. Seems like they are intending the SA control as a alternative to "defocus-smoothing"? If SA is undercorrected, the background has softer bokeh balls, and the foreground harsher, and vice versa. Or probably I have that backwards. That could be a similar effect to the DS version of the 85L, but without the loss of transmission. Seems odd - why put it on this lens instead of a portrait lens? (not that a 100 macro can't double as a portrait lens).
    5. Seems odd - why put it on this lens instead of a portrait lens?
      As I speculated in the other thread, creative use of this combined with focus stacking could enable creating macro images with both sides of the focal plane silky-smooth (or bubble-bokey if that's what you want) while keeping the parts in focus neutrally corrected for optimal IQ.
    6. When I read that I could could get 8-stops of IS with my R5, my pre-order-trigger-finger started to twitch. Then I remembered that with my EF 100, the shorter the subject distance from the camera, the lesser the Image Stabilizer effect will be... At close to 1:1 macro distances the IS is effectively only about a stop or two... It sure would be nice to get some more detailed specifications on the RF 100's IS capabilities, but I might have to wait for the hands-on reviews... Does anybody have a guess what the real-world Image Stabilization would be at macro distances?
    7. Before people get too carried away, remember that internal-focussing macro lenses (where the barrel does not extend) typically reduce their focal length quite a lot as you focus closer. That in turn reduces your working distance, which can make lighting the subject harder.

      Also, calling 100mm a "medium telephoto" is a bit of a stretch, which I suppose was included because there was already some lens that went to 1.4 magnification at 50mm or similar short tele length. (I don't know of any, though,)
    8. Before people get too carried away, remember that internal-focussing macro lenses (where the barrel does not extend) typically reduce their focal length quite a lot as you focus closer. That in turn reduces your working distance, which can make lighting the subject harder.

      Also, calling 100mm a "medium telephoto" is a bit of a stretch, which I suppose was included because there was already some lens that went to 1.4 magnification at 50mm or similar short tele length. (I don't know of any, though,)

      Probably a good time to note that with a 67mm filter thread, the RF 100mm will be compatible with all of the same macro lights that the MP-E and 100mm macro are, with the existing 67mm adapter for the macro lights.

      I can totally see the MT-26EX-RT being huge for this new lens and its 1.4x magnification.
    11. Before people get too carried away, remember that internal-focussing macro lenses (where the barrel does not extend) typically reduce their focal length quite a lot as you focus closer. That in turn reduces your working distance, which can make lighting the subject harder.
      [..]
      The Canon EF100mm macro lenses are 67-ish mm at MFD, I wonder what the RF will be at 1.4:1. The MT24/26-EX lights with diffusers are great for getting light in between the lens and subject, albeit heavy.
    12. The Canon EF100mm macro lenses are 67-ish mm at MFD, I wonder what the RF will be at 1.4:1. The MT24/26-EX lights with diffusers are great for getting light in between the lens and subject, albeit heavy.
      The Canon Japan youtube clip mentions that they tried to minimize focus-breathing and include a sample video. So I'm curious how far down that extends, to 1:1 or even 1.4:1?
    13. Well done Canon!
      This is a desirable macro lens, with an enviable list of specifications:
      - 1.4x magnification (useful for even greater close-up detail)
      - spherical aberration control (which I had guessed in the original post about this lens - as I understood it would impact bokeh)
      - 5.5 stops of optical image stabilisation (combined with Canon's IBIS can achieve 8 stops in total!)
      - expected impressive optical quality, sturdy build quality and great handling.... (pretty much a given on these)

      I love my EF 100mm IS L macro, which I use extensively for macro photography, but also find it incredibly powerful as a portrait & event lens.
      My intention was to keep the EF 100mm IS L macro for mirrorless (with the EF-RF adapter)... however this RF version may tempt me to go 'all RF'... and lighten my back pocket just another... bit.... more.....

      Brave Canon, bravo! ;)

      PJ
      I simply love my EF 100mm, I use it mostly for portraits or to isolate a subject from a small crowd or a busy context.

      I wonder, however, if the RF version will be even better than the EF version, or if the only advantage would be to ditch the adapter, thus lightly reducing it's bulkiness.

      David
    14. I simply love my EF 100mm, I use it mostly for portraits or to isolate a subject from a small crowd or a busy context.

      I wonder, however, if the RF version will be even better than the EF version, or if the only advantage would be to ditch the adapter, thus lightly reducing it's bulkiness.

      David

      It doesn't have UD coating, the EF version has some CA. I hope this will be improved on the RF.
    16. Probably a good time to note that with a 67mm filter thread, the RF 100mm will be compatible with all of the same macro lights that the MP-E and 100mm macro are, with the existing 67mm adapter for the macro lights.

      I can totally see the MT-26EX-RT being huge for this new lens and its 1.4x magnification.
      Speaking of which it will be interesting to see what renders better, the RF 100mm or the MP-E. My money is still on the MP-E based on the performance of the old 100mm but we will see with the new mag ratio :)
    17. Can't wait to see the spherical aberration control in practice. My next camera is certainly going to be RF mount so I can start using some of these new lenses.

      Deutsch Photography: NYC’s Top Corporate, Executive and Actor Headshot Photographer NYC
      This would not be the first Canon lens with this btw. I owned the 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus which also had spherical aberration control; I thought I would really like it because I like the rendering of the 50mm f/1.2L, but in practice the spherical aberration control of that lens led to really weird artifacts beyond what you'd imagine (especially on highlights). Hopefully this one is different in that regard.
    18. As I speculated in the other thread, creative use of this combined with focus stacking could enable creating macro images with both sides of the focal plane silky-smooth (or bubble-bokey if that's what you want) while keeping the parts in focus neutrally corrected for optimal IQ.
      Would like to see this technique in practice.......sounds interesting..

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