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    Patent: Canon RF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM and more

    By 62 Comments1 Min Read Canon Patents
    patentrf70400 728x462 - Patent: Canon RF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM and more

    Canon News has uncovered a patent which details the optical formulas for a couple of super telephoto zooms, including an RF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, a lens we're told will appear sometime in the first half of 2020.

    In the same patent, Canon also mentions an RF 70-300mm f/4-5.6, a lens we could see appear as a non-L telephoto zoom.

    Canon RF 70-300mm f/4-5.6:

    • Focal length:   72.00mm 146.00mm 290.00mm
    • F number: 4.08 4.88 5.67
    • Half angle of view: 16.72° 8.43° 4.27°
    • Image height: 21.64mm 21.64mm 21.64mm
    • Total lens length: 140.00mm 177.20mm 210.00mm
    • BF: 25.13mm 44.86mm 61.65mm

    Canon RF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:

    • Focal length: 72.62mm 168.49mm 389.89mm
    • F number: 4.07 5.10 5.85
    • Half angle of view: 16.59° 7.32° 3.18°
    • Image height: 21.64mm 21.64mm 21.64mm
    • Total lens length: 187.91mm 236.14mm 268.26mm
    • BF: 13.80mm 27.53mm 35.04mm
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    62 comments

    3. Amazing, so we will have a ton of good lenses and no body. That looks like a amazing sales strategy (helping Sony of course)...
      Funny. There are also people that think that there aren't any RF lenses that they are interested in because Canon is producing expensive overweight high end lenses. Well, there is already, the R, the RP, the 35mm, the 24-105, and the 24-240. Some people already have the R or the RP and with the new firmware there will be more. A 70-400 or a 70-300 would be aimed at people who don't want expensive RF glass but want something more than the 24-240.
    4. The 70-400 or 100-400 is 100% will come sooner or later. It's an essential lens, almost like a 70-200.
      What they need is a cheaper kit lens for RP and lower cost bodies. And a competition for Sony 200-600.
    5. Funny. There are also people that think that there aren't any RF lenses that they are interested in because Canon is producing expensive overweight high end lenses. Well, there is already, the R, the RP, the 35mm, the 24-105, and the 24-240. Some people already have the R or the RP and with the new firmware there will be more. A 70-400 or a 70-300 would be aimed at people who don't want expensive RF glass but want something more than the 24-240.

      I think the 70-400 is more like a high-end 100-400 L type of lens.
    8. All well and good, but still no 150/200-500/600, leaving Canon as the only maker including third party without a long supertele zoom.
      But how many people would be willing to buy a long supertele zoom to put it on an R camera that aren't willing to adapt a cheaper third party zoom? That might be a pretty small niche.
    11. Looks to be ~1-2 cm shorter than the 100-400L II at both extended and retracted lengths.

      Don't forget to add the length of the adapter to that.

      On the other hand, the EF 100-400L II is compatible with the 1.4x and 2x extenders, both individually and in combination. The RF 70-400 has the potential to be smaller and lighter, and will likely have at least slightly improved IQ and IS, but with a considerably higher price and reduced initial versatility (at least until we get RF extenders.)

      Of course what I really want is the 200-400 with the built-in 1.4, but it is not currently a realistic option for me when it comes to budget, size, and baggage allowance.
    12. Looks to be ~1-2 cm shorter than the 100-400L II at both extended and retracted lengths.
      Yep...I don't think a little size difference is ever going to be high on the EF Rf debate's critical options list. i'm sure this new lens will sell and sell proportional to how well the Rf mount cameras sell. For migrators from ef to rf or dual system users...there's little in it and hardly worth the side grade costs if one already had an ef 100-400IIL. But new users...sure the new lens will be a wise investment.
    13. RF variant may end up being a faster focusing and a better tracking lens due to RF Mount data throughput advantage over the EF Mount.
      It could be a substantial factor after all. For some at least.
    14. But how many people would be willing to buy a long supertele zoom to put it on an R camera that aren't willing to adapt a cheaper third party zoom? That might be a pretty small niche.

      Small niche? I don't think so. Adapting a third party lens is still not the same as native, especially when AF is crucial. And also does not bring any money to Canon.
      Sony exec said in an interview that their new 200-600 is very popular. Not hard to see why.
      Having 320-900mm (on APS-C) internal zoom lens for $1700 is a great deal.
    15. Would be really nice to have some additional 30mm on the short end with the RF 70-400mm f/4-5.6L IS USM.
      But only as long as the IQ stays the same (or is even better) as the EF100-400 II.

      @Canon Rumors Guy:
      Craig, it looks like there is a typo in the thread title as the patent states an f number of 4.07. ;)

      Canon RF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM:
      • Focal length: 72.62mm 168.49mm 389.89mm
      • F number: 4.07 5.10 5.85
    17. NIkon and Panasonic don't have anything either.

      Nikon has the 200-500 which is not a third party. Canon does not have anything if one wants longer than 400mm and cannot spend tons of money on a 500mm prime
    18. Amazing, so we will have a ton of good lenses and no body. That looks like a amazing sales strategy (helping Sony of course)...
      Why do you even bother with this whiny complaining? I’m serious.
    19. Amazing, so we will have a ton of good lenses and no body. That looks like a amazing sales strategy (helping Sony of course)...
      This goofy complaint is way past its expiration point. Time to toss it out and find something new to whine about.

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