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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What they need is a cheaper kit lens for RP and lower cost bodies. And a competition for Sony 200-600.
I think the 70-400 is more like a high-end 100-400 L type of lens.
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.
It could be a substantial factor after all. For some at least.
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.
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. ;)
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