New Lenses, Canon RF and EF Lenses

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2025 June

7th For those wanting more about Canon’s approach to tilt/shift and the patents yesterday, see these two for examples of lenses with the offset elements: 20230350271  and 11977323 [patent]

For examples of using such lenses, see:

20240284046 | 20200337905 | 20240361569 | 20240388795 | 20240406562

6th Two new Tilt/Shift patent applications from Canon show uses for the electronic tilt/shift controls.

US Patent Applications covered are: 20250126362 and 20250175698 Look them up at: https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/static/pages/ppubsbasic.html

2024  December

18th Two new tilt/shift lenses from Laowa

Laowa has announced two new tilt-shift macro lenses. The 55mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X and 100mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X. Both are 1:1 macro lenses. Both manage ±10 degree tilt and ±12mm shift [±8mm for medium format].

RF,Z,E,L full frame and Fuji G for medium format.

I’ll be looking at both lenses in due course

Details

June

29th The word is [aka CR] that the R1 and R5 mk2 will be announced in the third week of July, who knows, maybe with some lenses too…  The tilt/shift ones get a mention, and we have been waiting a long time for anything specific to the RF mount…

May

5th A recap of recent tilt/shift related Canon patents

The patents referred to in the video

• Japanese Patent https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-2024-057829/11/ja

US Patents

• https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/20240098383
• https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/20240022822
• https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/20230314904
• https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/20230350271
• https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/20240048837

February

21st Yes, for those still checking here, I’ve seen no specific news that wasn’t repeated and recycled numerous times through the assorted ‘rumor’ sites, with their increasingly intrusive ads, kickstarter offers and affiliate stories.

Even Thom Hogan notes the decline in ‘interesting’ stuff ;-)

—

I do still live in hope of seeing new ‘TS-E’ lenses for RF [and Z] mount, but as to when?

So, it’s good to see a recent Canon patent applications [USPTO] with an example lens which has shift and tilt in it.

However, the patent is aimed at allowing subject tracking with shift. However, in the patent we see tilt and shift operations, with sensors to record the amount of movement. Tilt is once again produced by off-centring a lens element.  This is covered similarly in a patent from last year [USPTO]

Just how much ‘real tilt’ this approach allows would be interesting to see, but my knowledge of optical design isn’t up to working it out…

Automating focusing with tilt is covered in another patent [USPTO]. However, don’t get too excited, many of the patents in this area are looking at using tilt to place the plane of focus for surveillance cameras…

—

Back in the world of ‘real lenses, I’ve got the RF mount Laowa 10mm f/2.8 lens here to test.

Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D – overview, samples and 30 min ‘shooting wide’ review.

AF for E and Z mount – manual focus for RF, due to Canon’s legal heavies waiting to pounce.

An example from my testing/review

2023 September

30th A Canon US patent for a zoom tilt/shift lens with IS can be found at

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/20230305294

The interesting bit is that tilt/shift does not tilt or shift the lens body

April

20th Canon launch the 100-300

MELVILLE, NY, April 20, 2023 – Today, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced the launch of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens, answering calls from photojournalists and professional level customers for a modern 300mm f/2.8 equivalent lens.

“This lens is an absolute game changer! It gives you the most incredible range, but without sacrificing the f/2.8 aperture. To have this kind of performance at your fingertips is incredible!” Roberto Valenzuela, fashion and wedding photographer

For decades, the 300mm f/2.8 telephoto lens has been an industry standard for photojournalists, professionals, and aspiring enthusiast photographers due to its outstanding image quality, excellent speed for indoor shooting, and relatively light weight for hand-holding. Now, with the launch of the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM, Canon delivers the flexibility of a zoom lens design with the truly outstanding quality of a 300mm f/2.8 L-series telephoto lens. Exceeding the reach and potential of traditional 70-200mm lenses, and adding zoom flexibility to its Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS predecessor, the RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens brings new value to customers with the following features:

• Wide Focal Range—100-300mm range
• Extended Zoom—Optional RF1.4x and 2x extenders are supported with this lens, enabling a zoom range of up to 600mm
• Spectacular Image Quality—f/2.8 constant wide aperture; Fluorite Aspherical and UD-glass design
• Reliable Stabilization—Up to 5.5 stops correction with in-lens Optical Image Stabilization and up to 6.0 stops correction with in-body coordinated Image Stabilization (CIPA standard)
• Weather and Dust Resistant—Durable in various environmental conditions
• Compact and Lightweight Design—Despite capabilities to zoom over 300mm, this lens is unusually lightweight, just barely heavier than the EF300mm f/2.8L IS II

18th The Canon RF100-300 F2.8L IS USM appears in an image [DCI]

16th A look at the TS-E17mm on the GFX100S

Yes – works well – needs more care than with the TS-E24

14th A few new Canon lenses on the way.

A $9500 Canon RF 100-300 f/2.8L IS USM [CR]

—

Meanwhile I’ve been looking at how well the Canon TS-E24mm F3.5 L II works on the 100MP GFX100S [28mins]

TLDR – Very well…

And a look at why an Autofocus 14mm RF T/S lens would indeed be useful… [22mins]

March

28th It’s been a while but there are more noises about potential tilt/shift lenses from Canon – a 14 and 24mm with autofocus [CR]

2023 January

25th A couple of Japanese patent applications for RF 14mm and 24mm f/1.4L IS lenses [CR]

A 24/1.4 would be popular, but a 14/1.4 strays closely near the ‘Because we can’ category.

10th A Happy New Year to all readers – yes I’m afraid the rumours side of the site is not being updated as often as before. A few reasons:

• Just no rumours [1]… All the people who used to send me info 10-15 years ago are no longer in the same jobs
• Just no rumours [2]… Products are not appearing at  the rate they did, and when they do, info is appearing relatively closely to the launch dates
• Other stuff [2]… A couple of years ago, Canon convinced me to do YouTube videos. They have proven vastly more popular than I ever thought [~20k subs], so new material on this site tends to be links to videos or longer reviews
• Other stuff [2]… The videos are fun to do and earning us much needed cash. They bring new visitors to this site, to read the long form articles/reviews

I will be concentrating more on lens/camera reviews and printing related stuff – hence my recent look at Medium Format gear (and lenses such as the Laowa 19mm and 15mm shift on the GFX100S)

However – I’m still waiting for new tilt/shift lenses and a replacement for my 5Ds  ;-)

—

Another nail in the box for EOS-M fans – there’s likely to be an RF-S 11-22 f/4.5-5.6 IS STM in the next few months.

Seems reasonable – why let those EF-M designs go to waste, when a ‘few adjustments’ turns them into RF mount options [CR]

2022 December

15th Several RF zooms have had firmware updates to work with the R6 mk2  ‘focus breathing’ correction [CR]

There’s also talk [CR] of three wide RF primes next year. A 35 and 24 would seem to have a place in the lineup.

What else? I’d prefer a 20 over a 28, but I’m not going to be buying any such lenses anyway ;-)

—

At the moment I’ve several MF lenses to test on a Fuji GFX100S  [15/19/23-35] and Hasselblad X1D II [30mm]

September

13th Several wide angle RF primes on the way in the next year [CR]

• Canon RF 12mm f/1.8L USM
• Canon RF 24mm f/1.4L USM
• Canon RF 28mm f/1.4L USM
• Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM

Some have been expected for a while.

Expected sooner is a RF135/1.8 – something to replace the still rather good [1996] EF135/2

7th Canon seems to be going after companies making RF lenses with AF functions, based on patent infringement.

Canon may ‘corporately’ think this is a good idea – it may be, but from a customer perception POV I’m less convinced. It is not a position of strength…

There’s a report from Germany [CR] which expands this.

From my own POV I’m glad it’s just AF lenses they are going for – Venus Optics produces some excellent manual focus lenses and I suspect have not yet felt the hand of Canon’s legal departments.

If Canon can stick to some of the supposed ‘roadmaps’ for RF lens releases then a RF mount license scheme might appear some time. However I note they were exactly the same with the EF mount ;-)

…A well written post about all of this is from Thom Hogan [TH]

August

25th You want really wide zooms? A new Canon US patent application [USPTO] makes good use of aspherical elements

Examples include: RF9-18mm f/4 | RF 8-16mm f/4 | 10-18mm f/4 | 9-24mm f/4

 

4th A US Canon lens patent application for assorted wide zooms [USPTO]

Various designs including:

11-24 f/4  |  12-24 f/2.8 | 15-35 f/4 | 15-35 f/2.8

July

12th The two new Cannon lenses are announced

11th Two new RF mount lenses due pretty soon [Various sources]

Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

• Lens configuration: 13 elements in 11 groups
• Shortest shooting distance: 0.16m
• Maximum shooting magnification: 0.5x
• Image stabilization: 5.5 steps, 7.0 steps when coordinated
• Filter diameter: 67mm
• Size: 76.6 x 88.4 mm
• Weight: 390g

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM

• Lens configuration: 11 elements in 9 groups
• Shortest shooting distance: 0.14m
• Maximum shooting magnification: 0.5x
• Image stabilization: 5 steps, 6.5 steps when coordinated
• Filter diameter: 52mm
• Size: 74.4 x 63.1 mm
• Weight: 270g

0.5x is a bit low to get the ‘macro’ name, but whatever… ;-)

7th A new Canon US patent application looks at some new full frame RF zoom lens designs [USPTO]

100-400 f5.6-8 | 100-350 f5.6-8 | 70-300 f/4-7.2 | 250-600 f/8-11

Note that these are not IS designs in the patents. I’d expect long lenses like these to have IS in product versions…

June

25th A good chance that we will see  a good RF mount 135mm later this year, with a RF 135mm f/1.8L USM  mentioned [CR] where the previously ‘imminent’ RF 24mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro and the RF 15-30mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM are also pushed back to later in the year.

18th A fairly good Canon article about the benefits of the RF mount – relatively low in marketing content.

16th Rumorland needs new content, so keep your eyes out for mentions (but nothing more) of a RF-S 33mm f/1L USM and RF 70-300mm f/2-4L IS USM.

These sound more like example lenses from patent applications, and as I always mention – a design in a patent is not a real lens…

9th How about some RF crop sensor primes for your new R7 and R10?

A Canon patent application covers several crop sensor designs [USPTO]  They all feature a smaller image circle, so are all RF APS-C (or even EF-M – is that still a thing? ;-)  )

14mm f/2.8 | 16mm f/2.8 | 18mm f/2.8 | 20mm f/2.8

This is the APS-C 18mm f/2.8. Note the large rear element – it’s making use of the large RF mount, and being able to place the rear element closer to the sensor. No I don’t think it presages a huge range of high quality APS-C RF mount primes form Canon – just the usual design ideas you find in patents…

3rd For something different, I just published a 30 min YT video about my B&W Print workflow over the last 20 years – what’s changed and what’s the same.

—

Two US Patent applications for new RF lenses.

First up an 11-24 f4 [USPTO]

This also includes designs for 12-24mm 14-35mm, 15-35mm all f/4

Next a replacement for the EF8-14 fisheye.

An RF 8-24mm f/4 design, which includes examples for an 8-28  [USPTO]

May

25th A purported road-map of upcoming Canon RF-S lenses has appeared [thanks] – no idea of its veracity, but it would certainly be a useful set to add to the new R10 and R7

• Canon RF-S 11-55mm f/4 – f/4.5 IS STM [suggested as a typo maybe 11-22]
• Canon RF-S 16-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
• Canon RF-S 22mm f/2 STM
• Canon RF-S 32mm f/1.4 STM
• Canon RF-S 55-250mm f/4.5 – f/7.1 IS STM

24th Lenses announced – not available until later this year though.

press info

Alongside the camera bodies, Canon will release new RF-S lenses – a series of RF-mount lenses that are optimized for the smaller APS-C sensor size of the new EOS R camera system. Marked as the RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM and RF-S18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM lenses, these will be the standard zoom lenses for the EOS R7 and EOS R10 cameras. The RF-S 18-45mm provides an 18-45mm focal length, but users will experience a field of view equivalent to 29-72mm lens coverage on a full-frame camera. The RF-S18-150mm lens is a longer-range standard zoom, equivalent to 29-240mm lens coverage on a full frame. While ideal for the new EOS R10 and EOS R7 APS-C sized sensor bodies, these lenses can be used for any R-series camera.

Well, they are definitely ‘kit lenses’  – with a an effective ‘wide’ end at 29mm equivalent and pretty poor apertures.

I guess Canon knows its market – but this doesn’t even match the venerable  EF-S 18-55 range in some respects.

23rd Lenses due tomorrow – APS-C RF

• RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM
• Lens configuration: 7 elements in 7 groups
• Shortest shooting distance: 0.20m (AF), 0.15m (MF)
• Maximum shooting magnification: 0.16x (AF), 0.26x ( MF)
• Filter diameter: 49mm
• Size: 69.0 x 44.3mm
• Weight: 130g

• RF-S18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS ST
• Lens configuration: 17 elements in 13 groups
• Minimum shooting distance: 0.17m (AF), 0.12m (MF)
• Maximum shooting magnification: 0.44x (AF), 0.59x ( MF)
• Filter diameter: 55mm
• Size: 69.0 x 84.5mm
• Weight: 310g

20th A new optical design for tilt appears in a US Canon patent application [USPTO]

When you tilt a lens there is often some unwanted shift introduced, by dint of the lens design and where the physical axis of tilt runs with respect to it.

It’s why I modified my original TS-E90mm) – the new version, as with the 17/24mm, has the ability to change the shift/tilt axis relationship. However, Canon has looked at correcting.

In the patent, the unwanted shift from tilt is referred to as composition shift (a useful term – I may be using it in future ;-)  )

The tilt function of the new lens designs is given by offsetting a lens element in front of the stop – the shift is offset by an opposite movement on the rear (camera) side of the stop.

The optics and maths in the patent go well past my expertise – if anyone actually understanding it all has any observations about this I’d appreciate an email!

The patent includes example designs for quite a few longer lenses (number rounded to nearest ‘standard’)

35mm f/2.8 | 85mm f/2.8 |  | 135mm f/4 | 230mm f/4

Just in case you’re wondering what tilt looks like at 230mm – here’s a shot taken with a 210mm tilt lens on an EOS RP

From my look at the Fotodiox TLT-ROKR adapter and a 210/4 Mamiya M645

But wait, there’s more…

A Japanese patent application from 2019 [2019-090952] has a zoom tilt lens design, using the same principle.

24-100mm zoom tilt lens anyone?

 

8th A new Japanese Canon patent application shows a new tilt mechanism design [Aso -trans]

The design shows a powered tilt mechanism. The tilt axis and the tilt amount are set by rings on the body of the lens. This is a change from the side knob operation of the current TS-E lenses.

Note that this design just appears to be addressing aspects of lens tilt, since a practical lens design is likely shift and tilt.

I’ll just repeat this patent from 2019

———-

There is patent info showing auto focus with a motorised tilt axis from a patent application in June 2019 [USPTO]

 

Part of the patent shows example flowcharts for operation and includes the camera working out a ‘subject surface’ and seeing if it can match the plane of focus to the surface. Focusing tilted lenses accurately can be a nontrivial task (focusing with tilt), if you’re looking for precision placement of the focal plane.

The design could help with this, and I note it also goes into some detail concerning measurement of lens setting. Maybe we’ll finally see tilt and shift info recorded in EXIF.

———-

April

4th A Japanese Canon patent application [JP.2022052536.A JP ] shows an EF->RF adapter with shift.

Some Canon EF lenses do have quite large image circles, but this is likely a ‘because we can’ type of patent designed to cover various design features. Note that it shows a fixed shift, but does allow for rotation of the shift axis.

March

29th I’ve just published a detailed review of the the new Laowa 20mm F4.0 20mm shift lens

It’s still here, so questions are welcome…

24th A Canon US patent looks at some aspects of how the AF system copes with lenses like the one shown below [USPTO]

—

A Japanese Canon patent application shows several catadioptric (reflex mirror) based lens designs form Canon.

These are complex, with IS and rear focus. They also include a variable aperture – not something you get with lenses like my old Russian 1100/11.  See more at [CN]

10th It’s Canon business outlook time again…

We see a graph covering the size of Canon’s lens line up – suggesting ~8 new lenses a year for the next three years… [CN, DPR]

Interestingly, we may see a few EF designs re-appear in RF clothes – this happened during the FD->EF transition

1st There has been a steady stream of patents covering aspects of DO telephoto RF lens design and manufacture, so it’s not a big surprise to hear of them being tested [CR]

• RF 400mm f/3.5 DO IS USM
• RF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM
• RF 500mm f/4.5 DO IS USM
• RF 500mm f/5 DO IS USM
• RF 800mm f/9.5 DO IS USM

Don’t expect them all to appear as products though!

2022 February

24th The 800/1200 are announced ($17k and $20k)

23rd The specs of the 1200mm are leaked [G-Drive]

Outstanding Image Quality, 1200mm Super-telephoto Fixed Focal Length Lens Expands the EOS R
System
Optimized magnification optics increase the focal length while retaining nearly the same light weight,
portability and high levels of image quality achieved in the RF600mm F4 L IS USM lens. A combination of
two large-diameter Fluorite elements, one Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) and one UD-glass element
provides outstanding sharpness and contrast, even at maximum aperture. A UD lens element positioned in
the rear section of the lens provides excellent correction of the increased chromatic aberration generated
by the magnification optics. This results in tack-sharp images with minimal color fringing in any shooting
condition.
Impressively Light at 7.4 lbs., While Retaining High Levels of Image Quality
Numerous optical and mechanical steps combine to make the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM supremely light
weight for its focal length, transforming it into a lens that’s equally at home in situations requiring mobility
and portability such as when shooting motorsports and wildlife, or if used with a tripod to keep it fixed on
a subject such as home plate if shooting at a baseball game. Since it uses the same front-section optical
design as the EF version III and RF600mm F4 L-series lenses, similar superb image quality can be
expected, delivering visual impact with its amazing telephoto power.
Minimum Focusing Distance of Approx. 14.1 ft. / 4.3 m.
With a minimum focusing distance of approx. 14.1 ft./4.3 m., the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM lens helps you
get close to your subjects. At its closest focus distance, users can fill the frame with a subject smaller
than a regulation, pro-sized US football.
Optical Image Stabilization with up to 4 Stops* of Shake Correction
The RF1200mm F8 L IS USM features an Optical Image Stabilizer system that provides up to 4 stops* of
shake correction, delivering consistent and sharp results. This helps provide reliable monopod-mounted —
or even hand-held, for some users —performance and clear image detail in low-light situations or at lower
ISOs. This applies when capturing both stills and video, for stable shooting, and sharp final imagery.
Three IS Operation Modes
Three image stabilization modes provide shake-correction for outstanding results in a wide range of
shooting situations. These include traditional stabilization, with the correction visible any time IS is active
in the camera’s viewfinder (IS Mode 1); helping to correct camera shake when intentionally panning
horizontally (or vertically), providing shake-correction perpendicular to the photographer’s panning
movement (IS Mode 2); and stabilization that instantly goes into effect only when the shutter is released —
no correction visible between shots, in the camera’s viewfinder (IS Mode 3).
Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) Helps Minimize Ghosting and Flare
The RF1200mm F8 L IS USM lens features Canon’s Super Spectra Coating (SSC) that helps maintain
overall image quality and color fidelity, as well as Air Sphere Coating (ASC), which significantly helps to
reduce the occurrence of lens flare and ghosting. This helps provide clean results with minimal flare and
loss of contrast, especially in heavily back-lit situations.
Compatible with Canon RF1.4x and RF2x Extenders
To help get you even closer to the subject, attach either the optional Canon Extender RF1.4x or Extender
RF2x to the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM. Expand effective telephoto power to 1680mm at f/11 with the
Extender RF1.4x, or to effective 2400mm at f/16 using the Extender RF2x. Canon RF tele extenders
transform the lens into an incredibly powerful telephoto combination for wildlife or sports photography and
more.
Customizable Electronic Focus Ring, with Manual Focus Capability during SERVO AF
Featuring a customizable electronic manual focus ring on the lens barrel, the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM
allows you to select from three different speed levels to adjust manual focus to your desired preference.
Adjusted with a 3-position, Manual Focus Speed switch on the lens barrel, Mode 1 provides the “fastest”
setting — minimal rotation of the manual focus ring results in significant shifts in actual focus. The Mode 2
and 3 settings add sensitivity, allowing finer focus control as the ring is rotated. The RF1200mm F8 L IS
USM therefore allows the user to select a preference for quick, rapid manual focus changes, or fine
manual focus adjustments. Additionally, manual focus is still possible while autofocus is engaged, letting
you fine tune focus adjustments to suit your shooting preferences.
Two Focus Presets Available — Instantly Return to One or Two Memorized Focus Distances
Quickly select between one or two memorized focus distances, with focus presets. Especially useful for
fixed-position sports photography, you can focus upon and memorize two separate focus distances. Then,
with a simple twist of the playback ring, immediately jump back to one or the other. A sports photographer,
for example, could easily pre-focus on the midfield line and the goal with the ability to rapidly move focus
back to either position with a slight turn of the playback ring on the lens barrel.
9-blade Circular Aperture for Beautiful, Soft Backgrounds
Thanks to its 9-blade, circular aperture, the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM is capable of gorgeous bokeh,
achieving evocative out-of-focus areas and soft backgrounds. Delivering more rounded background blur,
the 9-blade circular aperture helps create intimacy and intensity in background and foreground bokeh for
both photos and videos.
Durable L-series Construction with Dust- and Water-resistant Design, Fluorine Coating on Front
Element for Easy Cleaning
Built to L series lens specifications, the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM features a highly durable design for
excellent performance even in inclement weather conditions. It delivers a dust- and water-resistant
construction with seals around the mount, switches, rings and more. To help maintain a clean lens, even
after multiple lens changes in sub-optimal conditions, the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM has a specially
designed fluorine coating on its front and rear surfaces. The coating helps to prevent water, oil, and other
surface residue like fingerprints from sticking to the lens, which facilitates quick and easy wiping, without
the use of solvents.

Nice to know it’s compatible with 1.4 and 2x extenders ;-)

22nd An image of an RF800/5.6 and 1200/8 suggests we may see some RF mount big whites before long… [PR]

11th Several RF zoom designs in a Canon patent application [USPTO]

• 24mm f/4 – 400mm f/6.5
• 24mm f/4 – 300mm f/5.6
• 28mm f/4 – 500mm f/7.2
• 33mm f/4 – 600 f/7.2

—

Time for an RF superzoom? A patent application [USPTO] includes several designs for a 30mm f/4 – 600mm f/8 zoom

3rd Several big RF zoom telephoto lens designs appear in a US patent application [USPTO]

Approx specs…

• 200-500mm f/4
• 200-400mm f/4
• 150mm f/5 to 600mm f/6.5
• 300-800mm f/8

2021 December

7th Canon has new firmware for the RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

Firmware Version 1.1.0 incorporates the following enhancements and fixes:

• Adds an electronic full-time manual focus function (a function that enables constant manual focus adjustment in both One-shot AF and Servo AF), which is enabled when using the EOS R5, EOS R6, and EOS R3 cameras.
• Improves an issue in which the background is not blurred when performing slow panning with the IS (Image Stabilisation) mode set to Mode 2 or Mode 3.

Download firmware

November

29th The new Venus Optics Laowa 85mm F5.6 Macro 2:1 full-frame mirrorless macro lens for E, Z, R, and M mounts has been announced.

I’ve had it here for a few weeks and have a review, which includes a video [YT Video link]

Lots more images in the review, but here it is at x1 and x2 on my RP

A very nice (albeit fully manual) lens

October

6th The dual fisheye is announced – see the full RF 5.2mm dual fisheye announcement page for details and specs.

3rd Looking in the US patent, I find this one from March [USPTO]

—

A recent Japanese patent makes the detail of the lens design a bit clearer [CN]

2nd A clarification makes it a Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8L Dual Fisheye

A specialist VR capture lens – yes, that is a definite ‘Because we can’ Canon lens…

1st A tweet from the usually reliable [Nok] suggests a 5.2mm F2.8 RF lens

Something lost in translation somewhere I feel? – the focal length is too precise, were there to be a new short focal length fisheye of some sort then it would be a 5mm or 6mm…

September

14th The 16mm and 100-400mm are launched at the same time as the R3.

• Full details and specifications 16 / 100-400

1st Next up in the RF lens lineup, a 16/2.8 and a 100-400 [Nok]

Both ‘non-L’ so good for expanding the lens range.

Lots of 2021 stuff has slipped back to 2022/3, but I’m still waiting for those RF mount tilt/shift lenses ;-)

June

Sorry for website issues (slowness) – we will be moving to a new server, but that is not a trivial matter… (for me to do)

29th RF14-35 announced [see DPR for images etc. ]

MELVILLE, NY, June 29, 2021– Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM lens. This dramatic new lens brings 14mm, ultra wide-angle coverage to full-frame EOS R-series users. On top of the ultra-wide capabilities, the 14-35mm zoom range is the broadest ever in a Canon wide-angle zoom for full-frame AF cameras. For many Canon users, one single lens can potentially handle all wide-angle needs, from vivid, creative ultra-wide imagery to traditional street photography.

The new wide-angle lens is designed for use within the expanding family of EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras, including the upcoming EOS R3, currently in development. Whether you capture stills, video, or like many creatives today – both – this new wide-angle lens from Canon can help elevate users’ content game when capturing images or video in a wide variety of situations, such as landscape, architecture, and travel.

A compact overall design, and extremely modest overall weight of just 1.2 lbs. — along with excellent balance, during hand-held or even gimbal-mounted operation — add to RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM inviting character. A key feature, sure to appeal to many landscape and nature photographers, is this lens’s ability to accept conventional, 77mm screw-in filters. This is especially noteworthy on a lens for full-frame cameras with 14mm ultra-wide coverage. Additionally, the lens’s close-focusing capability is exceptional for an ultra-wide zoom of its type.

Image Stabilization further enhances the RF14-35mm’s appeal for low-light still imagery, and for steady yet striking wide video footage. Up to 5.5 stopsi of optical Image Stabilization is built-in, and Coordinated IS with cameras such as the EOS R6 and EOS R5 delivers up to 7 stopsii of shake-correction. This can mean sharper hand-held images in low light, even at extremely slow shutter speeds.

The Canon RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM lens features a bright, constant f/4 maximum aperture, L-Series optical construction — highlighted by three UD-glass elements, and three Aspherical elements — and many of the company’s most advanced proprietary lens coatings, including Sub-wavelength Structure Coating (SWC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC). These superb lens coatings help minimize ghosting and flaring. Lens placement and coatings are also optimized to help users get clear, high-contrast images, even when there is a bright light source either in, or immediately outside, the frame. Additional features of the Canon RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM include:

• Compact design — Approximately 1.2 lbs. in weight.
• Minimum focusing of 7.9 inches at all focal lengths and a maximum magnification of 0.38x at 35mm zoom setting.
• Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5.5 stopsi of shake correction.
• Up to 7 stops of shake correction when paired with Canon EOS R series cameras that feature In-Body Image Stabilizer (IBIS).
• High speed, smooth and quiet autofocus with Canon’s Nano USM.
• Control Ring for direct setting changes of aperture, shutter speed, ISO speed and exposure compensation.
• Superb dust and weather-resistance on par with other Canon L-series lenses.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon RF14-35mm F4 L IS USM lens is scheduled to be available in August 2021 for an estimated retail price of $1,699.00

24th The RF14-35 f4L IS USM should be appearing in the next week or so – probably linked to the R3

This softish image has appeared

17th From the always reliable Nokishita… [Nok]

“The next lens that Canon will announce will be the RF 14-35mm F4L. The lens hood is EW-83P”

May

19th Patents have been seen, but it seems [CR] that an RF 35/1.2L is due this year, but pushed back towards the end of the year

14th There is some info [CR] about Canon’s last cat lenses – from the 1960’s

13th Has canon decided it’s time for some catadioptric long lenses for the RF system? ;-)

A new US patent application [USPTO] has a number of designs – with IS.

Expect a chorus of disapproval from those who’ve never owned a cat lens ;-)

1200mm f/10.5 | 800mm f/5 | 400mm f/3.6 | 2000mm f/15 | 1200mm f/8

Here’s my 1100/10.5 on my EOS RP

5th The 14mm and 24mm RF mount tilt/shift lenses (with AF) get a mention [CR] as something for late 2021. The High MP Canon EOS R gets a mention too for early 2022.

There is patent info showing auto focus with a motorised tilt axis.

This from last year from a patent application in June 2019 [USPTO]

 

Part of the patent shows example flowcharts for operation and includes the camera working out a ‘subject surface’ and seeing if it can match the plane of focus to the surface. Focusing tilted lenses accurately can be a nontrivial task (focusing with tilt), if you’re looking for precision placement of the focal plane.

The design could help with this, and I note it also goes into some detail concerning measurement of lens setting. Maybe we’ll finally see tilt and shift info recorded in EXIF.

—

This patent [USPTO] from May 2019 looks at using shift elements to counteract unwanted shift when tilting a lens.

These patents [USPTO, USPTO] from Feb 2019 looks at corrections for tilted/shifted images

April

29th You want smooth OOF areas? A new Canon US patent application [USPTO] includes numerous designs for full frame lenses with front and rear apodised elements. This is for a 130/1.4

Other designs include: 135/2 | 24/1.4 | 70/1.2

14th Canon announce the expected three lenses

The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM, Canon RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM and Canon RF600mm F4L IS USM are scheduled to be available in July 2021 for an estimated retail price of $1,399.00, $11,999.00 and $12,999.00, respectively.

100mm macro

The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM lens is not only Canon’s first RF lens designed specifically for macro photography, but also the world’s first[1] medium telephoto macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1.4x. The new lens, designed for both advanced photo enthusiasts and professionals, takes macro photography expression to the next level with the introduction of a spherical aberration (SA) control ring. The SA control ring allows users to change the character and appearance of the bokeh and obtain a softer focus effect with a simple turning of the ring to the desired result.

Additional features of the Canon RF100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM include:

• Optical Image Stabilizer with up to five stops of Shake Correction[2].
• When combined with a camera featuring In-Body Image Stabilizer, up to eight stops of shake correction[3] is possible with coordinated operation of Optical and In-Body Image Stabilizer.
• Hybrid IS helps to compensate for angular and shift camera shake during macro shooting.
• High-speed, smooth and quiet auto focus with dual nano USM.
• Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO.
• Rugged Canon L-series dust and water-resistant design.

* Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.

[1] As an autofocus interchangeable lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Canon survey as of April 14, 2021.

[2] Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards. Testing performed using the EOS R camera.

[3] Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards. Testing performed using the EOS R5 camera.

More at DPR

200mm and 400mm

The Canon RF400mm F2.8L IS USM and Canon RF600mm F4L IS USM are both designed to be optically identical to their EF counterparts. The RF400mm and RF600mm weigh in at 6.37 and 6.81 pounds with a minimum focusing distance of 8.2 and 13.8 feet, respectively. Both lenses share many of the same critical features that help professional high-end super-telephoto lenses stand out from the crowd.

Those features include:

• Ideal for a wide variety of shooting situations, including sports, aviation, trains, automotive, and wildlife, such as birding.
• Optical Image Stabilization with up to 5.5 stops[6] of shake correction. Including three IS Operation Modes — still subjects, panning, and irregular movement.
• Proprietary Canon lens coatings, Super Spectra Coating (SSC), and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) help minimize ghosting and flaring. Lens placement and coatings are optimized to provide users with clear, high-contrast images even when there is a bright light source.
• Lenses include fluorite and super UD lens elements arranged in such a way to help correct chromatic aberration and make the models more compact. Like the latest Canon EF400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF600mm f/4L IS III USM lenses, released in the fall of 2018, weight on these RF-series super-telephotos has been significantly reduced vs. previous-generation Canon super tele designs.
• Compatible with Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders, and feature a customizable electronic focus ring, with manual focus capability during SERVO AF.
• A nine-blade circular aperture provides users beautiful bokeh and ideally blurred backgrounds when the aperture is stopped down.
• For added convenience when on a shoot, two focus presets are available. Users can instantly return to one of two memorized focus distances.
• Rugged Canon L-series dust and water-resistant design with vibration and shock resistance. The front element has been dressed with a fluorine coating for easy cleaning.
• Infrared reflective pigments with high reflectance and titanium oxide lens barrel coating with silica provide excellent UV weather resistance and heat reduction.

More at DPR

8th Images of the upcoming RF100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens are spotted

As yet unknown: the meaning of the ± SA Control ring.

Possibly connected with focus stepping, but no-one knows for sure at the moment.

 

4th Some Canon lenses very likely to be announced this month [CR]

RF 600mm f/4L IS USM, RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro

1st Several full frame RF ultra-wide zooms appear in a Canon patent [USPTO]

Design options include 10-18mm f/4 | 8-16mm f/4 | 9-15mm f/4 | 9-24mm f/4

—

Several longer zooms in a Canon US patent applications [USPTO]

70-200 f/4 | 100-500 f/4.6-6.8 | 70-200 f/2.8 | 55-250 f/4.6-6.5 | 100-400 f/5.6-8 |100-390 f/5.6-8

Mostly RF full frame but the 55-250 is for a crop sensor

March

30th Three new Canon lenses are shown for certification in Russia.[Nok] The three SKU’s are 4857C005, 5053C005 and 5054C005.

No indication as to which lenses they are

25th A Canon US Patent application [USPTO] includes several designs for wide angle primes for RF mount

Examples are 12mm/14mm/20mm all at f/2.8

Of lenses I had, but don’t have any more, the 14mm f/2.8L II is one that I least wanted to get rid of for need of cash…

4th Canon is gearing up for lots of announcements in the second half of this year according to info at [CR]

They have 13 to beat from EF announcements in 1987.

Still excellent ones from that year include the EF15/2.8 fisheye and the original EF50/1.8

February

11th A Canon patent application [USPTO] includes designs for what could be a range of ‘big white’ RF lenses.

There are a lot of examples in the patent, which also looks at aspects of using aspherical elements up front to reduce weight. If you can replace a multi-element big front element with a single lens, that’s potentially quite a saving.

Examples include: 400/2.8 | 300/2.8 | 500/4 | 600/4 | 800/5.6

 

January

22nd Laowa first mentioned their range of f/0.95 lenses a while ago, and it seems they are getting close. First, I may well get a chance to try one, but also the specs have appeared in a more official form (I should note that I sometimes do testing for Laowa, so may not repeat all rumours ;-) )

There are 2 lenses for full-frame mirrorless camera systems, a 35mm f/0.95 lens and a 45mm f/0.95

See details at [DPR]

 

—

A Canon US lens patent [USPTO] has a number of design for an internal focusing prime design.

The lens design examples are all quite fast: 24/1.4 24/1.8 28/1.8 35/1.8 50/1.4

 

 

13th It looks as if there will be plenty of lenses coming from Venus Optics this year

Some f/0.95 primes and a 12-24 f/5.6 are all listed [via CR]

Having seen the difference in the viewfinder between my 5Ds and EOS RP with my Olympus 50/1.2, ths f/0.95 lenses are definitely ones I’d rather use on a good mirrorless camera.

2020 December

18th It seems that the expected RF70-200 F4L IS has been delayed until at least the beginning of March [CR]

Expect to see a lot more such delays, given the ongoing disruption to global supply chains.

4th I’ve just published my detailed Laowa 15mm shift lens review and made a 15min video about it.

November

26th A Canon patent application [USPTO] covers a range of similar designs for an RF15-35mm f/4 zoom

 

14th A quick comparison between the 15mm and 17mm at full shift, with the camera not moved at all.

–

Interesting, since the RF lens roadmap [CR] includes these two

Canon RF Tilt-Shift Lenses: Canon TS-R 14mm f/4L | Canon TS-R 24mm f/3.5L

9th The Laowa 15mm shift lens has arrived for testing – but it’s raining today…

 

5th A Japanese Canon patent application shows an RF 80mm f/2.8 1:1 macro [HL]

3rd I now have an advance copy of my book to flick through – this is what makes all the work feel worth it ;-)

Although I try and cover a lot of types and makes of kit, the majority is using Canon TS-E lenses.

October

31st Some shots of the rather small RF70-200 F4L IS USM [Nok]

 

 

30th Laowa have announced a full frame 15mm shift lens [details]

The even better news is that one is on its way to me to test :-)

29th A photo of the RF 50/1.8 [Nok]

I’ll be interested to see just how good this lens is from an optical POV. Is it to be a box ticking ‘we need a 50’ lens or one to showcase the RF system?

 

28th A mention of the lens hoods [Nok] means the lenses are on their way:

“RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM”, “RF 50mm F1.8 STM”, “Lens Hood ET-83G (WIII)” and “Lens Hood ES-65B” have been added to Canon’s latest product list.

This means we should see the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM soon.

15th For fans of tilt/shift lenses, I’ve started a series of short videos explaining various aspects of their use.
See the tilt/shift index page for the latest.

—

A Canon patent application [USPTO] for some RF f/1.8 primes 105mm/130mm/150mm

—

Lots of long telephoto. larger F number designs in a Canon patent application [USPTO]

These are normal long lenses

600mm f/11 | 800mm f/11 | 600mm f/8

…and diffractive optics (DO) designs

600mm f/8 | 800mm f/11 | 400mm f/8 | 600mm f/11

10th Several people have asked about the two T/S lenses in the list below. This is based on a reply I gave on the CR forum:

The Canon patent shows some interesting ideas. However, one of the hardest aspects (I’ve found) of explaining/teaching the use of such lenses is using tilt – not to randomly change focus/tilt settings for the so called ’tilt-shift’ effect, but actually placing the plane of focus exactly where you want it, especially at relatively short distances. The trick can be in appreciating that when a lens is tilted, those numbers on the focus ring no longer mean much.

• Moving beyond the small world look with tilt

The patent includes the ability to define two points on a surface and have the camera change the tilt/focus to place a plane of focus through them. Now, it ignores setting the tilt axis, but I can see how defining two points on a plane, the AF system could supply the necessary info in conjunction with the lens focus setting and tilt, to arrive at the correct settings – or tell you that it couldn’t be done.

How much of this patent is just covering potential features and how much reflects potential design is another matter though ;-)

Back to the two suggested lenses (14mm and 24mm)… and what we have now.

The 14mm is quite extreme, I’m not sure how much shift would be available. The TS-E17 already matches the FOV of a ~10mm lens if you shift and stitch. This starts showing the quite extreme distortion from a (correct) rectilinear projection. That said, when using a 14mm I’ve often thought that a few mm of shift would be nice ;-)

The TS-E24 mk2 is pretty good, but obviously could be improved, but for what? It’s fine with my 5Ds (and the R5 I tried recently), so I’d want a hefty MP R5’s’ to go with one… I’d note though that I tried the 24mm with the S1r and pixel shift mode, where an up/down stitch gave getting on for 300MP and some nice pics…

• TS-E24mm F3.5L II review
• S1R review

The current 17 is the (slightly) weaker of the two – I recently had a go with the Nikon 19mm and liked it, but I’m still happy to use the 17 for my day to day work.

• TS-E17mm F4L review

My recent testing of the R5 was specifically to see how it was with T/S lenses – great, oh and the polarising filter adapter was a nice thing for occasional use too.

• Looking at the R5
• Polarising filter adapter with tilt/shift
• Nikon PC 19mm review

The EVF and level actually made hand held use of the 17 a lot easier with shift, especially for shifting (heresy I know, but i like using both hand held)

So, for the putative RF versions…

I don’t mind fly-by wire focus, but please give me more focus throw (or the option for it) than I get with the new 50/90/135. I had a TS-E50 here with the R5, and had forgotten the reduced throw at medium-far distances. Electronic focusing, focus peaking and a good EVF would make my own use of the lenses easier. It could be that AF just works with shift, which might be of some use?

One thing that’s been missing for me from existing lenses is EXIF data with movement/distance info, allowing for lens correction – even when using tilt. The Hasselblad HTS1.5x adapter has encoders for movements, so it can be done (at a price…)

• Hasselblad tilt/shift review

For the two new lenses, I do wonder whether I’d prefer a manual version that just has great optics, with less complexity?

So, yes to new T/S lenses, but I do wonder about the complexity (and price)

One other thought that occurred… let’s say we do get AF and motorised movements. How are they going to explain what you do with it ;-)

If nothing else it could help with sales of my tilt/shift book (coming in November I’ll casually note ;-)

• Keith’s tilt/shift info page

9th A 2021 Canon lens roadmap for RF mount has some interesting items [CR]

• Canon TS-R 14mm f/4L
• Canon TS-R 24mm f/3.5L
• Canon RF 10-24mm f/4L USM
• Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM
• Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro
• Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM
• Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
• Canon RF 135mm f/1.4L USM
• Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-7.1 IS USM
• Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
• Canon RF 500mm f/4L IS USM
• Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM
• Canon RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
• Canon RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM

The 14 and 24mm TS-R lenses are listed as AF – obviously this interests me.

On that matter…

This is from a patent last June [USPTO]

Part of the patent shows example flowcharts for operation and includes the camera working out a ‘subject surface’ and seeing if it can match the plane of focus to the surface. Focusing tilted lenses accurately can be a nontrivial task (focusing with tilt), if you’re looking for precision placement of the focal plane.

The design could help with this, and I note it also goes into some detail concerning measurement of lens setting. Maybe we’ll finally see tilt and shift info recorded in EXIF.

—

This patent [USPTO] from May 2019 looks at using shift elements to counteract unwanted shift when tilting a lens.

These patents [USPTO, USPTO] from Feb 2019 looks at corrections for tilted/shifted images

6th A Canon interview [Translated- DCW] shows the 1960 lightweight super telephoto designs which inspired the 600/800mm f/11 lenses for RF mount

1st A Canon patent application describes an RF 8-15mm f4 fish-eye zoom [USPTO]

At 8mm the lens has an image circle less than full frame (as in my EF8-15mm F4L – review)

September

17th Tamron Japan have extended some factory closures due to reduced demand. [PR]

—

Several rumours doing the rounds suggest some more exotic RF lenses on the way.

250/2 | 500/2.8 | 70-135/2

All possible, but apart from the last one, very big and very expensive…

13th The RF filter adapter works just fine with a polarising filter and tilt/shift lenses. See my notes about testing it – there is a video too. [TS-E lenses and a polarising filter]

9th A suggestion [CR] that an RF14-21 f/1.4 could be on its way – an optical design for this has been seen in patent details, so it’s a possible (price? If you have to ask…)

8th I’ve an R5 and lenses coming this week to try out and compare to my 5Ds (with TS-E lenses).

I’ll also have a look and see how it performs with my Fotodiox T/S adapter and M645 lenses.

I’ve just recently started making short videos to support articles/reviews, and will try and do some R5 related ones.

However, here’s my recent one about that adapter. The videos are a new thing for me, so please do subscribe to my YouTube Channel to keep updated. Any ideas/suggestions, please feel free to drop me an email…

5th A series of RF lens designs in a Japanese Canon patent application [HL]
24-70mm F4, 16-34mm F4, and 12-24mm F4

The 24-70 looks the same as I have below, the wider ones are in a different patent.

3rd A range of 24-70 f/4 full frame lens variants in a new US patent application [USPTO]

The 18mm back focus at the wide end and lack of IS in the patents suggest that this is a design study type of patent rather than an actual product.

August

27th A US patent application has whole host of prime (IS) lens designs [USPTO]

135mm f/2 | 100mm f/2 | 85mm f/1.8 | 85mm f/1.4 | 300mm f/2.8 | 135mm f/2 | 80mm f/1.4 | 50mm f/1.8

The range of designs suggest that it’s a design principle being covered rather than specific lenses we might see as products, but there could be a ‘real lens’ in there somewhere…

 

13th A US patent application for Canon [USPTO] looks at several versions of an RF24-70 F2.8 IS

—

Another application [USPTO] looks at wide RF f/2.8 zoom designs (15-35, 14-30)

8th Some Japanese Canon patent applications show more of Canon’s plans for longer RF lenses [HL]

200-800mm F6-8.5

RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM

July

17th One that I hope is of interest to people who’ve looked at my tilt/shift reviews…

• Nikon PC 19mm F4E ED review

Rather nice, this 2016 lens pips the 2007 TS-E17mm in image quality if not coverage, one more reason I look forward to the TS-E17 being updated and improved in RF mount for a high MP EOS R ;-)

9th All the lenses are due to be announced at 1PM (UK time). As expected, quite a lot of specs have appeared via the Nokishita Twitter account.

The current info is summarised at CR

I’m busy working on non camera related stuff – come back at 1pm…

June

30th I’ve an article about using lens tilt in the latest (free) Photographer Academy E-Zine ‘The Big Photo’

18th Here are the camera products being announced on the 9th of July by Canon

• Canon EOS R5
• Canon EOS R6
• Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 IS STM
• Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
• Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
• Canon RF 100-500mm f/4-7.1L IS USM
• Canon RF 600mm f/11 DO IS STM
• Canon RF 800mm f/11 DO IS STM
• Teleconverter RF 1.4x
• Teleconverter RF 2x

12th A few Canon lenses expected for 2021 [CR] – these are not ‘L’ lenses

• Canon RF 18-45mm IS STM
• Canon RF 24mm Macro IS
• Canon RF 100-400mm IS USM

Whilst I’ve heard about new wide tilt/shift lenses for the RF mount, I’ve no info, other than to note I get such suggestions regularly every few months…

11th SKU codes for upcoming lenses – some are likely to be announced alongside the R5/R6 in early July

• 4515C005 Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 IS STM
• 4318C005 Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
• 4234C005 Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
• 4112C005 Canon RF 100-500mm f/4-7.1L IS USM
• 3986C005 Canon RF 600mm f/11 DO IS STM
• 3987C005 Canon RF 800mm f/11 DO IS STM
• 4113C005 and 4114C005 RF 1.4x and RF 2x

9th A list of 2020 RF lenses to come from Canon via [Nok]

The lenses that Canon will announce during 2020 are the RF50mm F1.8 STM, RF85mm F2 Macro IS STM, RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM, RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, and RF600mm F11 IS. It seems to be STM, RF800mm F11 IS STM, RF1.4x, and RF2x

The 600/800 are likely to be DO lenses [CR]

4th DxO have added Perspective Efex to the Nik plugin collection. It’s the same as DxO ViewPoint, which I’ve used for years for occasional fine tuning my hand-held shots with shift lenses – particularly up/down stitched pairs with the TS-E17, which is wide enough to make any slight misalignment quite obvious. [Perspective Efex review].

—

A Canon patent application [USPTO] includes several medium (80-100) telephoto f/2.8 primes, such as this 100/2.8

—

Zoom lens variations in a Canon patent application [USPTO] This is a full frame 100-600 f4.6-6.8

other options include

120-700mm f4.6-8

—

Zoom lens variations in a patent application [USPTO] This is a 24-300 f4-6.5

The examples in the patent are mirrorless designs, but the 19mm image height at the wide end is smaller than you’d expect for a full frame sensor – possible EOS M or, dare we suggest like many patents, just deign ideas.

Also variations such as 24-230 | 24-270 f4.5-7.1 | 24-200 f.5-7.1 | 28-220 f4-6.5 | 30-180 f4-6.3

 

 

 

—

A Canon US patent application [USPTO] covers more details of the electrical and communications aspects of the RF mount. Required reading for third party lens/adapter makers ;-)

The application also includes variations on the mount design.

2nd A low level rumour but the RF100/ F2 L IS Macro would seem a good addition to the RF lens range [CR]

May

29th FYI I’ve just added another article to the tilt/shift info collection: Using diagonal shift

—

Samyang announce an 85mm f1.4 AF lens for RF mount. [DPR]

 

Looks to be very similar to the Sony E mount version.

21st You want zoom?… A Canon patent application [USPTO] includes a 10-800mm f/1.8-4.2 lens design

Unfortunately, the specs suggest it’s a design for a smaller sensor video camera…

—

A different approach to diffractive optics is outlined in a Canon US patent application [USPTO]

The new approach uses a phase modulation system. The patterns are smaller than the wavelength of light

The pattern on the lens element is formed by using a resist (6A). This when etched produced holes who’s depth directly relates to size of the ‘holes’ in the resist.

As ever, a big reminder that a patent is not a product

9th 5 RF lens stock numbers spotted [Nok]

SKU: 3986C005, 3987C005, 4112C005, 4113C005, 4114C005, 4234C005

One is likely the RF100-500 – Announcements unlikely for a few months.

7th Designs for wide range RF zoom lens appear in a new Canon patent application [USPTO]

This would be a 24-240 F4-6.4

Other examples include:

24-300 F4-6.4 | 24-280 F4-6.4 | 24-200 F4-6.4

April

30th I just published a short article about using lens tilt to move beyond the ‘model world’ look

Partly because there is so much more you can do with such lenses ;-)

—

A Canon US patent application shows designs for an RF24-70 f/2.8 IS and RF24-105 f/4 IS [USPTO]

23rd Canon Japanese patent applications show several RF zooms, such as a 70-300 F3.5-5.6 and a 100-500 F5.6-6.4 [HL]

 

16th A slew of ~f/2.8 macro lens designs for RF mount cover the 90-110mm focal length range in a Canon US Patent application [USPTO] See alo the patent from last week [9th USPTO]

One of these could be the basis for a RF100mm F2.8L 2x Macro

 

—

Another Canon patent application [USPTO] looks at lens mount communications, showing for example an a adapter with lens and control ring. Just what you’d want for a combined EF->RF teleconverter, with a control ring on them.

9th Assorted Canon RF zoom lens designs in a new patent application [USPTO]

All around the 15-35/2.8 range.

 

—

Several prime lens designs for RF mount cameras in a Canon Patent application [USPTO]

Design options include:

90/2.8 | 100/2.8 | 95/2.8 | 110/2.8

The patent looks at various internal focusing options with a concentration on image quality over the focus range, and minimisation of overall lens size.

The length and design suggests we may be seeing ‘Macro’ lenses here

6th As part of my ‘stuck at home work’ I’m writing up three review articles looking at stacking images to increase DOF.

The first looks at using focus stepping… next is stacking images from a moved camera, and finally looking at really tiny stuff…

—

An RF85/2 IS STM gets a mention at CR

I note the RF 85/1.8 design below…

3rd Two Japanese Canon patent applications [HL] for an RF85/1.8 and RF100/2.8

Note how broadly symmetrical the designs are – the RF mount’s larger rear elements can reduce the size of the front elements in some designs.

2nd A Canon US patent application [USPTO] shows designs 180º fisheye lens (8mm f/4) – the details suggest it could be a design for a zoom too.

Although the image height in the patent is only 11.4mm this does not mean it’s an EF-M lens – the image projected is a circular fisheye view. More likely design work for an eventual RF fisheye lens at some point.

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Two Canon US patent applications [USPTO | #2 ] show manufacturing ideas for DO lens elements

March

26th Canon is applying for quite a few patents covering aspects of the RF mount and communications protocols involving adapters and the like (teleconverters for example).

Nothing specific in the way of potential products though.

Definitely more of interest for those wanting to create third party devices for the RF system [USPTO#1 | USPTO#2| USPTO#3 | USPTO#4 | USPTO#5 |

23rd Several new Canon lenses appear in certification info [Nok]

• 3986C005
• 3987C005
• 4112C005
• 4113C005
• 4114C005
• 4234C005
• RF 1.4x Teleconverter
• RF 2.0x Teleconverter

One is suggested at the RF100-500 f/4.7-7.1 L IS at CR.

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Here in the UK we’re stuck indoors, so I’ll be looking at subjects for new articles/reviews more suited to the situation, such as printing, colour management, macro and anything else… [ideas welcome!]

Time perhaps to check back through your archive? – I’ve several hundred thousand images and started looking through some I took with the 1Ds back in 2004. I’ve just written up a look at making an A2 sized print from a crop of a 1Ds (11MP) image. It seems that image processing software has come on a long way.

20th Could we see a burst of new EF-M lenses [CR]

No real details but a plausible list…

• EF-M 15mm f/2 STM
• EF-M 52mm f/2 STM
• EF-M 62mm f/4 Macro IS STM
• EF-M 18-45mm f/2.8-4 IS STM
• EF-M 100-300mm f/5.6-8 IS STM

19th A suggestion [CR] that an RF14-28 F2L might be included in a set of f/2 zooms.

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If you’re interested in the communication capabilities/protocols of the RF lens mount, a new US Patent application [USPTO] includes more about how it works with an intermediate device between lens and adapter.

13th A Japanese Canon patent application [HL] has designs for RF 85/1.2 and 50/1.2 – both have ~14mm backfocus. Canon is getting a lot of lens design features into their patents, which given the future of the RF system is only to be expected.

12th More adapter/lens comms info in a patent application [USPTO]

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Another Canon interchangeable mount adapter patent [USPTO]

Somewhere in this may lay the foundations of how the 18mm flange distance EF-M mount fits in the future of the RF mount (20mm flange distance). I know some are concerned about the mismatch between lenses for Canon mirrorless offerings, but I’ve long had the feeling that there not being a clear ‘upgrade trajectory’ from EF-M to RF is not the big deal some consider. Of course, if/when we see an APS-C RF mount camera, the question becomes even more complex – perhaps there will be a way of using EF-M lenses with an APS-C RF mount camera…

5th A Canon US patent application [USPTO] includes a lot about lens/adapter communications protocols, signals and electrical info.

Probably of distinct use to 3rd party adapter/lens makers…

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Several small RF primes are noted in a Canon Japan patent application [CN]

45/1.8 | 35/1.8

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There’s an RF24-150 F4 design in a Canon patent application [HL]

February

28th Panasonic have updated their lens roadmap, adding 6 new lenses and dropping the 100mm macro.

• 24mm f/1.8 lens
• 50mm f/1.8 lens
• 85mm f/1.8 lens
• Fast wide-angle zoom lens
• Standard zoom lens
• Telephoto zoom lens

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So, if you add a teleconverter to a tilt/shift lens, do you set tilt using the original or extended focal length? Some experiments were called for…

I’ve just written a follow up to Using extenders with lens shift which looks at Using lens tilt with extenders/teleconverters

tldr: yes for shift, no for tilt

27th In Japan Canon have a patent application for an RF 13-21mm f/2.8 zoom [HL]

22nd Whilst Canon has said it’s going to be releasing quite a few lenses, there are not many details about just what they are. A few suggestion at [CR] add to the existing announcements

• Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM (Announced)
• Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM (Announced)
• Canon RF 1.4x Extender (Announced)
• Canon RF 2.0x Extender (Announced)

suggested:

• Canon RF 10-24mm f/4L USM
• Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM
• Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM
• Canon RF 85mm f/1.8 IS STM
• Canon RF 70-135mm f/2L USM ​​​

There have been suggestions of something ‘interesting’ for a while, but definitions of interesting vary rather widely. Whilst we’ve heard that next year there will be an RF TS-E update to go with the high MP ‘pro’ EOS R later this year (or early 2021), that info is even less certain…

21st A Japanese Canon patent application [HL] shows a design for an EVF eyepiece. This is one of the areas that a few years ago Canon noted as falling behind the best OVF experience. Expect quite a good viewfinder on the R5 when it appears.

19th 5 stock codes for new Canon RF lenses have appeared at a Russian certification agency [Nok]

3986C005, 3987C005, 4112C005, 4113C005, 4114C005

The first two may be RF extenders. Of the other 3 one is likely the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

That leaves 2 lenses (the new 24-105 isn’t one of them)

13th Canon have formally announced the RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM. [Lens info]

—

In a development announcement for the upcoming R5 [R5 page] there is mention of a whole stack of RF lenses

“Alongside the EOS R5, Canon is also developing seven RF lenses and two RF lens extenders scheduled for release during 2020, including the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x.”

The RF extenders were always very likely [see my testing of the Extender 1.4 III with tilt/shift lenses for more]

 

11th A bit more on upcoming Tamron lenses from yesterday.

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Oh dear, it seems that the 24-105 is f/4 to f/7.1 in these specs from [NOK]

RF24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM specs are 13 elements in 13 groups, and the shortest distance is 0.2m (AF) /0.13m (MF) The maximum shooting magnification is 0.4x (AF / 105mm) /0.5x (MF / 24mm), the camera shake compensation effect is 5 stops, the filter diameter is 67mm, Φ76.6mm x 88.8mm, it seems to be 395g.

However, the close focus distance is good and with an EVF and DPF, f/7.1 isn’t quite as awful as it might first appear to seasoned DSLR users. This comparison suggests it will have a place…

	Canon RF 24-105 IS STM	Canon EF 24-105 IS STM	Canon RF 24-104 F4L
Max aperture	4-7.1	3.5-5.6	4.0
Design	13 elements in 11 groups	17 elements in 13 groups	18 elements in 14 groups
MFD	.2m AF (.13m MF)	.4m AF	.45m
Magnification	.4x AF (.5x MF)	.3x	0.24x
IS compensation	5 stops	4 stops	5 stops
Filter diameter	67mm	77mm	77mm
Size	76.6×88.8mm	83.4x104mm	83.5×107.3mm
Weight	395g	525g	700g

10th Expect more higher end lenses from Tamron as they adapt to the shrinking market [DC]

“In the digital camera market in 2019, the digital camera market saw a 20% drop in the interchangeable lens market and a 12% drop in interchangeable lenses, both of which were down double digits. In interchangeable-lens cameras, mirrorless cameras continued to increase, but the number of single-lens reflex cameras fell by more than 40%, causing the market to shrink.
The interchangeable lens market also shrank due to the camera market. However, even in mirrorless cameras, full-size cameras with high image quality and high unit prices are performing well, and full-size cameras were down only 6% YoY. The market for compact models also continued to shrink, dropping 18% year-on-year.”

—

A Canon article about the RF70-200 is worth a look, to give an idea of some of the changes we can expect to see as Canon moves away from EF.

6th Some photos of the Canon RF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.67.1 IS STM ‘kit lens’ have appeared via [Nok]

There were also photos of the 850D, but no other new cameras, so if there is a new R camera body, it’s unlikely to be part of the next product announcement … OK, it could be another ‘on its way’ announcement like the 1D X mk3 got.

—

A US patent application [USPTO] looks at accessories to go between lens and camera. The RF mount has a much increased capability for high speed multichannel communication and Canon clearly have eyes on just what they can produce. The diagram shows just one intermediate unit, whilst the patent also shows stacking.

I’ve just written up some notes on using teleconverters with shift lenses and one thing that occurred to me was that we should be due a range of RF->RF and EF->RF extenders. The EF->RF models would make for good solutions for mounting EF glass and could have added features such as a control ring.

The RF mount was designed to offer a lot of new features, relatively few of which have yet been seen.

January

30th It’s been suggested to us that there is at least one RF mount Canon tilt/shift lens on its way later this year. No specs, but it would confirm my own testing that suggests the RF mount would allow somewhat more shift before mount vignetting becomes a problem. There are Canon patents that include driven movements, although having the movements recorded in EXIF data would be a good start.

—

There is a mention of Canon RF teleconverters/extenders and an RF 100-500 [CR]

I’d not be surprised to see a combined EF->RF adapter/converter as well to give just that bit more encouragement to move to an RF mount body.

23rd Some lens designs found in Japanese patent applications [CN]

An RF 17-70 f/3.5-5.6 IS would seem to be something for a cheaper kit lens option, whilst a range of long tele lenses seem similar to those seen in US patent info last week (see Jan 16th below) [USPTO]

22nd One advantage of the move to mirrorless and the shorter flange distance for camera mounts is that there is much more space for adapters to work in. I’ve been testing the Fotodiox TLT ROKR tilt shift adapter for a while on my EOS RP, and with ±15mm of shift and 10º of tilt it’s made my old Mamiya M645 medium format lenses a whole lot more useful. I’d go so far as to say it’s added another strong reason to consider updating my 5Ds when Canon bring out a mirrorless replacement.

Anyway, I’ve a review that also looks at how you use tilt and shift with the lenses.

Review: Fotodiox tilt shift adapter

19th Via Chinese social media, some pictures of a new Laowa 15mm f/4.5 W-Dreamer shift lens appear [W]

It seems to have 11mm of shift.

Interesting…

—

At last I’ve finished writing my book about using tilt-shift lenses – it’s unlikely to be available until later in the year, but it’s been an interesting experience writing for print again.

17th At a presentation in China, it seems that Venus Optics mentioned that hey were going to introduce a new f/0.95 lens under the ‘Argus’ name. Whether this is a one-off or a line of lenses is unknown.

Any actual lenses are unlikely to appear until later in the year – and yes I do hope to add it/them to our Laowa reviews in due course ;-)

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Designs for an RF 24-100 F2.8 (and 24-85) are found in a Japanese patent application from Canon [HL]

16th A Canon US patent application has a lot of designs for long white lenses [USPTO]

800/5.6 | 600/4 | 500/4 | 400/2.8 | 300/2.8

Sure, there will be RF mount long white lenses eventually, but the replacement of the EF line-up won’t be rapid.

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There’s a RF135/1.4 design found in a Japanese patent application at [CN]

14th Canon is working mostly on new RF lenses… they are not really doing EF any more.

Some comments from Canon Europe’s senior product marketing manager have been widely taken as that they are almost giving up on EF.

Whilst this may be true, it probably wasn’t quite the message that many EF lens users (still the majority of Canon users). Thom Hogan has a good note on this from a marketing perception POV [TH]

I can well believe that they want to switch – the majority of the lens patents I’m seeing are for RF designs.

—

There will obviously be new RF lenses this year as the range is filled out. Two that get a mention are a basic 50mm and a pancake lens of some sort [CR]. There is also a mention of an RF 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens – one of many designs already seen in patent info for 2018/2019

 

9th A Canon US patent application includes designs for a range of fast RF mount primes [USPTO]

85/1.2 | 70/1.2 | 130/1.4 |

The example here is one of several 85/1.2 designs

8th Canon has released new firmware V1.0.6 for the 70-200mm f/2.8 RF lens

2nd A Canon Japanese patent application [CN] shows a field enlarging teleconverter.

That would allow APS-C lenses to cover full frame sensors, albeit with at least a stop reduction in aperture.

Given the smaller apertures you tend to get with APS-C lenses anyway, I’m not sure I’d really want to use even the moderately good EF-S 15-85 f3.5-5.6 IS on my RP when it becomes f/6-f/9.

Perhaps more use for the likes of the 2014 EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

2019 news/patents/articles moved to their own 2019 Lens archive page