Canon has announced two new super-telephoto lenses, the RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm F8L IS USM for its mirrorless cameras.
Canon has taken a leap forward with the announcement of the RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm F8L IS USM lenses, the longest focal length lenses with autofocusing for mirrorless cameras.
Both these L-series optics features Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) and are aimed at professional photographers who shoot sport, wildlife or news events or who conduct surveillance.
If their standard focal lengths of 800mm or 1200mm aren’t enough, both lenses are compatible with the Canon RF 1.4 x or RF 2 x extenders, and they retain their autofocus and IS function. With the RF 1200mm F8L IS USM, this means that photographers can to capture the detail of subjects over 400 metres away.
A new optical design for the lenses means that they are smaller and lighter than traditional super telephoto lenses of this type and they are significantly smaller than their EF counterparts. In fact, at just over 3.1Kg, the RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM is Canon’s lightest and shortest 800mm L-series lens to date.
In addition, at 3.34Kg, the RF 1200mm F8L IS USM is the smallest lens of its size ever released. At 3.34kg it is 13kg lighter and 30cm smaller than its predecessor, the EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM.
Construction
The image stabiliser in the RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM is said to enable up to 4.5 stops of shutter speed compensation while the RF 1200mm F8L IS USM’s gives up to 4 stops.
The 800mm lens has an unusually large maximum aperture of f/5.6 aperture for its focal length. Like the 1200mm lens, it has a 9-blade circular aperture that can adjust in 1/8th steps for smooth transitions between apertures in video recording.
The new RF lenses also have Fluorite, Super UD and UD elements to enable the RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm F8L IS USM to deliver high image resolution and correct chromatic aberration.
In combination with the new optical design, ASC coatings help to reduce ghosting and flare.
The RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM has an impressively short minimum focusing distance of 2.6m while the RF 1200mm F8L IS USM can focus on objects as close as 4.3m away.
Price and availability
The Canon RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and Canon RF1200mm F8 L IS USM are set to go on sale in late May 2022 for a price of around $16,999.00 and $19,999.00, respectively.
Amazing lenses – I’d prefer the 800mm f/5.6 just for the brighter aperture but both are great!