Canon recently caused a fair amount of controversy when it came out that they had requested that Viltrox stop manufacturing autofocus lenses for the RF mount, as they feel doing so infringes on their intellectual property. The incident seems to explain the curious lack of third-party lenses for the RF mount. Has Canon made a mistake?
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this interesting video essay discusses Canon's recent decision to ask Viltrox to shut down autofocus RF mount lens manufacturing. Frost is one of the best and most respected lens reviewers on the internet, so it is well worth listening to what he has to say on the matter. Of course, it is Canon's right to enforce their intellectual property rights and redirect people toward their own lenses, but it is no secret that third-party lenses make up a significant portion of the market, and their availability often affects the decision to invest in different camera systems. Anecdotally, I have seen a lot of comments that people will reconsider their investment in the RF mount due to this policy, and it is certainly a bit frustrating to wonder if we will ever see lenses from respected brands like Sigma and Tamron. Check out the video above for Frost's full thoughts.
This is a poker game, and only Canon knows the cards in their own hand. Other players in the game--Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Tamron, Sigma, et cetera--know what's in their own hands, and they have a good idea of what's in Canon's hand.
We don't know what's in the hands of any of the players. We don't even have a good idea, because we aren't a player.
We're just the poker chips.
We may think we're going to stack up in front of the player we want. But in reality, the best poker player is going to collect the most chips.
Its a huge mistake, mainly because of this i was now finally have been given a push to get Fuji GFX as my next system.
I`ll have fond memories of EF mount cameras, but wont think about Canon otherwise. Thank You for good memories and good riddance.
From Canon's perspective it's a correct move for the moment. The R series is selling well and they have a need to sell their R lens. There is already competetion from the R adapter and EF and 3rd party lens. Canon can decide in a few years time to allow 3rd party RF Lens if they feel the time is right. With the price of R camera's people who are interested in 3rd party lens probably can't afford the R series. One thing for sure Canon is not stupid. They are protecting their intellectual property and keeping a premium margin on premiium products.
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Hector Belfort said,
"With the price of R camera's people who are interested in 3rd party lens probably can't afford the R series."
For many of us, our interest in 3rd party lenses has nothing to do with price. We demand 3rd party lenses because 3rd party manufacturers make lenses that we need, that Canon does not make. I would LOVE to own a Canon 300-800mm f5.6 lens ... but they do not make any such lens, nor anything even remotely close to it. Ditto for the Sigma 60-600mm f6.3, and the Laowa 14mm Macro Probe lens.
If Canon would make lenses that were useful for the kinds of photography I do, then I would gladly buy Canon lenses, regardless of the price. But they don't make many such lenses.
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If you read my statement ... i will go to much much more expensive system where cheapest lenses are as expensive as most expensive in Canon lineup. Its matter of choice. Same as I dont use Apple products because its constrained to one thing and gives you very little choice, trying to convince you that its the best thing ever. I feel that GFX at the moment is much MUCH better choice for me, so ill pass up on anything Canon will offer.
The detractors who trash Canon and claim they will switch to Sony, etc. because they can't find a decent cheap lens to mount on the camera. It is cost driven, not lens availablility, plain and simple. I have no issue with companies protecting their intellectaul property, and Canon does make great glass, albeit somtimes a bit pricey. I'm willing to wait and save up for my next lens and not in time regret purchasing a cheaper/lower quality alternative.
Right the hell on. Neither Sigma nor Tamron telephoto lenses are acceptable to me at all. Sigma wide angle lenses rawk but their zoom lenses just can't cut it. I can immediately see the difference and am sticking to RF with a mix of EF to keep the quality up.
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James Bruton siad,
"The detractors who trash Canon and claim they will switch to Sony, etc. because they can't find a decent cheap lens to mount on the camera. It is cost driven, not lens availability, plain and simple."
No, it isn't cost driven.
My desire to use Sigma, Tamron, and Laowa lenses has nothing to do with price.
I have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars for Canon L series lenses. I currently have a 100-400mm IS L v2, 24-105mm L IS, 100mm f2.8 IS L Macro, and 50-200mm f4.5 L. But they only meet some of my needs, so I also depend heavily on 3rd party lenses.
Case in point: I shelled out $11,000 for a Canon 400 f2.8 IS years ago. But, being a prime, it was limiting due to its lack of versatility, as were the other Canon supertelephotos.
With the 400mm f2.8, I was constantly switching to various combinations of no extender, 1.4 extender, 2x extender, full frame body, 1.3 crop body, and 1.6 crop body, just to get the exact framing I wanted. I was trying to use the 400mm prime like a zoom lens by switching extenders and bodies every few minutes, as I was in the middle of a shoot. I missed so many shots because I wasn't able to switch the body and/or extender fast enough.
When I heard about the Sigma 300-800mm and what great image quality it produced, I bought one. Held onto the Canon 400 f2.8 for 5 more years, but barely ever used it at all because a supertelephoto prime is just so NOT versatile. So finally I sold it off.
So for me, my preference for 3rd party lenses has nothing to do with price. The decision is NOT cost-driven, no matter what you say. I buy and use 3rd party lenses because their design meets my needs far better than the Canon lenses do.
I just bought a Sigma 60-600mm as my walkaround lens, My next lenses will be a Laowa 15mm Macro and a Laowa 24mm Macro Probe. Because they are cheaper than Canon counterparts? Hell no! Because THERE ARE NO CANON COUNTERPARTS! The ONLY manufacturers making lenses that fit my needs are the 3rd party manufacturers.
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Even if you are right - what's wrong people wanting to buy cheaper?
I own 2 Canon dslr bodies plus 3 canon lenses. i also own 3 specialty 3rd party lenses. I have been trying to make the decision on the best choice for a mirrorless system. Clearly Canon isn't it.