More Extreme Canon Lenses Are Likely on the Way Soon

More Extreme Canon Lenses Are Likely on the Way Soon

Canon has had their foot on the gas ever since the release of the EOS R5 and RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens. It looks like they have no intention of slowing down, with two mightily impressive lenses likely on the way soon. 

Digicame-Info discovered two lenses that have been added to dealer lists recently, which indicates an imminent release. The lenses are the RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM. It is no surprise that an 800mm f/5.6L is coming to the RF mount lineup at one point or another; the EF version has long topped out the revered line of professional supertelephotos that ranged from the 200mm f/2L up to the aforementioned lens. As such, an RF version has likely been planned for a while, and now that the RF 600mm f/4L IS USM and RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM are available, it seems a logical next step.

On the other hand, we have not seen a 1200mm lens since the famous 1200mm f/5.6L, and that lens had an extremely limited production (it's rumored that only about 20 copies were ever made). As such, a new 1200mm lens could be quite exciting and would be a very interesting offering for a range of photographers. We'll see if the next few months bring an announcement! 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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2 Comments

I'd much rather see a 200-500 with built in 1.4 along with a new 500mm and 200-600 zoom to fill the gap. A 1200 F8 is too slow and would not impress in low light.

An 800 F5.6 isn't anything to write home about as you get 840mm @ F5.6 with a 600/1.4... unless, however, if they reduce the weight substantially for hand holding.

I'd have thought a 500mm F4 and 200mm F2 would have been higher priority.
A 1200mm is going to be a rarely seen. It's potentially little more than a 600mm with built-in 2X extender. Same with the 800mm. I think a 600mm with extenders is a more flexible option.
For me Canon should bring out a 200-600mm lens, something similar to the Sony lens.
On one hand Canon are aiming to bring out cheaper RF camera's but bringing out ultra-expensive lens.
They need to bring out some reasonably priced lens to match the cheaper cameras.