Canon has announced two new super-telephoto RF lenses, the RF800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF1200mm f/8 L IS USM.
Both lenses feature fixed focal lengths and according to Canon, are “quite light” for their focal lengths.
They also share many of the same features including, Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) which helps to minimize ghosting and flaring and a customizable electronic focusing ring with manual focus capability during Servo AF.
Both lenses include two focus presents providing the ability to instantly switch between memorized focus distances and a nine-bladed aperture.
Finally, both lenses are also compatible with Canon’s RF1.4x and RF2x extenders increasing their focal lengths to 1,120mm (1.4x) or 1,600mm (2x) for the RF800mm and 1,680mm (1.4x) or 2,400mm (2x) respectively.
Canon RF800mm f/5.6L IS USM – Pricing and Availability at Vistek
The RF800mm f/5.6 L IS USM weighs 3.1kg (6.9 lbs) and features a minimum focusing distance of 2.6m (8.53ft).
The maximum close-up magnification is 0.34x which allows wildlife image creators to fill the frame with small subjects, such as birds, at its minimum focusing distance.
The lens boasts optical image stabilization with three IS operation modes that offer up to 4.5 stops of shake correction.
When using the RF1.4x or RF2x extenders, users can experience enhanced effective focal lengths of 1,120mm and 1,600mm respectively with full autofocus capabilities.
Canon RF1200mm f/8 L IS USM – Pricing and Availability at Vistek
The RF1200mm f/8 L IS USM weighs in at 3.4 (7.4 lbs) which is extremely light for a super-tele lens of this type and minimum focusing distance of 4.3m (14.1ft).
The lens features optical image stabilization with three IS operation modes that offer up to 4.0 stops of shake correction.
As with the RF800mm, when using the RF1.4x or RF2x extenders, users can experience enhanced focal lengths of 1,680mm and 2,400mm, respectively with full autofocus capabilities.
Additional features
Both lenses feature dust and water resistance and include 26 lens elements in 18 groups, including two fluorite elements, one ultra-low dispersion (UD) lens, and one super UD lens and Canon’s USM low-speed focusing drive system (Ring USM).