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Canon has triplets

Posted on Apr 15, 2021

Along with its EOS R3 development announcement, Canon also unveiled three new lenses for its quickly growing RF mirrorless system.

Two of the three new Canon lenses are definitely pro-level, the RF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM and the RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM which will retail for £12,449.99 and £13,409.99 respectively and will be available from this June. Both lenses are optically and mechanically largely the same as their EF counterparts so you can expect exceptional performance, but the RF optics will have the benefit of even faster connection with the camera body and even more effective optical image stabilisation with a 5.5EV benefit. The RF lenses also support what Canon calls a double power drive for faster AF with future bodies. No details of this technology was available at this time.

Other notable features of these super telephotos aside from fluorite and Super UD glass for exceptional optical quality include full-time manual focus override, two focus presets for pulling focus and a focus ring that can be used as a control ring on some EOS R bodies.

The third lens has a broader appeal and at £1479.99 it’s more accessible too. The RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is a macro lens with a difference. Firstly, minimum focus is around 8cm from the front of this internally focusing lens and this gives a 1.4:1 magnification so greater than usual 1:1 and without any extra accessories. Next there’s an adjustable Spherical Aberration Control ring. Aimed at portrait workers, this feature lets you adjust the look of the background and foreground in your shots. It’s most effective at f/2.8 and with a subject 1m from the lens and can be set to zero for normal shooting.

Mechanically, the lens offers 5EV benefit optical image stabilisation and 8EV benefit with the EOS R5/R6, and there’s Dual Nano USM AF for fast, accurate and almost silent AF. Focus breathing is suppressed too which will suit focus stacking techniques.

The RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM will be available from this May.

For more information, please visit the Canon website.

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