An RF Zoom fisheye is coming [CR2]

[Ozarker]

For really dangerous snakes(large vipers) have been using EF 100-400mm II and with mirrorless I will get RF 100-400(saw one of birder carry that lens recently so gave it a try on dragonflies, found it highly impressive for its price). Otherwise its for small butterflies(for larger butterflies and Odonates EF/RF 100-400mm work beautifully) and some shy frogs for which 180/200mm Macro will work perfectly.

What version of Sigma 180mm lens were they using? I know quite a lot of butterfliers who still use their Sigma 180mm(2.8 and old 3.5) and they are very happy with their lens(with 2.8 common complaint is the weight). Unfortunately all 180mm lenses have been discontinued(though they seem to be fairly common on used market), given Tamron was quite old by the time Sigma updated their 180mm and it was choice between heavy 2.8 with stabilization but no Weather sealing vs Canon's 180mm macro without OS but with weather sealing and light on back.

Add NO focus shift as well otherwise that wishlist is what any new 180/200mm Macro lens should be.

Surely there are kevlar gloves and sleeves for macro.

 

[JKT]

I use an RRS focus rail in the field.

What apertures and magnifications? If I remember right, the step is something like 0.033mm for maximum sharpness at 5:1. I'd think those would be challenging with manual rail.

 

[neuroanatomist]

What apertures and magnifications? If I remember right, the step is something like 0.033mm for maximum sharpness at 5:1. I'd think those would be challenging with manual rail.

Usually f/4-5.6 and no more than 3x. The steps are certainly not even and reproducible like with a Cognisys setup but Helicon seems to do fine with them.

 

[JKT]

Usually f/4-5.6 and no more than 3x. The steps are certainly not even and reproducible like with a Cognisys setup but Helicon seems to do fine with them.

Good for you! That's also about the limit, where MP-E begins to go soft on dense APS-C.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Good for you! That's also about the limit, where MP-E begins to go soft on dense APS-C.

I used it on a 1D X, and more recently an R3. Big pixels...

 

[GrunRad]

Would you happen to have any information regarding the expected timeframe for the fisheye release that you can share? Thanks!

Now that one and a half year have passed since CR's original post I'm beginning to suspect that the mole at Canon had been making things up.
However, I'd rather still be interested in such a lens - I have the EF 8-15 (bought second-hand some years ago) and use it from time to time on a R5. Also, I guess that it would sell at least better than these strange RF-S double fisheye thingies...

 

[frankchn]

Now that one and a half year have passed since CR's original post I'm beginning to suspect that the mole at Canon had been making things up.
However, I'd rather still be interested in such a lens - I have the EF 8-15 (bought second-hand some years ago) and use it from time to time on a R5. Also, I guess that it would sell at least better than these strange RF-S double fisheye thingies...

I guess the competition to a hypothetical RF fisheye zoom is the EF fisheye zoom.

It would have to offer something significantly better (optical quality, smaller size, cheaper, brighter, etc...), and given the size, quality, and price of the EF 8-15mm, maybe they decided not to bother.

 

[neuroanatomist]

It would have to offer something significantly better (optical quality, smaller size, cheaper, brighter, etc...), and given the size, quality, and price of the EF 8-15mm, maybe they decided not to bother.

Or it could be basically the same lens at the same price, like the RF 24-105/4L.

 

[frankchn]

Or it could be basically the same lens at the same price, like the RF 24-105/4L.

The RF is a bit smaller and lighter (10mm and ~100g) but yeah. They'll just discontinue the old one when the introduce the new one, but I guess they might want to wait till stock of the EF has been depleted first.

 

[neuroanatomist]

The RF is a bit smaller and lighter (10mm and ~100g) but yeah.

The RF is insignificantly different (30 g heavier and 0.3 mm longer) from the EF MkI. All three are pretty similar, optically.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

The RF is a bit smaller and lighter (10mm and ~100g) but yeah. They'll just discontinue the old one when the introduce the new one, but I guess they might want to wait till stock of the EF has been depleted first.

Yes and no. It's suprising how many new EF lenses are still being sold across the world. It's still a significant market for Canon. Many have not migrated to RF cameras and many that have are happy with their EF glass,