Report: The RF 200-500mm f/4L IS USM is delayed until 2025

[Swissbob]

I guess it’ll also depend from the weight.

Do you think it could be lighter than the RF 600/4?

 

[neuroanatomist]

I guess it’ll also depend from the weight.

Do you think it could be lighter than the RF 600/4?

The Sigma 300-600/4 is 4 kg, the Canon RF 600/4 is 3.1 kg. The Sigma lens weighs the same as the EF 600/4 II.

 

[Swissbob]

The Sigma 300-600/4 is 4 kg, the Canon RF 600/4 is 3.1 kg. The Sigma lens weighs the same as the EF 600/4 II.

I mean the weight of the 200-500/4 RF Lens.

 

[neuroanatomist]

I mean the weight of the 200-500/4 RF Lens.

Oh. Probably not. The RF 100-300/2.8 is heavier than the EF 300/2.8 II, and the EF 500/4 II and RF 600/4 weigh the same, so if the 200-500/4 follows in the footsteps of the 100-300/2.8 it will be heavier than the current 600/4.

 

[SonicStudios]

So what are the chances of getting a RF 200 - 500 release notice along with firmware updates for the R1/R5 on Thursday?

 

[john1970]

Fine. Still doesn’t mean what you think it means. A Canon RF 200-500/4, if it arrives, will certainly not be ‘DOA’ because of this lens. No doubt a few Canon shooters will buy a Sony body to use this lens, just like a few people have bought a Nikon body to use with the 800/6.3 or 600/6.3 PF lenses (also a cheaper option than the Canon RF f/4 lenses). A Canon RF 200-500/4 will be popular.

I would actually prefer a Canon 200-500 mm f4. It should be lighter than the 300-600 mm f4 and smaller in size (in both length and diameter) and hence easier to transport. The Sigma 300-600 mm f4 is an amazing lens. However, the length is greater than my roller bag and the weight is heavy as well. Normally Canon announces the big whites in the spring so will be interesting to see if anything is announced in the March to May timeframe.

 

[Swissbob]

I would actually prefer a Canon 200-500 mm f4. It should be lighter than the 300-600 mm f4 and smaller in size (in both length and diameter) and hence easier to transport. The Sigma 300-600 mm f4 is an amazing lens. However, the length is greater than my roller bag and the weight is heavy as well. Normally Canon announces the big whites in the spring so will be interesting to see if anything is announced in the March to May timeframe.

If they include a 1.4 TC like on the 200-400 EF lens, this would be even better, and I guess still lighter than the 300-600.

 

[john1970]

If they include a 1.4 TC like on the 200-400 EF lens, this would be even better, and I guess still lighter than the 300-600.

A 200-500 mm f4 with built-in TC would be interesting. Would be even better IMO if Canon incorporated DO technology to make such a lens as small and lightweight as possible. We shall see what Canon releases..... To be continued.

 

[john1970]

If past behavior is predictive of future behavior and if Canon is going to announce any super telephoto lenses in 2025, I would expect Canon to announce any new RF super telephoto lenses in April (next month).

On April 13, 2021 Canon announced the RF 400 mm f.28 L and on April 20, 2023 Canon announced the RF 100-300 mm f2.8 lens, which was the first newly designed RF super telephoto lens.

 

[AlanF]

If past behavior is predictive of future behavior and if Canon is going to announce any super telephoto lenses in 2025, I would expect Canon to announce any new RF super telephoto lenses in April (next month).

On April 13, 2021 Canon announced the RF 400 mm f.28 L and on April 20, 2023 Canon announced the RF 100-300 mm f2.8 lens, which was the first newly designed RF super telephoto lens.

Wasn’t the RF 100-500mm a newly designed RF super telephoto? It was introduced in July 2020.

 

[Bonich]

If past behavior is predictive of future behavior and if Canon is going to announce any super telephoto lenses in 2025, I would expect Canon to announce any new RF super telephoto lenses in April (next month).

On April 13, 2021 Canon announced the RF 400 mm f.28 L and on April 20, 2023 Canon announced the RF 100-300 mm f2.8 lens, which was the first newly designed RF super telephoto lens.

There is so much glass to look through whenever it comes to predict the future of Canon's Super White Telephoto Lenses.
Recently you even can have some in black as well ....

Keep us updated!

 

[john1970]

Wasn’t the RF 100-500mm a newly designed RF super telephoto? It was introduced in July 2020.

Depends on how one defines super telephotos. I always think the "big white": lenses which include the 200 mm f2, 300 mm f2.8, 400 mm f2.8, 500 mm f4, 600 mm f4, and 800 mm f5.6.

 

[AlanF]

Depends on how one defines super telephotos. I always think the "big white": lenses which include the 200 mm f2, 300 mm f2.8, 400 mm f2.8, 500 mm f4, 600 mm f4, and 800 mm f5.6.

Canon defines Super telephotos as being lenses of over 300mm. Go into a Canon website, search for RF lenses with supertelephoto as the filter and the RF 100-400mm and RF 100-500mm are listed as super telephotos. The RF 100-300mm is not under the super telephoto category because its focal length is not over 300mm, at least on https://www.canon.co.uk/lenses/eos-r-lenses/

 

[Del Paso]

Canon defines Super telephotos as being lenses of over 300mm. Go into a Canon website, search for RF lenses with supertelephoto as the filter and the RF 100-400mm and RF 100-500mm are listed as super telephotos. The RF 100-300mm is not under the super telephoto category because its focal length is not over 300mm, at least on https://www.canon.co.uk/lenses/eos-r-lenses/

Thanks for the good news!
Now I know I'm also the owner os a Big White!
Good for my ego.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Thanks for the good news!
Now I know I'm also the owner os a Big White!
Good for my ego.

At the risk of bruising your ego, the ‘big white’ or ‘great white’ lenses by convention refer to the lenses costing >$5K. The term is not synonymous with supertelephoto. for example, the 200/2, 300/2.8 and 100-300/2.8 are ‘great white’ lenses but not supertele lenses. Likewise, the 100-500L, 800/11 are supertele look senses but not ‘great whites’.

[/pedantic ego-popping]

 

[Del Paso]

At the risk of bruising your ego, the ‘big white’ or ‘great white’ lenses by convention refer to the lenses costing >$5K. The term is not synonymous with supertelephoto. for example, the 200/2, 300/2.8 and 100-300/2.8 are ‘great white’ lenses but not supertele lenses. Likewise, the 100-500L, 800/11 are supertele look senses but not ‘great whites’.

[/pedantic ego-popping]

My life has become worthless again.
The only thing which could give my sad existence some sense again is to buy a real Big White!
(Or putting a "Big White" custom-made sticker on my 100-500)

 

[neuroanatomist]

My life has become worthless again.
The only thing which could give my sad existence some sense again is to buy a real Big White!
(Or putting a "Big White" custom-made sticker on my 100-500)

Might I also recommend a red rubber band for your RF 100-400?

 

[AlanF]

My life has become worthless again.
The only thing which could give my sad existence some sense again is to buy a real Big White!
(Or putting a "Big White" custom-made sticker on my 100-500)

Chacun à son définition, ne c'est pas?

 

[AlanF]

At the risk of bruising your ego, the ‘big white’ or ‘great white’ lenses by convention refer to the lenses costing >$5K. The term is not synonymous with supertelephoto. for example, the 200/2, 300/2.8 and 100-300/2.8 are ‘great white’ lenses but not supertele lenses. Likewise, the 100-500L, 800/11 are supertele look senses but not ‘great whites’.

[/pedantic ego-popping]

In that case there will be a discrepancy when the price in the USA is <$5k but where Canon's UK price gouging raises it to more than $5k at exchange rates. Also, is it before or after tax? And, should length be in inches rather mm for the US? So much can be lost in translation.

 

[neuroanatomist]

In that case there will be a discrepancy when the price in the USA is <$5k but where Canon's UK price gouging raises it to more than $5k at exchange rates. Also, is it before or after tax? And, should length be in inches rather mm for the US? So much can be lost in translation.

Naah, it’s simple. Like the US Senator said about p0rn, you know a great white lens when you see one.