Canon is a top brand when it comes to cameras and lenses and they are now expanding their Canon RF lens series by adding two new super-telephoto lenses. The US subsidiary of Canon Inc., Canon U.S.A., Inc. recently announced the RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and RF1200mm F8 L IS USM Super-Telephoto Lenses.
These new Canon RF lenses are aimed at photographers involved in outdoor sports, wildlife, journalism, and motorsports photography.
The key highlight of both RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and RF1200mm F8 L IS USM is their lightweight given their super-telephoto capabilities.
Let’s look at these two lenses one by one and then we will also see the common features that they share:
Canon RF800mm F5.6L IS USM
The first newest addition to the RF lens series is Canon RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM. This lens is quite low weight as it weighs about 6.9lbs.
The maximum close-up magnification of this lens is 0.34x which is quite outstanding. Along with that, the focusing distance of the lens is a minimum of 8.53ft/2.6 meters.
This lens is going to be phenomenal for photographers who capture small wildlife subjects in their frames. Photographers will be able to capture subjects like birds, insects using the minimum focusing distance of the lens.
To provide users with the best image quality, this lens comes with three IS modes. As far as optical image stabilization is concerned, this lens comes with an OIS of up to 4.5 stops of shake correction.
Not only that, users can get extended focal lengths of 1,120mm and 1,600mm using the RF1.4x or RF2x extenders respectively.
Canon RF1200mm F8 L IS USM
The second new addition to the RF series from Canon is RF1200mm F8 L IS USM. This lens is Canon’s “most powerful” super-telephoto lens in the RF lens series yet. The weight of this lens is about 7.4lbs and given that this is a super-telephoto lens, this lens is quite lightweight.
Just like the RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM this one also comes with three IS operation modes. The minimum focusing distance of this lens is 14.1ft/4.3m.
Then users will also get optical stabilization of up to 4.0 stops of shake correction. On top of that, users will be able to get enhanced focal lengths of 1,680mm and 2,400mm using the RF1.4x or RF2x extenders respectively.
Common Features of RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and RF1200mm F8 L IS USM Super-Telephoto Lenses
Both RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and RF1200mm F8 L IS USM come with Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC). As per Canon, these coatings help to reduce ghosting and flaring.
To make these lenses compatible, Canon has made them compatible with both RF1.4x and RF2x extenders. Then there is the customizable electronic focusing ring and users also get the option to focus manually during Servo AF.
Other common features shared by both lenses:
- Both lenses have two focus presets. Users can switch instantly between memorized focus distances.
- To add real and stunning background blur and bokeh, both lenses feature a circular nine-bladed aperture.
- These lenses have Canon L-Series durability and construction level. So they are dust and water-resistant.
- Then there is the fluorine coating on the front element which makes cleaning the lenses easy.
Pricing and Availability
Both Canon RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and Canon RF1200mm F8 L IS USM have special purposes and use cases and that is why they come with an expensive price tag as well.
The RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM will be priced around USD 16,999 and the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM will be priced around USD 19,999. Both of the lenses are likely to arrive in late May 2022.