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Posts Tagged ‘800mm’

Gear of the Year: Richard’s choice – Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM

27 Nov
Dan Bracaglia

I wouldn’t usually consider myself a fan of long lenses, perhaps as the result of my early digital experiences coming on disappointing superzooms. Once I’d got over the novelty of being able to take pictures of something a long way away, I usually found I could take a better photo by simply getting closer. I’ve used long telephotos for sports shooting, of course, but in recent years my lenses of choice have been 35 and 85mm equivalents.

The Canon 800mm F11 seemed too interesting to not try, though. And that meant adapting my photography to suit the equipment. This may sound back-to-front: I spend much of my working life looking for cameras that require the least adaptation on the part of the photographer, the ones that just work.

But, restricting yourself to single focal lengths or shooting a mono-only camera can help provide inspiration, so you can push yourself to try something new. And I needed to find something that I could shoot with it.

My first thought was to play around with the compression effects you get from the greater shooting distances encouraged by long lenses. Shooting through the open patio doors, with me at the back of the common room and my subject on the far end of the roof deck, I was able to exaggerate the size of the Space Needle in my photo. Unfortunately, with a fixed F11 aperture, I didn’t have the option to stop down further to make it less diffuse.

What’s the big deal?

We’ve seen impressive things done with diffractive/fresnel optics before: Nikon’s 300mm F4 PF is an excellent lens, that I’m hoping will be re-created in the Z mount, but the Canon F11 pair is something a little different.

Think of it more like a modern alternative to the mirror lens: restrictive, in that it has a fixed aperture as well as a fixed focal length, but freeing in the sense that you can lift it and, to a much greater extent, afford it. And, unlike mirror lenses, the resultant images aren’t marred by strange doughnut-hole bokeh, which I personally find distracting (/revolting).

Add in the retractable design and light weight and the convenience of the package becomes clear. It’s not the most solid-feeling lens, by any means, but those weight savings are appreciated if you’re carrying it for more than a few hours. Ultimately, though, it’s the price of the 800mm that stands out most, to me. At F11 it lets in 1/4 as much light as the EF 800mm F5.6 IS L can, but its list price of $ 899 is less than 1/14th of the cost.

A (socially distanced) hike around the city suggested a better option. Our walk took us through the Union Bay Natural Area. At first it looked like a piece of low-lying scrubland overshadowed by a college football stadium: a messy adjunct to its gameday parking. But the more I stopped and looked around, the more interesting fauna I saw, and the more photographic opportunities.

So I went back, armed with the Canon 800mm F11, an EOS R5, took my time, wandered around, looking for things to shoot. I make no claims to being a nature photographer, and my first efforts were patchy, at best. But like all the best photography experiences, every half-decent shot I took convinced me that my next one could be better.

I tried to take photos of variety of subjects, but there were some kingfishers who would return to a number of vantage points, before diving for prey. Their speed made them a challenging subject, but one that would give me multiple opportunities, if I watched closely and waited long enough.

The need to get a diverse gallery of images in a short space of time is somewhat at odds with the patience required for good nature photos. Similarly, the diktat that we should keep ISO as low as possible for lens galleries probably left me skirting the line of motion blur, but even with imperfect results, I found myself wanting to go back and have another go. Which is the thing that I enjoyed most about the 800mm: finding myself able to try something new.

I’m not going to claim any of my shots were great, partly as a result of inexperience, partly due to basic moral failure. But I enjoyed myself and the 800mm had helped encourage me to do something I might not otherwise think to try.

You might well argue that the thing I enjoyed was being pushed to try something new, and I’d completely agree. But I think the Canon RF 800mm F11 puts that opportunity to try something new into more people’s hands. Hence it’s my pick for this year.

Yes, I should have got up earlier in the day, used faster shutter speeds, but it was an enjoyable experience. Thank you, Mr. Predictable Kingfisher.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The inspiration behind Canon’s RF 600mm F11 and 800mm F11 super-tele lenses

06 Oct

In July, Canon announced a pair of super-telephoto fixed-aperture lenses for its RF lens mount. The new RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM lenses are distinct among Canon’s modern offerings but are reminiscent in design and philosophy to some of Canon’s R lenses from 1960.

Six decades ago, Canon released the R300mm F4, R400mm F5.6, R600mm F5.6, R800mm F8 and R1000mm F11 super-telephoto lenses. While not fixed aperture lenses like the new RF lenses, the vintage bellows-driven lenses were nonetheless the inspiration for this year’s modern interpretations. In a Japanese-language interview published by DC Watch, Canon’s Chief of Lens Product Planning, Kengo Iezuka, notes that the EOS R system allows him and his team to create new user experiences for modern photographers. This includes breaking down ‘the three barriers of super-telephoto lenses,’ which he states are weight, size and cost. In 1960, Canon worked to overcome these challenges with its R lenses, and Iezuka believes Canon’s RF 600mm F11 and RF 800mm F11 lenses do the same in 2020.

Canon R600mm f/5.6 lens. The lens was first marketed in January 1960. Image credit: Canon, Canon Camera Museum

When Iezuka was a child and wanted to capture wildlife images of a Little Egret, he was unable to due to the expense of super-telephoto lenses. Iezuka says via translation, ‘I knew that there were many people who gave up what they wanted to shoot and the expressions they wanted to shoot because they couldn’t buy a super-telephoto lens and couldn’t carry it because it was big and heavy. With the EOS R system, I think I was finally able to get closer to the dream super-telephoto world. I would like you to enjoy shooting things that you couldn’t shoot before and the expressions you wanted to shoot with this 600mm/800mm F11 lens.’

In elaborating further upon how the Canon EOS R system allows the three barriers of super-telephoto lenses, Iezuka states that Canon’s Dual-Pixel CMOS AF allows for strong autofocus performance even in low light, or when using a lens with a smaller maximum aperture, such as F11. In 1960, the sensitivity of film was stricter, requiring faster apertures in the case of the R400mm F4.5, R600mm F5.6 and R800mm F8. However, today, Canon’s EOS R system allows for much more flexibility when designing new lenses. In fact, the EOS R can even work with F22, allowing Iezuka and his team to utilize an F11 design that can incorporate a 2x teleconverter.

If Canon had pursued an F8 aperture, the lens would have been larger and heavier. An F16 lens would have worked without a teleconverter, but not with a 2x TC attached. It was around this point in the design process when the team first considered making the lens with a fixed aperture. Ultimately, removing the aperture unit allowed for reduction in weight and cost, both critical design goals for Iezuka and the team at Canon.

Iezuka also shared that the RF 600mm and 800mm lenses were not his first attempt to create a lightweight and cost-effective super-telephoto lens. He had previously explored the idea for SLR cameras. ‘I wondered if I could manage to get closer to the world of super-telephoto lenses that exceed 400mm,’ Iezuka said, ‘I considered increasing the F-number as I did this time, but it didn’t work. If you increase the F value, you can only autofocus at the center of the [frame]…so I gave up.’ The new RF lenses offer autofocus coverage of 60% x 40% (W x H) with the recent Canon EOS R5 and R6 full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Iezuka also considered zoom lenses, but this design would increase the weight too much to be able to carry the lens around all day. The RF 600mm lens weighs approximately 2.05lb and the RF 800mm weighs about 2.78lb. In order to maintain a lightweight design and ensure the lenses are affordable, metal parts are kept to a minimum and much of the lens is constructed using resin. In order to utilize a collapsible design, many parts had to be molded, which is unique for Canon’s lenses. The collapsible design came from one of the youngest members of the team, Iezuka says, and was the result of internal competition within the department.

There is much more excellent insight into the design process in the full interview, so be sure to check that out. Click the following links for more information on the Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM lenses.

(Via PetaPixel)

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM sample gallery

11 Aug

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The Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM (along with its 600mm counterpart) does something pretty extraordinary: it puts impressive telephoto reach in the hands of hobbyist full-frame shooters, provided they can live with a slower, fixed aperture. If that’s a sacrifice you can make, you’ll be rewarded with a lens many, many times less expensive than the likes of the pro-grade EF 800mm F5.6L IS USM. We put it to work on some of the inhabitants of Seattle’s Lake Union – those on the ground as well as in the sky.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon introduces RF 600mm and 800mm F11 IS STM lenses, 1.4x and 2x teleconverters

13 Jul

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Canon has announced a pair of super-telephoto fixed-aperture lenses: the RF 600mm F11 IS STM and RF 800mm F11 IS STM.

The use of gapless dual-layer diffractive optics and fixed apertures of F11 allowed Canon to reduce the size and length of the lenses compared to their EF equivalents. Canon also says the design of the DO elements also allows for much lower pricing than would otherwise be possible. Both lenses are collapsable, which reduces their stowed length by around 25%. Neither is weather-sealed.

The design of the DO elements also allows for much lower pricing

The image stabilization on the lenses reduces shake by five stops on the 600mm and four stops on the 800mm. Canon does not claim any additional image stabilization advantage when using the IBIS systems in the newly launched EOS R5 and R6. Both lenses use stepping motors to drive their focus groups, so focus is unlikely to match the speeds and silence of the company’s lenses using Nano USM motors. When attached to the R5 and R6, AF coverage area is 60% x 40% (W x H).

The RF 1.4x and 2x will give the 600mm F11 and 800mm F11 even more reach

Canon has also introduced a pair of teleconverters alongside the RF lenses released today. The RF 1.4x and 2x will give the 600mm F11 and 800mm F11 even more reach. With the 2x teleconverter attached, the 800mm F11 becomes a 1600mm F22 – and yes, the R5 and R6 can maintain autofocus at that aperture.

The teleconverters are also compatible with the just-announced 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L. Note, however, that the 100-500mm must be set to 300mm or longer before the teleconverter can be attached, so the lens becomes either an effective 420-700mm or a 600-1000mm, depending on which converter you’re using.

The 600mm, 800mm and both converters will be available later this month. The 600mm is priced at $ 699, while the 800mm comes in at $ 899. The 1.4x and 2x converters will sell for $ 499 and $ 599, respectively.

Press release:

THE SECRET IS OUT: CANON OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES THE CANON EOS R5 AND R6, THE COMPANY’S MOST ADVANCED FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS CAMERAS EVER

The Company is Also Announcing Four RF Lenses, Two RF Lens Extenders, and a PRO Printer

MELVILLE, N.Y., July 9, 2020 – With anticipation at a fever pitch, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to introduce the company’s next generation of full-frame mirrorless cameras – the EOS R5 and EOS R6. These groundbreaking cameras are the result of many years of collecting and listening to feedback from Canon users and are sure to meet the needs and demands of a variety of creators. The EOS R5 is a camera designed for professional applications featuring a new 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and uncropped 8K video recording up to 29.97 fps. The EOS R6 is geared towards advanced amateurs featuring a 20.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and 4K video recording up to 59.94 fps. The addition of the EOS R5 and the EOS R6 cameras within the EOS R series lineup further solidifies Canon’s commitment to providing the equipment needed for users to bring their content to the next level.

Canon is also introducing four RF lenses and two RF lens extenders: The Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, Canon RF600mm F11 IS STM, Canon RF800mm F11 IS STM, and RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM lenses. All four new lenses were designed to meet the ever-expanding demands of the skilled creatives who capture amazing imagery using EOS R series cameras, including the new EOS R5 and EOS R6. In addition to the lenses, there are two new RF lens extenders, a 1.4x and a 2x model, allowing for users to take their compatible RF lens focal lengths even farther, and a 13-inch professional printer, the imagePROGRAF PRO-300, to bring photos to life through the power of print.

“For all of the Canon research and development team members who worked tirelessly on the production of these new products, today marks the culmination of a long journey. For those people looking for the next great tools to work with to expand their creative possibilities, the door is now wide open,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Canon U.S.A.’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “The industry has asked for new products that can push their levels of creativity to new heights, and we are confident that the EOS R5 and EOS R6, alongside the new lenses, lens extenders, and the pro printer, will fulfill those needs and more.”

Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6
Both the EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras have the ability to capture the action of a variety of fast-moving subjects with impressive accuracy and speed. When using the mechanical shutter, each can shoot up to 12 fps and up to 20 fps when using the completely silent shutter. Both cameras are the first to be outfitted with Canon’s advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF II which utilizes up to approximately100 percent coverage of the AF area and EOS iTR AF X incorporating AF tracking algorithms using deep learning technology and enhanced readout speed of the CMOS sensor and processing speed thanks to the DIGIC X image processor. The 1,053 automatically selected AF Zones are made even more potent by the ability to detect the human eye, face or head as well as the eye, face or body of animals such as dogs, cats and even birds. Adding to the feature set is the 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilizer, having coordinated control with Optical Image Stabilizer in IS equipped RF lenses. This provides up to 8 stops of shake correction, a feature that many creators have long asked for from Canon. Both the EOS R5 and R6 cameras come with a new LP-E6NH battery with a higher capacity than the previous model.

As the new flagship model in the EOS R series lineup, the EOS R5 camera has features that pack a punch for a variety of users who create both still and video content. It has a powerful 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and is driven by the speedy DIGIC X image processor, giving wide dynamic range as well as boasting an ISO range of 100-51,200 that is expandable up to 102,400. In a camera full of eye-popping features, one that really stands out is the ability to record uncropped 8K RAW internal video recording up to 29.97 fps and 8K internal video recording up to 29.97 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265). The camera can also record 4K internal video recording up to 119.88 fps in 4:2:2 10-bit Canon Log (H.265)/4:2:2 10-bit HDR PQ (H.265). External recording in 4K is also available up to 59.94 fps. When in DCI modes, the 8K and 4K video recording is uncropped and Dual Pixel CMOS AF II is available in all 8K and 4K recording modes. Additional features of the EOS R5 camera include:

  • Dual-card slots: 1x CFexpress and 1x SD UHS-II
  • Built-in 0.5-inch OLED EVF with approximately 5.76 million dots and a 119.88 fps refresh rate
  • 3.2-inch 2.1 million dots vari-angle LCD touch screen
  • 5GHz/2.4GHz Built-in Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth Technology with the ability to utilize the image.canon application, as well as optional WFT-R10A wireless file transmitter with Ethernet support
  • Enhanced operating controls such as rear-dial, multi-controller • The ability to voice tag photos and videos
  • Weather, drip and dust sealing on par with the EOS 5D series

The EOS R6 camera is well-equipped with a host of new features to push the limits of creativity for imaging enthusiasts. The combination of the EOS-1D X Mark III based 20.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and the DIGIC X image processor produces an ISO range of 100-102,400 and is expandable to 204,800. Internal video recording at 4K is capable up to 59.94 fps or 1080p up to 119.88 fps in 10 bit 4:2:2 Canon Log(H.265) or HDR PQ(H.265). The camera also features a built-in 0.5-inch OLED EVF with approximately 3.69 million dots and a 119.88 fps refresh ratevi. Additional features of the EOS R6 camera include:

  • Dual UHS-II SD card slots
  • 3-inch 1.62 million dots vari-angle LCD touch screen
  • 2.4GHz Built-in Wi-Fi®vii and Bluetooth Technologyviii with the ability to utilize the image.canon application
  • Enhanced operating controls such as rear-dial, multi-controller
  • Weather, drip and dust sealing on par with the EOS 6D series

Battery Accessory
The optional BG-R10 battery grip accessory will be available for both the EOS R5 and EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless cameras. The BG-R10 accommodates up to two batteries and is compatible with the new LP-E6NH, LP-E6N and LP-E6 batteries. The convenient BG-R10 grip accessory can also improve handling for users while capturing portrait photography.

Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
The Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a high-performance and versatile super-telephoto zoom lens that will find its way into the bags of many photographers. The compact and lightweight lens features optical image stabilization of up to five stops* of shake correction with three different IS modes, including standard, panning and during exposure only. Two Nano USM motors are at the heart of this lens and provide users with high-speed, smooth and quiet auto focus with a minimum focusing distance of three feet. Additional features of the Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM include:

  • Rotation-Type zoom ring and torque adjustment allows for precision control and feel
  • Customizable control ring that enables photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
  • 12-pin Communication System
  • Canon L-Series grade dust and weather-resistant construction with a fluorine coating
  • Lens hood with side window allows specialty filters to be adjusted even while Lens Hood is attached
  • Compatible with the new 1.4x and 2x RF lens extenders (from 300 to 500mm focal length)

Canon RF600mm and 800mm F11 IS STM
The Canon RF600mm and RF800mm F11 IS STM lenses are the first fixed focal length super-telephoto RF lenses and are incredibly compact and lightweight. The portability of the new lenses is made even greater due to the ability for the lens barrel to retract and lock in place when the lenses are stowed away and not in use. Diffractive Optics technology helps to reduce the necessary number of lenses and greatly diminish the cost of the lenses, making them affordable for a broader group of photographers. Additional features of the Canon RF600mm and RF800mm F11 IS STM lenses include:

  • Lightweight – the RF600mm weighs approximately 2.05lb and the RF800mm weighs approximately 2.78lb, respectively
  • Compact size, RF600mm measures approximately 7.85inch and RF800mm with measures approximately 11.09inch when retracted, respectively
  • Fixed f/11 aperture
  • Optical image stabilization of five stops* for the RF600mm and four stops* for the RF800mm of Shake Correction
  • Lead screw-type STM enables smooth auto focusing for still-image and video shooting
  • Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
  • 12-pin Communication System
  • Compatible with the new 1.4x and 2x RF lens extenders

Canon RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM
The third RF85mm lens in the RF lineup, the Canon RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM is compact and lightweight, featuring a bright f/2 aperture helping to capture images that have exceptional bokeh. The lens features a maximum magnification of 0.5x and a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet, providing users with macro-photography capability. Additional features of the Canon RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM include:

  • Optical Image Stabilization with up to five stops* of Shake Correction
  • Hybrid IS compensates for angular and shift camera shake during macro photography
  • Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes.
  • 12-pin Communication System
  • Nine blade Circular Aperture

RF Lens Extenders
Lens extenders have long been a practical and useful tool for a variety of photographers. That story continues with the introduction of the Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x. The new lens extenders inherit the same high image quality, precision AF and reliability, such as being drip and dustproof, of EF lens extenders. When used in combination with the newly-released compatible lenses, the capturing range can be dramatically increased, providing consumers with additional use cases for their existing RF lenses.

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300
Completing the lineup of professional printer options from 13 inches through 60 inches, Canon also unveiled today the new 13-inch Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Inkjet Printer along with a new Premium Fine Art Rough paper. Providing an improved workflow and high-quality output within a smaller footprint compared to previous models, this new printer excels at professional printing performance. Combined with the new Premium Fine Art Rough paper that features a textured surface to express the depth of an image, the printer along with the paper and new EOS R5 or EOS R6 camera introduces a new powerhouse professional imaging trio that meets creators’ demands.

Pricing and Availability
The EOS R5 full-frame mirrorless camera is scheduled to be available at the end of July for an estimated retail price of $ 3899.00 for the body only and $ 4999.00 for the R5 and RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens kit**.

The EOS R6 full-frame mirrorless camera is scheduled to be available at the end of August for an estimated retail price of $ 2499.00 for the body only, $ 2.899.00 for the R6 and RF 24-105 F4-7.1 IS STM lens kit or $ 3,599.00 for the R6 and RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens kit**.

The BG-R10 battery grip accessory and WFT-R10A are both scheduled to be available at the end of July for an estimated retail price of $ 349.99 and $ 999.99**, respectively.

The RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is scheduled to be available in September 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 2,699.00. The RF600mm F11 IS STM and RF800mm F11 IS STM lenses are scheduled to be available at the end of July 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 699.99 and $ 899.99, respectively. The RF85mm F2 MACRO IS STM lens is scheduled to be available in October 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 599.99 **.

The RF Extender 1.4x and 2x are scheduled to be available at the end of July for an estimated retail price of $ 499.99 and $ 599.99** each.

The imagePROGRAF PRO-300 Printer will be available later in July for a suggested retail price of $ 899.99. Premium Fine Art Rough paper will also be available later in July for a suggested retail price of $ 44.99 for Letter size, $ 109.99 for 13” x 19” inches and $ 169.99, 17” x 22” inches**.

For more information please visit, www.usa.canon.com/virtualproductlaunch

** Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.

Canon RF 600mm / 800mm F11 IS STM specifications

  Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM
Principal specifications
Lens type Prime lens
Max Format size 35mm FF
Focal length 600 mm 800 mm
Image stabilization Yes
CIPA Image stabilization rating 5 stop(s) 4 stop(s)
Lens mount Canon RF
Aperture
Maximum aperture F11
Minimum aperture F11
Aperture ring No
Number of diaphragm blades 9
Aperture notes Fixed aperture
Optics
Elements 10 11
Groups 7 8
Special elements / coatings DO lens (Gapless double-layer diffractive optics) Gapless double-layer diffractive optics
Focus
Minimum focus 4.50 m (177.17″) 6.00 m (236.22″)
Maximum magnification 0.14×
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Stepper motor
Focus method Internal
DoF scale No
Physical
Weight 930 g (2.05 lb) 1260 g (2.78 lb)
Diameter 93 mm (3.66″) 102 mm (4″)
Length 270 mm (10.61″) 352 mm (13.85″)
Sealing No
Colour Black
Filter thread 82 mm 95 mm
Hood supplied Yes

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Hands-on with new Canon RF 100-500mm, 600mm and 800mm telephoto lenses

10 Jul

Hands-on with new Canon RF 100-500mm, 600mm and 800mm telephoto lenses

Alongside the EOS R5 and R6, Canon has announced a brace of lenses, all in the short to long telephoto range. Filling out the ‘long’ end are one L-series zoom, and two innovative primes. Click through to learn more about the 100-500mm F4-7.1L IS USM and the RF 600mm and 800 F11 IS STM.

100-500mm F4-7.1L IS USM

Let’s start with the more conventional lens of the trio – the 100-500mm F4-7.1L IS USM, which first appeared in mockup form at events earlier this year (remember when we had events?) featuring 20 elements in 14 groups, this is a complex design, which incorporates six UD (Ultra Low-Dispersion) elements and one ‘Super’ UD element. These elements should help control chromatic aberrations.

(Relatively) compact

The 100-500mm is relatively compact when zoomed ‘out’ to 100mm (207.6mm / 8.2 in) but extends (to 297mm / 11.7 in) at 500mm. A torque adjustment allows you to make the zoom movement stiffer or looser as desired, and lock the zoom ring if required.

Canon is at pains to reassure users that despite its telescoping design, this lens is very well-sealed against dust and moisture. At 1370 g (3 lbs), the 100-500mm is far from a lightweight lens, but it’s only a couple of hundred grams heavier than the much faster RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM. The front filter thread is a very reasonable 77mm.

A removable tripod collar allows the lens to be mounted directly onto a tripod, in situations where hand-holding isn’t desirable or practical.

Close focusing performance

Considering its focal length range, the 100-500mm offers good close focusing performance, with a minimum focus distance of 0.9m at the 100mm end of the zoom, and 1.2m at 500mm. This should make it practical for conventional short-tele portraiture. The maximum magnification ratio of 0.33X is achieved at 500mm (full extension at 500mm shown in this image).

Autofocus is handled by dual Nano USM motors that can work independently of one another for fast and silent AF.

5 stops of IS

This is a stabilized lens, rated at 5 stops of correction on an EOS R. When mounted on an R5 or R6, Canon claims that total stabilization with its I.S.-enabled lenses should improve due to both in-body and lens IS systems receiving information from the others’ sensors.

This two-way communication is enabled by the fast protocols developed for the RF mount. Canon quotes as much as an 8 stop benefit with some lenses. Canon claims you can expect 6 EV of correction from the 100-500mm and R5/6 combination, and this is something we’ll be sure to test as soon as we can. There are three IS modes to choose from: standard, panning or active during exposure.

Compatible with RF 1.4X and 2X teleconverters

The 100-500mm is compatible with Canon’s new RF 1.4X and 2X teleconverters, but only at focal lengths of 300mm and longer. A locking mechanism prevents their use at wider focal length positions, where damage might occur to the lens’ rear element.

The RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is scheduled to be available in September 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 2,699. The RF Extender 1.4x and 2x are scheduled to be available at the end of this month for an estimated retail price of $ 499.99 and $ 599.99.

Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM

Alongside the 100-500mm Canon unveiled two very unusual lenses, both of which employ collapsible mechanisms and DO – Diffractive Optics – elements in their designs, to reduce their size and weight. The first is the RF 600mm F11 IS STM. Canon claims that the use of a new material for the gapless dual-layered DO element allows for smaller and more cost-effective designs compared to the EF equivalents.

Compact and lightweight

The 600mm F11 IS STM weighs less than a kilo (930 g / 2.05 lbs), features a perfectly reasonable 82mm filter thread and measures only 200mm (7.9 in) when stowed. Considering its focal length, these figures are impressive. The DO optical technology certainly helps, but the main reason for its unusual compactness is an innovative retractable design.

Retracting design

Retracting / collapsing designs have been around for as long as photographic lenses have existed, and the basic principle (and benefit) has remained the same – extend and lock the mechanism when you need to shoot with the lens, and retract / collapse it when you don’t, for compactness. This isn’t possible with complex multi-element primes (let alone zooms) but for a long tele like the RF 600mm, where most of the glass is clustered together, in a design with a lot of empty space between groups, it becomes an option.

Retracting design

To unlock the 600mm’s extending mechanism, just turn the collar, and pull (or push) to put the lens into either the extended shooting position, or collapsed storage position. When extended, the lens measures 270mm (10.6 in).

Fixed aperture of F11

Another way of keeping this lens small is its fixed aperture of F11. This is the kind of aperture that traditionally, we would have associated with mirror lenses, which were a devil to work with on D/SLRs because of the dim viewfinder image associated with such a small working aperture.

However, on a mirrorless camera with a decent EVF, that’s much less of a concern, especially now that the Dual Pixel CMOS AF systems in Canon’s EOS R-series cameras can autofocus at working apertures down to F22 (which – not coincidentally – allows for these lenses to be used with the new RF teleconverters). Yes, F11 (and remember that’s fixed – you cannot stop down as there is no multi-bladed iris) is still a limiting aperture for exposure, but it’s a much more practical working aperture now than it would have been back in the days of SLRs.

Image stabilization and autofocus

The 600mm F11 is also equipped with an image stabilization system which can deliver up to 5 stops of stabilization. Canon did not claim an increase in performance when paired with the EOS R5 and R6 IBIS systems, and this makes some sense given the limited ability of IBIS systems to effectively stabilize very long focal lengths. Autofocus is handled by an STM motor, of the kind that has become common in Canon’s more enthusiast-centric lenses and those optics intended to be used for video, as well as stills. It’s not as fast – or usually as silent – as Canon’s Nano USM motors, but still quite effective.

Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM

The RF 800mm F11 IS STM is a very similar lens to the 600mm, but it’s a little bigger, a little heavier and features a little more glass (11 elements in eight groups, as opposed to ten elements in seven groups for the 600mm).

Bigger and heavier (but still compact)

The 800mm is 35% heavier than the 600mm, weighing in at 1260 g (2.77 lbs). At 282mm (11.1 in) when stowed in its collapsed position, it’s about the same length as the 600mm is when extended. When the 800mm is extended to its shooting position, overall length increases to 352mm (13.8 in). That’s longer than a mirror lens would be, but very compact for a conventional 800mm.

Larger filter ring, longer minimum focus

The general ‘upsizing’ of the 800mm compared to the 600mm extends to the filter ring, which is a less traditional (and less convenient) 95mm. The IS system in the 800mm is only rated to four stops, too, compared to five in the 600mm (rated as per CIPA, measured on an EOS R body). The minimum focus distance is longer, too, at 6m compared to 4.5m.

All of this probably makes the 600mm slightly more practical for most photographers, but there’s no doubt that 800mm can itch some places that 600mm can’t quite scratch. We suspect that both lenses will be a hit with fans of bird photography.

The RF600mm F11 IS STM and RF800mm F11 IS STM lenses are scheduled to be available at the end of July 2020 for an estimated retail price of $ 699.99 and $ 899.99, respectively.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Photographer captures Miami Beach air show with Nikon 800mm and custom rig

07 Jun
Jim Winters with his TRIAXEZ rig. Photo by Pete Boden

The AF-S Nikkor 800mm F5.6 VR is an absolute beast of a lens. Shooting handheld with it for more than a few seconds is pretty much unbearable unless you’re a champion bodybuilder. Wanting it utilize it for aviation photography, Jim Winters built a rig to accommodate the lens and a camera body that he can use for hours.

His ‘triple axis’ TRIAXEZ rig includes a counterweight and 12V battery. The battery provides additional counterweight to balance the rig – an earlier evolution used lead pellets as counterweights – and also provides charge to the camera for long shooting sessions. Winters says he can even use it to charge his phone. The whole thing is easily transported to and from shooting locations thanks to a pair of wheels.

It’s a pretty clever piece of engineering, and the proof is in the images below, shot at the National Salute to America’s Heroes in Miami Beach over Memorial weekend.

Photo by Jim Winters
Photo by Jim Winters
Photo by Jim Winters

It looks like the rig is working well for Winters, but he’s envisioning ways to improve it. ‘Due to the weight of the rig assembled with lens and counterweight, I was experimenting with a single shoulder mounted rig. You would look through a POV set of glasses so that you don’t have to look through the camera body, nullifying the need for a counterweight.’ That’s a pretty enticing solution, but in the meantime, we think he’s done an excellent job of adapting his equipment to his needs.

See all of his photos from the Miami Beach show at his Team Nikon Miami website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon reveals AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm F3.5-4.5G ED and 800mm F5.6E FL ED VR

29 Jan

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CP+ 2013: Nikon has announced the AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm F3.5-4.5G full-frame wideangle zoom and the AF-S Nikkor 800mm F5.6E FL ED VR, a super-telephoto prime that comes with its own dedicated teleconverter. The 18-35mm is a consumer-grade wideangle to extend the options available to buyers of the company’s more affordable D600 model, it will cost around $ 750. The 800mm lens, which uses Fluorite glass, will cost around $ 18,000 and comes with an exclusive, matched 1.25x teleconverter that gives a 1000mm F7.1 on full-frame.

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon 800mm F5.6 at the Olympics – Leon Neal’s First Impressions

05 Aug

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British press photographer and dpreview contibutor Leon Neal is at the London Olympics, and has published a short blog post about his experiences using the forthcoming AF-S Nikkor 800mm F5.6. No details of price or availability for the monstrous optic have yet been released, but Neal had the chance to use the as-yet-unavailable lens for two sessions at the Aquatics Center this week. Click through for Neal’s first impressions, and sample images including 100% crops. 

News: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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