Canon has announced a pair of ‘budget friendly’ lenses – one telephoto and one wide – for its RF mount. The RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is similar in spirit to the RF 600mm F11 and RF 800mm F11 in that it’s very affordable and quite portable given its focal length range, with a slow maximum aperture being the main tradeoff. The 100-400 measures just 165 x 80mm (6.5 x 3.1 in.) in size and weighs 630 g (22.4 oz.).
The lens’ built-in optical stabilization can reduce shake by up to 5.5 stops (per CIPA standard) and this increases by another half-stop when mounted on an R-series body with IBIS. Optically, it’s made up of 12 elements, including UD (ultra-low dispersion) and aspherical glass, and features Super Spectra Coating to reduce flare and ghosting. The focus group is driven by a linear-type Nano USM motor for swift and silent autofocus.
The minimum focus distance is 88cm (35″) and the maximum magnification is 0.41x. If 100-400mm isn’t enough for you, this lens is compatible with Canon’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, with a commensurate further decrease in maximum aperture that may affect the camera’s ability to autofocus.
The RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM will be available this month for $649.
The second new lens is the RF 16mm F2.8 STM, which becomes Canon’s most affordable ultra-wide lens at $299. It’s also extremely compact at just 40 x 69mm (1.6 x 2.7 in.) in size and 165g (5.8oz) in weight. It has 9 elements, one of which is aspherical, along with a Super Spectra Coating to combat flare and ghosting. A stepping motor drives the focus group.
The 16mm F2.8 can focus as close as 13cm (5.1″) and has a maximum magnification of 0.26x.
As with the 100-400mm, you’ll be able to pick up the 16mm F2.8 STM later this month. The lens is priced at $299.
Press release
CANON COMPLETES ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE RF LENS STORY – INTRODUCES TWO NEW BUDGET-FRIENDLY LENSES FOR EOS R FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS USERS
MELVILLE, N.Y., September 14, 2021 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the RF16mm F2.8 STM and RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM lenses. Both lenses invite current EOS R series users and those who are considering a move to Canon’s prominent mirrorless system, such as the EOS R or EOS RP, to expand their content creation abilities with the visual drama of an ultra-wide-angle lens and true telephoto-only zoom lens. As the “lens first” EOS R series continues to expand, these latest lenses open the door to a wide-range of imaging creators, encouraging them to test the powers and possibilities of their art.
Ultra-Wide Perspectives
Whether you are excited to start exploring the creative world of ultra wide-angle photography or someone who is looking to add another lens to expand your imaging offerings, the Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM is compact, lightweight and affordable. Long gone are the days of optical corrections or sharpness challenges – the new ultra-wide, 16mm RF lens, for full-frame cameras, comes with a fast and bright f/2.8 maximum lens aperture, as well as smooth and brisk AF (autofocus). This lens is a strong addition to the landscape, architecture or travel photographer — but it also provides the vlogging creator and the EOS Webcam Utility software user the power to integrate environments into their imagery, with its super-wide coverage.
Additional features of Canon’s new ultra wide-angle prime lens with 16mm focal length F2.8 include:
- STM Motor for smooth focusing when recording video
- Compact size and light weight — similar to RF50mm F1.8 STM
- Minimum focus distance of 5.11”
- Maximum magnification of 0.26x
- 43mm filter thread
Truly Telephoto Possibilities
The Canon RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM provides users with a versatile and popular zoom range that brings subjects closer with ease. It’s an affordable and easily hand-holdable entry into the world of super-telephoto, full-frame photography and video. Offering superb performance and sharpness, the 100–400mm focal length provides a versatile range for all types of telephoto opportunities — be it portraits and documenting events, to sports, birding and wildlife. And, for the first time in a non-L-series lens, the RF100–400mm will accept optional Canon RF 1.4x and 2x tele extenders, offering even more telephoto potential in a lightweight package. Yes, the Canon RF100–400mm is an excellent gateway into the world of wildlife, nature, and sports photography. However, this lens and its super-telephoto abilities can also be leveraged for the video content creator or vlogger when compiling b-roll type footage or for subjects who are at a distance.
Additional features of the Canon RF100-400mm include:
- High image quality — similar to the well-regarded EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
- 100-400mm telephoto zoom range
- Accepts optional Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders
- 6 – F8 variable maximum aperture
- Easy hand-held operation — lighter than EF70-300 IS II lens
- Up to 5.5-Stops i optical IS and 6-stops ii correction with coordinated IS
- Nano USM for high-speed and smooth AF
- Smooth and nearly silent AF during video recording
- Superb close-focusing — at 400mm, excellent 0.41x magnification
- 9-blade aperture, for smooth backgrounds/foregrounds
- 67mm filter thread
Pricing and Availability
The Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM and RF100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM are scheduled to be available in October 2021 for an estimated retail price of $299.00 and $649.00, respectively*.
For additional information, please visit usa.canon.com
Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-F8 / 16mm F2.8 specifications
| Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM | Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Principal specifications | ||
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF | |
| Focal length | 100–400 mm | 16 mm |
| Image stabilization | Yes | No |
| CIPA Image stabilization rating | 5.5 stop(s) | |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | |
| Aperture | ||
| Maximum aperture | F5.6–8 | F2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | F32–45 | F22 |
| Aperture ring | No | |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 9 | 7 |
| Optics | ||
| Elements | 12 | 9 |
| Groups | 9 | 7 |
| Special elements / coatings | 1 UD + 1 aspherical element, Super Spectra Coating | 1 aspherical element, Super Spectra Coating |
| Focus | ||
| Minimum focus | 0.88 m (34.65″) | 0.13 m (5.12″) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.41× | 0.26× |
| Autofocus | Yes | |
| Motor type | Nano ultrasonic | Stepper motor |
| Full time manual | Yes | No |
| Focus method | Internal | |
| Distance scale | No | |
| DoF scale | No | |
| Focus distance limiter | No | |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 635 g (1.40 lb) | 165 g (0.36 lb) |
| Diameter | 165 mm (6.5″) | 40 mm (1.57″) |
| Length | 80 mm (3.15″) | 69 mm (2.72″) |
| Sealing | No | |
| Colour | Black | |
| Zoom method | Rotary (extending) | |
| Power zoom | No | |
| Filter thread | 67 mm | 43 mm |
| Hood supplied | Yes | No |
| Hood product code | EW-65C | |
Author:
dpreview staff
Source: Dpreview
