Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM & RF 600mm f/4L IS Lenses Review

RF 400mm F/2.8L

The Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS and the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS are two professional and expensive optical masterpieces by Canon, Together the two super-telephoto lenses are worth $25,000.

The Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS and the Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS have been announced in April 2021, along with the first development announcement of the EOS R3. Indeed, both lenses seem to have been made for the R3. Gordon Laing had the rare chance to have the Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS and the RF 600mm f/4L IS in his hands and he shares his review and impression in the video below.

Impressive lenses. Thanks Gordon. Canon made some other awesome lenses for the EOS R3.

Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS at a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Super UD and Fluorite Elements
  • Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coatings
  • Customizable Electronic Focusing Ring
  • Two Focus Presets
  • Circular 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Weather-Sealed Design, Fluorine Coating
  • Rotatable Tripod Collar

Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS at a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • Super UD and Fluorite Elements
  • Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coatings
  • Customizable Electronic Focusing Ring
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Two Focus Presets
  • Circular 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Weather-Sealed Design, Fluorine Coating
  • Rotatable Tripod Collar

Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

More about the lenses after the break.

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Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 STM IS Review (good mechanical quality)

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4-7.1 IS STM Review

Here is a review of the inexpensive Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 STM IS lens for the EOS R system. It seems the mechanical quality is the only good thing they found.

Optical Limits tested the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 STM IS, and their verdict isn’t very positive:

In absolute terms, it’s clearly a sub-standard lens. Its native characteristics range from good to downright terrible. The miserable vignetting and distortions have to be seen to be believed. Conversely, the resolution is actually pretty decent – which is a bit of a pity because you just won’t use this lens without auto-correction.

That’s being said – it is highly unlikely that you invest thousands into a high-megapixel camera and then just a few hundred on a cheap kit zoom lens. The pixel-level sharpness increases towards lower sensor resolutions and the vast majority of users have cameras featuring 20 to 30 megapixels (as of the time of this review). Within this context, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 STM IS makes much more sense. The 24mm setting will still not be perfect here but it’s certainly usable.

[…] the mechanical quality of the lens is pretty good for a kit zoom lens. The used materials are of high quality. The (extending-)inner lens tube is a bit wobbly though and this seems to be a theme across Canon consumer-grade Canon lenses.

Read the review at Optical Limits…

Other reviewers have a less negative opinion about this lens. All Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 STM IS reviews are listed here.

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM sells at $399: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Key features:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • STM Stepping AF Motor
  • Center Macro Focus, 1:2 Magnification
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
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Mainstream Media Suggests Canon EOS R3 Might Have 45MP

Canon Eos R3 Price

We know plenty about the upcoming Canon EOS R3, with the notable exception of price, announcement date, and imaging sensor resolution. A mainstream media article backs our rumor about a 45MP sensor.

Discussing the rumored specifications of the Nikon Z9, Techradar reports an allegedly solid rumor suggesting the Nikon Z9 might have a 45MP imaging sensor doing up to 30fps. Techradar writes:

Canon hasn’t yet officially confirmed the resolution of the Canon EOS R3, its equivalent mirrorless camera for pro sports photographers, but rumors have strongly suggested that it’ll also be a 45MP camera. We do already officially know that R3 will be able to shoot 30fps bursts and oversampled 4K video.

Other sources have suggested a 30MP sensor is going to be featured on the EOS R3. Time will tell.

Latest intel suggests an EOS R3 announcement in Fall is likely. Expect the EOS R3 to get eventually announced in September 2021. In the meantime you might check some product images, or have a look at an interview with a Canon exec. Here are are the known and rumored EOS R3 specification in one list:

  • 45MP or 30.1MP backside illuminated image sensor (resolution is not confirmed yet)
  • Multi-Controller & Smart Controller
  • Vari-Angle Touch Screen
  • NEW accessory shoe
  • Wifi 5GHz
  • High speed 30fps electronic shutter with AF/AE tracking + RAW shooting at this speed
  • AF down to -7.0 EV
  • 8 Stops Coordinated Control IS with Optical IS and In-Body IS
  • 4K Canon Log3​
  • Oversampling 4K
  • Internal RAW video
  • Inclusion of cars and motorbikes in AF tracking technology
  • RAW internal movie recording
  • Speedlite shooting with electronic shutter
  • The same weather sealing as the EOS-1D series
  • LP-E19 Battery
  • Dual card slot SD & CFExpress

All our EOS R3 coverage is listed here, product images are here and here. There has been some discussion about who makes the imaging sensor of the EOS R3. You can get notified when the Canon EOS R3 will be available for preorder.

More about the EOS R3 after the break.

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Deal: Tamrac Tradewind Backpack 24 For Photographers – $34.99 (reg. $99.99, today only)

Tamrac Tradewind

Great deal at B&H DealZone for those looking for a cool backpack to hold their photographic gear: the Tamrac Tradewind Backpack 24 has a 65% discount.

At a glance:

  • Holds Compact DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
  • Fits Lenses up to 10.5″ Long
  • Padded Camera Compartment
  • Long and Short Padded Dividers
  • Zippered 13″ Laptop or Tablet Sleeve
  • Large Compartment for Personal Gear
  • Exterior, Side Stretch Mesh Pockets
  • Top Grab Handle
  • Padded, Adjustable Shoulder Straps
  • Water-Resistant Coated Nylon

Get the Tamrac Tradewind Backpack 24 (Dark Gray) on sale at $34.99. Compare at $99.99.

Tamrac Tradewind

Hand-picked deals are listed here.

Deal pages:

Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals might be found here)

Save $10 on Luminar 4 and/or Aurora HDR 2019 using our code “WATCH” at checkout.

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Canon Set To Release A Sub $800 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera?

Canon Firmware Eos Rp Kit

Is this possible? A mirrorless camera with a full frame imaging sensor for less than $800? A new rumor suggests it is.

Canon Rumors reports with confidence that Canon might release such a camera in 2022. An EOS R model that will go over the counter for less than $800. Mind the EOS RP launched at $1,299 (and is currently at $999). Along with a kit lens this could sell for less than $1,000.

No specifications or other information for the time being. Not sure what to think about this rumor. Is this even possible? What do you think?

All Canon rumors are listed here.

Yet Another Sony ALPHA 1 vs Canon EOS R5 Comparison Review

Sony Alpha 1 Vs Canon EOS R5

Comparing the $6,500 Sony ALPHA 1 vs the $3,900 Canon EOS R5 seems to be a thing. Here is another comparison review.

Jan Wegener posted his Sony ALPHA 1 vs Canon EOS R5 comparison review. Curious? He says:

Is the Sony Alpha 1 better than the Canon EOS R5 for bird photography? A lot of you wanted me to try out the Sony in the field, so I did! Let’s find out how I went! Let me know your own thoughts in the comments? Is the A1 the best camera around or does the cheaper R5 even have an edge?

See for yourself.

More Sony ALPHA 1 vs Canon EOS R5 reviews are listed here. More Canon EOS R5 review stuff is listed here, for EOS R6 review stuff see here. The EOS R5 is highly regarded as a stills camera. In particular, the EOS R5 autofocus system seems to be huge leap forwards. User manual are available for download for the EOS R5 and the EOS R6.

Canon EOS R5:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Sony Alpha 1:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

More information about the Sony Alpha 1 can be found after the break.

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