Firmware Update: Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS

Firmware Update

Canon released a firmware update for the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS firmware update 1.1.0:

1. Adds an electronic full-time manual focus function (a function that enables constant manual focus adjustment in both One-shot AF and Servo AF), which is enabled when using the EOS R5, EOS R6, and EOS R3 cameras.

2. Improves an issue in which the background is not blurred when performing slow panning with the IS (Image Stabilization) mode set to Mode 2 or Mode 3.

Download Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS firmware update 1.1.0.

Canon Patent: RF 70-200mm f/2.8L (not the already released lens)

Canon Patent

A new Canon patent application, once more for a lens for the RF mount. The patent application might appear to point to an already released lens but it is not.

Canon patent application 2021-173892 (Japan) discusses optical formulas for what seems to be a RF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens. However, as asobinet.com points out, the patent does not refer to the already released RF 70-200mm f/2.8L. The lens described in the patent seems to have an entirely different optical design.

Embodiment:

  • Focal length: 73.00-195.00
  • F value: 2.88
  • Half angle of view: 16.51-6.33
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 178.20-216.21
  • Back focus: 19.12-33.67

More Canon patent applications are listed here. Some particularly interesting patent applications we think might get into production are these:

Sony Released A New Pro Lens, The Redesigned Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II

Sony FE 70-200mm

A new Sony lens for professional photographers. The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II has been redesigned and comes with a new optical formula.

At a glance:

  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • One XA & One Aspherical Elements
  • Four ED Elements & Two Super ED Elements
  • Nano AR Coating II
  • 4 XD Linear AF Motors
  • Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization
  • Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Eleven-Blade Circular Diaphragm

Preorders are live at B&H Photo ($2,798).

Gordon from Camera Labs already had the chance to test the lens.

Sony press release:

Sony Electronics Continues to Redefine Excellence in Imaging with the Introduction of the new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony Electronics – 10/13/2021

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ –Sony Electronics Inc. announced the newest lens in their G Master lineup – the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, which delivers an extraordinary combination of resolution and bokeh as well as unequalled AF (autofocus) performance known to Sony’s G Master design.

“Sony is always listening to our customers. Thanks to feedback from users around the world, including leading professionals, Sony continues to develop and evolve the G Master lineup,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is lightweight and offers outstanding handling in any shooting situation. The newest addition to our G Master series will make a perfect telephoto zoom addition to any creator’s kit who is looking to maximize their gear potential for both stills and video.”

Designed to perfectly pair with Sony’s E-mount camera bodies, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II not only offers outstanding optical quality and advanced AF performance, but it is the lightesti F2.8 70-200mm zoom in the world and allows for unprecedented shooting freedom and flexibility. Sony continues to strengthen the Alpha system with this newest addition to the broadest selection of mirrorless lenses on the market as the 65th lens in its E-mount lens lineup.

New Levels of Performance
The new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II delivers outstanding image quality with high resolution and clarity. Users can expect a clean and clear image from corner to corner throughout the entire zoom range, even when the aperture is wide open. Thanks to the two aspherical lens elements, including one XA (extreme aspherical) element manufactured to 0.01-micron surface precision, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II effectively controls distance-related aberration variations to ensure outstanding resolution throughout the image area.

The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II also employs two ED (extra-low dispersion) spherical glass elements and two Super ED spherical glass elements to significantly reduce chromatic aberration without color bleeding. This lens also includes an ED aspherical element for the first time in an Alpha system lens, which simultaneously suppresses chromatic and spherical aberration, common issues in other telephoto lenses.

Smooth, beautiful bokeh is made possible by a large F2.8 maximum aperture and a newly developed 11-blade circular aperture unit. In addition, the lens’ advanced optical design including an XA element thoroughly suppresses the unwanted ‘onion ring’ effect, further enhancing the bokeh. The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II also offers excellent close-up performance with deep bokeh. The minimum focusing distance is just 15.7 inches (0.4 meters) at 70mm and 32.3 inches (0.82 meters) at 200mm, with a maximum magnification of 0.3x. Moreover, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II can be easily paired with Sony’s high-performance 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverteriii to extend the lens’ focal length to 400mmiv at an F5.6 aperture, all while maintaining its G Master quality.

To avoid any unwanted flare and ghosting in challenging lighting conditions, Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II produces a uniform anti-reflection coating on the surface of the lens. In addition, the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II’s optical design also effectively suppresses internal reflections to improve clarity.

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Canon RF 70-200mm F/4L IS Review (finely crafted and performs extremely well)

Canon RF 70-200mm

Here is a new Canon RF 70-200mm F/4L IS review. This is a rather interesting lens and it is getting many positive reviews.

At a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • Four Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements
  • Air Sphere and Fluorine Coatings
  • Dual Nano USM AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Weather-Sealed Construction

ePhotozine posted their Canon RF 70-200mm F/4L IS review. From their conclusion:

The new lens is very finely crafted and performs extremely well in the field, the wider apertures being especially crisp, which is great because such lenses are often used at wide apertures. That way higher shutter speeds can be employed and the ISO kept within reasonable bounds. Focusing is spot on, very fast and virtually silent. The lower weight and compact size mean less fatigue from carrying the lens all day. All these things add up to a really useful optic that produces some fine results.

[…]

Definitely Highly Recommended.  

Read the review at ePhotozine…

More Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS review stuff is listed here.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Wex Photo Video, Canon DE, Canon UK

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS description after the break.

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Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L vs Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L Depth Of Field Comparison

Canon Firmware Update RF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS Review

Somewhat different review today. Comparing the depth of field of two highly regarded Canon RF-mount lenses: RF 70-200mm f/2.8L vs RF 85mm f/1.2.

SLR Lounge | Photography Tutorials compares the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L and RF 70-200mm f/2.8L lenses with an eye on depth of field.

More RF 85mm f/1.2L review stuff is listed here. All reviews praise this outstanding lens.

Key features:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
  • Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics Element
  • One UD Element, One Aspherical Element
  • Air Sphere Coating
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Wex Photo Video, Canon DE, Canon UK

The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS has been called the “first killer lens” for the EOS R and indispensable for professional photographers. More RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS review stuff is listed here, and it’s worth to have a look also to the teardown.

Key features and description:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • One Super UD Element, One UD Element
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Air Sphere and Fluorine Coatings
  • Dual Nano USM AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Detachable, Rotatable Tripod Collar
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS Review (the lens is a winner, D. Abbott)

RF 70-200mm F/4L IS Review

Here is a new Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS review. The Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS is getting quite popular with people on budget, or simply trying to safe some bucks.

At a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • Four Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements
  • Air Sphere and Fluorine Coatings
  • Dual Nano USM AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Weather-Sealed Construction

Dustin Abbott posted his exhaustive Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS review. From his conclusion:

The Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM is a winner.  It is incredibly compact, which opens up a whole new way to use the lens and a whole new market of those who wouldn’t mind the premium optics, build, and autofocus of an L series telephoto, but who were unwilling to deal with the bulk and weight of such a lens.  But Canon also has not compromised on the autofocus or image quality performance of this lens […]

The only area to criticize in this new design is that you have to give up the use of teleconverters, which is unfortunate when one considers that the amazing focus systems of the EOS R bodies (particularly the R5 and R6 at the moment) theoretically should make using TCs more seamless than ever before. This is a lens that must be used solely as the bare lens, though one could enable the 1.6x crop on a camera like the EOS R5 if you wanted more crop in camera.

[…] Autofocus performance is excellent. I really like Canon’s Nano USM tech, as it delivers fast, quiet, smooth, and accurate autofocus results. The image stabilizer is also effective even with a higher megapixel body like my EOS R5. I appreciate the solid image quality as well. But what really sets the RF 70-200 F4L apart is the incredibly compact, lightweight nature of the lens that will allow you to treat it like a 24-105mm F4 lens for transport and storage.

Read Dustin Abbott’s review here…

As usual Dustin’s reviews come with a huge set of sample pictures, comparison charts, and all the information you might want to know. Dustin’s reviews are what I look for when I am about to purchase new gear. And for those who prefer to watch their reviews, Dustin Abbott provides a comprehensive video-review.

For those in a hurry there is also a shorter version of the video review:

More Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS review stuff is listed here.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Wex Photo Video, Canon DE, Canon UK

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS description after the break.

Click here to open the rest of the article