Canon has already produced some mightily impressive lenses for the RF mount. Now, though, it looks like one of their most legendary EF lenses will be coming to the RF mount.
The patent, first found by Canon Watch, lists an RF 200mm f/2 IS lens, presumably the mirrorless successor to the EF 200mm f/2L. The original EF 200mm f/2L, a successor to the legendary 200mm f/1.8L, was known for several reasons, most notable being the longest focal length with an f/2 aperture on the mainstream market and offering some of the best image quality of any Canon lens, period. Originally designed for sports and wildlife shooters, it found a second home as an extreme portrait lens, where its combination of a long telephoto focal length, ultra-wide aperture, and stunning image quality produced images unlike any other lens. I would even go so far as to say that my copy is what has kept me in the Canon ecosystem for so long. The 200mm f/2 also anchored the wide end of Canon's well-known "big white" lineup of professional supertelephoto prime lenses, which ranged in length from 200mm to 800mm (or 1200mm, if you include the extraordinarily rare EF 1200mm f/5.6L).
There had been some speculation that Canon would not produce an RF version of the lens, particularly with lenses like the well-received RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM, but as impressive as that lens has been, there really is nothing else like 200mm f/2. Of course, just because there is a patent, it does not mean we will actually see the lens hit the market, but I think it's a good sign that Canon likely plans to release it eventually. Hopefully, we'll hear more soon!
I don't actually think that Canon would do 200/2.0 in RF. They have designed RF mount for even faster lenses and after the release of RF 85/1.2 and 50/1.2 now 135/1.8 I really think they will do 200/1.8 again. Unless of course they will do 200/2.0 is because of smaller size, but they really didn't care about size with 85/1.2 and 50/1.2, so just thinking why would they care now
I tend to agree. Canon has finally added numerous "everyday" lenses to the RF system, but they have tended toward making hero lenses you can't necessarily get on otjer systems. That's larger and more expensive, but they want to retain their users and bring in new professionals.
Exactly what I was thinking.. Completely forgot to mention the release of RF 28-70/2.0
Then I wonder why they just put in a patent for a 200mm f2.0 instead of a f1.8.
You may have seen a loads of different patents for canon RF lenses and this news is not confirmed product release, but only states that canon have put this into the database of patented lenses. Thay can still patent 200/1.8, or any other variation of 200mm prime. Wont be the first time we've seen lenses to be patented but never make it to the production line ( just like RF 70-135/2.0 patented in 2019 , May 2020 Canon rumors reported that the lens was in testing, 3 years later...... )
I agree about the 200mm f/1.8. If anything, to create even MORE differentiation over the 70-200's, and simply because it would let them charge more, which is Canon's M.O. anyway.
It's ridiculous what they charge for an f/7.1 100-500mm, I don't care how sharp it is.
Kind of replying to some of the other commenters on this . Yes they have been making more lenses that are faster and more unique than other camera brands.
A 200 f/1.8 would be a beast but as lens technology has progressed I believe they can pull off a lighter f/1.8 somehow . If it doesn’t compromise too much ya know . Like many Sony lenses and the lighter Sigma lenses with bigger aperture openings. That concave front element that creates image distortion and ai fixes it but with slight a crop in the image. Will Canon go that route?
An f/2.0 that’s insanely phenomenal with onion ring free super smooth bokeh and super low CA or non . That’s a feat but if done it’ll be another legendary lens .
I just purchased a used Sigma 135 f/1.8 for my Nikon Z9 and d850 just because of its optical design and qualities. I understand Nikon is coming out with a 135 f/1.8 S line of lens . The price will be insane probably. I got this lens in phenomenal condition for $800 with tax and shipping. It has qualities I want in a portrait lens and way less expensive. I’m not opposed to paying a stupid price for a super quality product. But weigh the odds of performance vs price too.
I hope Nikon does a 200 f/2.0 to replace theirs also. But also do it legendary Nikon not just another super high element high resolution onion ring bokeh ball producing behemoth.
My two cents
I don't see the point unless it's like 1/3-1/2 the price of the 100-300/2.8, I'd take the zoom functionality over the extra stop any day, this needs to be 1.8 or better.
It may doesnt make any sense to you, but trust me there is a loads of people waiting for updated version of this lens and this lens always had the place in the not only sport photographers bags, but portrait photographers and astro photographers because of its characteristics. Its like me saying that I wont pay crazy price for 100-300/2.8 because is way more expensive then 70-200/2.8 with 1.4x teleconverter ( going from f/2.8 to f/4 is then one extra stop also ).... It is just hard to compare and some people realy looking for the premium quality instead of versatility ( 50/1.2 or 85/1.2 vs 28-70/2.0 but sure there is a bit more difference in separation when going wider compare to telephoto lens with f/2 vs f/2.8 )
At $3500 or less, I'd be very interested, but if it ends up being $6k, I would personally rather save my pennies for the 100-300/2.8.
There's a special use buyer for any lens, but if this lens ever exists, it will compete with the 70-200/2.8 and 100-300/2.8 which are both night and day more versatile buys.
I think if that happens it more than likely be starting at $8k for preorder