Canon launches two super-telephoto RF lenses

Canon has just announced what it claims are the world's longest AF focal length mirrorless system lenses.

If there's one area that most of the new full-frame mirrorless lens mounts, from Z-mount to L-Mount, lack choice in, it's extreme telephoto lenses. Some of the systems are gaining some longer lengths this year, but they'll have to go some way to beat two new lenses that have come to light from Canon for its RF mount.

There's both an 800mm f/5.6 and a whopping 1200mm f/8, both of which will cement the RF system, at least for the time being, as a mirrorless system of choice for wildlife photography.

Despite the fact that Canon is calling them 'compact', make no mistake, these are still hefty beasts, but they are much lighter than their predecessors. Notably so. For instance the 1200mm f/8 is over 13kg lighter and 30cm shorter than the EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM it follows from.

Price wise, these new lenses are still going to be firmly in specialist territory. The 800mm will be priced at £19,099.99 / €21,749.99 whilst the 1200mm will cost £22,449.99 / € 25,449.99, so you might need a bigger piggy bank.

RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM. Image: Canon.

Specifications

RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM Key Features:

• 800mm super telephoto length
• Diameter x length of 163mm x 432mm
• 3.14kg in weight
• f/5.6 aperture
• 4.5 stop image stabilisation
• Dust and drip proof design
• Minimum focusing distance of 2.6m

RF 1200mm F8L IS USM Key Features:

• 1200mm super telephoto length
• Diameter x length of 168mm x 537mm
• 3.34kg in weight
• Four stop Image Stabilization
• Dust and drip proof design
• Minimum focusing distance of 4.3m