canon rf 200-500mm announced?

[Normware]

Just read this in the July version of Digital photography (UK)

 

[MrSparks999]

I wonder what that will cost

 

[Photofarmer]

Thank goodness i do storms and dont need anymore glass $$$$$$

 

[David Berry]

I wonder what that will cost?

• My guess is that the RF 200–500 f/4 will cost at least three times, quite likely four times, as much as we paid for our RF 100–500s; in other words, it's an alternative lens rather than a replacement. (Long live the RF 100–500!)
• My crystal ball also suggests that the 1–1.4–2 times extender will be expensive, probably around three times the price of a single 1.4 or 2 times extender.
• I wonder whether the new extender will actually fit the RF 100–500. If it does, we will be able to carry around a 300–500 lens that can be quickly changed to 420–700 or 600–1000. (Note the trade-off: we lose 100–300 mm.)

… David

 

[JHG]

Wow, don't think I will be able to afford it. It would be interesting to see what new extenders that they are going to make though.

 

[border guy]

Probably be amazing ..but £££££££

 

[chipman]

I would be interested in a 1.4x TC that worked for the full range on the 100-500.
But I'm afraid to look at the price.

 

[MikeZ]

Regarding price, something tells me that you could probably buy a good, used, car for what that lens will cost.

 

[Jake Shoots Birds]

Likely yet another 5-figure lens that makes me question whether my decision to change brands was too hasty. The 100-500mm at its performance level and price point made me think that Canon was finally addressing the needs of the pro-sumer population and their needs. Silly me. (Note: they've certainly taken care of the pure hobbiest with lenses like the 100-400mm, and 600mm & 800mm f11's.) I love my R5 and 100-500mm, and I wouldn't trade it for any Nikon body. But Nikon is killing it with lightweight, affordable glass for wildlife photographers. To me it seems like Canon focuses (NPI) on the big white glass they love to see on the sidelines of sporting events, purchased by news agencies or loaned out at the event. If you're not at least a part time pro where you can write off equipment as an expense then you simply have to be independently wealthy to take advantage of this stuff over the available alternatives.

That rant over, I expect this will be wonderful to shoot with, and I'm hoping they find their way down the road.

 

[TonyB]

I share your frustration. However, right now, I believe that Canon is getting their RF line-up ready for the 2024 Olympics, which is all centered around the world’s professional photographer community. The latest lenses, 100-300, 200-500, are definitely well suited for that type of event, and we’ve all been hearing that the Olympics is where the R1 is expected to make its debut. I believe once they have those showcase products released, that they will be spend some time focusing on the prosumer markets and hopefully surprise us with some interesting lenses.

 

[Jake Shoots Birds]

About 18 months ago I was at a wildlife photographer event put together by a couple of Canon-shooting social media types, and a Canon rep popped over to let folks try some of the (then) new RF primes. To paraphrase his reaction to the group of upper-middle class, semi-retiree, serious shooters, "This is a community of photographers Canon just doesn't seem to want acknowledge. If they would build for them they would sell a shit-ton of glass. They just want to see their big stuff on the sidelines during sporting events." I've heard nothing to change my mind. Nikon saw that niche and responded.

I'm not planning on going anywhere, but I'm also not spending money. I'd be happier spending $6500 on an 800mm f6.3 that can be handheld than making due with the f11 for 1/8 the price. I'd love an R7 with a buffer that doesn't clog in two seconds and with a chip that's powerful enough to actually operate the focus system it possesses, and I'd pay 3x the price for it. And I know I'm not the only one. A 100-300mm f2.8 that comes in a couple bucks short of 5 figures will never temp me. And I can't even get excited about the possibilities of the next generation R5 because I don't know that I want to spend good money on it if there's a chance I may just jump ship should Canon continue to ignore my lot.

 

[border guy]

But Nikon is killing it with lightweight, affordable glass for wildlife photographers.

Hi Jake,

I came over from Nikon to Canon because I couldn't find a nice 500/600mm lightweight lens either made by Nikon or a third party, Nikon's 200-500 is a great lens and very sharp and affordable but heavy! So like you, I have the 100-500 lens but the R6mk2 body and loving it

 

[Jake Shoots Birds]

I came over from Nikon to Canon because I couldn't find a nice 500/600mm lightweight lens either made by Nikon or a third party, Nikon's 200-500 is a great lens and very sharp and affordable but heavy! So like you, I have the 100-500 lens but the R6mk2 body and loving it

Did you ever try the Nikkor 500mm F5.6 PF?! That thing lived on my D500 and I could shoot handheld all day long and only 100g heavier than the 100-500mm. I don't miss it, but I loved it while I had it.

 

[border guy]

Did you ever try the Nikkor 500mm F5.6 PF?! That thing lived on my D500 and I could shoot handheld all day long and only 100g heavier than the 100-500mm. I don't miss it, but I loved it while I had it.

No I haven't tbh good lens but a bit pricey for me.

 

[Jake Shoots Birds]

No I haven't tbh good lens but a bit pricey for me.

Pricey, yes, but not what you consider other primes are going for and what being able to handhold it means. Their PF primes are in the quality/price ballpark I was hoping Canon would enter, because I can almost buy four "pricey" 500mm's for the price of Canon's 600mm RF. I can almost buy 2 of their 800mm PF Z lenses. Fact is, the technology is there to meet the price point. Canon just doesn't want to. I think they like to see themselves as the pro's camera and they will cater to them. Maybe they're leaving that market to the competition to keep the competition alive? If so, Nikon is certainly taking advantage of it. There's not a lot of people out there looking for this stuff, but I believe there's enough that it can impact customer retention. The R5ii is going to probably dictate where I go. I can live with the 100-500mm for the next 5 years if they give me the R3 focus system (or more), a stacked sensor at 45 MPs (I don't need more but will take them), and the ability to vary my frame rate in electronic shutter mode it'll keep me here for a while - as long as the price doesn't shoot up to R3 levels. If not I can see me waiting for Nikon's focus system to catch up at the Z7 level (the Z9 is too dang bulky and heavy for me - a pound more than the R5 gripped) and making a move. I'm getting older and carry weight makes a huge difference.

 

[JHG]

About 18 months ago I was at a wildlife photographer event put together by a couple of Canon-shooting social media types, and a Canon rep popped over to let folks try some of the (then) new RF primes. To paraphrase his reaction to the group of upper-middle class, semi-retiree, serious shooters, "This is a community of photographers Canon just doesn't seem to want acknowledge. If they would build for them they would sell a shit-ton of glass. They just want to see their big stuff on the sidelines during sporting events." I've heard nothing to change my mind. Nikon saw that niche and responded.

That's exactly Canon's strategy unfortunately. The issue is that Canon's manufacturing capability just cannot keep up with the demand. They definitely are in a position to choose their customer base. Not good for us (prosumers?) by any means.