Canon’s New Big Whites Are Merely Mount Swaps

In a disappointment for Canon long lens shooters, the camera giant’s newest versions of its 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lenses bring only the mount swap from EF mount to RF mount, as well as about half a stop more image stabilization.

One of the promises of the RF mount change was that more information will pass between lens and body, including accelerometer data for the betterment of the IBIS functionality in the body. This appears to have eked out half a stop.

Many were hoping for size and weight improvements, perhaps with diffractive optics technology. The announcement comes at the same time Canon announced the ongoing development of the R3 camera and just a day after rumors broke of the coming lenses.

The optical design is – as stated by Canon in its own marketing materials – identical to the EF 600mm f/4 IS L III, which itself had only almost-as-good image quality as the version II of that lens, while bringing very significant weight reductions and center of gravity improvements.

RF shooters will appreciate having the native mount, but were typically expecting more.

The 600mm lens will cost $13,000 when it launches in July. The 400mm lens will cost $12,000.