RF 100mm Macro Intros Spherical Aberration Control

Rumors of this new 1.4x magnification update of the elderly Canon 100mm f/2.8 L Macro lens contained much speculation as to what the heck the “SA Control” dial was. Now we know, as Canon announced the new lens a some minutes ago. It is a variable spherical aberration control dial, allowing for laying on a big of bokeh adjustment not unlike that seen with the “soft focus” versions of some of Canon’s recent lenses.

A key feature of the lens will be its improved image stabilization, which now can realize 8 stops, or about double what the older EF version could attain. That lens was and remains today one of the best-stabilized macro lenses of any manufacturer and was partly responsible for the development of modern run-and-gun macro photography.

The lens will cost $1,400 when it comes out in July.