Two ‘Big White’ Lenses Coming to RF Mount in 2021: Report
Canon’s “big white” zoom lenses are among the company’s most popular offerings, but the only lens released for the RF mount so far has been the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM. But the company reportedly has two “big whites” up its sleeve for 2021.
CanonRumors is reporting that the next two lenses in this category are due next year, with the 300mm f/2.8 IS USM reportedly among them.
At present, Canon has a solid handle on fast lenses under 200mm, with the 15-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, and 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lenses all available. However, with reports the sports-focused Canon R1 is coming next year along with 2021 being the new date for the Olympics, Canon’s telephoto options are notably lacking.
A 300mm f/2.8 makes a lot of sense, then, to come alongside the Canon R1, but CanonRumors’ sources were not sure what the second “big white” zoom lens would be. Though many would undoubtedly like to see a 400mm f/2.8 to compete with the Sony E-Mount version of that lens, even Sony was slow to release its giant zoom when compared to the launch of the E-Mount. Such a lens is not only incredibly challenging to develop, but also manufacture. The FE 400mm f/2.8 was produced in very small numbers at launch, with most having to wait the better part of a year before being able to acquire one. Given the challenges with manufacturing, it seems that instead of two high-end primes, Canon would mix the launch of the 300mm with a more easily produced yet still desirable lens.
A likely candidate would be an RF version of the popular EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
Though fast primes tend to steal the show, relatively compact workhorse lenses like the 100-400mm are just as sought after by both wildlife and sports photographers. Given that a large number of summer Olympics sports take place outside, the smaller aperture of f/4.5-5.6 would not be a concern.
All of this is still speculation, however, so we’ll ask you all: what “big white” lenses would you like to see from Canon next year? Which do you think are the most plausible? Let us know in the comments.
(Via CanonRumors)