Today, Canon USA announced the launch of two new products, the RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and RF1200mm F8 L IS USM Super-Telephoto Lenses, as well as the 35th anniversary of the launch of the company’s EOS System. Check out the details.
35th anniversary of the EOS
Canon Inc. will celebrate in March 2022 the 35th anniversary of the launch of the company’s EOS System, which includes EOS-series interchangeable-lens cameras and a diverse range of system accessories, beginning with interchangeable EF lenses. Canon’s EOS System made its debut in March 1987 with the launch of the EOS 650 single-lens reflex (SLR) camera and EF lenses. An acronym of “Electro-Optical System” while also carrying the name of the Greek Goddess of the dawn, the EOS series saw first light in 1987 as the world’s first fully electronic mount system, representing a new generation of AF SLR cameras.
EOS-1 for the professionals
During the film-camera era, EOS SLR cameras garnered high acclaim from a wide range of users for their innovative technologies and designs focused on Canon’s key concepts of high speed and ease of use. During this period, the company launched the top-of-the-line professional model EOS-1 in 1989 and, with the introduction of the compact lightweight EOS Kiss (EOS Rebel XS and EOS 500 in other regions) in 1993, succeeded in expanding its user base.
5D Mark II as a breakthrough
Following the introduction of the EOS D30 in 2000, when the popularization of digital SLR cameras was in full swing, Canon developed such innovative models as the high-speed and high-image-quality professional-oriented EOS-1D (2001), the EOS Kiss Digital (2003, EOS Digital Rebel or EOS 300D in other regions) which appealed to a broad user base, and the EOS 5D Mark II (2008), which featured Full HD video recording, in an effort to offer products that fulfilled the company’s new key concepts of high speed, ease of use and high image quality. In 2012, EOS video technology was transformed for the B-to-B sphere in the form of the Cinema EOS System, marking Canon’s entry into the video production industry.
Two new RF Super-Telephoto Lenses
As for the newest products, the Canon RF lens family is growing by two, with the addition of the Canon RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM, and the longest focal length RF lens yet, the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM. Both super-telephoto fixed focal length lenses are quite light for their considerable abilities and share many of the same features such as Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) to help minimize ghosting and flaring, compatibility with both the RF1.4x and RF2x extenders and a customizable electronic focusing ring with manual focus capability during Servo AF.
Canon RF800mm F5.6L IS USM
The RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM weighs in at just 6.9 lbs and features a minimum focusing distance of 8.53ft/2.6 meters — maximum close-up magnification is a superb 0.34x, allowing wildlife image creators to fill the frame with small subjects, such as birds, at its minimum focusing distance. Optical image stabilization in up to 4.5 stops* of shake correction and includes three IS operation modes. When using the RF1.4x or RF2x extenders, users can experience enhanced effective focal lengths of 1,120mm and 1,600mm respectively.
Canon RF1200mm F8 L IS USM
The RF1200mm F8 L IS USM is the most powerful super-telephoto lens in the Canon RF lens line. It weighs in at 7.4 lbs — an outstandingly light figure for a super-telephoto lens of this type — and features a minimum focusing distance of 14.1ft/4.3m. Optical image stabilization in up to 4.0 stops* of shake correction and, similar to the RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM lens, includes three IS operation modes. When using the RF1.4x or RF2x extenders, users can experience enhanced focal lengths of 1,680mm and 2,400mm, respectively.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and Canon RF1200mm F8 L IS USM are both scheduled to be available in late May 2022 for an estimated retail price of $16,999.00 and $19,999.00, respectively. See the Product List below for further purchase options.
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM Lens
- Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM Lens
