Canon Launches RF 16mm f/2.8 and 100-400mm f/5.6-8 Lenses
Canon has announced two new budget-friendly optics for the RF mount: the 16mm f/2.8 STM and the 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM. Both are aimed at enticing those who are considering a move to Canon’s full-frame mirrorless camera system.
As part of the announcement, Canon describes the RF system as one that is “lens first,” and that they “open the door to a wide-range of imaging creators, encouraging them to test the powers and possibilities of their art.”
RF 16mm f/2.8
Canon’s new wide-angle prime is touted by the company as compact, lightweight, and affordable. It measures 1.6 by 2.7 inches and weighs about 5.8 ounces (about 165 grams). Canon says that it believes the days of having to sacrifice either optical correctness or sharpness are gone, and this new lens manages to back both benefits into a compact lens that is also bright and fast to autofocus. While the company says the lens is suitable for something like landscape or architecture, it also notes that it would work well in a vlogging situation given its small form factor.
The lens is constructed of nine elements in seven groups and contains one aspherical element. It features Canon’s Super Spectra lens coating, has a front filter diameter of 43mm, and features a seven-bladed aperture diaphragm. The lens itself has no image stabilization and will instead rely on built-in stabilization from Canon cameras like the EOS R5.
The 16mm f/2.8 uses a Canon gear-type stepping motor and also offers full-time manual focusing capabilities. It is an electronic ring system that has no physical limit to the ring rotational angle. It does feature Canon’s dual-function manual focus and control ring system which is selected via a switch on the lens. Swapping between autofocus and manual focus cannot be done on the lens though, as it lacks a switch. Instead, this feature must be activated from the camera menu.
Below are a few sample photos taken with the lens, courtesy of Canon:
The 16mm f/2.8 has a minimum focus distance of 5.11-inches and a maximum magnification of 026x. It will be available in October for $300.
100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
The Canon RF 100-400mm is a hand-holdable super-telephoto zoom lens that is compatible with Canon’s RF 1.4 and 2.0x tele extenders, a first for a non-L-series optic. Touted as a gateway lens for wildlife, nature, and sports, Canon says that its optical quality is akin to the 70-300mm f.4-5.6 IS II USM for its DSLR EF-mount.
The lens is constructed of 12 elements in nine groups and features one UD-glass element and one aspherical element as well as Canon’s Super Spectra lens coating. It has a 67mm filter diameter and a nine-bladed circular aperture diaphragm.
The focusing system is a rear-focusing Nano USM that Canon claims is both smooth and nearly silent for use in video applications. The lens also features a built-in image stabilizer that Canon claims offers up to 5.5 stops of optical image stabilization and six stops of coordinated image stabilization.
The lens offers Canon’s programmable control ring which offers 58 clicks per revolution. Clicks can be removed by a Canon service center for a fee as well. The manual focus system is electronic, full-time manual focus is possible, and there is no physical limit to the rotational angle.
The lens weighs 22.4 ounces (about 635 grams) and measures 6.48 inches long by 3.13 inches in diameter.
Below are a few sample photos taken with the lens, courtesy of Canon:
The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM will be available in October for $650.
