Canon has designed a series of superzoom lenses for the EOS R, including a Canon RF 120-700mm f/4.0-8.0
(Image credit: Canon)
New optical designs for Canon mirrorless megazoom lenses has been spotted online, including a monster Canon RF 100-700mm.
The pair of new formulas describe the Canon RF 100-600mm f/4.5-7.1 and Canon RF 100-700mm f/4.0-8.0 – which would seem to come from the same design ethos as the recently announced Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM.
Indeed, the 100-600mm f/4.5-7.1 does seem to be a little too close for comfort to the 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1, so it is probably the case that this lens was ultimately replaced by the slightly shorter optic.
However, the 100-700mm f/4.0-8.0 is sufficiently different to – and arguably sufficiently more appealing than – the 100-500mm, so there may still be a place in Canon's lineup for this megazoom.
Filings for both exotic optics were spotted at the US Patent and Trademark Office (by Northlight Images) as well as the Japan Patent Office (by Canon News). The registrations describe the lenses as follows:
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Canon RF 100-600mm f/4.5-7.1
Focal length
103.00
248.50
600.00
F-number
4.60
5.85
6.80
Half angle of view
11.86
4.98
2.07
Image height
21.64
21.64
21.64
Total lens length
241.66
305.61
331.66
Back focus
17.57
37.01
97.33
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Canon RF 100-700mm f/4.0-8.0
Focal length
123.00
293.00
700.00
F-number
4.60
5.85
8.00
Half angle of view
9.98
4.22
1.77
Image height
21.64
21.64
21.64
Total lens length
246.28
322.64
370.48
Back focus
14.01
44.69
107.78
So, are these just remnants of the same design phase that ultimately birthed the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L lens? Or is there still a chance that we'll see the 100-700mm appear in some form?
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And, as with many Canon patents, they could just be designs that never see the light of day – though that 100-700 is something we would certainly love to see!
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes.