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Canon launches four new RF lenses – expanding the line-up’s capabilities to super-telephoto photography – plus two RF extenders

9th July 2020

Auckland, New Zealand – 9th July 2020: Canon New Zealand today reveals four new RF lenses and two RF extenders, bringing telephoto capabilities to Canon’s innovative RF line-up and extending portrait and macro photography creative possibilities for professionals and enthusiasts.

Highlighting Canon’s ongoing commitment to the EOS R System and the RF Mount, today’s additions, launch alongside Canon’s new EOS R5 and EOS R6 – two revolutionary full frame mirrorless cameras advancing Canon’s EOS R System – enabling photographers to experience new levels of quality, performance and creativity.

Joining the RF line-up is:
• The RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM – a compact and versatile L-series telephoto zoom lens with a large focal length range, incredible image quality, 5-stop IS, fast Dual Nano USMs, weather sealing and a Lens Control Ring for enhanced operation.

• The RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM – the world's lightest autofocus lenses including a focal length of 600mmeli and 800mmii respectively. With super-telephoto focal lengths, full auto focusiii and image stabilization capabilities, enthusiasts can take incredibly sharp and beautiful imagery from afar. Paired with the new RF extenders – the EXTENDER RF 1.4x and EXTENDER RF 2x – the lenses can reach an incredible 1200mm (RF 600mm f/11 IS STM) and an extreme 1600mm (RF 800mm f/11 IS STM) optical focal length. This provides enthusiasts even greater flexibility and creative possibilities whilst retaining AF. Such features make them an ideal choice for a range of image capture – from wildlife to aviation and even moon photography.

• The RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM – a must have lens for enthusiasts entering the world of the EOS R System and looking to capture stunning portraits and fine detail up-close. Celebrating the benefits of the R-System, this wide-aperture portrait lens offers 5-stop Image Stabilization (IS) (or 8-stops coordinated control IS when using EOS R5/EOS R6iv) and macro capabilities –stand-out features for lenses of this type.

• The EXTENDER RF 1.4x and EXTENDER RF 2x – two high-performance and durable extenders with redesigned optics, created to expand the capabilities of the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM, RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM. Both extenders allow professionals to push focal length capabilities of compatible lenses, while maintaining the image quality and speed benefits of the RF Mount.

RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM – a compact and versatile telephoto zoom
Leading the range of L-series RF telephoto zoom lenses, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is ideal for enthusiasts and professionals capturing sport, wildlife and aviation, who require a reliable, durable and compact lens. For those that want to go beyond a 100-500mm focal length range, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is compatible with the new EXTENDER RF 1.4x and EXTENDER RF 2x, which give photographers even more scope and creative freedom.

With one Super UD lens and six UD lenses, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM effectively suppresses chromatic aberration and ghosting/flare across the entire zoom range for high-resolution, high-contrast image quality from maximum aperture. In addition, featuring 5-stop IS, or 6-stops when used with EOS R5 and EOS R6v, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM achieves improved images for shooting handheld at long focal lengths or using slower shutter speeds.

Featuring Dual Nano USM AF motor technology, the telephoto zoom lens boasts accurate and high-speed autofocus quietly, ideal for capturing wildlife and uninterrupted filming. Furthermore, Canon’s innovative floating focusing system allows for improved close focusing down to 0.9m.

As standard with the RF lenses, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM features a programmable Lens Control Ring on the barrel, allowing photographers to change settings without taking their eye off the viewfinder. The adjustable torque zoom ring enables the zoom action to be made tighter or looser to suit the photographer’s needs, making it a perfect companion for those on the move. Being a L-series lens, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM also features Canon’s renowned weather sealing, enabling the lens to be used in most extreme conditions.

RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM – impressively lightweight super-telephoto lenses
A great affordable and lightweight choice for enthusiast photographers, the RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM are new concept lenses offering super-telephoto focal lengths, allowing photographers to capture far away subjects in stunning detail. With a minimum focusing distance of 4.5 metres (RF 600mm f/11 IS STM) and 6 metres (RF 800mm f/11 IS STM), enthusiasts can get close to subjects while maintaining great focus. The lenses capability to capture the action from afar with AF and IS capabilities is extended when used with the EXTENDER RF 1.4x and EXTENDER RF 2x. With such extenders, several impressive focal lengths can be achievedvi - the longest being 1600mm when the RF 800mm f/11 IS STM is used with the EXTENDER RF 2x.

Both lenses are equipped with an optical Image Stabilizervii and support Dual Pixel CMOS AF when paired with a Canon EOS R System mirrorless cameraviii. This combination of features allows these super-telephoto lenses to deliver pin-sharp images – even when shooting without a tripod or monopod – as motion blur caused by camera shake is drastically reduced.

Lightweightix and compact, the lenses are shining examples of the possibilities of Canon’s RF Mount. Using Diffractive Optics, combined with the RF Mount and a fixed f/11 aperture, both lenses highlight Canon’s excellence in optical technology innovation. Having been completely re-thought and redesigned, both lenses are significantly smaller and lighter compared to existing Canon EF super telephoto lenses. Equipped with a retractable barrel structure, the lenses easily extend in use and retract to be stored neatlyx. This makes both lenses ideal for travelling photographers who have minimal kitbag space.

Boasting STM technology, both lenses offer extremely quiet and perfectly smooth focusing – excellent for video recording, as the lens operation noise is kept at a minimum. Adding to its ease of use, the Lens Control Ring on both the RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM gives enthusiasts direct and speedy control over Tv/exposure compensation/ISO/AF operationxi settings. The lens’ fixed aperture also provides a perfectly circular bokeh and their large focal length enables photographers to blur the background sufficiently when photographing subjects in the distance – an excellent characteristic for animal portraits as subjects stand out more.

RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM – picture perfect portraits
Designed for enthusiast portraiture photographers, the lightweightxii RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM is ideal for capturing stunning shots with an attractive perspective and soft background. Coupling an f/2 aperture with full frame provides shallow depth of field for excellent results – even in low-light conditions.

The RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM offers 5-stop IS (or 8-stops when using EOS R5/EOS R6xiii) and enables enthusiasts to capture subjects at an impressive 50% life-size with its 1:2 macro shooting capability. Both features, not found in other competitor models, offer enthusiasts incredible stills and video quality and supreme versatility. Thanks to STM Autofocus, the RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM also achieves quick and smooth focus both in stills and video – making it the ideal choice for enthusiasts entering the world of mirrorless and hoping to capture quality video as well as take stunning images.

EXTENDER RF 1.4x and EXTENDER RF 2x – uncompromised images that go further
The EXTENDER RF 1.4x and EXTENDER RF 2x are for press, nature and sport photographers looking to capture subjects at great distance. Reliable and durable, these extenders match the performance of Canon’s RF lenses and, when used with compatible lenses, deliver images of uncompromised quality.

Both extenders use the advanced high-refraction, low-dispersion glass to control curvature of field and chromatic aberration of magnification for the highest possible image quality. They also feature an optimised lens coating and a three-layer combined lens to reduce ghosting. Further enabling superior optical excellence, the extenders boast a heat shield coating to prevent performance deterioration in high temperatures and offer weather sealing when used with a compatible L-series RF lens. In addition to this, when used with the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM, zoom range is limited to 300 to 500mm when the extender is connected to prevent the lens’s rear elements from hitting those of the extender.

RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Key Features:
 • 100-500mm zoom range
 • One Super UD lens and six UD lenses
 • 5-stops IS (CIPA standard)
 • Dual Nano USM
 • Assignable Len Control Ring
 • L-series weather sealing
 • Compatible with EXTENDER RF 1.4x / EXTENDER RF 2x (usable focal lengths, from 300mm to 500mm)

For more information on the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM, visit https://www.canon.co.nz/camera-lenses/rf-100-500mm-f4-5-7-1-l-is-usm.

RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM Key Features:
• 600mm (RF 600mm f/11 IS STM) and 800mm (RF 800mm f/11 IS STM) focal length
• Image Stabilization (IS) up to (RF 600mm f/11 IS STM: 5-stops, RF 800mm f/11 IS STM: 4-stops)
• STM Autofocus Technology
• Lightweight (RF 600mm f/11 IS STM: approx. 930g and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM: approx. 1,260g)
• Compact - equipped with barrel structure that extends in use and retracts when stored
• Lens Control Ring – giving direct control over Tv/Exposure compensation/ISO settings
• f/11 aperture lens with IS with full AF when paired with a Canon EOS R camera

For more information on the RF 600mm f/11 IS STM, visit https://www.canon.co.nz/camera-lenses/rf-600mm-f11-is-stm. For more information on the RF 800mm f/11 IS STM, visit https://www.canon.co.nz/camera-lenses/rf-800mm-f11-is-stm.

RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM Key Features:
 • 85mm focal length
 • f/2 maximum aperture
 • Lightweight at 500g
 • STM Autofocus technology
 • Up to 5-stops IS (CIPA standard)
 • 1:2 macro capabilities

For more information on the RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM, visit https://www.canon.co.nz/camera-lenses/rf-85mm-f-2-macro-is-stm.

EXTENDER RF 1.4x and EXTENDER RF 2x Key Features:
 • Advanced high-refraction low-dispersion glass
 • Lens coatings and a three-layer combined lens to reduce ghosting
 • Heat shield coating
 • Vibrational shock resistance, dust and water resistance

For more information on the EXTENDER RF 1.4x, visit https://www.canon.co.nz/camera-lenses/rf-extender-1-4x. For more information on the EXTENDER RF 2x, visit https://www.canon.co.nz/camera-lenses/rf-extender-2x.

The lenses will be available from the CanonShopand authorised local dealers from August 2020. Pricing will be set at dealer discretion. Each Canon RF lens is supported by Canon New Zealand’s 5-year warranty when purchased from an authorised local dealerxiv.

For more information on the EOS R5, EOS R6 and Canon’s new imagePROGRAF PRO-300 A3+ printer announcements, please visit the Canon News site here: https://www.canon.co.nz/about-canon/news-and-press-releases.


i Among interchangeable autofocus lenses including a focal length of 600mm for interchangeable cameras. As of June, 2020. Based on Canon research

ii Among interchangeable autofocus lenses including a focal length of 800mm for interchangeable cameras. As of June, 2020. Based on Canon research.

iii When using this lens with or without the extenders, the camera's AF area is reduced to approximately 40% horizontal and 60% vertical coverage of the image area

iv World’s best image stabilization 8.0 stops. Among all interchangeable lens digital cameras. As of 9th July 2020 (based on Canon research). Based on the CIPA standard, 8.0 stops with RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM at a focal distance of 105mm. The RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM has Coordinated IS and most IS performance. *Depending on the time of purchase, the lens firmware needs to be updated. *The Canon EOS R5’s IS performance is the same as that of the Canon EOS R6.

v Benefitting from the EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras’ combined optical and IS systems

vi 840mm (RF 600mm f/11 IS STM + EXTENDER RF 1.4x), 1200mm (RF 600mm f/11 IS STM + EXTENDER RF 2x), 1120mm (RF 800mm f/11 IS STM + EXTENDER RF 1.4x) and 1600mm (RF 800mm f/11 IS STM + EXTENDER RF 2x)

vii RF 600mm f/11 IS STM: 5.0 stops, RF 800mm f/11 IS STM: 4.0 stops

viii Cameras include EOS R5, EOS R6, EOS Ra, EOS R, and EOS RP. Visit the Canon website for more information on the R-Series cameras.

ixRF 600mm f/11 IS STM: approx. 930g, RF 800mm f/11 IS STM: approx. 1,260g

xWhen contracted RF 600mm f/11 IS STM: approx. 199.5mm, RF 800mm f/11 IS STM: approx. 281.8 mm

xiAF operation with EOS R5 and EOS R6 only

xiiThe RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM is approx. 500g X AF operation with EOS R5 and EOS R6 only

xiiiWorld’s best image stabilization 8.0 stops. Among all interchangeable lens digital cameras. As of 9th July 2020 (based on Canon research). Based on the CIPA standard, 8.0 stops with RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM at a focal distance of 105mm. The RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM has Coordinated IS and most IS performance. *Depending on the time of purchase, the lens firmware needs to be updated. *The Canon EOS R5’s IS performance is the same as that of the Canon EOS R6.

xivApplies to purchases made on or after 25th November 2019 in New Zealand from Canon New Zealand Ltd or authorised distributors, dealers or retailers.

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