Canon Introduces 800mm & 1200mm Super Tele Primes

Canon has announced two new super telephoto primes ideal for wildlife and sports photographers, the RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM and RF1200mm F8 L IS USM. The latter is the longest lens yet for Canon’s EOS R mirrorless system, and both lenses are compatible with Canon’s RF1.4x and RF2x extenders for extreme telephoto reach up to an incredible 2400mm with the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM and RF2x.

The RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM has a minimum focusing distance of 8.53 feet. Built-in image stabilization provides up to 4.5 stops of correction. The lens is 6.4 inches in diameter, 17 inches in length and weighs 6.9 pounds.

Slightly heavier at 7.4 pounds—but remarkably light for a lens of this focal length—the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM has a minimum focusing distance of 14.1 feet and includes optical image stabilization capable of up to 4 stops of correction. The lens is 6.6 inches in diameter and just over 21 inches in length.

Both lenses feature two customizable focus presets that allow you to immediately switch between the preset distances with quick turn of the Playback Ring on the lens barrel. Full-time manual focusing is available, and the lenses support One Shot AF and Servo AF modes with compatible EOS R cameras. You can also limit the focus distance with a 3-mode switch.

The RF800mm F5.6 L IS USM is priced at $16,999 and the RF1200mm F8 L IS USM is priced at $19,999. Availability is expected in late May.

Wildlife photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Charles Glatzer produced this video about his experience with the RF800mm to give you an idea of how it performs in the field.