CANON RF TELEPHOTO AND PORTRAIT LENSES

Canon RF telephoto and portrait lenses

Today Canon announces its biggest update to the mirrorless EOS R system to date. Alongside two new full-frame bodies Canon has launched four new RF mount lenses, and two teleconverters. The Canon RF lens count is now 15 strong.

Read our close up article on the RF lenses vs EF lenses to discover the benefits of the RF system.

To speak to our sales team about how the lenses can work for you, or to put your name on our order list, call us on 0207 582 3294 or email sales@fixationuk.com

The Lenses released are:

RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM

Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro STM lens
RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM is perfect for portraiture, and features a wide F2 aperture for smooth backgrounds. There are wider f-stop 85mm lenses out there but the f2 is more lightweight and compact, only 500g and 78 x 90.5cm.
Beyond portraiture, the RF 85mm f2 has a close focus distance for capturing macro details and it also has in-lens image stabilisation.

Perfect for Portraits

85mm is a flattering focal length for portraits. You can shoot full-length and headshots from a comfortable distance, and your portraits will benefit from smooth background blur from the rounded 9-blade aperture that opens to f/2. The rounded aperture will make your subject stand out sharp against a smoother background.

Image Stabilisation

Canon has an IS system with a strong reputation. RF 85mm f2 macro IS STM offers 5 stops of compensation powered by the high speed communication between EOS R bodies and RF lenses, one of the key benefits of the R system. You will be able to choose longer exposures without motion blur affecting your final image.

0.5x Macro for stunning detail

Shoot clear close-ups with the close focusing distance of 35cm. Wedding photographers capturing a perfect glass of bubbly, diamond rings, flowers and fabrics. The sharpness of macro images is enhanced by the lens aperture closing to f/29. This increases the depth of field for edge to edge sharpness when shooting macro subjects. The maximum magnification is 0.5x

Lens control ring

The Canon RF 85mm f2 Macro IS STM lens has a lens control ring which allows direct control over Shutter speed, Aperture or ISO settings for quick changes without moving your hand from the lens.

RF 85mm f2 IS STM launch price £649
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call our sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

[gdlr_divider type=”thick” ]

RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM

Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM is the ultimate in flexible super-telephoto photography. It has the power to capture sport, wildlife and news images of the highest quality. The lens will go even further with the new 1.4x and 2.0x extenders released today as well. Ideal for a compact travel telephoto kit.

Image Stabilisation: A new benchmark

The five stop IS system helps ensure you create crisp images throughout the zoom range, to the full extension of 500mm. When combined with the EOS R5 and EOS R6 bodies with new IBIS systems, greater levels of stability are possible. Canon have stated that this lens surpasses the best technology in the EF (DSLR) lens range. We are excited to see this in action at Fixation as Canon IS lenses have long been known for their excellent image stabilisation system, used by stills photographers and videographers alike.

L-Series

Canon L-series lenses are built to the highest quality for professional use. Beyond the build the optical elements are made of the best possible materials including six UD (ultra-low dispersion) elements, one Super UD lens, and ASC (Air Sphere) optical coatings for unrivalled contrast and sharpness. The lens has dust and water seals, plus a heat shield coating to make it more durable in extreme conditions.

Dual Nano USM Focus Motor

The Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM lens has two focus motors. One drives the main focus mechanism and the second operates the floating elements which can move counter to the main focusing movement. Floating lens groups correct aberrations and allow for more compact optical designs. The dual motor system allows high speed focus, improved close focus and a relatively compact construction. The Nano USM motors are very precise for excellent locking and tracking focus for stills and video.

RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM launch price £2899
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call the Fixation sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

[gdlr_divider type=”thick” ]

RF 600mm f11 IS STM

Canon EF 600mm f11 IS STM lens shown fully extended and compact
The RF 600mm f11 IS STM lens is part of an interesting new range from Canon within the RF lineup. The 600mm and the 800mm announced today are super-telephoto prime lenses based on DO (Diffractive Optic) lens technology making compact and lightweight lenses that fill the frame with distant subjects.

Diffractive Optics

DO lenses use a fine fresnel lens developed by Canon. Through the use of DO elements Canon can create compact, lightweight lenses with controlled chromatic aberration. At only 930g this lens is a powerful and easily portable telephoto solution. Don’t worry about upgrading your kit bag for a longer lens, the RF 600mm f11 IS STM contracts when not in use to a portable 20cm.

Lens control ring

The Canon RF 600mm f11 STM lens has a control ring for intuitive adjustment of Shutter speed or ISO, without taking your hand from the lens.

A super telephoto lens for all

The very competitive price of this lens makes super-telephoto optics accessible to all photographers who need extra reach.

RF 600mm f11 IS STM launch price £749
The lens hood ET-88B (not included) is £58
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call our sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

[gdlr_divider type=”thick” ]

RF 800mm f11 IS STM

Canon RF 800mm f11 IS STM lens shown fully extended and compact
The RF 800mm f11 IS STM is in the same range as the RF 600mm f11 IS lens which was also announced today. Both lenses are incredibly lightweight, compact and affordable.

Image Stabilisation

Record rock-steady stills and video with a 4-stop IS system. The excellent image stabilisation, combined with a light weight of only 1260g, makes hand-held shooting possible.

Quiet STM motor

The STM motor in the RF 800mm f11 IS STM is smooth and quiet so it will not interfere with video recording, ideal for tracking focus while recording video footage of distant wildlife, birds or for aviation photography.

Extreme compact telephoto

When not in use the lens contracts to 281.8mm in length and weighs only 1260g. 800mm is an extremely long lens capable of filling a full frame sensor with distant subjects for safari, aircraft and travel images that benefit from the compression a telephoto lens offers.

RF 800mm f11 IS STM launch price £979
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call us on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

[gdlr_divider type=”thick” ]

Extender RF 1.4x

Canon Extender RF 1.4x teleconverter
Teleconverters or extenders increase the focal length of lenses. These special optics sit between the body and lens and bridge all communications so that focus and IS systems can operate unhindered.

Extend your vision

The Canon Extender RF 1.4x boosts the focal length of compatible lenses by 1.4x for additional reach. These accessories are a lightweight addition to a photography kit bag that breathes new possibility into capturing distant subjects.

Made for RF lenses

The Extender RF 1.4x is compatible with the RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM with a mechanism to limit the zoom range to 300-500mm so the optics do not come into contact at the shorter end of the zoom. The 100-500mm is then boosted to 420-600mm. Fixed focal length lenses the 600mm and 800mm reach to 840mm and 1120mm focal lengths respectively.

Extender RF 1.4x launch price £559
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call our sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

[gdlr_divider type=”thick” ]

Extender RF 2x

Canon Extender RF 2x teleconverter
Double the focal length of your telephoto lens with a 2x teleconverter or extender. The Canon Extender RF 2x is made for RF telephoto lenses, to extend your range of options and offer maximum reach.

RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L compatible

The Extender RF 2x safely limits the RF 100-500mm zoom range to 300-500mm to ensure the optics do not clash. The lens is then boosted to a 600-1000mm zoom range.

RF 800mm f11 IS STM Compatible

Boost the focal length of the new RF 800mm lens 2x to create a 1600mm f22

RF 600mm f11 IS STM Compatible

Turn the 600mm f11 into an 1200mm f22mm

Extender RF 1.4x launch price £699
For expert advice on the full Canon range, or to place an order call the Fixation sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

WHY I USE CANON FLAGSHIP CAMERAS | MARK WEEKS

Why I use Canon flagship cameras | Mark Weeks

Fast, expensive and heavy. Flagship camera bodies launch into the world on a bow-wave of macho fanfare as every photography store and tech blog (Fixation included) shouts “Have you heard the new Spec?!” Promises that you will capture the action are rouseing but, in the interest of balance, we asked some Fixation customers why they choose flagship camera bodies for a wider range of subjects.

Recently we featured music and food photographer Justine Trickett on Nikon, and live theatre & performance photographer Johan Persson on using Sony.
This time corporate and hospitality photographer Mark Weeks explains how the 1D series from Canon has been the cornerstone of his business since 2005.

Hilton Mauritius by Mark Weeks

The Canon 1D series has been part of my arsenal since the very early days of my business. When I finished photo school in 2005 I knew that to compete at the top level, I’d need a top-level camera. As I had always shot with Canon, but which body and lenses to get were a bit of a minefield. As I was fresh out of school, I asked existing pros what they were using. The consensus was the 1DS series, and most had the 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses.

Doing the research was the easy part. Buying it was a bit more of a stretch. The cost for a newly graduated student was quite steep, but I figured it was a solid investment in my business. At the time I had a landlord who was a filmmaker—he advised me to buy the best I can afford (or thereabouts) and go from there. If you’ve got the gear, you’ve got one step ahead of the competition. Around that time a friend who is a fashion photographer pulled me in to look at two prints: one shot from a 1DS and the other made with a 5D. She asked me which was which. While they were fairly close, I was able to discern a marginally better quality from one of the shots—which ended up being the 1DS shot. Whew! It was enough of a difference to convince me I’d made the right decision.

After seven years with that camera body, I moved onto the 1DX. I bought two bodies and kept the old lenses. The new camera brought some really good new features, and the quality was better than the 1DS (as it should have been!). I’d taken on a few video commissions and we did a test of the video on the 1DX and the 5D. The 1DX won hands down. Once again, I knew I’d made the right decision, as image quality for me is paramount.

I work mainly with large international businesses and hotel groups. My clients demand the best, and as I have chosen to go after this market, I need to do everything I can to ensure I deliver accordingly. The value of having the 1D series is the confidence that I have the best that Canon has to offer. I keep my gear in good knick and expect it to last a long time. While I have the confidence in the system I have, it is not without its own set of issues. Soft focus when shooting at f2.8-3.5 still gets to me. The camera says it’s focused on the eyes, but in reality it’s focused on the lapel…and of course the weight. The camera is heavy. I find a monopod most useful as the day bangs on (my own walking stick of sorts), but it works for me. The price is not for the faint of heart, but it’s well worth it. I’m planning to move onto the latest and greatest this year, the EOS 1DX mark III, and have full faith that it will serve me well for another chunk of my career.

Cabo Verde by Mark Weeks

Mark Weeks produces photography and video for international businesses and hotel groups. See more of his work at markweeks.com
Canon released its new flagship DSLR camera body the EOS 1DX mark III in January.

FUJIFILM X-T4 MIRRORLESS DIGITAL CAMERA

Fujifilm X-T4 mirrorless digital camera

The Fujifilm X-T4 is a compact mirrorless camera body with a 26.1 megapixel, APS-C sensor. New materials and new technology are employed to make the X-T4 an amazing camera with in body image stabilisation and longer battery life.

Fujifilm state that the X-T4 is the pinnacle of the X series. The 26.1 megapixel APS-C sensor will reproduce excellent details while maintaining high continuous shooting speeds and high definition 4K video recording. The Fujifilm X-T4 has launched at £1,549 in black or silver. See it for yourself in our showroom on Friday. For more information or to place an order call the sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

New developments in detail:

New developments have been made to the: Shutter unit, AF Algorithm, image stabilisation (new to the X-T series), film simulation modes, camera battery.

IBIS – In Body Image Stabilisation

Highly anticipated, an IBIS system has been on the Fujifilm photographers’ wish list for a long time. The Fujifilm X-H1 had the first version of the technology for Fujifilm, but it required a larger chassis. The X-T4 is the first X-T series body to feature the technology and the newly designed sensor stabilisation is 8x more sensitive, 30% smaller and 20% lighter than the unit found in the X-H1.

The world’s fastest shutter

The new shutter in the Fujifilm X-T4 can shoot up to 15 frames per second, faster at the time of writing, than any other mirrorless APS-C or larger-sensor mirrorless camera. In normal use, when shooting with live-view, the fastest speed is 8 frames per second. The shutter’s shock-absorbing structure has been re-designed to aid the IBIS system’s stabilisation. The new shutter is 30% quieter than the X-T3, and it is more durable. The X-T4 shutter is rated up to 300,000 actuations.

AF Algorithm

Tracking AF has been dramatically enhanced with double the AF tracking success rate of the X-T3. The Face / Eye AF performance has also been improved in the X-T4. This enhanced tracking makes focussing and shooting portraits easier than ever before.

ETERNA bleach bypass

This new film simulation mode emulates an alternative colour film processing technique. The result is low saturation and high contrast images straight from the camera. The technique it is based on skips a bleaching stage in traditional colour film processing which would removes the silver (black and white) particles in the film adding more grain. Fujifilm digital cameras feature a wide range of film simulation options.

Battery Life

The FujiFilm X-T4 uses a new battery, the NP-W235 has 1.5x the capacity of the NP-W126s, which powered the X-T3. In Fujifilm tests the new battery will power the X-T4 for 500 frames per charge. The optional VG-XT4 battery-grip holds two additional batteries. This can increase the battery live to 1,700 frames.

For more information, to request a quote or to place an order call the sales team on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

NEW SONY FE 20MM F1.8 G

New Sony FE 20mm f1.8 G

Sony has launched a new, small and lightweight, wide-angle prime lens. The Sony FE 20mm f1.8 G brings the total count of full-frame prime lenses from Sony up to 16 and this new release is the widest lens in the range.

The new Sony lens has a very wide angle of view , ideal for dramatic cityscapes. The lens also has a close minimum focus distance (19cm) which makes this lens ideal for remote wildlife photography and video. The extreme wide angle and light weight (only 373g) of this lens also makes it a great addition for travel and astro-photography.

The lens is available for pre-order. Call the sales team for more information on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

WHY I USE SONY FLAGSHIP CAMERAS | JOHAN PERSSON

Why I use Sony flagship cameras | Johan Persson

Flagship cameras are all about performance, they do their job and they do it well. Flagship bodies come out ahead of big sporting events. This year, with UEFA Euro 2020 and the Summer Olympics in Japan, we have seen the launch of new bodies from Canon, Nikon and Sony. However capturing sport is only one application for these incredibly versatile cameras.

Fixation is lucky enough to work with photographers in all genres. We invited some of our customers to talk about why they choose flagship camera bodies for a wide range of subjects.
Last week we featured music and food photographer Justine Trickett on Nikon. This week we have turned to Sony and invited live theatre and performance photographer Johan Persson to write about using the Sony A9 series.

THE VISIT by Kushner, , Original Play – Friedrich Dürrenmatt, The National Theatre, Olivier Theatre, 2020, Credit: Johan Persson/

Professionally I shoot a lot of live performances for theatre, opera and dance. Having the latest and best equipment is imperative for getting the best results in what is often challenging lighting and shooting scenarios. I initially chose to go with Sony because of it’s ability to shoot silently, which in my field of photography is incredibly beneficial.

Having said that, stage lighting is occasionally a challenge for mirrorless cameras causing banding in some cases. The sensor technology in flagship A9 mark 2 is the only one of it’s kind. It is the best for handling banding and now with the dual UHS-II compatible SD card slots, 10 frames a second mechanical shutter, amazing ISO and auto focus capabilities, I feel secure in knowing that I can get good results in any situation I’m faced with.

The Sony A9 mark 2 is the camera of choice for me.

The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare, Director – Maria Gaitanidi, Designer – Liam Bunster, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, The Globe Theatre, 2020, Credit: Johan Persson/

Johan Persson is a photographer specialising in portraiture and promotional and production photography for live theatre. See more of his work at perssonphotography.com

Hi, how can we help?