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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

FLAGSHIP CAMERAS COMPARED FROM CANON, NIKON AND SONY image

Flagship Cameras Compared from Canon, Nikon and Sony

When Nikon announced their flagship DSLR the Nikon D6 following the Canon EOS 1DX mark III and the Sony A9 II, the “big three” camera manufacturers had each released a flagship full-frame camera body in the space of six months. In this article we compare the main specifications of all three bodies.

The Nikon D6, Sony A9 II and EOS 1Dx mark III compared

We have not yet had our hands on a Nikon D6 so cannot do a working comparison of the cameras. However, now the specifications are released, we can put the stats of each camera side by side. There are some similarities as the manufacturers compete for the same audience: The cameras all feature built in wifi connectivity as well as Ethernet ports for Wired LAN connections. The resolution is low across all bodies, they are made for fast and high quality image recording, and fast transmission which a low file-size helps with. Mirrorless technology is the main differentiation in the bodies with those brands adopting newer technologies achieving higher burst rates for continuous shooting – significant for sport photography in particular.

Full write ups on the cameras are on our blog for further reading:
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/nikon-launches-the-d6/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#FFE100″ color=”#000000″]Nikon D6: Feb 12th 2020[/gdlr_button]
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/canon-launches-the-eos-1dx-mark-iii/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#BF1920″ color=”#ffffff”]Canon EOS 1DX mark III: Jan 7th 2020[/gdlr_button]
[gdlr_button href=”https://www.fixationuk.com/sony-a9-mark-ii/” target=”_self” size=”medium” background=”#FFA500″ color=”#000000″]Sony A9 II : Oct 3rd 2019[/gdlr_button]

 

Nikon D6Sony A9 IICanon EOS 1DX mark III
Camera TypeDSLRMirrorlessDSLR
Launch Price£6,299£4,799£6,499
Sensor SizeFull FrameFull FrameFull Frame
Resolution
(Megapixels)
20.824.220.1
Video (Max)4K UHD 30p
3840×2160
XAVC S 4K 30p
3840×2160
4K Raw 59.94fps
5496×2904
ISO Range100 – 102,400100 – 5,1200100 – 102,400
Extended ISO50 – 3,280,00050 – 204,80050 – 819,200
AF Points105693191
Shooting Rate14fps20fps16fps
Memory CardsDual XQD / CFexpressDual SD UHS-IIDual CFexpress
Lens MountNikon FSony-ECanon EF
USB PortUSB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type C)
HDMI PortMini HDMIMicro HDMIMini HDMI
LAN Terminal1000BASE-T Ethernet1000BASE-T Ethernet1000BASE-T Ethernet
Wireless LAN built-inYesYesYes
Weight (g)12706781440
Size WxHxD mm160 x 163 x 92129 x 96 x 76158 x 168 x 83
Battery life (CIPA rating)35806902850
CANON EOS 1DX MARK III

Canon EOS 1DX mark III

Canon’s new full-frame flagship DSLR was launched in January 2020. This professional body is tough and designed for working at high speed, check out the full details below.

[gdlr_stunning_text background_color=”#f3f3f3″ button=”Contact us” button_link=”/contact-us/” button_background=”#009bc1″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_border_color=”#009bc1″ title=”Trade in Bonus £300″ title_color=”#009bc1″ caption_color=”#a0a0a0″]Save on a new Canon EOS 1DX mark III when you trade-in any working interchangeable lens camera. Canon are offering a £300 trade-in bonus on top of the value of your traded in kit.
Contact our sales team for a free quote. Offer ends 14/07/2021
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The EOS 1DX mark III features technologies adopted from recent mirrorless releases, while it keeps the familiar form of a full-frame DSLR. Designed for professional photographers the EOS 1DX series have been the standard body for professional sports, wildlife and press photographers working across the world. The EOS 1DX mark III will help you push the boundaries of speed and low light in your photography.

The Canon EOS 1DX mark III is £6499 including VAT, initial deliveries scheduled early March. To place an order call us on 0207 582 3294 email our sales team on sales@fixationuk.com

Key technologies:

The EOS 1DX mark III will showcase the greatest technical developments from Canon to date. We set out the key features and comparisons to the 1DX mark II below.

Data transfer

Canon’s EOS 1DX series camera bodies are in the hands of sports photographers every day in stadia around the world. To compete in today’s digital imaging market, images from major events have to be sent to picture desks as quickly as possible to beat the competition. The 1DX mark III makes image transfer easy: The body can send images direct via the ethernet port at twice the speed of the EOS 1DX mark II using FTP transfer from camera. The EOS 1DX mark III has a built-in wifi transmitter for file transfer to local devices – ideal for news-gathering on the move and shooting for social. The new WFT-E9 wireless file transmitter boosts the wifi speed to double that of the EOS 1DX mark II. Canon states that the network setup has been simplified to enhance the professional workflow.

Autofocus

The EOS 1DX mark III autofocus system has been enhanced with a deep learning auto-focus algorithm trained on real-world examples of sport photography. The AF system can track athletes’ faces, even when obscured by masks and googles. The AF system can also identify when a subject is upside down, such as in diving competitions and extreme sports, to better maintain sharp tracking auto focus. The camera features phase detection pixels on the imaging sensor – a major technology from the world of mirrorless cameras – this allows the camera to track focus while shooting at continuous 20fps

AF Smart Controller

The AF-on button has been combined with the AF control joystick in both vertical and horizontal orientations, so you can move and activate your AF points from a single button. The “smart controller” uses a sensor instead of a moving joystick, making it more durable and enabling it’s operation even when wearing gloves. The camera automatically disables the vertical smart controller when in landscape orientation to reduce the risk of accidentally moving the AF point.

CF Express Cards

Another new card type. In fact, CFexpress is a new version of the XQD cards found in Nikon cameras since the Nikon D4. This does mean that existing CFast cards and Compact Flash cards are not compatible with the EOS 1DX mark III, but CFexpress cards are faster, allowing for 20fps rates without buffering, and 4K video recording. Canon are giving a free CFexpress card and reader with pre-orders while stocks last. Ask our sales team for more info.

Specification comparison:

Canon EOS 1DX mark III
vs Canon EOS 1DX mark II

To download the full specification PDF click here.

Basics:
Sensor: 20.1 megapixel vs 20.2 megapixel
ISO: 100-102,400 vs 100-51,200
Continuous Shooting Viewfinder: 16fps vs 14fps
Continuous Shooting LiveView: 20fps with AF vs 16fps no AF
Shutter Life*: 500,000 vs 400,000 actuations
Weight: 1.44kg vs 1.53kg
Battery Life: 2850 vs 1210

Focus:
AF Points Viewfinder: 191 vs 61
AF Points Live View: 3869 vs 0
Lowest EV for AF: -4 vs -3
Lowest EV for Live View AF: -6 vs N/A

Connectivity:
Memory Cards: 2x CFexpress vs 1x CFast 1x CompactFlash
WiFi Transmission: Built in WiFi and Bluetooth with WFT-E9 optional vs Wifi via afaptoe WFT-E8 only
Ethernet: Hi-Speed Gigabyte Ethernet vs Gigabye Ethernet
USB: 3.1 Gen2 with Type-C port vs USB 3.0
GPS: yes, built in vs yes, built in

Movie & Video:
4k & more Res: 5.5K Raw(60P), 4K DCI (60P), 4k UHD(60P) vs 4K video (60P)
HD Video: Full HD (120P) vs Full HD (120P)
Movie Crop: Full Width DCI, 1.3x Crop vs 1.3x crop
RAW recording: Yes vs No

To place an order call us on 0207 582 3294 email our sales team on sales@fixationuk.com

*Shutter ratings are only guaranteed within the 1st year of use

Vlogging Guide | Canon EOS 90D

Vlogging Guide | Canon

Thinking of starting a YouTube channel, or sharing videos of your exploits on Facebook, Instagram or another social media platform? Then you’ll want to pick up one of the best cameras for vloggers.

Canon EOS 90D

Welcome to the latest instalment of our kit for vlogging series, where we take a look at some of the best cameras out there for vlogging and other similar video applications.

Today we’re taking a look at a very recent DSLR – the Canon EOS 90D. This APS-C DSLR was announced in August of 2019, sitting firmly in the mid-range of Canon’s line-up with a pleasing balance of price and performance. Refreshing and updating the popular EOS 80D, the Canon EOS 90D is built around a 32.5MP CMOS sensor that’s APS-C sized. So why is it so great for vlogging – and why should you care?

Whether you’ve already started a vlogging journey or are casually interested in trying it out, there’s a lot to be said for it. Vlogging is a great way to add a string to your professional bhow, or to just have fun in a slightly different medium. Whether you want to document your travels, show off your rigs or find a new outlet for your creativity, vlogging has lots to recommend it, and given that so many stills cameras like the EOS 90D are so well-optimised for video, it also doesn’t require you to invest in a lot of new, specialised equipment.

Previously in this series we’ve covered the Nikon D7500, the Fujifilm X-T2 and the Sony A6500, all of which are amazing cameras and superb vlogging tools. So what makes the Canon EOS 90D worth your time for vlogging?

Let’s dig into its feature-set and find out for ourselves…

Why the Canon EOS 90D is a great choice for vloggers

Canon has received some stick from videographers in the past for the vicious crop modes afflicting its cameras’ 4K video capabilities, using only a portion of the sensor to deliver 4K video. Not so with the EOS 90D, which shoots uncropped 4K using the full width of its sensor. When you combine this with Canon’s sophisticated Dual Pixel AF autofocus system, you have a seriously capable 4K video setup for a pretty amazing price.

The Dual Pixel AF acquits itself really well in video, with points covering nearly 100% of the vertical frame and 88% of the horizontal and giving you more than 5,000 points to choose from. The “sticky” video autofocus can also make use of face-detection and eye-detection, which is especially handy for vlogging when the subject you’ll most often be shooting will likely be… yourself. Rolling shutter effect is nicely controlled for, and if you don’t want to shoot in 4K, the 1080p capture looks great as well. The camera also gains some useful videography features like focus peaking, though is missing the flat Log gamma profile. It’s not quite a professional video tool, but for vlogging, it’ll more than get the job done

This is borne out by the ergonomics, a lot of which are eminently vlogger-friendly. The touchscreen is a fully articulating model, allowing you to turn it around to face yourself and compose your self-shots with ease. The EOS 90D also includes a headphone port and a microphone port – mandatory on any camera aspiring to be taken seriously as a vlogging tool, as being able to record high-quality sound (and monitor it) is critical for creating video with a professional feel. It’s not too heavy for a DSLR, weighing in at about 700g body-only. This is acceptable for hand-held shooting, though you probably wouldn’t want to be lifting it all day.

The EOS 90D isn’t an entirely perfect choice. The lack of in-body Image Stabilisation necessitates either buying a stabilising rig (bumping up your costs) or relying on digital stabilisation (and cropping your footage). However, for its price it’s a fantastic tool and can absolutely be relied upon to get the job done in an exemplary fashion.

An ideal vlogging setup with the Canon EOS 90D

Fancy trying out some vlogging with the Canon EOS 90D? It’s worth investing a little time (and, yes, cash) into crafting the perfect setup that will help you to get the most out of this capable camera. We’ve put together a list to help you get started, including the various accessories we reckon will make your vlogging run much more smoothly and lead to professional results.

Here’s what we think you’ll need:

– A good-quality APS-C lens. As the Canon EOS 90D has a smaller sensor, some lenses will behave differently than they would on a full-frame DSLR, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before you buy. We’d recommend picking up a good standard zoom for APS-C – something like the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM should cover you for most eventualities.

– A high-quality microphone. We recommend this in all our vlogging blogs – the EOS 90D has a mic port, so take advantage of it! The RØDE VideoMic is an excellent choice at a solid price.

– A stabilising gimbal. The EOS 90D lack in-body stabilisation, as mentioned, so we’d recommend giving it a little help with a gimbal. Some like the Zhiyun Crane Plus is a good choice – this stabilising gimbal can hold up to 2.5kg of kit, so is easily strong enough for the EOS 90D and a lens.

– A fast, high-capacity memory card. The EOS 90D only has one card slot, so make the most of it. We recommend the SanDisk Extreme Pro range, and getting as high-capacity a card as you can afford.

– A strong tripod. Manfrotto’s 500 video tripod system will serve you well and provide a stable shooting platform in all situations.

Monitoring headphones. Again, it’s got the port, so use it!

– A videolight. Take a look at the Rotolight Neo range for some of the best video lights in the business.

Thank you for reading! Let us know if you have any questions about the EOS 90D or vlogging in general, and we’ll see you next time!

New Canon RF lenses announced images

New Canon RF lenses announced

Canon adds two new, wide-aperture, professional, zoom lenses to its mirrorless RF mount lens lineup

New Canon lenses for the EOS R

Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM

Pictured on the left, the 24-70mm f2.8 is a workhorse lens for professional photographers. This focal length range easily covers most working situations, from portraits to general views, without having to pause to swap lenses. Precision engineered to give superb image quality from edge to edge; when shooting wide open, your portraits and wide shots will benefit from a shallow depth of field and incredibly accurate focusing. The built-in image stabiliser works with the EOS R DIGIC processor to deliver five stops of stabilisation when working in challenging conditions. The lens also benefits from L-Series weather sealing.

L series weather sealing
L-Series weather sealing on the RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM

Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8L IS USM

Pictured on the right, the 15-35mm f2.8 is only slightly larger than the 24-70mm. The extreme wide angle will benefit photographers shooting interiors and architecture. It also offers an extreme perspective for anyone working at close quarters to their subjects. With the silent shooting capabilities of the Canon mirrorless cameras, the 15-35mm could become the lens of choice for wildlife photographers using remote camera setups. The RF 15-35mm f2.8L IS has a built in image stabiliser and L-Series weather sealing.

L series weather sealing
Image Stabilisation on the new RF lenses works with the EOS R DIGIC processor

Why choose RF lenses?

The EOS R system can be used with a range of adaptors to allow the use of the extensive range of EF lenses, a range that has made Canon one of the industry leaders. However many photographers prefer to use native lenses with a dedicated design to work with the camera body. The EOS R mirrorless system features a shallower body and a new lens mount. This new mount has opened the door to new lens technologies, however the EOS R launched with a limited number of native lenses available. We explored the benefits of the new mount and native lenses earlier in the year: Why use RF Lenses?

The RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM is £2329.00 including VAT at release.
The RF 15-35mm f2.8L IS USM is £2329.00 including VAT at release.

For the latest prices, to order either lens, or for more information from our expert sales team call us on 0207 582 3294 or email us at sales@fixationuk.com

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