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A very mixed experience with the RF 70-200 f2.8

Started Feb 2, 2020 | Discussions thread
ZX11
ZX11 Veteran Member • Posts: 6,156
Re: A very mixed experience with the RF 70-200 f2.8

JE River wrote:

I wonder if Canon forced themselves to put a longer throw into the zoom ring because of the telescoping design. The seals and support structure for zooming that large chunk of glass and barrel probably need a lot more torque to zoom than the more traditional single barrel 70-200 lenses. Thus, the zoom ring seems geared to sacrifice throw distance for mechanical advantage.

I would assume, if the new RF 70-200 is up to the same build quality standards needed in other 70-200 lenses, the extending barrel had to be overbuilt like crazy to gain the same strength and coaxial alignment found on the single barrel lenses. Then they likely tossed in some thick and tight dust and moisture seals to keep the lens from gunking up.

It wouldn't surprise me if Canon came out with another 70-200 f2.8 RF lens using a single barrel design if there are enough customers who want ultimate usability and don't care if it doesn't collapse smaller.

I like the idea of the RF extending zoom design being the next big thing, then the internal zoom design in a few years being the next big thing, then in a few more years an external zoom design being the next big thing, and so on.

Photographers dumping their obsolete zoom design to buy the new cutting edge design,...a real world comedy sketch.

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 ZX11's gear list:ZX11's gear list
Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon 70-200 F2.8L III Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM
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