Canon Cinema EOS 50-1000mm telephoto servo zoom lens announced

[Chris Hurd]

Canon UK announced a new Cinema EOS telephoto servo zoom today -- it's a 20x 50mm, that's right, 1000mm at the telephoto end. Press release, photos at Canon announces Cinema EOS CN20x 50 IAS H E1/P1

[James Manford]

That should be great for wildlife use.

[Chris Hurd]

And it has a built-in 1.5x extender for a max. focal length of 1500mm... needless to say, it won't be cheap.

[Mark Watson]

Originally Posted by James Manford

That should be great for wildlife use.

Geez, no kidding. I know what happens when I put the 100-400mm "dust pump" on my XL-H1A, with it's inherent 7.2X crop factor and then add in a 1.4X Extender. (tends to freak out the women lounging around the swimming pool) I can't even imagine the magnification I'd get with this 1000mm lens. Yeah, probably doesn't matter either for what it will cost. $18,000 my guess.

Mark

Edit: Okay, now that I've seen it. Change my guess to $30,000.

[Jon Fairhurst]

This lens looks to fill a void in 4K sports production. I wonder if they'll make a box-style, broadcast lens from these components.

For now, if you want an S35 image circle and long throw, you need a 2/3" sports lens with S35 optical adapter. This lens removes the loss from the adapter optics and might just deliver 4K resolution to the sensor.

Another hurdle on the path to 4K broadcast has been cleared.

[Mark OConnell]

"The new Canon CINE-SERVO 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 Ultra-telephoto Zoom lens is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2015 for a suggested list price of $78,000. "

[Chris Hurd]

I have received the Canon USA version of this press release, and it has much more info than the earlier version (including pricing and availability), so I've updated that page accordingly -- at the same link:

Canon U.S.A. Introduces Ultra-Telephoto CINE-SERVO Zoom Lens

Originally Posted by Mark Watson

Change my guess to $30,000.

Unfortunately, you're still way off... read it and weep.

Looks like the closest I'll ever get to one will be at some trade show.

[Chris Hurd]

D'oh, simul-post! Cheers to both Marks,

[Steve Phillipps]

Originally Posted by Mark Watson

Yeah, probably doesn't matter either for what it will cost. $18,000 my guess.

Mark

Edit: Okay, now that I've seen it. Change my guess to $30,000.

Now that's optimism for you! My guess is £60,000. Even at that price I get the feeling they'll struggle to keep up with demand to begin with - loads of rental places will want them I'm sure - for sports and wildlife it's absolutely what we've been crying out for.

Steve

[Steve Phillipps]

A few other things of interest - most notable that it's available in PL AND EF mount - so could be good for stills to (with APS-C sensors at least). Not sure if the mount is switchable but I doubt it. The servo unit comes off so you can ditch it if you don't need it - I never use them but I know lots of wildlife colleagues that swear by remote zoom on the pan bar - I think years shooting Super 16 and not having servos must be why I don't use it. The tripod support collar looks nice - right at the front of the lens for best support - one slight issue there for wildlife is that's a bit awkward for use in hides, not sure if there anywhere else to put the lens support further back. T stop is 5 at wide end and 8.9 at long end so about 2 stops slower than the HJ18 (with which it's pretty comparable but for S35) - but you get about 2 stops extra with the larger sensor so that balances out nicely. Even so, for low light work still lenses will still win - especially as with just about all of these long range zooms you tend to need to stop down at least 1 stop at the long end for ideal performance, whereas a Canon 800mm is f5.6 and performs top notch wide open. Can't argue with the versatility of a 20x zoom range vs a prime though for sure!
Steve

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Steve Phillipps

Not sure if the mount is switchable but I doubt it.

I can almost guarantee that it isn't -- none of their other lenses have interchangeable mounts.

[Steve Phillipps]

I'm sure you're right - I wonder why though? I thought it's because of the different electronic contacts, but I'm sure the contacts in the lens could remain the same while having different ones in the mount? Maybe to do with strength? Although if properly implemented it shouldn't be a problem. Back focus / collimation issues? Maybe they see it as needlessly complicated for very little demand?

Steve

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Steve Phillipps

could be good for stills to (with APS-C sensors at least).

Indeed, the new CN 20x 50 reminds me of the long-discontinued Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 prime, of which only a handful were ever built, at a price that exceeded the cost of this lens. On an APS-C camera such as the EOS 7D Mk. II, the 35mm field of view equivalent would be 2400mm with the 1.5x extender engaged.

[Steve Phillipps]

Several stops slower though. There was one for sale just a couple of weeks back here www.mpbphotographic.co.uk - Used Secondhand Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM but it's gone! Certainly wasn't me that bought it!
Steve

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Steve Phillipps

Maybe they see it as needlessly complicated for very little demand?

I'll bet that's the case here. I've always known Canon to be steadfastly conservative in this regard... their engineers in Utsunomiya probably shudder at the thought of user-interchangeable lens mounts. Surely they'd rather sell you one of each, EF *and* PL.