If there’s one thing I’ve heard mention quite a bit is people’s wish for a long focal length macro lens. In this patent application (2024-103311), Canon is exploring just that.
I haven’t seen many patent applications in this category, so maybe it’s a sign of good things to come.
According to Canon;
In optical systems called macro lenses (microlenses) used for close-up photography, a floating method is often adopted in which two or more lens groups are moved during focusing in order to suppress aberration fluctuations during focusing. Another focusing method is an inner focus method in which focusing is performed by moving an intermediate group of the optical system.
For some of the designs, there is a lot of back focus room, so it’s entirely possible that some of the designs with a long back focus could be teleconverter-friendly.
Canon RF 180mm F3.5 1x Macro
The EF version of this lens was announced all the way back in 1996, and its fans have been waiting for a replacement ever since. There were several different embodiments for the 180mm macro in this patent application so we just showed the first one here and one other design later on.
| Focal Length | 179.96 |
| F-Number | 3.60 |
| Half Angle of View | 6.86 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Lens Length | 171.15 |
| Back Focus Distance | 26.35 |
| Magnification | 1x |
Canon RF 300mm F4 1x Macro
This would be a long focal length macro user’s fantasy lens I’m sure. A 300mm F4 Macro lens. It looks big, and also pretty front-heavy, but it certainly would be a lens that no one else has done. It seems like it would support teleconverters.
| Focal Length | 299.99 |
| F-Number | 4.12 |
| Half Angle of View | 4.12 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Lens Length | 210.00 |
| Back Focus Distance | 38.69 |
| Magnification | 1x |
Canon RF 190mm F4 2.x Macro
Expanding on the 1996 design would be a 2x Macro of the same focal length, at a slight penalty of aperture. I think most would think it was worth it.
| Focal Length | 188.87 |
| F-Number | 4.00 |
| Half Angle of View | 6.53 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Lens Length | 188.87 |
| Back Focus Distance | 32.67 |
| Magnification | 2x |
Canon RF 180mm F3.5 1x Macro
This macro lens is another one showing a 180mm focal length, but this one has a much longer back focus distance, which means that, unlike the first embodiment, this one should support teleconverters if Canon wishes to do so.
| Focal Length | 178.66 |
| F-Number | 3.60 |
| Half Angle of View | 6.90 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Lens Length | 160.47 |
| Back Focus Distance | 51.89 |
| Magnification | 1x |
Canon 110mm F4 1x Macro
This example is a compact mirrorless only no-nonsense macro lens, but at F4.0 many I think would want a 2.8 here.
| Focal Length | 110.03 |
| F-Number | 4.12 |
| Half Angle of View | 11.12 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Lens Length | 110.03 |
| Back Focus Distance | 17.52 |
| Magnification | 1x |
It’s been a very long time since Canon has delved into telephoto macros, and while it’s never a sure thing that Canon is going to create one, the presence of a patent application seems to indicate that they are thinking about it.
However, as with all patent applications, this is a look into Canon’s ongoing research.
Japan Patent Application 2024-103311
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But a true 300mm f/4 macro would be even more attractive for me personally. I used my EF 300mm f/4 a lot for more shy objects like butterflies, but such a lens with the option to get really close w/o extension tubes would be mouth watering for many macro photographers, including me.
I've used the EF180L extensively this summer on both the R7 and R8, both for stills and video. For smaller dragonflies and regular sized damselflies I'd like a bit more magnification, the 1.4:1 of the RF100L is great on full frame, but the working distance isn't well suited to warmed up dragonflies. The 2:1 180mm variant would be an awesome replacement.
I immensely enjoy the 1:3 of the RF100-500L, the 1.2m working distance is a good compromise. Due to focus breathing it's a 300-ish mm lens at MFD, so that 300mm F4 variant looks very interesting! I'd likely keep the EF180L, I routinely run out of space when trying to photograph insects and amphibians in or near water. Maybe I should 'invest' in a pair of waders :)
And as @Besisika said: 8k for macro would be awesome, the handful of experiments I did with my R5 with 8k had impressive detail and turned into great 4k output. My Intel CPU iMac did not like that, however.
R7 + EF180L on a tripod:
Dragonfly on a stick
I bought my EF 180 mm lens in 2003 and it has earned it’s retirement. So Canon, hurry up!
Another point is that you do not always need to frame an object 1:1, since highly resolving sensors give you plenty of room to crop. So, if you realize that a butterfly doesn't tolerate the closest distance, even a magnification of 0.5x would be great.
I use a Sigma 180mm EX f/2.8 HSM OS Macro and this is a heavy glas with an exzellent Sharpes. I use this in combi with an ef adapter with an R5 and R. If i need more zoom, i use the 80d. Sometimes, the EOS 5ds will also used for macros - especialy inhouse.
With all of that said, I do want to try the 300 f4 when it comes out. Maybe the 1:1 at 300mm would impress me so much that I would feel that it's worth getting it after all. It would all depend on if I want to get into the world of extreme magnification, and if the subject to lens surface at 1:1 was long enough for usage with live subjects without scaring them away.