The Latest Canon Macro Lens Rumours
Canon’s next RF macro lens might not be the long-awaited successor to the EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro after all. Instead, the latest rumours point toward a much smaller RF 90mm f/2.8 IS STM Macro, which would sit below Canon’s existing RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro. The rumoured name is important here, as there is no L designation, suggesting Canon is working on a more affordable macro instead of another high-end professional option.
The lens is expected to use an STM autofocus motor rather than USM, while still including optical image stabilisation. It is also said to follow the general size and design approach of Canon’s compact f/2.8 STM lenses, including the RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM and RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM. Current information puts its length at roughly 100mm, which would make it considerably shorter than the 148mm-long RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro. We do not know the maximum magnification yet, which is obviously going to be one of the more important specifications for a macro lens. Interestingly, several recent Canon patents have included 90mm f/2.8 macro designs, so the rumoured focal length is not coming completely out of nowhere.
Anyone waiting for a modern RF version of Canon’s old 180mm f/3.5L Macro may therefore have to wait a little longer. Recent patents have shown Canon experimenting with longer macro designs and new internal focusing arrangements, but there is currently no indication that one of those is about to become a real lens. The 90mm, on the other hand, could potentially arrive fairly soon, with Canon rumoured to have another product announcement planned before the end of 2026. Pricing has not leaked yet either, although the expectation is that it would come in well below $1,000 to leave enough separation between it and the existing RF 100mm f/2.8L.
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