Sigma and Tamron are finally announcing their first optics compatible with Canon’s RF mount, the two companies announced in separate press releases. This announcement was the sea serpent of the CP+ which was held in February in Yokohama. When questioned by us, the two opticians then told us that they wanted to be able to design compatible optics and that discussions were underway.
These discussions were therefore successful, and Canon gave the green light so that the two opticians could develop and market their models. We do not know anything about this deal regarding a possible license or fees to be paid. We are talking here about Japanese companies, discussions taking place far from microphones and always being shrouded in secrecy.
One lens at Tamron, six at Sigma
Tamron begins its adventure on the RF mount with a single lens by announcing development — undoubtedly almost complete given the amount of detail provided! — an ultra-wide-angle zoom for APS-C bodies, the 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Model B060 in the Tamron classification). Tamron plays it safe, and helps Canon more than it competes: Canon’s range of APS-C optics is very meager, the addition of this zoom planned for sometime in 2024 being rather welcome.
Same story with Sigma, which is also limited to APS-C, but with a greater number of references. The Aizu optician directly announces six already existing optics from its APS-C catalog. The 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN zoom | Contemporary will be launched in July and the five other references (10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary, 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary, 23mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary, 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary, 56mm F1 .4 DC DN Contemporary) will arrive in 2024.
Who wants to go far controls his mount
The Tamron and Sigma press releases clearly state that “These products are designed, manufactured and sold under a license agreement granted by Canon Inc.“, a way of showing off to the consumer. But this also demonstrates the control that Canon intends to exercise over its mount.
While it’s difficult to determine whether Sigma and/or Tamron already have full-frame units ready, the reality is that in the RF mount market, full-frame bodies predominate. The economic potential is quite logically stronger — and the public is more accustomed to buying different optics. For now, Canon therefore remains master of the (juicy) full-frame optics market.
Compared to Sony, which opened (to seduce) its E mount without any royalties, Canon takes advantage of its position as a powerful historical player to maintain control of what plugs into its cameras.