RF16-28mm lens: Why isn't it an "L"?

[kvbarkley]

Canon has just announced an RF 16 - 28mm lens

Ken Rockwell points out:

it has "Impressive durability and weather-resistant construction equivalent to an L-series lens for use in harsh environments."

and

"This lens is now the smallest, lightest RF zoom lens with image quality equivalent to a Canon L-series specification."

So why isn't it an L?

[deebatman316]

Even some L lenses rely on lens correction or vignetting would be visible. One famous L lens that needs it at very wide angles is the RF 14-35mm F/4L IS USM lens. This lens is dependent on lens correction.

[justadude]

"But there are a lot of compromises though with Pentax’s lens mount."

Curious what compromises you feel there are with the Pentax K-mount?  I've loved this system since I started using it around 1980.  I also like that I can use my old vintage Pentax lenses just as seamlessly on my still used Pentax DSLRs without the need for any adapter.

[deebatman316]

The whole system of jamming 2 AF systems in 1 lens then bringing out new lenses with electronic aperture control. This makes old cameras incompatible with these new lenses. Pentax does have IBIS so no need for lens based IS. But the high level in lens AF motor failure. Then trying to keep compatibility with older cameras with fall back to screw-drive. No new 3rd Party lens options everyone has pulled out. Except for Pentax of course. So if the lens’ built in AF motor fails it won’t fall back to screw drive on a new body. But on an old body that doesn’t support in lens AF motors. It will simply only use screw drive to focus the lens. Screw drive does work but as the lens gets older the gears start wearing more and more. Leading to less accurate focus just bumping the focus ring will bring it out of focus. Pentax is very highly dependent on screw drive AF. In a world where everyone has moved to in lens AF motors. Pentax is often last to update newer technology such as electronic aperture control and in lens AF motors. Pentax got into the in lens AF motor game in 2008. Before that Minolta/ Sony A Mount SSM in 1998 then Nikon in 1992 with AF-I. Canon was of course the first in 1987 with the EF Mount. But before the EF Mount was the FD Mount. Which they also tried screw drive and in lens AF motors. 

[Waddizzle]

I have wondered the same thing about the EF-S 10-22mm lens.  It was a miniature tank of a lens. It had a metal body and used internal focusing and zooming.  No claims to be weather resistant, though.   

Jared Polin just released a video where he spoke briefly about the announcement.  He promised to have a review in the near future. He seemed impressed, too.  He was anxious to see the image quality. 

[jrhoffman75]

Back in the EF days I read an article about "L" lenses and one of the criteria was that they fit full-frame bodies. That was given as the reason why there were no EF-S "L" lenses.

WRT the new 16-28 RF lens, reportedly it doesn't have the fluorine coating that "L" lenses have and the switches don't have the sealing.

In the end, only Canon knows why.

[ebiggs1]

"I have wondered the same thing about the EF-S 10-22mm lens."

Yes, another good example.

[ebiggs1]

"...they fit full-frame bodies."

As good of a reason as any. "In the end, only Canon knows why."