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Canon Expands Third-Party RF Collaboration
credits: Canon
Canon once again addressed the question of third-party RF lenses, this time with a more direct message than before. Speaking in a recent interview with Phototrend, Go Tokura, Executive Vice President and head of Canon’s imaging division, confirmed that collaboration with third-party lens manufacturers will intensify. That is a stronger statement than what Canon has said in the past, especially given how cautious the company has been around opening up the RF mount.
That said, there are still some clear limits. Tokura made it clear that while cooperation will grow, it will still be shaped by Canon’s broader business strategy. He also pointed out that Canon is not involved in the actual development of third-party lenses, meaning companies like Sigma or Tamron decide for themselves what to build. Interestingly, when asked why third-party autofocus lenses have so far only appeared for APS-C RF cameras and not full-frame, Tokura pushed back slightly, saying Canon does not officially differentiate between the two, even though, in practice, that is exactly what is happening right now.
That leaves things a bit open-ended. Canon did not provide any details about licensing agreements or whether full-frame third-party RF lenses are on the way. When asked directly, Tokura avoided giving a clear answer, talking instead about the company’s existing lineup of nearly 70 RF lenses and saying that feedback from users will direct future decisions. So while the tone has changed toward more openness, the key question of when (or if) third-party full-frame RF lenses with autofocus will arrive, is still unanswered.
The Latest Hasselblad Rumours
credits: Hasselblad
Hasselblad had a big year in 2025, largely thanks to the success of the X2D II 100C. The camera did not just look good on paper, it picked up a lot of attention online and even managed to top sales charts in places like Japan, which is pretty unusual for a medium format system. Now, the long-running rumours about a mirrorless camera from DJI, Hasselblad’s parent company, are starting to pop up again. Some of those ideas range from a medium format DJI camera (which would be a rather strange move) to a more realistic L-Mount mirrorless system. With DJI facing major restrictions in the US drone market, it would not be surprising to see the company put more focus on traditional cameras.
On the sensor side, there are reports that Sony has developed a new 180-megapixel medium format sensor, which would likely end up in new Hasselblad cameras. The current 100MP sensor used in models like the X2D II has been around for a while now, so an update feels overdue. A jump to 180MP might sound like a lot, but it is not that far-fetched. Canon and Phase One have already entered similar territory, and with resolution steadily increasing across the board, this seems more like the next step than anything unusual.
As for where that sensor could actually show up, it probably won’t be anytime soon in the X2D line, especially given how new and successful the current camera still is. A more likely option would be a new generation body, something like an X3D, or possibly an update to the 907X system with a new digital back. There are already hints that the CFV 100C could be refreshed with features like improved autofocus and better dynamic range. More advanced features, like LiDAR, would likely stay tied to the main X system, keeping a clearer split between a studio-focused setup and a more portable, all-in-one camera.
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This time in the Spotlight: Nugroho Irianto
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