Rumors are circulating that Canon is planning to incorporate a hybrid EF/RF mount in the flagship mirrorless full frame camera that is expected in the next 18 months. While this would be appealing to many Canon shooters, is it actually possible?
One of the significant advantages for Canon when it came to redesigning its lens mount for mirrorless cameras was the smaller flange distance (i.e., the distance between the back of the lens and the sensor). While the EF mounts have a huge 44mm (1.73″) flange distance, the newly released RF mounts feature a mere 20mm (0.79″). The adapters currently offered by Canon for using EF glass on the EOS R and RP bridge this gap.
This is an unexpected and slightly curious rumor (via Canon Rumors), and one that has led to some brow-furrowed speculation as to how this large difference could be managed effectively in a body without an adapter. Would it be some sort of collapsible tube that hides away when RF glass is attached? Given that this feature is being linked to a future 1-series camera, would there be compromises in terms of weather sealing? This system seems unlikely.
Another option might be for the sensor itself to move in order to accommodate the different types of lens. This may offer further advantages, such as adding macro functionality to some RF lenses, or even tilt/shift options.
Given the technical complications involved, this rumor might be a bit of a stretch, though certainly Canon would no doubt love to be able to offer photojournalists, sports and news agency shooters a stepping stone from the 1D X Mark II and Mark III that doesn’t involve lots of adapters. If the camera body is a little bit bigger, so be it.
What do you think? Is an EF/RF hybrid mount feasible? Will there be space for two card slots? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.