Canon’s latest top-class L-Series lenses are elaborations on systems—each designed to mimic the sizes, weights, and control layouts of other Z lenses (for the RF70–200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z) or other VCM lenses (for the RF24mm f/1.4 L VCM and RF50mm f/1.4 L VCM lenses). By minimizing the need to re-adapt your stance and muscle memory when changing lenses, the photographic (or cinematic) experience becomes all the more intuitive, regardless of how much of your gear you use throughout the day.
All three lenses have been carefully engineered to support the needs of both still image and movie capture—preferably both, really—each offering “de-clicked” (not detented) iris rings, programmable function buttons, and super-fast autofocus systems that can take full advantage of your professional Canon mirrorless body.
Read on for more, and pre-order today at a Mike’s Camera near you!
RF24mm f/1.4 L VCM
The RF24mm f/1.4 L VCM spells out its offerings in the name: a focal length on the wide side, a very bright maximum aperture, and Canon’s new VCM lens technology—all without forgetting the ultra-high optical quality and durability inherent in an L-series lens.
The VCM (Voice Coil Motor) is Canon’s latest linear focus motor, applied to the rear focus unit, which works in tandem with a Nano USM on the floating focus to provide blazingly-fast, accurate, silent autofocusing. (Which is a good thing, because the AF tech on their bodies these days is getting crazy!) Focus breathing has, of course, been repressed to nearly the point of elimination for your videography needs. The lens can focus as nearly as 9.4″, allowing some neat close-up work.
Innovative Air Sphere Coating, Super Spectra Coating, Fluorine coating, and two aspheric elements (along with the usual dust- and moisture-resistance) do all they can to provide you with an incredible image, edge-to-edge, with nary a distortion nor need for fear while shooting in the elements.
Filters can be added via the front 67mm filter screw or the rear cut-gel holder. A control ring and programmable button augment the clickless iris ring to enable intuitive, seamless control while on set.
Sample image gallery
RF50mm f/1.4 L VCM
The RF50mm f/1.4 L VCM is almost the same as the RF24mm f/1.4 L VCM, with three crucial differences:
- 50mm focal length—the all-time king of “normal”; incredibly versatile and satisfying (if you use a zoom lens normally, hop into your image cataloguing program and analyze which focal lengths you use most commonly… I would bet good money that 50mm is an outsized percentage)
- 15.7″ minimum focusing distance
- Added UD element for suppression of aberrations
Otherwise, you’re looking at the same incredible, solid construction; fast, silent, accurate autofocus; physical control features; and outstanding optical performance.
Sample image gallery
RF70–200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z
Last, but not least, a new professional telephoto zoom is coming to the EOS R family. The RF70–200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z brings a cinema-style iris ring, internal zooming/focusing (using two Nano USM units which can operate independently or together), Air Sphere Coating, and a whole new optical design to the table.
The lens alone offers 5.5 stops of shake correction, which bumps to 7.5 when using Coordinated IS on a compatible body. Minimum focusing distance is 26.8″ with 0.3x maximum magnification.
This bigger lens offers better control: you’ll find two programmable buttons in addition to Canon’s RF Control Ring. Oh, and yes, of course this one is built to the high standards of the L-Series, rugged and optically astounding.
The RF70–200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is compatible with power-zoom adapters like the PZ-E2 as well as the RF1.4X and RF2.0X teleconverters for even more diverse applications. It’s also available in either black or thermal-barrier-white.
