Melville, NY—Canon USA introduced two Canon RF lenses: the compact, lightweight RF70-200mm f/4 L IS USM and the RF50mm f/1.8 STM. The two completely redesigned RF-mount lenses have bloodlines to the company’s popular EF models; however, they feature new lens formulas and enhanced elements.
“As Canon began to further build out the company’s RF lens portfolio, the goal in mind was to create advanced lenses, for a variety of experience levels, that also featured a sense of familiarity for longtime Canon users,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of Canon USA’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group.
Redesigned Canon RF Lenses
Canon RF70-200mm f/4 L IS USM
For photography enthusiasts from advanced amateur to professional skill level, the compact, lightweight nature of the lens makes it Canon’s shortest and lightest 70–200mm f/4 zoom lens.
Further, the lens is approximately 32% shorter and 11% lighter than its EF counterpart. A large portion of the lens element arrangement is also closer to the camera body. This provides photographers with a more balanced feel, even at the zoom range’s telephoto end. In addition, the shorter, lighter design allows photographers to more easily stow the lens in a camera bag.
What’s more, the RF70-200mm features two independent Nano USM motors; they provide a greater level of high-speed autofocus for still image shooting. They also achieve quiet, smooth autofocus for video shooting.
The lens also incorporates a floating focus control that drives the two lens groups individually while using the Nano USM motors. The floating focus lens element shortens the focusing distance and helps reduce breathing.
In addition, the lens employs a 16-element, 11-group construction with four UD lenses that reduce chromatic aberration. Air Sphere Coating (ASC) also helps minimize lens flare and ghosting.
The new glass also has an optical image stabilizer that offers up to 5 stops of shake correction. Moreover, it provides up to 7.5 stops of correction as a result of the coordinated control of its optical image stabilizer with the camera’s in-body image stabilizer. Photographers can also select from three stabilizer modes.
Another feature is a customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO. Additional benefits include a 12-pin communication system; the L-series’ dust- and weather-resistant build; a fluorine coating; a minimum focusing distance of 1.97 feet; and a maximum magnification of 0.28x.
The Canon RF70–200mm F4 L IS USM will reach retail in early December 2020 for a suggested retail price of $1,599.
Canon RF50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
The popular 50mm focal length is similar to the natural viewpoint of the human field of vision. As a result of this perspective, the lens is an option for a wide variety of shooting situations. They include portraits, landscapes and food photography.
What’s more, Canon 50mm f/1.8 lenses have been a popular tool for both photographers and creators due to their budget-friendly price point as well as their compact and lightweight form factor.
That tradition continues with the RF50mm f/1.8 STM, which is improved over its EF counterpart. Canon says the first visually noticeable improvement is the customizable control ring that is synonymous with RF lenses. The control ring allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO. Moreover, with a flip of the side switch, they can adjust focus.
Furthermore, the inclusion of a PMo aspherical lens helps to reduce chromatic aberration; it also provides high image quality even at the periphery of the image. In addition, the combination of the lens shape and Super Spectra Coating (SSC) minimizes ghosting and flaring.
Other features include six lens elements in five groups; a 12-pin communication system; a minimum focusing distance of 0.98 feet with a maximum magnification of 0.25x; and up to 7 stops of shake correction with EOS R cameras with in-body image stabilizers.
Canon will release the RF50mm f/1.8 STM lenses in mid-December 2020. It will have an SRP of $199.99.
