Today Canon has launched some much-anticipated lenses for the RF mount. Besides the 35mm F1.4, the next hot lens for Canon has always been the 24mm F1.4, and here we are.
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.4 VCM is one of those unicorn lenses that has been widely asked for even the EF mount, as the only Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM was developed in 1993. So, for those who have been waiting for 30 years, now is the time.
Canon seems to be ticking off all the boxes they were missing in the lineup lately.
Canon also released the Canon RF 70-200mm Z lens in two colours, so you can finally have this lens in “Nikon black” if you want to roll that way. I’m not one to judge.
The other lens is the RF-S 7.5mm stereoscopic VR lens for the 8 people who didn’t return their Apple VR goggles.
We will soon publish articles on previews and reviews and compare and examine the MTFs on these new lenses.
You can preorder the new lenses from our preferred retailers below.
Canon RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM
- Midwest Photo $1499 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $1499
- B&H Photo $1499
- Canon USA $1499
- Wex Photo £1679
- Foto Erhardt €1749
Canon RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM
- Midwest Photo $1399 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $1399
- B&H Photo $1399
- Canon USA $1399
- Wex Photo £1539
- Foto Erhardt €1599
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z – White
- Midwest Photo $2999 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $2999
- B&H Photo $2999
- Canon USA $2999
- Wex Photo £3449
- Foto Erhardt €3599
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z – Black
- Midwest Photo $2999 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $2999
- B&H Photo $2999
- Canon USA $2999
- Wex Photo £3449
- Foto Erhardt €3599
Canon RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual Lens VR
- Midwest Photo $449 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $449
- B&H Photo $449
- Canon USA $449
- Wex Photo £519
- Foto Erhardt €549
Canon’s Press Release
MELVILLE, NY, October 30, 2024 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced the launch of three new RF L series hybrid lenses: RF24mm F1.4 L VCM, RF50mm F1.4 L VCM and RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z. Designed for professional visual storytellers who need to switch between photography and video, these three lenses continue Canon’s steadfast commitment to meeting the demands of high-level photo and video content creators.
RF24mm F1.4 L VCM & RF50mm F1.4 L VCM
If you are on a quest for impressive, dramatic content, RF24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF50mm F1.4 L VCM lenses would be excellent additions to your gear bag. For those who are professional photo/video users, journalists or in-house production creators, these two lenses are designed for hybrid use and optimized for those switching from photo and video needs quickly. They feature an optical design that utilizes the RF mount to achieve high quality across the entire image area. Quiet, fast and precise AF are thanks to Canon’s latest actuator and focusing system and the unified exterior helps with easier gimbal adjustments for more efficient shooting. The expressive power of a f/1.4 aperture in combination with a wider field of view than what the human eye can capture, makes perspective more prominent and brings images vividly to life. Additional features include:
- Compact, with a length of 3.9 inches, and lightweight: RF24mm F1.4 L VCM is 18.1 ounces and RF50mm F1.4 L VCM is 20.4 ounces
- With a combination of VCM and Nano USM actuators, stable video composition with little breathing
- Customizable with an iris ring for controlling aperture during shooting, lens function button and customizable control and focus rings
RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z
A telephoto lens that is versatile across the spectrum – including sports, fashion and news reporting – the RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z is an RF L series lens that takes into consideration functions end-users value most. Taking the same exterior case design and internal mechanics of the RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, the RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z lens balances well as a companion on gimbals and rigs. Compatible with extenders, the RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z produces high-quality images with its large f/2.8 zoom aperture and has minimal focus breathing, ideal for content creators. Its iris ring enables fine-tuned video recording and its compatibility with power zoom adapters makes it a strong addition for video production needs. Additional features include:
- Close up shooting with a maximum magnification of 0.3x
- Image stabilization equal up to 5.5 stops in the center on the lens alone, or up to 7.5 stops in the center, up to 7.0 stops in the corners in coordinate control within-body IS
- Dust and drip resistant construction as well as light weight at approximately 1,100 grams
Pricing and Availability
The Canon RF24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF50mm F1.4 L VCM lenses are expected to be available in December at estimated retail price of $1,499.00* and $1,399.00,* respectively. The Canon RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z lens is expected to be available in November at estimated retail price of $2,999.00*.
Canon RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM
- Midwest Photo $1499 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $1499
- B&H Photo $1499
- Canon USA $1499
- Wex Photo £1679
- Foto Erhardt €1749
Canon RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM
- Midwest Photo $1399 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $1399
- B&H Photo $1399
- Canon USA $1399
- Wex Photo £1539
- Foto Erhardt €1599
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z – White
- Midwest Photo $2999 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $2999
- B&H Photo $2999
- Canon USA $2999
- Wex Photo £3449
- Foto Erhardt €3599
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z – Black
- Midwest Photo $2999 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $2999
- B&H Photo $2999
- Canon USA $2999
- Wex Photo £3449
- Foto Erhardt €3599
Canon RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual Lens VR
- Midwest Photo $449 (Free 2-year CarePak)
- Adorama $449
- B&H Photo $449
- Canon USA $449
- Wex Photo £519
- Foto Erhardt €549
# # #
† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.
* Specifications, pricing, and availability subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by dealers and may
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. |
Midwest Photo Preorder Bonus - 2 Years of CarePak for free
With any preorder of the new lenses, Midwest Photo is offering two years of CarePak for free. This offer runs until November 10, 2024
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z MTF Analysis
I suppose I would stick with the Canon white ;)
Looks like they could improve the Performance over the non-Z lens, esp. at 70 mm. 200mm looks very close, except for the corners.
Personally, I'd be in for the smaller form factor of the first RF70-200/2.8.
Weight
Approx. 2.5 lb. / 1115g (White model) / Approx. 2.4 lb. / 1110g (Black model)
Canon 50mm F1.4 MTF analysis.
Canon RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM MTF Analysis
It’s really light in comparison to the EF version. The EF version is now 1.5x heavier than this new RF version.
Optically, there’s not much between them. According to the MFT charts, the new RF version is better in the corners, centre performance is pretty similar at 200mm. The 70mm performance is much improved.
However, these new charts include in-camera software correction. I would expect a far newer lens formula to be better, but it goes to show how good some of the more recent EF lenses are.
Another thing that strikes me, this new lens with a 1.4x tc is nearly as sharp as the native RF 100-300/2.8 is natively.
The answer is of course to wait for the VCM to hit the grey market, that would make it €300 cheaper, if the pricing behaves like the 35VCM.
all the lenses are top notch for sure.
Dial in the weight savings, better MFD and max magnification, slightly better IS system and AF motors....finally a lens to eclipse the old EF lens.
I'm suprised that this lens doesn't have any flourite elements in it's formula.