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    The hybrid primes won’t be all we get for fast wide-angle L prime lenses

    By 81 Comments Canon Lens Rumors 2 Mins Read

    When Canon announced the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM, there was a lot of excitement that we were finally getting fast wide-angle L prime lenses. Canon has officially said that there is two more lenses coming for the “Hybrid” family of primes. Along with the new RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM, we’re also going get a RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM and an RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM. We think these will be announced some time in Q4 of this year.

    After multiple reviews that we’ve seen from wedding and event photographers, there have been some compromises on the stills side of things when it comes to performance. There is obvious distortion, which can be easily fixed, but it’s there. There’s also a fair bit of purple fringing, which again is easy to fix, but it’s there.

    By the looks of things, the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM is closer to 33mm, which gives the space to correct the distortion and give you a 35mm image. Sure, we can understand the annoyances of that or the perceived “cheating”. That said, it’s still an extremely sharp lens and has great rendering, and it costs $1499 USD, which is a fair price all things considered.

    However, on the video side of things, the size, weight, controlled breathing, it’s a very good lens from what we have seen working videographers produce. Video is not our wheelhouse, but those I have spoken to love the lens.

    There will be another set of wide-angle L prime lenses, likely starting to hit the lineup some time in 2025. These will be bigger, and heavier prime lenses that will allow correcting the above issues with larger elements, the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM has a pretty small 67mm filter thread after all.

    We have been assured that the fabled RF 35mm f/1.2L USM is still is still on the roadmap, but for obvious reasons, Canon wanted these hybrid lenses on the market first.

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    81 comments

    1. Interesting. I for one would have liked a more optically "perfect" 35 mm, but I really like the smaller size and lighter weight of the hybrid 35 mm f1.4 for travel photography.
    2. Interesting. I for one would have liked a more optically "perfect" 35 mm, but I really like the smaller size and lighter weight of the hybrid 35 mm f1.4 for travel photography.

      Choice is king in my opinion. I would prefer an L prime geared to stills, but we're in a new world now, and that's ok.
    3. Canon are certainly right to cater to the needs of videography. This is a strongly expanding market.
      Yet, it's good news that stills photographers won't be neglected.
      I just hope we won't have to wait too long to get hi-IQ prime wides, because that's where there still is a gaping hole in Canon's line-up. Many of us still prefer primes with reduced distorsion and coma.
    4. Choice is king in my opinion. I would prefer an L prime geared to stills, but we're in a new world now, and that's ok.
      Presently, while waiting for the 1,2/35, I've chosen to keep using my EF 1,4/35.
    5. What does "VCM" stand for..."voice coil motor"? (no doubt wrong, knowing my guesses, but my technology abbreviations go way back--sometimes to the '70s or '80s.
    6. Presently, while waiting for the 1,2/35, I've chosen to keep using my EF 1,4/35.

      Nothing wrong with that..... great lens. I'm teetering on adapting the EF 24 f/1.4L II.

      I really don't like shooting with the 28-70, I'm either at 28 or 70, rarely in-between.

      In my head, I think the EF 24L and RF 50 1.2 would suit me much better. I've never really been a 24-70 person... and I'm not going to get the 24-105 Z brick to replace another brick.
    7. What does "VCM" stand for..."voice coil motor"? (no doubt wrong, knowing my guesses, but my technology abbreviations go way back--sometimes to the '70s or '80s.

      That's exactly what it is. Nice guess (y)
    8. We have been assured that the fabled RF 35mm f/1.2L USM is still is still on the roadmap, but for obvious reasons, Canon wanted these hybrid lenses on the market first.

      They really hate Roby so much...
    9. I\'ll wait for the f1.2 primes and then decide. I don\'t think there\'s as much significance between f1.2 and f1.4 as it used to be considering the latest sensor tech and high ISO performance, but distortions and especially chromatic aberrations are a real pain in the ass.
    10. Choice is king in my opinion. I would prefer an L prime geared to stills, but we're in a new world now, and that's ok.
      Is Canon also working on a hybrid successor to the RF24-70L IS USM from 2019? The RF24-105 Z covers this range but I was hoping for something a little more compact so an RF24-70 Z would be appreciated! Perhaps sometime in 2025

      You also said they're working on a "Z" successor to the RF15-35 with a slightly different focal range. Probably another 2025 lens, right?
    11. I\'ll wait for the f1.2 primes and then decide. I don\'t think there\'s as much significance between f1.2 and f1.4 as it used to be considering the latest sensor tech and high ISO performance, but distortions and especially chromatic aberrations are a real pain in the ass.

      f/1.2 just sounds cooler, but yes.... not really much difference.
    12. Is Canon also working on a hybrid successor to the RF24-70L IS USM from 2019? The RF24-105 Z covers this range but I was hoping for something a little more compact so an RF24-70 Z would be appreciated! Perhaps sometime in 2025

      You also said they're working on a "Z" successor to the RF15-35 with a slightly different focal range. Probably another 2025 lens, right?

      Yes, it's the 24-105 Z.

      I don't know on the timeline for a wide angle zoom Z, only that I have seen it on a roadmap slideshow.
    13. Yes, it's the 24-105 Z.

      I don't know on the timeline for a wide angle zoom Z, only that I have seen it on a roadmap slideshow.
      Could you share this "roadmap slideshow" with us?

      A roadmap of what lenses to expect in 2025 (and beyond) would be very interesting.
    14. Could you share this "roadmap slideshow" with us?

      A roadmap of what lenses to expect in 2025 (and beyond) would be very interesting.

      I cannot, I didn't take the image. I'm guessing by the surroundings in the room, it would be easily recognizable.
    15. I cannot, I didn't take the image. I'm guessing by the surroundings in the room, it would be easily recognizable.
      Maybe you can share what's on the slideshow. Only the information. :) And generally how many lenses we can expect in 2025.
    16. Maybe you can share what's on the slideshow. Only the information. :) And generally how many lenses we can expect in 2025.

      They're very vague on slideshows... they don't really show focal lengths and all that... just the type of lens... "wide angle zoom", "Fast wide prime", "Telephoto zoom"... that sort of thing.

      For the recent dealer meetings for the R1 and R52.... the cameras were presented as "Pro A" and "Pro B".... that was it until about 18 hours before the actual announcement. They are over the top at this point.
    17. They're very vague on slideshows... they don't really show focal lengths and all that... just the type of lens... "wide angle zoom", "Fast wide prime", "Telephoto zoom"... that sort of thing.

      For the recent dealer meetings for the R1 and R52.... the cameras were presented as "Pro A" and "Pro B".... that was it until about 18 hours before the actual announcement. They are over the top at this point.
      I understand. Thanks for explaining! But if there is anything you can share regarding RF lens releases I'd be happy to hear about it.

      It's always good to know what's on the horizon. :)
    18. Is Canon also working on a hybrid successor to the RF24-70L IS USM from 2019? The RF24-105 Z covers this range but I was hoping for something a little more compact so an RF24-70 Z would be appreciated! Perhaps sometime in 2025
      It would be nice to have it as a kit lens for the R1.
      "whenever I want to, all I have to do is dreaming" - The Everly Brothers
    19. Maybe the 50mm 1.4 VCM will have better optical correction. 50mm and small flange distance will help a lot with this focal length.
      I wanted a FF fixed max. aperture dual use 24...105 zoom and had the typical four options:
      EF i, EF ii, RF 4.0 and RF 2.8 Z.
      Optical IQ is the best with the RF 4.0 but it is nearly silent (AF) for video, of reasonable size/weight. RF 2.8 Z might be a very cool solution for those who do more video, but - IMO - not the best solution for 50:50 or 70:30 photo:video. Besides: I have the RF 1.8 35 and EF 2.0 100 which are excellent lenses and the EF 100 seems to have low breathing too.

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