Since the day the RF mount was announced back in 2018, there have been calls for third-party lenses makers such as SIGMA to move their goods to the new mount from Canon.
Unfortunately, Canon has been very closed with the RF mount and shut down early autofocus Rokinon lenses from being sold. The chorus has become louder over the years, and it will likely get even louder the longer that customers have to wait.
Modern third-party lenses don’t peak my interest all that much, but there is a large segmenet of photographers that really want to see them come to market, as Canon lenses aren’t getting any cheaper.
That said, Canon has had no problem selling their “overpriced” lenses since the launch of the EOS R syste.
SIGMA RF 10-18MM F/2.8 DC DN
- APS-C Format | f/2.8 to f/22
- 16-29mm (Full-Frame Equivalent)
- Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom
- Fast Internal Focus System
- Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
- Dust & Splash-Resistant Design
It wasn’t until this year that we saw the first three manufacturers bring third-party APS-C lenses to the RF mount. SIGMA has announced 6 lenses, all of which should hit the street before the year is out. Tamron and Samyang have both announced one a piece. We do expect Meike to enter the fold sooner than later.
We have been told (along with others) that at least three Chinese lens makers may be the first third-party full-frame RF lenses to come to market in late 2025. The most mentioned brand is Viltrox and the likelihood of bringing their upcoming 35mm f/1.2 LAB lens to the RF mount first. Viltrox has quickly become a recognized brand and has released some really night autofocus lenses for the E and X mounts.
Tamron RF 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD
- 18-32mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Fast Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom
- Rapid eXtra Silent Stepping Drive Motor
- 1x XLD, 2x GM Asph., and 2x LD Elements
- BBAR-G2 Lens Coating
- Weather-Sealed Construction
- Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
Who the other brands are is anyone’s guess at this time. Though Meike & Brightin Star are making autofocus lenses.
We have also heard numerous times over the last year or so that Venus Optics is also working on a series of full-frame autofocus lenses, they are known for the Laowa brand.
This is good news, even if it’s not SIGMA who’s going to be the first out of the gate, which doesn’t surprise me. I think the Chinese lens makers want to be somewhat more affordable than SIGMA, as SIGMA appears to want to be up-market and still provide great value when compared to the OEM lenses from the likes of Canon, Sony and Nikon.
Once we move into 2025, there will likely be a lot more information that will flow if indeed third-party full frame lenses are coming in late 2025. Keep in mind, making lenses is a hard process, and the Chinese makers are playing catch-up for the moment, but we do see the gap closing quickly.
There is also another report that hit the web today with the same information, so you can check out what thenewcamera.com has to say.
This information also appeared on Weibo, but we have been unable to find the post again.
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Is Meike gearing up to offer autofocus lenses for the RF mount?
FWIW, Samyang (and I think one or two other third party lens makers?) did release RF lenses with AF in the relatively early days of the R system, eg Samyang had an 85mm f/1.4 RF lens with AF, but Canon got those lenses taken off the market due to some sort of IP infringement.
I have updated the post.
In terms of third-party lenses with AF, I only use Sigmas, personally. I have a few random full-manual third-party lenses but that's a different ballgame.
In any case, the more complete the selection eventually becomes, the better.
But I am very interested in 3rd party lenses widening the horizon on the RF-mount.
i.e. the RF Voigtländers 40mm, 50mm, 75mm are great. The 40mm 1.2 is my most beloved of all RF lenses!
And yes, the STM lenses are good performers but their styling is abysmal, which doesn't matter in practical use, but it makes me enjoy them less.
But that being said, I 100% understand Canon wanting time to get their VCM options out first. I'm just a bit surprised it's taken 6 years.
I forecast that DJI will switch from their collaboration with Hasselblad to Hauwei/Viltrox by the end of the year. /s
Canon users aren't missing out on what's available regarding the Sigma 28-105/2.8, but they're missing out on paying much less for an optically weaker (though still very good) lens with the wide end of the range missing. Personally, I find the 24-28mm range important in a standard/walkaround zoom, so I'd far prefer the RF 24-105/2.8 lens anyway. Neither lens is optically perfect, but the Canon delivers better IQ, as well (as it should for double the price tag).
Oh, because you want them to. Of course. :ROFLMAO:
I mean, you list two lenses that Canon totally doesn’t have anything remotely similar to, so your logic is impeccable. :rolleyes: