An RF mount set of Cinema Prime lenses has been rumored since 2021, and they have finally been officially announced. With this announcement, we also expect to see some new Cinema EOS cameras coming in the near future.
MELVILLE, N.Y., September 12, 2023 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today the introduction of the company’s first RF-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses for the Cinema EOS System. The new lenses combine high optical performance for 4K and 8K shooting, cinema-style operability, and RF mount communications. The first set of seven RF-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses is only the beginning. Canon plans to swiftly expand the lineup of RF-mount-compatible video production equipment to meet the needs of professional video production of such content as movies, TV, and commercials.
The seven Canon CN-R lenses, with focal lengths and T stops of 14mm T3.1, 20mm T1.5, 24mm T1.5, 35mm T1.5, 50mm T1.3, 85mm T1.3, and 135mm T2.2, are compatible with the two existing RF-Mount Canon Cinema Cameras, the EOS C70 and EOS R5 C. These lenses will allow for RF mount protocol transmission, and just like the EF-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses, operators can control magnification, chromatic aberration correction, peripheral light correction, and a dual-pixel focus guide via camera body operations. In addition, the new lenses also feature lens distortion correction. These features support efficient video production during on-location recording and post-production workflow.
The new lenses are able to achieve high optical performance suitable for use with 4K and 8K cameras by optimally positioning large-diameter aspherical lens elements and lens elements with anomalous dispersion glass. Their compatibility with the full-frame large-format sensor, bright T stop values1, and 11-blade iris helps produce a shallow depth of field for subjects, natural round blurring, and soft image expressions. In addition, unified Cinema EOS color balance throughout the series helps provide consistent color, even when changing lenses.
Designed with an ideal level of ring torque, the new lenses allow for the precise and smooth adjustments often needed during cinema productions. Thanks to a unified design across the series, including the gear position of the operation ring, the diameter of the lens, and the rotation angle (operation angle), lenses can be effortlessly swapped in and out without the need to adjust matte boxes or external focus accessories for each lens. A new coarse surface near the mount provides a comfortable and ergonomic fit in the user’s hand, allowing the lens to be held securely without gripping the operation ring when attaching and detaching different lenses.
Pricing and Availability
The seven new Canon RF-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses estimated retail pricing and scheduled availability* are as follows:
| Product | Pricing* | Availability* |
| CN-R14mm T3.1 L F | $4,220.00 | Late February 2024 |
| CN-R20mm T1.5 L F | $4,220.00 | Late March 2024 |
| CN-R24mm T1.5 L F | $4,220.00 | Late January 2024 |
| CN-R35mm T1.5 L F | $3,950.00 | Late January 2024 |
| CN-R50mm T1.3 L F | $3,950.00 | Late January 2024 |
| CN-R85mm T1.3 L F | $3,950.00 | Late January 2024 |
| CN-R135mm T2.2 L F | $3,950.00 | Late April 2024 |
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So now... RF mount cinema cameras? The whole Cinema EOS lineup was buggered up by the bad times over the last bunch of years.
I am a terrible video shooter, and I have never used a Cinema lens... but I might get ONE of these and see if I can see the difference. Then probably sell it because it's well beyond me.
I'm glad they not based off the Sumire set, half the price this way. There likely isn't a business reason to make the Sumire set RF since they likely get mounted to PL cameras.
We got this rumors August 23rd that initially seemed promising…
There will be “a lot” of new RF mount lenses from Canon between now and March 2024
And is it likely that one or more of the rumored bodies to have a stacked sensor is actually a cinema body?
I am happy for the cinema crowd to be getting their long-anticipated gear. As a stills shooter I would have preferred other lenses, but that’s ok! Patience!
This announcement is for IBC, which begins on Friday. Signs point to an RF mount announcement later this month.
I'm being facetious, of course. They said RF lenses and these are CN-R.
- 20mm F1.4
- 24mm F1.4
- 28mm F1.4 (for CR guy)
- 35mm F1.4
- 50mm F1.4
- 85 mm F1.4
All the sudden becoming available all at the same time :)
Apparently, six would do (because 14mm F1.4 would be a whole different lens and doesn’t fit the lineup). so, common Canon
For stills, you typically have a camera and a lens and maybe a flash. Having different size lenses is not problematic, and if a lens could be smaller would you really want it to be bigger and heavier than necessary? For cinema, the lens is only one small part of a large rig, and having lenses all the same size means less work to change them out in that rig.