Along with the new Canon EOS RP, Canon has announced six new lenses. Sort of. They haven’t announced that the lenses are available, or when they’ll be available (other than “later in 2019”), just that they’re under development.
Five of the lenses are clearly aimed at professional users, offering the “Holy Grail” with 15-35mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms, as well as two 85mm f/1.2 lenses. But they’re not forgetting those who love their superzooms, either, with a 24-240mm f/4-6.3.
About the new lenses, Canon’s release reads something like this…
Canon Inc, is developing six new RF-series lenses, further displaying the company’s commitment to the EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera system. Canon’s new RF mount allows for fast, light, and high-performing optics with a large opening diameter and short back focus distance. Each new lens in development will help fulfill the needs of amateur and advanced amateurs to professional photographers and videographers, covering critical focal lengths.
The RF 85mm F1.2 L USM is a large aperture mid-telephoto prime lens. It offers excellent performance for advanced and professional portrait photographers and is a widely popular focal length and aperture speed combination for users.
The RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS, with Defocus Smoothing lens technology, is a uniquely designed lens that offers a combination of beautifully smooth defocused bokeh. Featuring a super-fast F1.2 aperture, the lens will help produce breathtaking portraits that will surely stand out from the crowd.
The RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM is a high-performance, standard zoom lens for professionals and photo enthusiasts alike – ideal for shooting portraits, landscapes, documentaries or weddings.
The RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM, offering a wide angle and fast aperture in a single package, is ideal for a variety of shooting applications including architecture, interiors or landscapes.
The RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM is a must-have for any professional photographer, especially for those shooting weddings, sports or wildlife. This lens is a great all-around, high-speed, medium telephoto zoom lens and does well to round out any camera bag.
The RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM is the ideal lens for amateurs and advanced amateurs who love to travel, no matter the destination. The versatile, all-purpose lens offers a range of focal lengths for capturing extraordinary shots in a form factor that is both compact and lightweight.
All six RF lenses under development are built around Canon’s new RF mount, which features a large 54mm diameter and shorter back focus distance than on current EOS DSLR cameras. In addition, the RF mount enhances communication and power transmission between the lens and camera body, which has helped Canon to achieve the world’s fastest autofocus speed for a full-frame mirrorless camera system
For appearances, the 70-200mm f/2.8, as we might expect, sports the classic white Canon look, while the rest come in a more traditional understated black.
RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS
RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM
RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM
RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM
RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM
Beyond the focal lengths and maximum apertures, there aren’t really any other details about the lenses, and no word on price. I’m curious to find out exactly what “Defocus smoothing” is in the real world and what advantages it offers.
Canon plans to have the lenses out “later in 2019”, but haven’t mentioned any specific dates.
Given that five of these are clearly “pro level” lenses, hopefully, they’ll also have a pro level EOS R body to go with them by the time they are released.
