5th September, 2018 – Canon announced the launch of four new RF lenses with the newly developed RF mount — the core of Canon’s new EOS R System. The four lenses, built on the unique characteristics of the RF Series, comprised of Canon’s initial lens offering.

Characteristics of the RF Lenses

The RF lenses inherited the wide 54 mm internal diameter from the EF mount while utilising the advantages made possible by the RF mirrorless camera mount to achieve a short flange focus distance* of 20mm for a greater degree of freedom in lens design. Through this advancement, Canon is now able to expand the possibilities of high image quality, advanced specifications and compact design interchangeable lenses options.

Apart from the focus ring and zoom ring, RF lenses also feature an entirely new “control ring” to which users can assign such exposure settings function. The control ring can be operated alongside other controls looking through the electronic viewfinder (EVF), for more intuitive shooting.

* Achieved by creating a short distance along the optical axis between the rearmost element of a lens and the imaging surface of the camera when focused to infinity.

RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM

The RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM realizes a compact design and advanced specifications, while achieving a constant aperture value of f/4 across the entire zoom range. Delivering the highest standards of descriptive performance, operability and durability suitable for an L (Luxury) Series lens, the RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a compact standard zoom lens designed for EOS R system. Developed for anyone striving for superior visual expression. Thanks to its smooth autofocusing, the lens is also well-suited to videography as well, apart from still photography.

The optical configuration of the RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM comprises 18 lens elements in 14 groups, including three glass-molded aspheric lenses and a UD lens, resulting in high image quality, a more compact optical configuration and reduced aberrations. The lens features Canon’s proprietary ASC (Air Sphere Coating), which exhibits exceptional anti-reflective properties for incident light that enters the lens at an almost vertical angle. These properties greatly reduce the occurrence of flaring and ghosting. The RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM achieves a compact size of approximately 107.3 mm in length — a reduction of approximately 10.7 mm compared to the EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM (released in November 2016). Combined with an EOS R camera, it becomes an incredibly portable camera system.

The RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM is also the first L Series lens to feature a Nano USM, which first appeared in the EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM (released in March 2016). When used in conjunction with the EOS R mirrorless camera’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, the lens delivers smooth, high-speed AF during video recording. Equipped with Canon’s latest microprocessor, the RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM achieves 5 stops* of image stabilization—the most ever achieved by any Canon lens, made possible by faster communication between the lens and camera. The lens also supports Dual Sensing IS, which applies stabilization to correct large, low-frequency vibration caused by body movement when shooting stills. Video capture utilizes Combination IS, a feature in which the optical IS of the lens works together with the electronic IS of the camera body to produce a superior image stabilization effect.

* When shooting with the EOS R at a focal length of 105mm. Based on CIPA standards.

RF50mm f/1.2L USM

Designed to achieve high image quality, the RF50mm f/1.2L USM large-diameter prime lens built on the wide diameter and short flange focus distance of the RF mount to achieve a bright aperture of f/1.2. As an L (Luxury) Series lens developed for professional photographers and anyone striving for superior visual expression, the RF50mm f/1.2L USM pursues the highest standards of performance, operability and durability. Retaining incredible sharpness while delivering exquisite bokeh effects, makes RF50mm f/1.2L USM ideal for portrait photography.

Thanks to its bright f/1.2 aperture, the RF50mm f/1.2L USM enables users to create excellent background separation and allows users to increase shutter speed for reduced camera shake shooting in night time or indoor environments

The optical configuration of the lens comprises a total of 15 elements in 9 groups, including an Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) lens, 2 ground and polished aspheric lenses and a glass-molded aspheric lens. Positioning this wide-diameter lens closer to the imaging plane achieves reduced chromatic aberration and ensuring excellent performance with high resolution and high contrast from the centre to the edge of the image.

The RF50mm f/1.2L USM features Canon’s proprietary ASC (Air Sphere Coating), which exhibits exceptional anti-reflective properties for incident light that enters the lens at an almost vertical angle. These properties greatly reduce the occurrence of flaring and ghosting, suitable in a variety of shooting environments.

In addition, the lens achieves a minimum focusing distance of 0.4 m, enabling users to get closer to their subjects for a more composition opportunities.

RF28-70mm F/2L USM

RF28-70mm f/2L USM is a result of endless pursue for advanced specifications and high image quality. Delivering the highest standards of descriptive performance, operability and durability of an L (Luxury) Series lens. Not only it is ideal for shooting portraits and landscapes, but also such types of photography including weddings and astrophotography could take advantage of the wide f/2 aperture. Thanks to the newly developed RF mount, the large-diameter RF28-70mm f/2 L USM maintains a constant aperture of f/2 across the entire zoom range. The lens features an optical configuration comprising 19 lens elements in 13 groups, including two ground and polished aspheric lenses, two glass-molded aspheric lenses, a super UD lens and two UD lenses. As a result, superior image quality is realized throughout the wide 28-70 mm zoom range. With its constant f/2 aperture, the RF28-70mm f/2 L USM opens up new photographic possibilities to users.

The RF28-70mm f/2L USM features Canon’s proprietary Air Sphere Coating (ASC) and SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC). Taking full advantage of these technologies, the lens greatly reduces reflected light that causes flaring and ghosting.

The surface of Canon’s SWC suppresses light reflection with countless wedge-shaped structures smaller than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of a camera lens. With ASC, a film containing a mixture of silicon dioxide and air is created over a vapour deposition lens coating to suppress the reflection of light. Systematic lining of the inside of the coating with spheres of air forms an ultra-low refractive index layer allowing extreme anti-reflective performance.

RF35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM

The RF35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM is designed under the concepts of compact design and advance specifications. With a wide, fixed focal length of 35 mm, the lens is ideal for everyday shooting and still-life photography. The RF35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM achieves a compact and lightweight design, measuring just 62.8 mm long and weighing approximately 305 g. When combined with an EOS R camera, it makes a truly portable camera system.

Equipped with Canon’s latest microprocessor, the RF35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM achieves 5 stops² of image stabilization—the most ever achieved by any Canon lens. This improved IS performance is made possible by faster communication between the lens and camera.

The lens features a Hybrid IS which corrects hand shake with high precision during macro photography. The RF35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM also supports Dual Sensing IS, which applies stabilization to correct large, low-frequency vibration caused by body movement when shooting stills. Video capture utilizes Combination IS, a feature in which the optical IS of the lens works together with the electronic IS of the camera body to produce a superior image stabilization effect.

¹ Magnification refers to the ratio between the size of the subject and its size when reproduced on a camera’s image sensor. A magnification ratio of 1.0x (1:1) means that a subject can be reproduced at its actual size on the camera’s image sensor

² When shooting with the EOS R. Based on CIPA standards.