On 30 October 2024, Canon announced the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM, a new professional-grade photo/video hybrid lens. The fastest wide-angle lens in the RF mount lineup, its video-centric features make it the perfect supplement for its hybrid prime lens counterparts, RF35mm f/1.4L VCM and RF50mm f/1.4L VCM, allowing photographers and video producers to create stunning, high-quality photos and videos with beautiful bokeh and a unique cinematic perspective.
Amazingly dynamic
From panoramic wide shots that establish the scene, to shooting in tight interiors, to immersive closeups that draw viewers into the action, a wide-angle lens is a must-have for elevating your storytelling.
The RF mount’s current fastest wide-angle prime lens is armed with a large f/1.4 maximum aperture, outstanding professional-grade optics and build quality, and features that improve ease of use during video shooting such as an iris ring. Designed to delight both still and video shooters, it caters to a growing group of creators who need to create high-quality images and content more efficiently.
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/40 sec, ISO 800)/ WB: 3700K
Bokeh (shallow focus blur) usually becomes less obvious on wider focal lengths, but the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM’s large f/1.4 maximum aperture increases both low light and expressive possibilities. Accentuate your images with glittery bokeh balls in the background, or use the shallow depth of field to enhance dimensionality.
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO 800)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
On a more practical note, 24mm is ideal for establishing shots that provide an overview of the scene, and indispensable for shooting interiors and in tight spaces.
24mm: Captivate your audience with intriguing perspectives
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/1600 sec, ISO 800)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
Sitting on the threshold between “wide” and “ultra-wide”, the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM’s 24mm focal length hits the sweet spot. While it is wide enough to capture an expansive view and produce visible perspective effects that immerse viewers in the scene, distortion is still easy to control. It is considered by many as the widest focal length that retains general-purpose versatility and ease of framing.
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/400 sec, ISO 100)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
The RF24mm f/1.4L VCM imparts storytelling potential to even mundane-looking scenes with its ability to capture dramatic wide-angle close-ups that show plenty of context. This is elevated by its prominent f/1.4 bokeh, which directs the viewer’s attention and draws on the power of suggestion, making subjects like this rock submerged in water look particularly fascinating!
Designed for discerning filmmaking
Iris ring
Equipped with an iris ring for smooth aperture adjustments, the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM enables seamless and intuitive control over the brightness and depth of field transitions that play an important role in video expression and storytelling.
The RF24mm f/1.4L VCM’s iris ring enables seamless, clickless aperture adjustments1 like the one on Canon’s other hybrid lenses including the RF35mm f/1.4L VCM and RF50mm f/1.4L VCM. Using it allows you to respond intuitively to changing lighting conditions during a video shoot or seamlessly adjust the depth of field to suit the scene while retaining manual control over adjustment speed and timing.
On EOS R series cameras released after June 2024 such as the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II, you can also use the iris ring for aperture control during still shooting.
1: Operation of the iris ring during video shooting might affect AF subject acquisition. The f-stop displayed on the camera may also differ from the actual f-stop.
Focus breathing reduction built into the optics
Enjoy stable compositions with no fluctuations even when racking focus from close-up to infinity, regardless of the camera body! The RF24mm f/1.4L VCM adopts the same electronic floating focus control system as the RF35mm f/1.4L VCM and RF50mm f/1.4L VCM, where the new VCM (Voice Coil Motor) and Nano USM work together to thoroughly suppress focus breathing in all focus positions. Further reduction is available with a camera body that supports focus breathing correction.
Focus Breathing Correction
RF24mm f/1.4L VCM + EOS R6 Mark II
Seamless interchangeability
Compact and lightweight at just approximately 515g, the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM is portable and easy to manoeuvre handheld. It is designed to share the same external design, control layout, and dimensions as the RF35mm f/1.4L VCM and RF50mm f/1.4L VCM. All three lenses are 99.3mm long and share the same 67mm front filter thread. All these facilitate quick, easy lens swapping even when shooting on a rig or gimbal.
Outstanding optical quality
As a professional-grade L-series lens, the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM is designed to deliver beautiful colours and outstanding image quality that satisfies the needs of users who use it to make a living. Canon’s advanced optical technologies and the design flexibility afforded by the large diameter, short back focus RF mount make this possible within a compact body.
A: Aspherical lens
B: UD lenses
C: ASC
D: SWC
The RF24mm f/1.4L VCM contains 2 effectively placed UD lenses to correct chromatic aberrations.
One glass-molded (GMo) aspherical lens corrects spherical aberration and image distortion.
Two different anti-reflective coatings, ASC (Air Sphere Coating) and SWC (Subwavelength Structure Coating) reduce flaring and ghosting.
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/200 sec, ISO 800)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
We’re more likely to include a strong light source like the sun in the frame with a wide-angle lens, simply because of their wider field of view. The RF24mm f/1.4L VCM has two different anti-reflective coatings, SWC and ASC, that reduce the ghosting and flaring that’s likely to occur, allowing us to create starbursts with peace of mind. The lens’ 11-bladed circular aperture, designed to ensure beautiful circular bokeh even when stopped down slightly, creates unique 22-rayed starbursts.
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 6 sec, ISO 800)/ WB: 3200K
Soft filter in rear filter holder
From the image centre
From the image edge
With its wide angle and large maximum aperture, the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM is ideal for starscapes and astrophotography. The glass-molded (GMo) aspherical lens that it includes to combat distortions and spherical aberration also reduces sagittal coma flare, ensuring that point light sources such as stars appear as points even at the corners of the image.
Precise autofocus control
The VCM (Voice Coil Motor) and Nano USM-driven electronic floating focus system that keeps focus breathing under control also enables faster, more precise control of the heavy focusing lens groups. It works with advanced new control algorithms to enable smoother, quieter focus tracking during video recording, and swifter AF acquisition and “stickier” tracking during still shooting.
Like other large aperture lenses, the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM’s elements are large and heavy. The high-thrust VCM coordinates with the tiny, power-saving Nano USM to move lens groups swiftly and smoothly during focusing.
VCM is a high-thrust drive motor that converts electrical energy into kinetic energy via a magnetic field. The focusing lens unit is fixed to a coil, which is moved linearly along a magnetic field created by drive magnets.
*The illustration shows the RF35mm f/1.4L VCM, but the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM adopts the same system.
The electronic floating focus control system consists of a heavier focusing lens unit and a lighter floating lens unit. The high-thrust VCM moves the former, whereas the smaller, energy-saving Nano USM moves the latter. Moving both groups independently of each other makes it easier for the lenses to be moved to the optimal position, ensuring excellent image resolution regardless of the focal position.
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/1000 sec, ISO 100)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)/ AF area: AF Point expansion: top/bottom/left/right
Tiny, unpredictable fast-moving subjects, shallow depth of field, low contrast between the subject and its surroundings, and close-up shooting are a lethal combination that makes focusing extremely challenging. The swifter AF speed, combined with an advanced new control algorithm for the VCM and Nano USMs, makes it easier than ever for Servo AF to acquire focus on a subject, lock onto it, and track it tenaciously during both still and video shooting.
Other notable features
Rear filter holder included
In addition to the 67mm front filter thread, the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM comes with a rear filter holder that can take a sheet-type filter. As this rear filter holder is closer to the camera sensor (image plane), using it to hold a soft filter when photographing stars makes it possible to capture them as point light sources without distortion.
Lens function button
The programmable lens function button on the left side of the lens barrel can be turned into a shortcut for various functions. By default, it functions as an AF stop button.
Weather sealing
The RF24mm f/1.4L VCM features a dust- and drip-resistant construction, with the control rings and switch panel sealed to prevent dust and water from entering. Great for outdoor shoots, where the lens excels in capturing dazzling starscapes and shots that make one marvel at the beauty of nature.
Fluorine coating
Smudge-resistant fluorine coating on the frontmost element prevents dust and dirt from sticking onto the lens, and allows them to be easily wiped off with a cleaning cloth.
RF24mm f/1.4L VCM: Key specifications
Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
Closest focusing distance: 0.24m
Maximum magnification: 0.17x
No. of aperture blades: 11 (circular blade)
Filter diameter: 67m
Size: φ76.5 x 99.3mm
Weight: approx. 515g
Bundled accessories
Lens Hood EW-73G
RF24mm f/1.4L VCM: Sample images
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.6, 1/125 sec, ISO 2500)/ WB: Tungsten
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/2500 sec, ISO 100)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/5000 sec, ISO 100)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/1.4, 1/50 sec, ISO 100)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF24mm f/1.4L VCM/ FL: 24mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 1/80 sec, ISO 1250)/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
