RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM: Expand Your Photographic Horizons
On 9 July 2019, Canon announced the first superzoom lens in its RF lens lineup. While the lineup promises high image quality through a large mount diameter and short back focus, and the pioneering RF lenses were relatively compact considering their performance, there was still demand for a smaller, lighter superzoom lens that would be convenient for travel. Enter the new RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM, an attractively-priced RF travel lens poised to literally and figuratively chalk up mileage together with its users.
Perfect for travel: 10x zoom to cover almost all scenes
With a focal range that starts at a wide-angle 24mm and goes all the way to a telephoto 240mm, you can capture a breath-taking view of a grand landscape one moment, and then close in on an eye-catching detail the next. This enables you to explore a greater range of framing possibilities, even when travelling light.
Shot at the wide-angle end (24mm)
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 24mm/ Shutter-priority AE (f/6.3, 1 sec, EV-0.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight
Images shot at the wide-angle end are high quality all the way to the corners, a testament to the merits of the RF mount’s large diameter and short back focus.
Shot at the telephoto end (240mm)
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 240mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/6.3, 1/25 sec, EV-0.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto
Besides zooming in closer to faraway subjects, how about harnessing the beautiful bokeh that’s possible at long focal lengths?
Nano USM: Smooth, speedy AF for both stills and video
The lens AF is driven by the Nano USM, a linearly-driven ultrasound motor that is smaller than your fingertip. The tiny size contributed to the compact design of the RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM.
When you shoot stills, Nano USM produces a high torque that drives the focusing unit, resulting in fast, accurate AF. When you shoot video, its fine speed control capabilities ensure quiet, smooth focal transitions and tracking, without distracting machine noise.
In other words, Nano USM optimises the AF on the RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM for both still shooting and videography.
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 240mm/ Shutter-priority AE (f/7.1, 1/800 sec, EV-0.3)/ ISO 1250/ WB: Auto
5-stop image stabilisation to banish camera shake from handheld telephoto shots
At 240mm, the telephoto end of the RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM is longer that on the popular EF70-200mm series. It’s wonderful to be able to get closer, but the longer the focal length, the more camera shake becomes an issue, especially when shooting by hand.
That base is covered with the 5-stop in-lens image stabilisation (IS) on the RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM, which produces an effect that is equivalent to shooting as much as 5 shutter speed stops faster. This lets you shoot at ease even when you are indoors or under low light conditions.
Dynamic IS during movie shooting: A first for a Canon full-frame lens
The RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM is Canon’s first lens for full-frame cameras to be equipped with the Dynamic IS mode for movie shooting. Dynamic IS carries out precise correction of blurring caused by low frequency, intense shaking, which is created when you film from a vehicle or while you are walking. Its effects are enhanced with Combination IS, which combines optical stabilization in the lens with the 5-axis digital image stabilisation in the camera body.
IS ON
IS OFF
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 240mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/6.3, 1/6 sec)/ ISO 1600/ WB: Daylight
Hybrid focusing/control ring
RF lenses are characterised by the customisable control ring, which enables quick, intuitive control over ISO speed, exposure compensation and other exposure settings all with the twist of a ring.
On the RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM, this control ring has been combined with the focusing ring into a hybrid ring, resulting in a streamlined design that makes the lens more compact.
With the flick of a switch, users can turn the control ring into a focusing ring for manual focusing. This is an efficient design, considering how most users shoot with AF, reducing the need for a dedicated focusing ring.
RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM
Key specifications
Lens construction: 21 elements in 15 groups
Closest focusing distance: 0.5 – 0.78m
Maximum magnification: 0.26x
No. of aperture blades: 7 (circular blades)
Filter diameter: 72mm
Size: φ80.4 x 122.5mm
Weight: approx. 750g
Lens construction
A: Aspherical lens elements
B: UD lens elements
EOS RP+ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM
Sample images
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 24mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/4, 1/320 sec)/ ISO 320/ WB: Auto
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 240mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/6.3, 1/320 sec)/ ISO 640/ WB: Auto
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 188mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/9, 1/125 sec, EV+1)/ ISO 400/ WB: Daylight
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 240mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/6.3, 1/800 sec, EV+0.7)/ ISO 800/ WB: Daylight
EOS RP/ RF24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM/ FL: 240mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/6.3, 1/800 sec, EV+0.7)/ ISO 800/ WB: Daylight
Gearing up to travel? Check out our travel shooting tips here:
Essential Checklist for Travel Photography
Irresistible Tips from Professionals in Travel Photography
5 Photography Techniques to Try on Your Next Trip
5 Portrait Photography Techniques to Take You from Day to Night
5 Places in Asia for Awesome Travel Photos
Find out about the other RF lenses that Canon plans to release in 2019 here:
Canon’s New EOS RP: Start Your Full-Frame Mirrorless Journey Today
You might also be interested in:
Sights of Switzerland: 5 Ways to Make the Most of the EOS R
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