Canon Announces Four RF Lenses

Spencer Cox

It was a big day for Canon mirrorless shooters, with four new RF lenses joining the EOS R system! Newly announced are the RF 24mm f/1.4 L, the RF 50mm f/1.4 L, the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L Z, and the RF-S 7.8mm f/4 Dual. Here’s a quick look at these lenses.

Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 L VCM

A bright, wide-angle prime lens that shares many of its features with the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L that was announced back in June. Like the RF 35mm f/1.4 L (and the RF 50mm f/1.4 L also announced today), Canon is advertising the RF 24mm f/1.4 L as a “hybrid” lens with features for both video and digital photography. The biggest video features are the dedicated aperture ring, the minimal focus breathing, and the nearly identical construction to the 35mm and 50mm versions of the lens. I should note that the aperture ring on the RF 24mm f/1.4 L (like Canon’s other lenses) is “clicked” by default. If you need to de-click the aperture ring, you must send the lens off to Canon for a fee (currently $80).

The Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 L

Although the Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 L is not the cheapest lens, at $1500, it is still reasonable compared to many 24mm f/1.4 lenses of the past. Canon’s previous EF 24mm f/1.4 L II cost $1700 when it was introduced in 2008, and Nikon’s 24mm f/1.4G retailed for $2200 in 2010. The trend of less expensive 24mm f/1.4 lenses was helped along by Sigma and Sony over the years, though. I’m glad to see this one priced competitively, and I’m looking forward to testing it! Although for me, the test will mainly be about landscape photography, travel, and Milky Way photography.

The Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 is expected to ship December 12. Here are the full specifications:

Canon RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM

Canon mirrorless shooters have been waiting patiently for a 50mm lens that would slot between the RF 50mm f/1.8 and the RF 50mm f/1.2 L. Today’s the day! The RF 50mm f/1.4 L has the potential to be a very popular choice among wedding photographers, street photographers, and – because it’s also one of Canon’s new hybrid lenses – videographers.

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.4 L

A lot of the specifications below will look like I just copy/pasted them from the RF 24mm f/1.4 L above, and that’s because I did! These two lenses (plus the existing RF 35mm f/1.4 L) are designed to be as similar to one another as possible in real-world use. They weigh about the same, share a 67mm filter thread, and are identical in length and diameter. This makes it much easier to swap lenses without messing up the balance of a motorized gimbal or readjusting your video rig.

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.4 L is a little less expensive at $1399, although this is still on the high side for a 50mm f/1.4 lens. Hopefully the performance justifies it! As with the RF 24mm f/1.4 L, the 50mm f/1.4 L is expected to ship on December 12.

Here are the lens’s full specifications:

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z

We certainly got a lot of hybrid lenses today! The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is the second 70-200mm f/2.8 for Canon’s RF system. This new version features an internally-zooming design, compatibility with the PZ-E2 power zoom adapter, and compatibility with teleconverters. The optical construction is also different – we’ll have to see if it’s better or not!

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L Z (black)

An interesting tidbit about this lens is that it shares the same external design as the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L. Both lenses can be used with Canon’s power zoom adapter (hence the “Z” in the name) and can be swapped more seamlessly. This 70-200mm f/2.8 does weigh less than the 24-105mm f/2.8 L, though, at 1115 grams compared to 1330 grams (2.46 and 2.93 pounds).

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L Z (white) with EOS R1 and PZ-E2 adapter

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z will sell for $3000 and launches in just a couple of weeks, estimated to ship November 14. It will be available both in black and white. If you don’t need teleconverter compatibility or any of the other new features, Canon is still selling the previous RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L for $2800 (actually $2500 with the current sale).

Here are the full specifications:

Canon RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual Lens

This is the third lens in Canon’s “Dual” series meant for virtual reality filming. The RF-S 7.8mm f/4 Dual is a crop-sensor lens meant for Canon’s APS-C cameras, and it is not meant for traditional photography or videography needs.

Photography Life does not typically write about VR content, but I’ll note that this lens is aimed to be a less expensive version of the two existing Canon Dual lenses. (Unlike those, it does not use two fisheye lenses.) It’s launching for $450 (pre-order here) and is expected to ship November 14. By comparison, the Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 Dual costs $2000, and the Canon RF-S 3.9mm f/3.5 Dual costs $1100.

The Canon RF-S 7.8mm f/4 Dual with EOS R7

Press Releases

Below are the two press releases that Canon published alongside these lens announcements.

Expanding the Range of Expression: Canon Announces Three New L Series Hybrid Lenses

MELVILLE, NY, October 30, 2024 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced the launch of three new RF L series hybrid lenses: RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM, RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM and RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z. Designed for professional visual storytellers who need to switch between photography and video, these three lenses continue Canon’s steadfast commitment to meeting the demands of high-level photo and video content creators.

RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM & RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM

If you are on a quest for impressive, dramatic content, RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM lenses would be excellent additions to your gear bag. For those who are professional photo/video users, journalists or in-house production creators, these two lenses are designed for hybrid use and optimized for those switching from photo and video needs quickly. They feature an optical design that utilizes the RF mount to achieve high quality across the entire image area. Quiet, fast and precise AF are thanks to Canon’s latest actuator and focusing system and the unified exterior helps with easier gimbal adjustments for more efficient shooting. The expressive power of a f/1.4 aperture in combination with a wider field of view than what the human eye can capture, makes perspective more prominent and brings images vividly to life. Additional features include:

  • Compact, with a length of 3.9 inches, and lightweight: RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM is 18.1 ounces and RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM is 20.4 ounces
  • With a combination of VCM and Nano USM actuators, stable video composition with little breathing
  • Customizable with an iris ring for controlling aperture during shooting, lens function button and customizable control and focus rings

RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z

A telephoto lens that is versatile across the spectrum – including sports, fashion and news reporting – the RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z is an RF L series lens that takes into consideration functions end-users value most. Taking the same exterior case design and internal mechanics of the RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, the RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z lens balances well as a companion on gimbals and rigs. Compatible with extenders, the RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z produces high-quality images with its large f/2.8 zoom aperture and has minimal focus breathing, ideal for content creators. Its iris ring enables fine-tuned video recording and its compatibility with power zoom adapters makes it a strong addition for video production needs. Additional features include:

  • Close up shooting with a maximum magnification of 0.3x
  • Image stabilization equal up to 5.5 stops in the center on the lens alone, or up to 7.5 stops in the center, up to 7.0 stops in the corners in coordinate control within-body IS
  • Dust and drip resistant construction as well as light weight at approximately 1,100 grams

Pricing and Availability

The Canon RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM lenses are expected to be available in December at estimated retail price of $1,499.00* and $1,399.00,* respectively. The Canon RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z lens is expected to be available in November at estimated retail price of $2,999.00*.

For additional information, please visit www.usa.canon.com.

Canon Introduces the RF-S 7.8MM F4 STM Dual Lens: Expanding Capabilities for VR and 3D Content Creators

MELVILLE, NY, October 30, 2024 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced the new RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, designed for social media content creators and enthusiast videographers. Compatible with the Canon EOS R7 and the latest addition to the growing EOS VR System lineup, this innovative lens offers a practical and affordable way to explore storytelling in the expanding world of VR and 3D content creation.

Previewed at Apple’s WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2024 keynote, this lens has been crafted for those looking to explore new visual formats, particularly with the rising interest in spatial video content. The 7.8mm focal length and 60-degree angle of view provide an immersive field of vision, for capturing detailed 3D content, allowing creators to deliver captivating and lifelike visual experiences.

Making VR and 3D content creation accessible to a wider audience, Canon has designed the RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens with a focus on simplicity. Even with its advanced features, the lens operates much like a traditional 2D RF-mount lens, with a straightforward workflow that empowers even newcomers to VR and spatial production to achieve impressive results. After capturing video with this interchangeable lens, users can leverage the EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe® Premiere® Pro to convert footage to 3D 180° VR, or the EOS VR Utility software (separately available with a paid subscription) to convert the footage into 3D 180° VR, 3D Theater, and spatial video ready to be experienced on devices like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3, offering a seamless transition from camera to immersive viewing.

Compatible with the Canon EOS R7 camera body, the high-speed autofocus and high-resolution image sensor, coupled with Canon’s renowned color science, effortlessly captures detailed VR content and Spatial videos whether you’re shooting in controlled environments or on the go.

“With the RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, Canon is not only providing a new visual tool but also enhancing the way creators communicate using emerging VR, spatial and 3D technologies,” said Hiroto Kato, vice president, Imaging Products & Solutions at Canon U.S.A., Inc. “This lens allows users to capture immersive content, bridging the gap between traditional content creation and the latest in VR and Spatial imagery. It’s an exciting step forward in making high-quality 3D content more approachable for everyone.”

As the demand for VR content continues to climb, the need for user-friendly 3D imaging equipment becomes increasingly important. The RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is designed to meet this demand, working seamlessly with devices from Apple Vision Pro to Meta Quest 3, lowering the barriers to creating 3D images, making immersive content more accessible for anyone, from casual hobbyists to dedicated enthusiasts.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is scheduled to be available in November 2024 for an estimated retail price of $449.99*. For additional information, please visit www.usa.canon.com.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. With approximately $29.4 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc., as of 2023 has ranked in the top-five overall in U.S. patents granted for 38 consecutive years †. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To learn more about Canon, visit us at www.usa.canon.com and connect with us on LinkedIn athttps://www.linkedin.com/company/canonusa.

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* Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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