Canon today announced the RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, RF50mm F1.4 L VCM, and RF24mm F1.4 L VCM, a trio of hybrid RF lenses that will be an integral part of the hybrid shooter and video creators’ toolkit. The lenses combine classic focal length and maximum aperture, and their EF mount predecessors have been popular among professionals for decades.
The new hybrid lenses have:
- Large maximum apertures to create beautiful bokeh, enhance AF performance and flexibility in low light environments.
- 11 circular aperture blades that maintain beautifully round bokeh even at narrower apertures.
- An iris ring that enables smooth, seamless aperture changes while shooting videos.
- High-precision, quiet AF drive control that eases workflows, allowing creators to focus on creative aspects such as framing.
- An electronic floating focus control system designed to suppress focus breathing, minimising unexpected changes in composition.
- Bodies designed for easier use with rigs and gimbals.
- Unified external dimensions, filter diameters, and controls as other lenses in the same subseries (RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z and RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM; RF50mm F1.4 L VCM and RF24mm F1.4 L VCM with RF35mm f/1.4L VCM), allowing better interchangeability when used together.
These video-centric features can also be found on the previously released RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z and RF35mm f/1.4L VCM. As professional-grade L-series lenses, the three new lenses feature a durable drip-and dust-resistant design, smudge-resistant fluorine coating on the front and rear lens surfaces, and superior optics. These features provide beautiful colours and clean, sharp images even under challenging conditions such as backlight. Besides the video-centric features, the lenses have other technologies and specifications that will appeal to still shooters.
Classic Telephoto Zoom Lens Upgraded for Video
After the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z, the RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z is the second professional hybrid zoom lens that supports advanced, smooth motor-powered zoom control via the Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2/PZ-E2B (sold separately). It supplements the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z with its longer 70-200mm telephoto focal range, capturing high-quality photos and videos of scenes or subjects that are further away such as sports, news and events.
For scenes that require even further reach, the RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z can be used with extenders, which increase the lens’ zoom range to 98 to 280mm at f/4 with Extender RF 1.4x, and 140 to 400mm f/5.6 with Extender RF 2x. Concurrently, it is also capable of close-ups of small objects – at its 200mm end, it has the closest focusing distance of 0.68m and a maximum magnification of 0.3x. Two Nano USMs (Ultrasonic Motor) in an electronic floating focus control system ensure swift, precise autofocusing while delivering high image quality from close focus to infinity.
The RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z’s fixed-length barrel and internal focusing design retain the same centre of gravity during zooming, making it easier to use with a gimbal or rig. The RF mount’s design flexibility also enables a more efficient build. The lens is approximately 25% lighter than the similarly built EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM. Its tripod mount can be easily attached and detached without tools to accommodate different setups and shooting styles.
For handheld shooting, the lens boasts powerful image stabilisation (IS) capabilities equivalent to 5.5 stops in the centre (lens alone), 7.5 stops in the centre and 7 stops in the corners. This is achieved through Coordinated Control IS with a compatible camera equipped with In-Body IS. Additionally, users can capture sharper handheld images and steadier handheld video in low light conditions. The same three-mode IS that is available in the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z can also be found in the RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, improving the user experience since both lenses can be used interchangeably with ease.
