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JUST ANNOUNCED: Canon announces development of six new EOS R lenses

14 February 2019

JUST ANNOUNCED: Canon announces development of six new EOS R lenses

 

When Canon first announced the four launching EOS R lenses last year, we knew more would be on the way pretty quickly and today Canon announce their roadmap with six further lenses - 

  • RF 85mm F1.2L USM
  • RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS
  • RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM
  • RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
  • RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
  • RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM

No firm dates of release have been given as yet other than 2019.  What's interesting is really the nature of these lenses announced.  Canon are making no bones about launching pretty high spec fast lenses, giving a pretty firm indication of where they want to go with the EOS R system.  In fact, as yet Canon really don't actually offer any really cheap EOS R mount lenses (the 24-105mm that can ship with the EOS R as a kit is without doubt the finest kit lens we have ever seen from them).  All slightly bizarre that on the same day they announce a new EOS RP lower spec camera.  We can only assume that lower spec smaller lenses will be next.

 

Here's the press release 

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, 14 February 2019 – Canon, the world leader in lens manufacturing, today reaffirms its commitment to its recently launched EOS R System and RF Mount, announcing the development of six full frame lenses for release in 2019 in celebration of reaching a production milestone of 140 million EF and RF lensesā±. Redefining the possibilities of photography and videography, Canon’s innovative EOS R System and existing RF portfolio of lenses provides the tools for users to enhance their skills and shoot creatively, without limitations.

The RF Mount – built from the ground up

Built from the ground up, the EOS R System and RF Mount takes the heritage of the existing EOS System to new heights. Developed in line with technological advancements and end user feedback, Canon’s development of EOS anticipates the future technical and creative needs of photographers and videographers. The EOS R System incorporates the best of EOS, with even greater levels of performance, lens design possibilities and creative flexibility. Launched in September 2018, the RF lens mount enables a radical new optical design, allowing large lens elements to be placed as near to the sensor as possible, allowing light to hit the sensor straight on. The RF Mount enhances communication and power transmission between the lens and camera body, as well as helping to achieve the world’s fastest autofocus speed for a full frame mirrorless camera systemii. The mount’s short back focus and wide 54mm mount diameter has made it possible for Canon optical engineers to have a new degree of freedom in order to create a new generation of optics – it provides an ideal balance between reducing the size of the system, high-quality images and high-spec performance. When developing the EOS R System, Canon’s engineers considered the ease of handling and potential to expand the lens portfolio in the future. This new line-up of lenses provides shooting options for all users of the EOS R System, whatever their requirements – from stills and movies, to landscapes or weddings.

Six lenses – shoot your own way

Six full frame RF lenses are currently in development, suiting the needs of every user from advanced amateurs, to professional photographers and videographers, all in pursuit of the perfect shot. Building on Canon’s optical lens heritage, this range of lenses will push forward the frontiers of creative capture thanks to the new, cutting-edge optics and advanced image processing for both stills and video. The RF 85mm F1.2L USM is a large aperture mid-telephoto prime lens, offering the ultimate performance for advanced and professional portrait photographers. The RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS, with Defocus Smoothing, is a unique high-performance lens, offering a combination of beautifully smooth, defocused foreground and background bokeh and a super-fast aperture to produce breathtaking portraits. The RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is a high-performance, standard zoom lens for professionals and photo enthusiasts alike – ideal for shooting portraits, landscapes, documentary or weddings. Offering a wide angle and fast aperture in a single package, the RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM is ideal for a range of genres including architecture, interiors or landscapes. The fifth lens currently in development, the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM, is a must-have for any professional photographer shooting weddings, sport or wildlife. This lens is a great all-round, high-speed, medium telephoto zoom lens. Finally, the RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM is the perfect travel companion – practical in both size and performance. It is a versatile all-purpose lens for the advanced amateur photographer or videographer offering a range of focal lengths for capturing extraordinary shots.

Mr Issei Morimoto, Senior Vice President of Product Management and Marketing, Canon Europe, commented: “Last year, with the launch of the EOS R System we showcased the future of photography and videography. With that, Canon championed the core strengths of our EOS R System and RF Mount – innovation, compatibility and quality. As the production of our EF and RF lenses reaches a momentous milestone of 140 million, our new RF Mount opens a new world of creative opportunities for all photographers and videographers, whether they’re an existing EOS user, new to EOS R or stepping into the world of full frame. Today, with the announcement of our lens roadmap, we’re building on our lens heritage and firmly committing to the future, showcasing our investment in our pioneering full frame world. Delivering incredible image quality and optical excellence for our customers is paramount and this is just the first step on a long journey, ensuring every Canon user can achieve their perfect shot.”

Adding to the full frame family

Further expanding the EOS R System, Canon today also launches the EOS RP – ideal for those looking to take a step-up from Canon’s APS-C models into Canon’s full frame world. It is compact, lightweight and versatile. Ideal for travel, landscape and portrait photography and videography, the EOS RP opens up the full spectrum of benefits of the EOS R System – including the world’s fastest autofocus – and as Canon’s smallest, lightestiii full frame digital camera to date it provides the ultimate blend of practicality and ease of use, with impressive image quality. Promising greater potential, advanced amateur photographers and videographers can use the EOS RP to enhance their technical skills and explore their creativity. Additionally, three lens mount adapters allow more than 70 current EF and EF-S lenses to be used with the EOS RP and the innovative EOS R System, adding new functionality to existing optics, while maintaining the excellent levels of performance and functionality previously seen with EOS DSLRs.

i 140 million milestone figure is the accumulated production as at 19th December 2018. Figure includes RF lenses and Cinema lenses

ii As of 13 February 2019, among interchangeable lens digital mirrorless cameras incorporating a 35mm full frame equivalent image sensor with contrast detection AF and phase detection AF on the image plane. Calculated from the results of measured AF speed, based on CIPA guidelines (differs depending on shooting conditions and lens used). Measured using internal methods. Measurement conditions: EV12 (ambient temperature/ISO 100), Manual Mode, using the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM (at a focal length of 24mm) with the following settings: shutter released using the shutter button, 1-point AF (Center AF), One-Shot AF)

iii 485g with battery and memory card

 

For more information about the EOS R camera System, please visit /stills/mirrorless/canon/

For more information about the EOS R lens System, please visit /stills/lenses/canon-rf/

HIRE LINKS: 

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS

Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM

Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM

Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM