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Canon commits to RF Mount With six new lenses For EOS R System

In February 2019, Canon announced the development of a further six Full-Frame, RF lenses for use on their new EOS R system. From the roadmap that Canon supplied, we understand that these are going to be released at some point within 2019 and cover a wide range of focal lengths, suiting the needs to different photographers / videographers. Read Canons press release below to learn more!

This announcement comes in conjunction to the announcement of the latest addition to the EOS R system; the EOS RP. You can read more about this by reading our hands-on first look.

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 system . 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, lightest  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.

Our thoughts:

The new RF 85mm f/1.2 L lens is certainly a very exciting prospect. We already love shooting with the RF 50mm f/1.2 and 85mm is my personal favourite focal length for portraits so I can’t wait to try it out.

Having the staple lenses of the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS, RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS and the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS is a big boost for the RF ecosystem and brings the ‘go to’ focal ranges at a professional level to the new mirrorless cameras. Having IS in all three is just the cherry on top.

The RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS is an interesting one. It certainly looks like it’ll be an ideal travel lens, giving you such a versatile focal range all in one package.

You can see how we got on with the RF 28-70mm f/2 L lens by watching our hands-on review!

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By Park Cameras on 16/02/2019