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Canon announces six exciting new RF lenses for 2019

Canon unveils six new RF lenses for 2019: A Canon EOS R camera with the RF lens mount visible.
The six new RF lenses for the EOS R System will capitalise on the revolutionary RF lens mount.

With the launch of the EOS RP, Canon revealed six new lenses are in development for the revolutionary RF mount – the heart of Canon's full-frame mirrorless EOS R System.

The RF mount was designed with a balance of optical, mechanical and electronic engineering that’s allowed innovative full-frame lens designs, faster autofocus and high-speed communication between the camera and lens.

Four high-performance RF lenses were introduced at the launch of the EOS R System, including the Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM lens – the world’s first standard zoom lens with an f/2 aperture. Three of the four were L-series lenses, with top-of-the-line rugged construction incorporating dust and water resistance.

A Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens.
One of the RF lenses unveiled today is the high-speed medium telephoto zoom Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
A Canon lens.
The Canon RF 24-70 F2.8L IS USM lens brings the popular 24-70mm length to the EOS R System.
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For 2019, this range will extend to include the:

  • RF 85mm F1.2L USM : A large aperture mid-telephoto prime lens, offering the ultimate performance for advanced and professional portrait photographers.
  • RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS : A unique high-performance lens offering a combination of beautifully smooth defocused background bokeh and a super faster aperture to produce breath-taking portraits.
  • RF 24-70 F2.8L IS USM : The high-performance standard zoom for professionals and photo enthusiasts shooting portraits, landscapes, documentary or weddings.
  • RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM : Offering wide angle, fast aperture and high performance in a single package this lens is idea for a range of uses including architecture, interiors or landscapes.
  • RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM : This compact, affordable 10x zoom is a multipurpose travel lens offering a versatile range of focal lengths and practical size and performance.
  • RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM : The must-have lens for any professional photographer shooting weddings, sport or wildlife. This high-speed medium telephoto zoom will be the daily go-to lens for numerous occasions.
A diagram showing the communication between the Canon EOS R camera and lens.
The Canon RF lens mount enables high-speed communication between Canon EOS R System cameras and lenses.
Hands on with the full-frame mirrorless Canon Rhea

Hands on with the full-frame mirrorless Canon EOS RP

Landscape and nature enthusiast Gergo Kazsimer was among the first to use the Canon EOS RP, on a trip to shoot spectacular South African sights.

"The EOS R System actually began with our engineers asking the question: 'Where do we want to go with optics? What is the future for Canon lenses?'" says Mike Burnhill, Canon Europe's European Technical Support Manager. "The whole point is 'Reimagining optical excellence' – that's where the name EOS R originally came from. The mirror mechanisms used in DSLRs compromised lens design, and getting rid of that compromise in EOS R enables us to take lens technology to new levels.

"In 2019, Canon is delivering what I call the 'f/2.8 trinity' – 70-200mm, 24-70mm, and 15-35mm, covering the full range that a professional is going to need – in addition to two beautiful high-performance 85mm primes one including defocus smoothing for producing smooth out of focus bokeh and a versatile, multi-purpose 10x zoom lens.

"With the range of RF lenses, users with all kinds of photographic requirements are going to be able to enjoy the breathtaking optical quality and performance that the Canon EOS R System makes possible."

A Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS lens.
The Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS lens brings beautifully smooth defocused background bokeh.
A Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM lens.
Seen here with the Canon EOS RP, the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM is an ideal versatile travel lens.

With its large diameter and shorter flange back distance, Canon's new-generation RF lens mount means lenses can be made faster and brighter, and higher-performance wide-angle and zoom lenses become possible. In addition to the mechanical benefits, the electronics have evolved as well, compared to previous lens systems: with 12 connectors, the new mount can provide more power to the lenses to drive bigger motors, and with ultra high speed communication between camera and lens, the RF mount makes faster AF and real-time image correction via Digital Lens Optimization possible.

The lens range extension is highly anticipated, adding to the positive reception of the existing RF lens range – which included lenses deemed “alone a great reason to buy an EOS R,” by the-digital-picture.com.

Release dates and pricing will be announced at a later date.

Napisal Alex Summersby


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