Canon announced new lenses today, all RF lenses. Three are hybrid “L” lenses and one is for VR applications.

The Canon RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM lenses are expected to be available in December at $1,499 and $1,399 respectively. The Canon RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z lens is expected to be available in November at $2,999.

Here is the press release for the hybrid RF lenses, the press release for the VR lens is here.

Pre-order links for all four lenses are live at B&H Photo.

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: RF24mm F1.4 L VCM, RF50mm F1.4 L VCM and RF70-200 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.

RF24mm F1.4 L VCM & RF50mm F1.4 L VCM

If you are on a quest for impressive, dramatic content, RF24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF50mm 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: RF24mm F1.4 L VCM is 18.1 ounces and RF50mm 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

RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z

A telephoto lens that is versatile across the spectrum – including sports, fashion and news reporting – the RF70-200 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 RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, the RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z lens balances well as a companion on gimbals and rigs. Compatible with extenders, the RF70-200 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 RF24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF50mm 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 RF70-200 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.

Great deal on two Canon EOS R100 kits at B&H Photo.

EOS R100 at a glance:

• 24.1MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
• DIGIC 8 Image Processor
• 4K 24p Video with Crop, Full HD 60p
• Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 143 AF Zones
• 6.5 fps Electronic Shutter
• 2.36m-Dot OLED EVF
• 3″ 1.04m-Dot LCD Screen
• Creative Assist Mode
• Silent Mode for Quiet Operation
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with SD Card Slot

B&H Photo has two Canon EOS R100 kits on sale with concrete discounts:

• Canon EOS R100 body only on sale at $299 ($180 off)
• Canon EOD R100 with 18-45mm and 55-210mm lenses on sale at $499 ($330 off)

There are more deals on offer, also for Nikon cameras, click here and scroll down a bit.

More selected deals:

• Get Excire Foto (AI powered photo managment) with 15% discount by using code “canonwatch” at checkout
• USA: Canon USA | B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon US
• Germany: Amazon Germany
• Refurbished lenses and DSLRs at Canon Store (best deals might be found here)

Canon published their investor relations documents. All is good, Canon is not yet doomed and will produce more outstanding. mirrorless cameras.

Excerpt from the relations about the imaging sector of Canon’s activities:

This year, the interchangeable-lens camera market is expected to be 6.1 million units, slightly higher than last year, due to the active promotions by each company to stimulate demand and the growing demand among young people in China.
In the third quarter, we secured more orders than expected for the EOS R5 Mark II, a core model in our lineup for professionals and enthusiasts, launched in August, which was highly evaluated for its significantly improved still image and video performance. This led to an increase in our average selling price and sales growth of 5.3%.
Furthermore, in November, we plan to launch the EOS R1, which will be our flagship mirrorless camera model. Professional photographers have already tried it out in the field, and its outstanding autofocus performance has earned it a high reputation as a professional camera. Due to the launch of high-value-added models, we also expect sales of RF lenses to increase and are aiming to significantly expand sales by over 20% in the fourth quarter.

All investor relations material is publicly available and can be downloaded here.

Here is a new Canon patent. One that will for sure start some bs rumors ;-)

This Canon patent application discusses optical formulas and methods for two lenses with diffractive optical elements:

• 400mm F4 TC DO
• 600mm F4 TC DO

From the patent literature:

• To provide an optical system having a short overall length and in which a magnification conversion optical group can be inserted and removed.
• Description of the Related Art: One method for changing the focal length of an optical system used in imaging is to insert a magnification conversion optical group such as an extender into the optical path. As an optical system in which the overall length (the distance from the optical surface closest to the object to the image plane) does not change by inserting or removing the magnification conversion optical group, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical system in which a magnification conversion group can be inserted or removed at a position where an axial light beam between an aperture stop and an image plane converges.
• However, providing a space between the aperture stop and the image plane to insert a magnification conversion optical group as in Patent Document 1 increases the overall length of the original optical system. Also, inserting a magnification conversion optical group in a narrow space may increase various aberrations in the optical system.
• The present invention provides an optical system in which a magnification conversion optical group can be inserted or removed, yet which has a short overall length and provides good optical performance.
• In each cross -sectional view, O represents the optical axis, IP represents the image plane, and G represents a glass block such as a quartz low-pass filter or an infrared cut filter. In Examples 1 and 2, Ldoe represents a diffractive optical element , and asph represents an aspheric surface. In both Examples 1 and 2, the diffractive surface of the diffractive optical element Ldoe is provided on the cemented surface of the second cemented lens counting from the object side. The aspheric surface asph is provided on the object-side optical surface of the positive lens closest to the object side.

Example 1

• Focal length: 392.58
• F-number: 4.12
• Half angle of view: 3.45
• Image height: 21.64
• Total length: 280.33
• Back Focus: 36.01

Example 2 (Example 1 with teleconverter inserted)

• Focal length: 549.72
• F-number: 5.77
• Half angle of view: 2.25
• Image height: 21.64
• Total length: 280.33
• Back Focus: 36.00

Example 3

• Focal length: 585.00
• F-number: 4.12
• Half angle of view: 2.12
• Image height: 21.64
• Total length: 467.45
• Back Focus: 55.5

Example 4 (Example 3 with teleconverter inserted)

• Focal length: 819.18
• F-number: 5.77
• Half angle of view: 1.51
• Image height: 21.64
• Total length: 467.45
• Back Focus: 55.50

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Here is a lens review from our favourite reviewer. The awesome Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DN for RF mounts gets under scrutiny.

At a glance:

• APS-C Format | f/2.8 to f/22
• 16-29mm (Full-Frame Equivalent)
• Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom
• Fast Internal Focus System
• Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
• Dust & Splash-Resistant Design

Dustin Abbott posted his exhaustive and full-fledged Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DN Review. I can’t stress enough how good Mr. Abbott’s reviews are, and I recommend you have a look at it in case you’re interested in the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DN. The review comes with sample images, test charts, ISO comparison, and everything you might expect from a professional review. From the conclusion:

Autofocus was fantastic, image quality looks great, and the lens remains very impressive despite its small size. It’s a great match for smaller APS-C bodies in size, and the performance is strong enough to delight owners.

There really isn’t much in terms of competition, so it’s an easy lens to recommend on RF. It is actually the premium option, and while it is isn’t cheap at $659 USD, neither is it ridiculously expensive.

[…] the Sigma 10-18mm 2.8 DN is what I would be buying if I were in the market right now.

Pros:

• Fantastic job porting to Canon
• Extremely compact and lightweight
• Nicely made with a weather sealing gasket
• Useful focal range with constant F2.8 aperture
• Great autofocus performance
• Good video AF performance
• Almost non-existent focus breathing
• Good sharpness across zoom range
• Nice colors
• Good flare resistance
• Nicer build and handling than RF lenses

Cons:

• No optical stabilizer
• Fairly strong and complex barrel distortion at 10mm
• Twice as expensive as Canon’s own offering

If you prefer watching a gear review, here you are.

Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DN:

America: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

[via Dustin Abbott]

Here is a set of alleged Canon EOS R6 Mark III specifications as they have been leaked on Weibo.

The Canon EOS R6 Mark III might be the Canon gear registered as DS126941 at some registration authority. Here are the specifications:

• Dual-band WIFI
• 24-megapixel LC1720 sensor.
• DIGIC Accelerator accelerated processor, up to 8.5-stop image stabilization.
• Same autofocus system as EOS R5 II.
• 14-bit 30fps RAW electronic shutter continuous shooting, reading speed 1/180s.
• In-camera neural network noise reduction and high-resolution magnification.
• Supports XF-AVC S and XF-HEVC S recording of C4K/120p (S35) and 6K oversampled C4K.
• Supports 6K30p and 4K60p (S35) Cinema RAW Light recording.

Here is the image with the specifications as it leaked on Weibo.

Take it with a grain of salt, although the Weibo user who leaked the set of specs has been right in the past.

All Canon rumors are listed here. Stay tuned…