What Is The Difference Between Canon RF and EF Lenses, Which Are Better?

Canon RF Vs EF 50mm F/1.2 EOS R System

Neat 6 minutes video by BorrowLenses telling differences between Canon’s RF mount for mirrorless cameras and EF mount for DSLRs. Take a close look at Canon’s RF 50mm f/1.2L and RF 24-105mm f/4L, how they compare to their EF pendants, what sets them apart, and if they’re really an improvement.

Canon RF mount lenses:

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

Canon EF mount lenses:

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

Latest Canon Patent Applications (celestial AF, improved viewfinder, IS on tilt-shift, telephoto)

Canon Patent

US Patent Application 20490158760 discusses how to get better autofocus performance when picturing objects in the sky, like the moon.

In recent years, the number of pixels in image capturing apparatuses such as cameras and videos has increased, a slight defocus state of an image has become conspicuous and, more precise focusing is desired. This is the same in shooting an image of celestial bodies (stars, moon, and so forth) in the night sky. 

Focusing on celestial bodies is performed by calculating a focus position at which an area represented by high brightness signals is strictly minimized when regarding each celestial body as a point light source. As stars and the moon which are subjects in astrophotography at night are located substantially at infinity and there are specific exposure settings for astrophotography, there is an independent shooting mode for astrophotography different from other scene modes. Hereinafter, a mode for shooting the moon as the main subject is referred to as a “moon shooting mode”. 

Normally, the focus position at which an object located substantially at infinity is in focus is uniquely determined by performing infinite focus adjustment in individual image capturing apparatus. However, due to a difference between temperature at a time of the infinite focus adjustment and temperature of the image capturing apparatus at a time of actually shooting a celestial body, a difference in posture, and so forth, the focus may shift during shooting. For this reason, it is necessary to often adjust focus even during shooting a celestial body whose distance from the image capturing apparatus does not substantially change during shooting. 


Japan Patent Application 2019-078959 describes am improved viewfinder which improves on aberrations and magnification while maintaining a long eyepoint.

[…] the focal length of the eyepiece is about 65 mm, and the finder magnification is about 0.8 or less when the standard lens with a focal length of 50 mm is mounted as a photographing lens. 
Therefore, in a camera using a so-called APS-C size sensor in which the size of the image circle is smaller than a 35 mm film, the finder image becomes smaller than the conventional silver halide film camera. 
Further, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, although the finder magnification is as high as about 1 time, it is difficult to sufficiently correct axial chromatic aberration and lateral chromatic aberration. 
Therefore, an object of the present invention, while increasing the magnification while maintaining high optical performance, is to provide a finder optical system capable of ensuring long eye point. 


Japan Patent Application 2019-078903 describes how to implement an image stabilisation system on a tilt-shift lens while also lowering the power consumption.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens apparatus capable of reducing the power consumption while being able to shoot under an eyebrow and correct the shake, and an image pickup apparatus using the same. 
To achieve the above object, a lens device of the present invention, 
  – an optical system comprising a plurality of lenses, 
  – the shake correction lens of the plurality of lenses the optical system A – driving unit for moving in a direction crossing the optical axis;

A tilt unit for tilting the optical system and a control unit for controlling the drive unit are provided, and the control unit is configured to make the tilt amount of the optical system generated by the tilt unit smaller than a predetermined tilt amount. When the first tilt amount and the shake amount applied to the optical system are the first shake amount larger than a predetermined shake amount, the shake correction lens is in a direction crossing the optical axis. The drive unit is controlled to move in a direction intersecting the optical axis with a first drive amount smaller than the maximum drive amount of the shake correction lens 
  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus using the lens apparatus and which capable of reducing power consumption as well as a possible tilt shooting and shake correction . 


Japan Patent Application 2019-078948 describes various optical formulas for telephoto lenses and how to reduce chromatic aberrations.

  • focal length 392.55 
  • f-number 2.90 
  • half angle of view 3.15 
  • image height 21.64 
  • total lens length 372.00 
  • BF 60.70 
  • focal length 292.46 
  • f-number 2.90 
  • half angle of view 4.23 
  • image height 21.64 
  • lens total length 273.98 
  • BF 62.03 
  • focal length 488.82 
  • F number 4.10 
  • half angle of view 2.53 
  • image height 21.64 
  • lens total length 411.90 
  • BF 71.62 
  • focal length 778.70 
  • F number 5.83
  • Half angle of view 1.59 
  • image height 21.64 
  • lens total length 486.03 
  • BF 71.54

US Patent Application 20190155003 describes optical formulas for more telephoto lenses. As with the previous patent application, here too reduction of chromatic aberrations is discussed.

In an ultra-telephoto lens, generally, the longer the focal length, the more axial chromatic aberration or magnification chromatic aberration occurs. As a technique for excellently correcting these types of chromatic aberration, a technique for increasing the number of lenses placed on an object side and causing the lenses to share the action of correcting chromatic aberration is known. However, the effective diameter of a lens placed on the object side of the ultra-telephoto lens is likely to be large. Thus, if an attempt is made to correct chromatic aberration by the above technique, the weight of an imaging optical system increases. 

Tamron Lenses Compatibility Notice For Canon EOS RP

Tamron Lenses

Tamron released a product advisory for Tamron lenses for Canon mount used on a EOS RP.

Notice about compatibility for Canon EOS RP with
Tamron lenses for Canon mount

Dear users and potential purchasers of Tamron interchangeable lenses.

Thank you for using Tamron products and for your continuous support.

We would like to announce that we have clarified compatibility in general operations(*1) of following Tamron Di & Di II lenses on Canon EOS RP, which was newly released on March 14, 2019, with Canon “Mount Adapter EF-EOS R”.

(*1) Defined to work on existing DSLR cameras

Compatible models (for Canon) for general operations(*2)

SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A041) for Canon
SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A032) for Canon
SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A025) for Canon
SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Model A022) for Canon
SP 35mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F012) for Canon
SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F013) for Canon
SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F016) for Canon
SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F017) for Canon
17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD (Model A037) for Canon
70-210mm F/4 Di VC USD (Model A034) for Canon
100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A035) for Canon
10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD (Model B023) for Canon
18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028) for Canon
SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD (Model A011) for Canon (*3)

(*2) With the latest F/W version. 
Regarding the F/W update, please visit here.
(*3) Regarding the update service, please visit here.

Lens Update Service Information:https://www.tamron.jp/en/support/release_note.html

How to Update:https://www.tamron.jp/en/support/update.html  

For other models, once we confirm the compatibility with Canon EOS R series and Canon adapter, we will announce the models sequentially at our support website.
We are sorry to keep you waiting, and also ask for your understanding of the situation.

Cinematic Imaging Reimagined: Introducing Sumire Prime Lenses From Canon

Sumire

B&H Photo accepts pre-orders.

Press release:

Cinematic Imaging Reimagined: Introducing Sumire Prime Lenses From Canon

The Company’s First Set of PL-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses Merge the Art and Science of Cinematography

MELVILLE, NY, April 3, 2019 – Covering the core range of focal lengths that cinema professionals desire, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to announce the company’s first set of seven cinema prime PL-Mount lenses, aptly named Sumire Prime. Pronounced “Soo-mee-ray,” the word is of Japanese origin and is associated with a floral gentleness and beauty. Sumire Prime Lenses offer a unique artistically pleasing look with gentle and beautiful skin tones and smooth bokeh, designed for use with large-sensor cinema cameras, including 35mm full-frame cameras such as the EOS C700FF Cinema Camera. 

In addition to bright T-stops and Canon’s renowned warm-color imagery, a unique optical design introduces a nuanced look as the lens aperture approaches its maximum setting – subtly modifying the textural renderings of the human face closeup. It also smooths the transition to the fall-off portions of the scene resulting in a pleasing bokeh. This combination adds emotional expressiveness and provides creative flexibility to create a memorable scene.

“Sumire in Japan is the name of a flower, and like the petals of a flower, our lenses are most beautiful when fully opened. This is the inspiration behind the Sumire look,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The feedback from cinematographers is crucial and their voices have been heard loud and clear – they asked Canon to introduce a set of PL-mount cinema prime lenses. We went a step further and our new Sumire Prime Lenses produce the beautifully cinematic and unique images professionals desire. We can’t wait to see how the lenses will contribute to the art of filmmaking.”

The new set of seven Canon Sumire Prime Cinema Lenses include the following:

  • CN-E14mm T3.1 FP X
  • CN-E20mm T1.5 FP X
  • CN-E24mm T1.5 FP X
  • CN-E35mm T1.5 FP X
  • CN-E50mm T1.3 FP X
  • CN-E85mm T1.3 FP X
  • CN-E135mm T2.2 FP X

All Sumire Prime lenses feature an 11-bladed iris and bright T-stops that allow users to capture images that feature a more natural circular-like bokeh from both maximum to minimum aperture. The use of an odd number of iris blades also helps to diffuse light rays and produce what is generally considered a more sought after, artistically pleasing and cinematic look with warmer colors. The lenses also achieve uniform color balance throughout the lineup, helping to reduce the need for post grading, even when a production is frequently changing lenses.

The highly durable Sumire Prime lenses feature the same outstanding operability and reduced focus breathing as Canon’s well-established EF-Mount Cinema Prime Lenses. Manual operation provides users with the resistance they desire to make precise changes in focus. A 300-degree focus rotation angle and gear position is consistent across the entire Sumire Prime series of lenses – eliminating the need to adjust gear positions when changing lenses.

“The new Sumire Prime lenses are the perfect blend of science and art,” says cinematographer Matt Porwoll, who shot the first U.S. footage with the lenses. “The bokeh comes alive in ways that weren’t occurring with other lenses I’ve used. Lens flares have a dynamic feel to them, rather than behaving in a formulaic manner. I wish I had these on my last project!” 

The Sumire Prime Lenses are compatible with the complete lineup of Canon Cinema EOS full-frame and Super 35mm 4K cameras, including the EOS C700 FF, EOS C300 Mark II and EOS C200. In addition to Canon cameras, the new lenses are also compatible with the latest full-frame and Super 35mm PL-mount cameras from leading manufacturers. Additionally, the mount on the Sumire Prime Lenses is interchangeable and can be converted from PL-Mount to EF-Mount at a Canon Factory Service & Repair center. A Canon representative will be able to perform the service or even revert back to original PL-mount upon request at an additional cost*.

Availability*

The Canon CN-E24mm T1.5 FP X, CN-E35mm T1.5 FP X, CN-E50mm T1.3 FP X and CN-E85mm T1.3 FP X lenses are scheduled to be available in Summer 2019. The Canon CN-E14mm T3.1 FP X lens is scheduled to be available in Fall 2019. The Canon CN-E20mm T1.5 FP X and CN-E135mm T2.2 FP X lenses are scheduled to be available in Winter 2019/Spring 2020. 

For more information, please visit: usa.canon.com/cinemalenses.

Canon Patent For 85mm f/1.2, 100mm f/1.4, 24-70mm f/2.8, and 28-85mm f/2-2.8 Lenses for Mirrorless

Canon Patent

Another Canon patent application spotted by Hi Lows Note.

Patent application 2019-49646A and 2019-49645A describes optical formulas for 85mm f/1.2, 100mm f/1.4, 24-70mm f/2.8, and 28-85mm f/2-2.8 lenses for mirrorless cameras.

Focal length: 86.5 mm
F number: 1.24
Image height: 21.64 mm
Lens length: 135.0 mm
Back focus: 13.5 mm

Focal length: 100.0 mm
F number: 1.46
Image height: 21.64 mm
Lens length: 142.0 mm
Back focus: 14.1 mm

Zoom ratio: 2.75
Focal length: 24.71 – 45.00 – 67.90 mm
F number: 2.88
Half angle of view: 41.21- 25.68 – 17.67
Image height: 21.64 mm
Lens length: 143.89 – 161.78 – 179.68 mm
Back focus: 13.42 – 27.34 – 38.58 mm

Zoom ratio: 3.04
Focal length: 28.00 – 53.77 – 85.00 mm
F number: 2.00 – 2.60 – 2.88
Half angle of view: 37.69 – 21.92 – 14.28
Image height: 21.64 mm
Lens length: 158.50 – 176.83 – 195.16 mm
Back focus: 16.00 – 28.52 – 41.05 mm