Canon will add the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM lens to its portfolio of lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras in the first quarter of 2023, along with a new EL-5 Speedlite flash.
Angled view of the new RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM lens without the bundled lens hood. (Source: Canon.)
The new RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM lens is targeted at portrait photographers and offers a generous camera-to-subject working distance plus a small, but attractive, degree of perspective compression. Its moderately fast f/1.8 maximum aperture is ideal for low-light work and also enables creative depth of field control, allowing photographers to separate the subject from potentially distracting backgrounds while keeping the main facial features in focus. Nine diaphragm blades create a circular aperture for attractive bokeh, for natural looking photos when capturing tight headshots as well as full body shots. The RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM also has a close focusing distance of 70 cm that gives a 0.26x magnification. Optical image stabilisation provides up to 5.5 stops of shake correction or up to eight stops when the lens is used with a camera that supports co-ordinated control stabilisation.
The advanced optical design contains 17 elements in 12 groups and includes three UD elements to ensure high resolution, accurate colour reproduction and reduce chromatic aberrations while ASC and Super Spectra Coating minimises ghosting or flare and a fluorine coating on the front element repels dirt and grease and makes the lens easy to keep clean.
Autofocusing is driven by a Nano USM motor enables fast and quiet AF operation and supports Canon’s Eye AF function. Two Lens Function buttons can be used for AF-stop adjustment or other functions. The Control Ring can be customised to adjust settings such as shutter speed, aperture or ISO. The lens accepts 82 mm filters and is comprehensively weather-sealed. It is scheduled for release early in 2023 at an expected local RRP of AU$3969 and will come with the ET-88B lens hood, E-82II lens cap and LP1319 lens pouch. Click here for more information.
The new Speedlite EL-5 accessory flashgun. (Source: Canon.)
The new Speedlite EL-5 accessory flashgun is optimised for EOS R hotshoes and compatible with EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R3, EOS R7 and EOS R10. Smaller than the EL-1 flash, it weighs 66 grams less, while offering many similar features. With a Guide Number of 60 (ISO 100/200mm focal length and a recycle time of 0.1-1.2 seconds it can deliver up to 85 flashes at full power or up to 350 flashes in a single charge, at full power with the rechargeable LP-EL Li-ion Battery Pack. An efficient passive cooling system allows heat to dissipate more quickly, ensuring reliable performance and weather sealing enables the flash to be used for location work. It also has the same familiar joystick and button layout and menu system as the Seedlite EL-1, along with a new (Flash) Menu Direct button for easy access to the Speedlite settings menu on the camera.
It also includes number of features for professional workflows, such as wireless radio control for up to 15 additional Speedlites and a Camera Link function that allows photographers to trigger external cameras connected to these Speedlites. The Dual White LED light acts as a modelling light or AF assist lamp, to support focusing in low light situations. With the custom flash mode (C.Flash), users can register flash settings (C1, C2, C3) on the Speedlite and can also ‘link’ these to the camera’s custom modes, which act as a pre-set to speed up workflows in more complex environments.
The Speedlite EL-5 will be available in Australia early 2023 with local pricing to be confirmed. Pricing is listed at US$399 in overseas markets. Click here for more information.
