Three new Canon RF lenses due for release in September

The new RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM  lens (shown above)  has already been extensively reported on and is listed by some resellers for pre-ordering. Designed as an all-in-one lens, this lens covers a 20x zoom range with maximum apertures of /4 at the 24mm position, declining to f/5.6 at 70mm and then closing further to f/6.3 from 109mm to 240mm. Key features of this lens include:

• The optical design contains 21 elements in 15 groups and includes one aspherical element and two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) elements. Super Spectra Coating is applied to minimise ghosting and flare.
• A built-in Optical Image Stabiliser, which compensates for up to five stops of camera shake during both stills and video shooting. When recording video, Dynamic IS is available to provide a more active type of stabilization while walking or moving.
• Autofocusing is driven by a Nano USM system that utilises both a ring type USM and an STM mechanism to deliver smooth and near-silent adjustments. Full-time manual focus control is available when working in the one-shot AF mode.
• The configurable Control Ring, which is found on all RF lenses, can be used to adjust exposure settings, including aperture, ISO and exposure compensation.

The RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM  lens  weighs a little over 751 grams and is 122 mm long. It will focus to 50 cm at 24mm, extending to 78 cm at 240mm. The lens is supplied with front and end caps but if you want a lens hood you’ll have to invest in the optional  EW-78F hood (which wasn’t listed on Canon’s Australian website at the time of this announcement. Canon doesn’t supply product prices to journalists and reviewers but we found a couple of local re-sellers listing it for pre-ordering at prices ranging from AU$1599 to AU$1388, indicating it’s worth shopping around.

The RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens (shown above) is the first in a trio of L-series lenses announced just before CP+ in February. The first two of these lenses will introduce Nano USM technology to the RF lens line-up. The RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens combines wide angles of view with a constant f/2.8 fast maximum aperture, making it particularly suitable for landscape photographers as well as those who photograph architecture and interiors and group portraitists (like school photographers). The optical design comprises 16 elements in 12 groups and includes three aspherical lenses and two special low dispersion glass elements. Its minimum aperture is f/22. A nine-bladed iris diaphragm ensures smooth and attractive bokeh. According to Canon, key features of the new lens include:

• Fast fixed f/2.8 aperture for shooting in low light conditions
• Three glass-moulded aspherical and two UD elements ensure the highest resolution from edge to edge of the image.
• Built-in stabilisation provides five stops of shake correction even at low shutter speeds
• Nano USM motor for fast, smooth, silent operation idea for video
• Control Ring – giving direct control over Tv/Av/ISO settings
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.28 m with 0.21x magnification
• SWC (Sub wavelength structure Coating) and ASC (Air Sphere Coating) prevent flare and ghosting from deteriorating image quality, while fluorine coatings on the front surface repel dust, moisture and grease

An unusual feature in Canon’s wide-angle lenses is the inclusion of integrated image stabilisation, although it will be very welcome, particularly for video shooters. It is 126.8 mm long, weighs approximately 840 grams and accepts 82 mm diameter filters. This lens is expected to retail for around US$2499.

The RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is another ‘general purpose’ lens that covers popular focal lengths and has dust- and water-resistant construction. The optical design comprises 21 elements in 15 groups and includes three glass-moulded aspherical lenses and three special low dispersion glass elements. Covering a slightly wider angle of view than the existing RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens, it will be welcomed by photographers who shoot portraits, landscapes, documentaries or weddings because it includes built-in image stabilisation with up to five stops of shake correction. This lens will focus down to 21 cm at the 24mm focal length or 38 cm when zoomed in to 70mm.

• Canon’s key features list for this lens is as follows:
  24-70mm focal range featuring the most commonly used focal lengths for landscape/portrait and travel
• f/2.8 fixed aperture ideal for low light photography or controlling the depth of field
• Nano USM motor for fast, smooth, silent operation idea for video
• 5-stops Image Stabilizer performance (CIPA tested) ideal for handheld photography and videography
• 3 Aspherical and 3 UD elements ensure the highest resolution from edge to edge of the image
• Control Ring – giving direct control over Tv/Av/ISO settings
• ASC (Air Sphere Coating) prevents flare and ghosting from deteriorating image quality

This lens is similar in size to the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens, weighing approximately 900 grams and 125.7 mm in length. The RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is expected to retail for around US$2499.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, the third lens in the L-series ‘trinity’ is a compact telephoto zoom lens, which is targeted at photographers involved in wildlife, bird and sports photography. Size-wise, it’s said to be about two-thirds the size of the existing Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens.

This lens is not expected to be released until late in 2019, when it will probably be priced at around US$2799.