Canon has just released two brand new RF lenses for its full frame mirrorless line of cameras. We are welcoming the new Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM and the Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM lenses into the family. You may already be familiar with the EF version of these lenses. But trust me, Canon has more in store for you than just a mirrorless version of these lens favorites.
First up we have the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, or as it’s commonly known, the nifty-fifty. A 50mm lens has typically been a favorite focal length for full-frame camera users, definitely one of mine. Now it’s available in an affordable model in the RF line of lenses.
The new RF 50mm lens is compact and lightweight, similar to the EF version of the lens, but it’s added a smooth-dialing control/focus ring. Until now, I haven’t customized the control ring on my RF lenses. But since the R6 and R5 cameras can now let the lens control ring change the white balance adjusting the Kelvin directly, I’ve really enjoyed the control at my fingertips.
Moreover, the RF 50mm f1.8 lens has a smooth control ring that changes the setting without the “clicks” that the other RF lens control rings have. It was a lot of fun to watch the mood of my photo change as I turned the ring. You can also flip a switch on the lens to have the same ring control the focus manually instead.
What I was most surprised by with this lens was its ability to handle backlit lighting scenarios without the haze I would’ve expected from a non-L series lens. I positioned my model against a window and exposed for her face (using a reflector). I had no problem getting beautiful detail and contrast in her face. And while this lens does not have image stabilization, when paired with the Canon EOS R5 or R6 that has IBIS, you can expect up to 5 stops of stabilization.
Take a look at some of the photos from the shoot below:
Since this is an f/1.8 lens, part of the fun of it is being able to shoot with it in low light and expect a beautiful bokeh background when using it at f/1.8. It’s a great portrait lens and with a minimum focusing distance of just 0.98 feet. It’s perfect for photographing smaller details as well. The initial list price is $300, which makes it a great choice for a photographer looking to add a less-expensive prime lens to their collection. It’s also the perfect complement to either a kit lens, or the RF 35mm f/1.8 and RF 85mm f/2.0.
And now onto the next released lens: the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L. The RF version of this lens holds many upgrades from the EF version, and holds the high-quality imagery that you’d expect from an L series lens.
To start off, the first thing you’ll notice, and likely enjoy, is the size of the lens. Not only is it lighter than the EF version, but it’s much more compact. It’s only slighter longer than the RF 24-105mm f/4, and actually a tad lighter, making it an easy slip into any camera bag. The lens does extend as you zoom in and it has ASC.
This RF lens has up to 5 stops of image stabilization built into the lens. It also has up to 7.5 stops when paired with the Canon EOS R5 or R6. This was an extremely welcome feature when I was trying the lens out for the first time. It came in especially helpful since we were shooting natural light in a very dark studio. I was set to f/4, 1/50th of a second, and 5000 ISO on an R5 and had no problem with camera shake.
The minimum focusing distance is another very upgraded element of the RF 70-200mm f/4 L. The EF version needed a distance of 1m to focus, while the RF only need .6m (or 1.97 feet). It boasts Dual Nano USM, meaning you can expect super smooth and quiet auto focusing, a feature that cinema users will appreciate along with minimal focus breathing.
Take a look at some of the photos from the shoot below:
If you’re a portrait photographer using one of Canon’s mirrorless cameras, I don’t doubt the lens will make its appearance in your bag soon. A 70-200mm lens is a staple in most photographers’ collections.
To see more about these two brand new lenses from Canon, check out the video on AdoramaTV (featuring yours truly), which you can watch below.
Feature photo by Adorama
