Selecting the perfect Canon RF lenses on your EOS R system digital camera is less complicated than it as soon as was. Now 4 years into the event of Canon’s mirrorless EOS R system, there are actually loads of optics to select from. The Canon RF vary started as a handful of primes in 2018 and has grown into a various system of greater than 26 optics that provides every little thing from wide-angle zooms to straightforward zooms to tremendous telephoto lenses. There’s even now a twin fisheye lens for capturing 180 VR content material!
Earlier than we spherical up our picks for the perfect Canon RF lenses, although, let’s check out the Canon RF mount design and what makes it so modern.
RF mount dimensions
The Canon RF is identical 54mm diameter because the previous EF mount, which helps ultra-wide apertures. Nevertheless, Canon has dramatically decreased the flange again distance from 44mm to 20mm. What this implies is that the again of the lens now sits a lot nearer to the picture sensor on RF mount our bodies. This design cuts down on bending mild rays that beforehand would move by way of the lens and create aberrations and different distortions.
What’s extra, the decreased flange distance means Canon can design its RF lenses and R system digital camera our bodies a lot smaller and, thus, lighter.
Can I exploit a Canon EF lens on an RF mount physique?
You need to use Canon EF lenses on an RF mount physique solely with an adapter. Although Canon EF and RF lenses have the identical 54mm diameter, they can’t be used interchangeably. Each lens mounts have a three-tab bayonet design, however they bayonets are positioned in several positions.
To make use of your EF lenses on an R system digital camera, you’ll want the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. This adapter additionally permits you to many any EF-S lenses you could have. It’s also possible to use Canon’s Management Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, which is successfully the identical however provides a Lens Management Ring that you would be able to customise to regulate completely different publicity settings.
12-pin connection
The opposite innovation of the RF mount design are its 12 factors for information switch round mount. Canon EF mount our bodies had eight pins, so the RF mount presents a 50% improve. This implies RF lenses and R system our bodies can work in tandem to share increased volumes of knowledge at quicker charges.
What are the precise advantages of this quicker information switch? As a photographer you’ll realise these advantages in higher AF efficiency, picture stabilisation and higher, quicker total efficiency.
In-lens Picture Stabilisation
Some Canon RF lenses come outfitted with in-lens Picture Stabilisation. These lenses have a built-in twin gyro sensor that may detect movement blur out of your actions. This twin gyro sensor system then sends a message to the digital camera’s processor, and the digital camera accounts for the motion. Whereas many different lenses on the market have related in-lens stabilisation methods, what makes the RF lenses’ system distinctive are its twin sensors, that are designed to determine extra nuanced actions.
The most effective Canon RF lenses you should purchase in the present day
As we talked about above, there are actually 26 Canon RF lenses you possibly can select from on the time of writing. We gained’t record all of them right here. As a substitute, we’ve centered on the perfect Canon RF lenses to begin your assortment, selecting optics to cowl all the most typical focal lengths.
Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM
Specification
- Product sort: Normal zoom lens
- Introduced: fifth September 2018
- Mount: Canon RF
- Format: Full-frame
- Focal size: 28-70mm
- Most aperture: f/2.0
- Minimal aperture: f/22
- Building: 19 parts in 13 teams
- Coatings: ASC (Air Sphere Coating), Tremendous Spectra and fluorine
- Focusing system: USM
- Minimal focus distance: 39cm from the focal aircraft
- Most replica ratio: 0.18x
- Stabilisation: No
- Variety of diaphragm blades: 9
- Filter measurement: 95mm
- Weight: 1430g
- Diameter x size: 103.8 x 139.8
The Canon RF 288-70mm f2L USM is an uncommon lens. It’s a full-frame zoom lens masking a preferred focal size vary (though 24-70mm is extra frequent), with a bigger than common fixed aperture of f/2.0. This massive aperture is beneficial in low mild situations and when the background wants a bit of additional blur, however it additionally makes the lens very massive and heavy.
In actual fact, at 1430g, the RF 28-70mm f/2L USM is 360g heavier than the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS. In consequence, it’s cumbersome to make use of it routinely and it appears a mismatch with cameras just like the Canon EOS R5 and R6.
Nevertheless, when you can stand the load and huge proportions of the RF 288-70mm f2L USM, it’s able to delivering very top quality pictures with a superb degree of element all through the focal size vary and when wide-open.
You will discover the Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM on Amazon UK.
Learn our Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM Evaluate
Value when reviewed
£3109
$2999 Examine present value
For
- Very good picture high quality
- Quick most aperture
- Sturdy construct with weather-sealing
Towards
- Large and heavy for the focal size
- Unstabilised
- No ‘de-click’ change for the management ring
Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM
Specification
- Product sort: Zoom lens
- Mount: Canon RF
- Format: Full-frame
- Focal size: 24-240mm
- Most aperture: f/4-6.3
- Minimal aperture: f/22-38
- Building: 21 parts in 15 teams, with Aspherical and UD parts
- Coatings: No
- Focusing system: Nano USM Autofocus
- Minimal focus distance: 0.5
- Stabilisation: Sure, 5 Cease IS with Dynamic IS
- Variety of diaphragm blades: 7
- Filter measurement: 72mm
- Weight: 750g
- Diameter x size (extension from lens mount): 80.4 x 122.5mm
A focal size vary of 24-240mm may be very engaging for a variety of capturing alternatives. The 24mm finish is beneficial for road, panorama and inside pictures, whereas the lengthy finish is helpful for sport, wildlife and capturing distant objects. Then the vary in-between is beneficial for all method of conditions, together with portraits and candid pictures.
Providing a 10x zoom vary, the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM presents a compact design and light-weight construct at simply 750g making it extraordinarily transportable for any of these genres listed above.
The Canon RF 24-240mm must also enchantment to the photographer on the go due to its five-stop picture stabilisation, which guarantees shake-free pictures in low-light situations in addition to steady video footage.
The Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM building incorporates a round seven-bladed variable f/4-6.3 aperture and each aspheric and ultra-dispersal lens parts. There’s additionally a Tremendous Spectra Coating to assist scale back ghosting and flare.
On the lens barrel is a diamond knurled focus/management ring and a lockable zoom ring with 100° rotation. There’s additionally built-in DLO Profile and Digital Distortion Correction.
You will discover the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Learn our Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM Evaluate: First Look
Value when reviewed
£929
$899 Examine present value
For
- 10x zoom
- 5-stops picture stabilisation
- Customisable Management Ring
Towards
- Does not include a lens hood
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM
Specification
- Product sort: Full-frame wideangle prime
- Mount: Canon RF
- Format: Full-frame
- Focal size: 35mm
- Most aperture: f/1.8
- Minimal aperture: f/22
- Building: 11 Parts in 9 Teams
- Most magnification ratio: 0.5x
- Minimal focus distance: 17cm
- Stabilisation: Sure
- Variety of diaphragm blades: 11
- Filter measurement: 52mm
- Weight: 305g
- Diameter x size (extension from lens mount): 74.4mm x 62.8mm
Canon’s RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is compact and light-weight that’s fairly a novel wide-angle prime in that it presents the flexibility you get from this focal size and including within the functionality of a 1:2 macro optic.
A Tremendous Spectra coating helps maintain ghosting and flare at bay, which additionally helps for extra correct colors. Additionally, an STM motor helps it obtain quiet, clean AF efficiency, making it probably the greatest 35mm lenses on this record for video.
What’s extra, it boasts a five-stop picture stabilisation and a customisable Management Ring the place you possibly can regulate publicity settings. All of this for a really reasonably priced price ticket.
Learn our Greatest Canon EF lenses to begin your assortment
Value when reviewed
£529
$499 Examine present value
For
- 1:2 macro functionality
- 5 stops picture stabilisation
- Glorious picture high quality
Towards
- None
Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Specification
- Lens sort: Full-frame normal prime
- Introduced: 4th November 2020
- Mount: Canon RF
- Focal size: 50mm
- Most aperture: f/1.8
- Stabilisation: No
- Climate-sealed: No
Canon fully redesigned the RF 50mm F1.8 STM in comparison with the previous EF 50mm f/1.8 and has given it a better optical normal. The brand new building options PMo aspherical lenses for improved picture high quality and Tremendous Spectra Coating know-how, for decreased ghosting, flare, and aberration.
It makes use of an STM focusing motor, which helps to maintain the value down, and though quiet will probably be audible when used throughout video pictures utilizing the digital camera’s on-board mic.
A well-liked focal size, the RF 50mm F1.8 STM captures an angle of view near our eyes, whereas the massive aperture permits lenty of management over depth of area.
Discover the newest offers on the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Learn our Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM introduced: specs, value confirmed
Value when reviewed
£220
€249.99 Examine present value
Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM
Specification
- Lens sort: Full-frame telephoto zoom
- Introduced: 4th November 2020
- Mount: Canon RF
- Focal size: 70-200mm
- Most aperture: f/4
- Stabilisation: Lens-based to 5EV, as much as 7.5EV with the Canon EOS R5 or R6
- Climate-sealed: Sure
The Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM is the world’s shortest and lightest interchangeable 70-200mm f/4 lens.
It has a collapsible design and though when it’s prolonged it’s nearly equivalent in size to the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM, when it’s collapsed its simply 11.9cm lengthy so it can match within the area usually occupied by a normal f/4 zoom lens. It additionally weighs simply 695g.
The RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM has Air Sphere Coating, 4 Extremely Low Dispersion (UD) lenses, and a focusing distance of 0.6m – down from 1m with the EF lens. It additionally has a 9-blade aperture which is a continuing f/4 all through the zoom vary.
As well as, it’s dust- and weather-sealed whereas the lens’ entrance factor is fluorine-coated to assist repel filth and water droplets.
The IS in its title signifies that the RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM has Canon’s Optical Picture Stabilizer, which on this case presents as much as 5 stops of shutter pace compensation. When mounted on the Canon EOS R6 or R5, nonetheless, the compensation reaches as much as 7.5 stops.
The RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM options Twin Nano USM autofocus motors for near-silent focusing, making it appropriate to be used when capturing video.
You should buy the Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Learn our Canon RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM introduced: specs, value, launch date confirmed
Value when reviewed
£1700
€1969.99 Examine present value
For
- Collapsible design
- Canon’s Optical Picture Stabilizer gives 5 stops compensation
Towards
- Costly
Greatest Canon RF lens for portraits
It’s not low-cost, however Canon’s RF 85mm F1.2L USM presents every little thing you can need or want from a portrait lens. As 85mm is a standard focal size for portraiture, the RF 85mm F1.2L sequence lens will ship the high-resolution pictures demanded by the newest cameras and know-how.
Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM
Specification
- Product sort: Brief telephoto lens
- Mount: Canon RF
- Format: Full-frame
- Focal size: 85mm
- Most aperture: f/1.2
- Minimal aperture: f/16
- Building: 13 parts in 9 teams, with Aspherical and UD parts
- Coatings: ASC (Air Sphere Coating)
- Focusing system: USM
- Minimal focus distance: 0.85m
- Stabilisation: No
- Variety of diaphragm blades: 9
- Filter measurement: 82mm
- Weight: 1195g
- Diameter x size (extension from lens mount): 103.2 x 117.3mm
Canon’s L-Sequence has at all times been the mark for optical high quality and the RF 85MM F1.2L USM is among the quickest aperture autofocus lenses you should purchase for portraiture.
Partnering the lens with Canon’s Twin Pixel CMOS AF, the quick f/1.2 aperture is ready to render beautiful shallow depth of area to create bokeh and background separation.
The nine-aperture blade system has been designed to reinforce the topic towards a blurred background, making it the right alternative for portraiture . This ultra-wide f/1.2 aperture transmits 50% extra mild than an f/1.4 lens – right down to -6EV (EOS R) and -5EV (EOS RP).
Additionally inside this lens is Canon’s BR Optical know-how, which corrects axial chromatic aberration that can’t be corrected utilizing glass alone. The result’s improved decision and sharpness throughout the body.
You will discover the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Learn our Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM: value, specs, launch date revealed
Value when reviewed
£2869
$2999 Examine present value
For
- Very Massive f/1.2 aperture with 9-blade aperture for superior low mild efficiency
- Management Ring giving direct management over Television/Av/ISO settings
Towards
- Very heavy
Greatest Canon RF lens for landscapes
It may need a hefty price ticket, however the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM performs exceptionally nicely, holding barrel and pincushion distortion beneath spectacular management, delivering vibrant corners and never affected by chromatic aberration. In the event you’re out there for an incredible RF-mount lens for landscapes, you would possibly wish to begin saving.
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
Specification
- Product sort: Vast-angle zoom lens
- Introduced: August 2019
- Mount: Canon RF
- Format: Full-frame
- Focal size: 15-35mm
- Most aperture: f/2.8
- Minimal aperture: f/22
- Building: 16 parts in 12 teams with 3 aspherical and a couple of UD parts
- Coatings: Subwavelength construction coating (SWC), ASC (Air Sphere Coating)
- Focusing system: Nano USM
- Minimal focus distance: 28cm from the focal aircraft all through the zoom vary
- Most replica ratio: 0.21x at 35mm
- Stabilisation: Sure to five stops
- Variety of diaphragm blades: 9
- Filter measurement: 82mm
- Weight: 840g
- Diameter x size: 88.5 x 126.8
Vast and quick, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is a lovely lens for panorama photographers utilizing a Canon R-series digital camera such because the Canon EOS R5.
Regardless of having a barely wider focal size vary, the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L is a fraction smaller than its closest match within the EF mount, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM. A 1mm distinction may not sound a lot, however it’s vital with very large lenses.
Mixed with the closest focusing of 28cm all through the zoom vary to allow foreground parts to loom giant, that additional width could possibly be particularly helpful for panorama pictures. And in low mild, the picture stabilisation, which extends the secure hand-holdable shutter pace by as much as 5EV, could possibly be very helpful.
Being a Canon RF lens, the 15-35mm f/2.8L has a customisable lens ring, which is useful for making intuitive changes to elements such because the aperture or publicity compensation.
You will discover the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM on Amazon UK and Amazon USA
Learn our Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM Evaluate
Value when reviewed
£2389
$2299 Examine present value
For
- Glorious optical high quality with minimal distortion
- Enticing focal size vary
- 5-stop picture stabilisation
Towards
- Excessive value
- Massive and heavy
- No ‘de-click’ change for the management ring
Greatest Canon RF lens for wildlife
Sure, there are different wildlife lenses within the Canon RF steady. However the RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM, which is aimed squarely at professional wildlife photographers, retails for £12,440/$11,999 and the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM prices £2,979 / $2,799, placing each past the attain of most lovers, however the RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM is a viable different. It’s additionally lighter and extra manageable than a quicker comparable lens.
Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
Specification
- Product sort: Telephoto zoom lens
- Mount: Canon RF
- Format: Full-frame
- Focal size: 100-400mm
- Most aperture: 100mm: f/5.6, 400mm f/8
- Minimal aperture: 100mm: f/32, 400mm: f/45
- Building: 12 parts in 9 teams with 1 UD (ultra-low dispersion) factor and 1 PMo (plastic-moulded) aspherical factor
- Coatings: Supra Spectra
- Focusing system: Nano USM
- Minimal focus distance: 0.88m
- Most Magnification: 0.41x
- Stabilisation: As much as 5.5EV alone or 6EV with IBIS
- Variety of diaphragm blades: 9
- Filter measurement: 67mm
- Suitable teleconverters: Extender RF 1.4x and Extender RF 2x
- Weight: 635g
- Diameter x size (extension from lens mount): 79.5 x 164.7mm
Learn our Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM first impressions Evaluate
Value when reviewed
£700
$649.99 / €799.99 Examine present value
For
- Reasonably priced
- Compact and light-weight for the focal size
Towards
- Most aperture f/8 at 400mm
Greatest Canon RF lens for astrophotography
With a 16mm focal size, the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM offers an ultra-wide view that may be very best for capturing impactful landscapes or the night time sky and at simply 165g in weight, you gained’t thoughts slipping it in your bag ‘simply in case’.
Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM
Specification
- Product sort: Full-frame wideangle prime
- Mount: Canon RF
- Format: Full-frame
- Focal size: 16mm
- Most aperture: f/2.8
- Minimal aperture: f/22
- Building: 9 Parts in 7 Teams
- Minimal focus distance: 13cm
- Most magnification ratio: 0.26x
- Stabilisation: No
- Variety of diaphragm blades: 7
- Filter measurement: 43mm
- Diameter x size (extension from lens mount): 69.2 x 40.1mm
- Weight: 165g
The Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM is the primary ultra-wide Canon RF lens. Its 16mm focal size and full-frame protection make it a sensible choice for astrophotography however it will also be used for panorama pictures, cityscapes, group portraits and vlogging.
With a most diameter of simply 69.2mm and at 40.1mm in size, the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM appears tiny. You might simply suppose that its an EF-M mount lens and designed for an APS-C format digital camera just like the Canon EOS M5 Mark II.
Because of its small measurement, the RF 16mm F2.8 STM solely has one management ring. This may be swapped between getting used for handbook focusing or to regulate elements such because the aperture, sensitivity (ISO) or publicity compensation with a flick of the change on its barrel.
The RF 16mm F2.8 STM presents a minimal focusing distance of 0.13m and a most magnification ratio of 0.26x. Different options embody a 43mm filter thread and weighs simply 165g.
You will discover the newest offers on the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM at Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Learn our Greatest Canon EF lenses to begin your assortment
Value when reviewed
£319
$299.99 / €369 Examine present value
For
- Very compact and light-weight