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Canon introduces compact RF 70-200mm F4L and 50mm F1.8 STM lenses

Canon has introduced a pair of lenses for its EOS R system.

First up is the RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM, which is 32% shorter (at wide-angle) and 11% lighter than its popular EF counterpart. The lens is just 119mm (4.7″) long and weighs in at a 695g (1.5lbs), yet it retains the build quality and weather-sealing of other L-series lenses. Unlike those lenses, this 70-200 does not support teleconverter or offer a tripod mount.

The lens’s image stabilizer can reduce shake by up to five stops, and when attached to an EOS R5 or R6, can reach 7.5 stops by working in conjunction with in-body image stabilization. The 70-200 features 16 elements, four of which are ‘UD’ (ultra low dispersion) glass that help control chromatic aberration. Canon’s Air Sphere Coating reduces flare and ghosting. The lens’s minimum focus distance is 0.6m (2ft), regardless of focal length. The focus elements are driven by a pair of Nano USM motors for fast and silent autofocus.

The 70-200mm F4L IS USM will be available in early December for $1599.

Along with the 70-200 comes the tiny RF 50mm F1.8 STM lens. The lens weights only 160g (5.6oz) and is 41mm (1.6″) long. It contains a total of six elements (one being aspherical) and can focus as close as 0.3m (0.98ft). Its control ring can be used for manual focus, by default, or other functions including aperture and exposure compensation, depending on your needs. Focus elements are driven by a stepping motor. The RF 50mm F1.8 STM will hit store shelves in mid-December for $199.

Go hands-on with the new Canon RF lenses

Press release

CANON ADDS TWO RF LENSES AND PIXMA PRO PRINTER IDEAL FOR THE ENTHUSIAST PHOTOGRAPHER

MELVILLE, N.Y., November 3, 2020 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is excited to introduce the compact and lightweight RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM and the RF50mm F1.8 STM, two completely re-designed RF mount lenses with bloodlines to immensely popular EF models that feature new lens formulas and enhanced elements. Canon is also introducing the PIXMA PRO-200 printer, which is ideal for photography students and graphic designers.

“As Canon began to further build out the company’s RF lens portfolio, the goal in mind was to create advanced lenses, for a variety of experience levels, that also featured a sense of familiarity for longtime Canon users,” said Tatsuro “Tony” Kano, executive vice president and general manager of Canon U.S.A.’s Imaging Technologies & Communications Group. “Canon prides itself on being able to uniquely offer both input and output solutions to our customers. We are equally excited to see the images captured with the new lenses, and the prints that are to be created with the new PIXMA PRO-200 printer.”

Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens

The Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM lens is ideal for photography enthusiasts ranging from advanced amateur to professional skill levels. The compact and lightweight nature of the lens makes it Canon’s shortest and lightest 70-200mm F4 zoom lens to date. This RF lens is approximately 32 percent shorter and 11 percent lighter than its EF counterpart with a large portion of the lens element arrangement closer to the camera body. This arrangement is designed to provide photographers with a more balanced feel and experience even at the zoom range’s telephoto end. Additionally, the shorter and lighter design allows the lens to more easily be stowed away in a camera bag when not in use.

The RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM features two independent Nano USM motors, providing an even greater level of high-speed autofocus for still image shooting as well as quiet and smooth autofocus for video shooting. The lens also incorporates a floating focus control that drives the two lens groups individually while using the two aforementioned Nano USM motors. The floating focus lens element shortens the focusing distance and helps reduce breathing, providing users with fast, consistent and reliable performance.

Additional Features of The Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens Include:

  • 16 lens elements in 11 groups, including four UD lenses, that help to reduce chromatic aberration
  • Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5 Stops[i] of shake correction
  • Up to 7.5 stops[ii] of shake correction with coordinated control of Optical Image Stabilizer and In-Body Image Stabilizer
  • Three stabilizer modes
  • Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture, or ISO
  • 12-pin communication system
  • L-Series dust and weather-resistant build with a fluorine coating
  • Minimum focusing distance of 1.97 feet and a maximum magnification of 0.28x
  • Air Sphere Coating (ASC) that helps minimize lens flare and ghosting

Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM Lens

Creatives love using a 50mm lens because that focal length is similar to the natural viewpoint of the human field of vision. This perspective allows for the lens to be used in a wide variety of shooting situations, including portraits, landscapes and food photography. What’s more, Canon 50mm f/1.8 lenses have long been a popular tool for both photographers and creators due to their budget-friendly price point, extremely compact and lightweight form factor, and versatility.

The tradition continues with the RF50mm F1.8 STM that, in many ways, is improved over its EF counterpart. The first visually noticeable improvement is the customizable control ring that has become synonymous with RF lenses. The control ring allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture, or ISO and with a flip of the side switch can adjust focus. The inclusion of a PMo aspherical lens helps to reduce chromatic aberration and provides high-image quality even at the periphery of the image. Additionally, the combination of the lens shape and Super Spectra Coating (SSC) helps to minimize ghosting and flaring.

Additional Features of The Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM Lens Include:

  • Six lens elements in five groups
  • 12-pin communication system
  • Minimum focusing distance of 0.98ft and a maximum magnification of 0.25x
  • Up to 7 stops[iii] of Shake Correction with EOS R Series cameras with In-Body Image Stabilizer

Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Printer

Continuing a long history of high-quality input to output digital imaging equipment, the PIXMA PRO-200 printer is 15% smaller than its predecessor, the PIXMA PRO-100. With the ability to print up to 13 inches x 19 inches and featuring improved ChromaLife 100+ dye-based ink, the latest PRO printer helps to create prints that are more representative of the original digital file. A helpful tool of the trade for photographers who print work for themselves and graphic artists or photography students working on their portfolios from their homes, the PIXMA PRO-200 printer also features:

  • A new 3-inch LCD screen to help users set up the printer, connect to WiFi, monitor ink and paper levels for an improved user experience
  • New Skew Correction feature, which automatically corrects shifts the paper may encounter during printing
  • Professional print and layout software, which can work as a stand-alone program, or integrated into Adobe® Lightroom® or Photoshop® as a plugin to work within a photographer’s workflow, to help take the guesswork out of making great prints
  • Vast media support to print on a variety of surfaces such as Canon Photo Paper Pro Luster and Premium Fine Art Rough, as well as the ability to print longer panoramic images in comparison to previous models

Pricing and Availability

The Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM, and RF50mm F1.8 STM lenses are scheduled to be available in early and mid-December 2020 for a suggested retail price of $1,599.00 and $199.99, respectively*.

The PIXMA PRO-200 printer is scheduled to be available later in November for a suggested retail price of $599.99*.

For more information, please visit cusa.canon.com.

[i] Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards. Testing performed at a focal length of 200mm using the EOS R camera.

[ii] Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards. Testing performed at a focal length of 200mm using the EOS R5 camera.

[iii] Based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) standards. Testing performed at a focal length of 50mm using the EOS R5 camera.

Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM / RF 50mm F1.8 STM specifications

  Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
Principal specifications
Lens type Zoom lens Prime lens
Max Format size 35mm FF
Focal length 70–200 mm 50 mm
Image stabilization Yes No
CIPA Image stabilization rating 5 stop(s)
Lens mount Canon RF
Aperture
Maximum aperture F4 F1.8
Minimum aperture F32 F22
Aperture ring No
Number of diaphragm blades 9 7
Optics
Elements 16 6
Groups 11 5
Special elements / coatings 4 UD elements + Air Sphere coating 1 aspherical element + Super Spectra Coating
Focus
Minimum focus 0.60 m (23.62) 0.30 m (11.81)
Maximum magnification 0.28× 0.25×
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Nano ultrasonic Stepper motor
Full time manual Yes No
Focus method Internal
Distance scale No
DoF scale No
Focus distance limiter Yes
Physical
Weight 695 g (1.53 lb) 160 g (0.35 lb)
Diameter 84 mm (3.31) 69 mm (2.72)
Length 119 mm (4.69) 41 mm (1.61)
Materials Magnesium alloy
Sealing Yes No
Colour White Black
Zoom method Rotary (extending)
Power zoom No
Zoom lock Yes
Filter thread 77 mm 43 mm
Hood supplied Yes No
Hood product code ES-65B
Tripod collar No


Author:
dpreview staff

Source: Dpreview

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