Canon today announces the introduction of a new series of fixed focal length lenses with RF bayonet. These prime lenses are based on the existing portfolio of fixed focal lengths with EF / CN-E bayonets, or Sumire fixed focal lengths with PL bayonets.
The seven new lenses are the first Canon Cinema lenses with RF bayonet - these are designed to combine high optical performance with typical cinema production workflows. Compared to "normal" RF lenses, such "primes" are mostly used in professional productions such as feature films, documentaries or expensive music videos.
Canon RF primes
Compared to the decades-old and heavily used analog PL mount, Canon&s proprietary RF bayonet also allows digital communication between the lens and the camera. However, the lenses themselves do not offer an autofocus motor, so communication is primarily used to exchange metadata.
Among other things, this can be used to control the magnifier function, chromatic aberration correction, vignetting correction and the Dual Pixel Focus Assist. In addition to these functions, the new lenses feature distortion correction data, which can be especially helpful for post-processing.
Canon RF Primes
All seven optics should be explicitly suitable for use with 4K and 8K cameras. Thanks to the 11-blade iris diaphragm, the bokeh should be very round, which Canon provides for softly diffused highlights.
The very precise optical imaging performance should be ensured, among other things, by the optimal positioning of the large-diameter aspherical lenses and lenses with abnormal dispersion. The notorious focus-breathing effect is said to be almost impossible to provoke.
All models were calculated for a full-frame image circle of typical Canon R sensors. But even slightly wider sensors like the RED V-Raptor 8K VV should still be within the image circle - as Canon explicitly mentioned at a product presentation in the run-up.
Canon RF Primes
Color balance throughout the series is uniformly matched, which should prevent color jumps when changing lenses during shooting. The gear position of the actuation ring, lens diameter and rotation angle (actuation angle) of all lenses are also identical within this series, so there is no need to adjust the mounting position of the compendium or external follow focus accessory when changing lenses. A new knurled surface near the bayonet is also designed to provide comfortable handling when changing lenses - without touching the control ring.
The lenses are explicitly compatible with the EOS C70 and EOS R5C Cinema cameras.
Canon RF Primes
The following types have been announced in the series, with the first lenses not to be sold until early 2024:
* CN-R14mm T3.1 L F * CN-R20mm T1.5 L F * CN-R24mm T1.5 L F * CN-R35mm T1.5 L F * CN-R50mm T1.3 L F * CN-R85mm T1.3 L F * CN-R135mm T2.2 L F
Prices have not yet been communicated. Working samples are expected to be ready for on-site testing as early as IBC 2023, September 15-18, 2023 in Amsterdam.
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