Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM

Canon has announced Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM lens, the first release in what the company says will become a full series of fixed-focal-length RF lenses with a hybrid design for stills and video, which are intended to work with both EOS photo and Cinema EOS cameras. Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM becomes the widest prime lens in Canon's L-series. Its optical formula consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, including two specialized aspherical lens elements and two ultra-low Dispersion glass elements. The lens also benefits from Canon's Super Spectra Coating, Air Sphere Coating, and fluorine coating. It has 11 aperture blades. Autofocus is driven by a voice coil motor (VCM), a type of linear motor, for quick, precise focusing. Size-wise, the lens is 99.3 mm long and has a diameter of 76.5 mm, making it both shorter and skinnier than Canon's EF 35mm F1.4L II USM, and it weighs in much lighter at 555 g compared to 760 g for the EF version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCREDIBLE FEATURE SET

 

This lens has a lot going for it. You already know about the new VCM and Iris control ring, but there is so much more. You can attach filters to this lens in two ways, a front 67mm screw thread allows for screw-on filters, and in the back of the lens is a cut gel filter holder (bundled). You also have a control ring and a control button both of which you can assign functions to. This lens is also dust and weather resistant, has two aspheric lenses, and ASC (Air Sphere Coating) to reduce ghosting.

 

 

 

 

TIME TO FOCUS ON FOCUSING

 

The RF35mm F1.4 L VCM is part of a series of “hybrid” lenses that focus on video performance as much as still photography. One of these new features is a change to how the focus system works. There is a Nano USM that controls the floating focus unit, and a new VCM (Voice Coil Motor) that powers the rear focus unit. These focus motors work in tandem for incredible speed in near silence. One important note about the VCM is that it requires power to hold its position, so when the camera is off, or the lens is not attached to a camera, you may hear and feel slight movement. This is normal, and there is extra cushioning inside the lens to help prevent damage in this situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCELLENT IMAGE QUALITY

 

Again, thanks to the Canon RF lens mount, the RF35mm F1.4 L VCM lens offers great optical quality. Its optical design includes two UD lenses and two aspheric lenses as well as Air Sphere Coating (ASC) to reduce ghosting, and Fluorine coating on the front and rear lens surfaces to help mitigate smudges. On top of that, this lens features the same dust- and water-resistance found on L-series lenses with seals around the Control ring, focus ring, zoom ring, operation panel, and lens mount.

 

 

 

 

 

IT'S SHOWTIME!

 

This lens is part of a new family of “hybrid” lenses that focus on video creation as much as still photography. To that end, this lens features a manual iris control ring so you can smoothly change the aperture from f/1.4 to f/16 during video capture. Thanks to advancements in lens design, focus breathing on this lens is extremely minimal, and backlit images are sharp.  Combine all of these features, and you’ve got a great video lens in your hands.

 

 

 

GET CLOSE

 

With a minimum focus distance of just under 11 inches (0.28 m), and an f/1.4 aperture you can capture some really compelling imagery that is unlike anything else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Focal Length: 35mm
Maximum and Minimum Aperture: f/1.4 - f/16
Lens Mount Type: RF Mount
Compatible Cameras: Canon EOS R-series, APS-C and full-frame
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.28 m
Maximum Magnification: 0.18x
Field of View, at Minimum Focus Distance: Approx. 195mm × 130mm
Angle of View (Diagonal): Approx. 63º

Lens Construction: 14 elements in 11 groups
Special Elements: (Two) UD Lens, (Two) Aspherical Lenses
Lens Coating: Canon ASC (Air Sphere Coating), SSC (Super Spectra Coating), Fluorine Coating
Filter Size Diameter: ø67 mm
Aperture Blades: 11
Image Stabilization (yaw/pitch directions): 7.0 stops of hand-held shake correction without coordinated control by EOS R3

Focusing Drive System: Canon Nano USM (Ultrasonic Motor) and VCM (Voice Coil Motor)
Full-time Manual Focusing: Yes (Supports both ONE SHOT AF and SERVO AF with compatible EOS R-series cameras)
Dual Pixel CMOS AF Coverage: (Horizontal x Vertical) - EOS R — Approx. 88% x 100%; EOS R5/R6 — Approx. 90% x100%; EOS R7/R10/R50 — Approx. 100% x 100%

Control Ring: Dual-function Manual focus ring / Control Ring (selected using camera menu)
Manual Focus Ring: Electronic ring system; Full-time Manual focus possible, No physical limit to ring rotational angle
AF/MF Switch: Provided
Iris Ring: Provided
Aperture value adjustment steps: During movie shooting: 1/32 stop; during still photo shooting: adjust on camera
Lens Function Button: Provided
Distance Scale: None; Distance scale available in EVF or Live View LCD screen of compatible EOS R-series cameras
Distance Limiter Switch: None
Dust / Weather Resistant Construction: Yes

Maximum Outer Diameter x Length: approx ø76.5mm x 99.3mm
Weight: approx. 555 g