Canon Introduces RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM For EOS R

Along with limited details about the forthcoming Canon EOS-1D X Mark III, Canon has also introduced two new lenses for its EOS R full-frame mirrorless system.

The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM completes the “trinity” of lenses which includes RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM and RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM—so called because together, these zoom ranges cover the most popular focal lengths from wide to telephoto. Canon notes that the RF 70-200mm lens is “27 percent shorter and 28 percent lighter” than Canon’s equivalent lens for DSLRs, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. The lens is also the first to incorporate two Nano USM autofocus motors. The AF system design promises to be faster and smoother, and to nearly eliminate focus breathing, an important factor when shooting video in particular. The lens’s built-in image stabilization provides up to 5 stops of correction.

Interested in the Canon RF 70-200mm? Check it out on B&H!

The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM will be available in “late” November with a list price of $2,699.

The other new lens announced today is a prime that’s ideal for portraiture, the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS. “DS” stands for “Defocus Smoothing,” a new lens coating that helps achieve extremely smooth bokeh effects with defocused background and foreground elements without compromising the sharpness of the subject. This lens will be available in December with a list price of $2,999.

For additional details, see the press release below.

Interested in the Canon RF 70-200mm? Check it out on B&H!

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THE RF FAMILY GROWS BY TWO: CANON RF 70-200MM F2.8L IS USM LENS IS THE WORLD’S SHORTEST AND LIGHTEST LENS IN ITS CLASS^[i]AND RF 85MM F1.2L USM DS IS THE FIRST LENS TO FEATURE DEFOCUS SMOOTHING

New RF L-Series Lenses Aim to Provide Impeccable Performance, Handling and Unique Features to Photographers Shooting with EOS R and EOS RP Cameras

MELVILLE, N.Y., October 24, 2019 – Completing the “trinity” of RF lenses for the EOS R Full-Frame mirrorless camera system, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM telephoto lens. Additionally, the company also announced its first lens to feature Defocus Smoothing lens coating, the Canon RF 85 F1.2L DS. The ninth and tenth lenses in the RF family are both powerful tools for photographers using the EOS R or EOS RP cameras, in particular, those shooting sports or wildlife photography with the RF 70-200mm F2.8L or portrait photography with the RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS.

Short and Light With All The Might: Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

The new lens features a large and bright f/2.8 aperture, which, along with the 70-200mm focal zoom ranges, presents an ideal workhorse lens for professional and amateur photographers shooting sports, wildlife, wedding and event action. The new RF lens is 27 percent shorter and 28 percent lighter than its EF counterpart^[ii]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 telephoto end of the zoom range. Additionally, the shorter and lighter design allows the lens to be more easily stowed away in a camera bag when not in-use.

A first for Canon lenses, the new RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM features two Nano USM motors providing an even greater level of high-speed autofocus for still image shooting and quiet and smooth autofocus for video shooting. The lens also incorporates a floating focus control, another Canon first, that drives the two lens groups individually while using the two aforementioned Nano USM motors. The floating focus lens element shortens focusing distance and help reduce breathing, providing users with fast, consistent and reliable performance.

Additional Features of The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Include:

• Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
• 17 lens elements in 13 groups including two aspherical lenses, one super UD lens and four UD lenses, that help to reduce chromatic aberration
• CIPA standard five stops of image stabilization (IS) including three IS modes with dual-sensing and combination IS
• 12-pin communication system
• L-Series dust and weather resistant build with fluorine coating
• Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) helps minimize lens flare and ghosting

Teaching an Old Dog a New Trick: Canon 85mm F1.2L USM DS

Canon has a rich history spanning over 40 years of producing 85mm lenses with f/1.2 apertures, and the new Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS is no different, or is it? The lens ushers in a new lens coating from Canon, Defocus Smoothing^[iii], designed to enhance the appearance of bokeh in the images captured with the lens. DS coating is a vapor-deposited coating technology that is applied to the front and rear surfaces of a specific lens element inside the lens. The coating allows off-axis flux to pass through the periphery of the lens that gradually decreases the transmittance of light, which results in images with beautifully blurred backgrounds.

In addition, the new lens features a bright f/1.2 aperture which, along with the 85mm focal length, encompasses an ideal lens for portrait photographers. 85mm is often the preferred focal length selected by photographers when shooting portraits because it provides an appropriate depth and perspective of the subject relative to the background, helping to capture high-quality imagery with beautiful and desirable bokeh. The focal length also allows for the photographer and subject to maintain optimum distance apart to support strong communication, while not being too close.

Additional Features of The Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS Include:

• Minimum focusing distance of 2.79 feet/0.85 meters
• Customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO
• One Aspheric lens and one UD Lens, along with BR optics that help to reduce chromatic aberration
• 12-pin communication system
• L-Series dust and weather resistant build with fluorine coating
• Air Sphere Coating (ASC) that helps minimize lens flare and ghosting

Pricing and Availability

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS lenses are scheduled to be available late November 2019 and December 2019, respectively for an estimated retail price of $2,699.00 and $2,999.00 respectively^[iv]. For additional information, please visit, usa.canon.com.

[i] Among 70-200mm lenses, as of October 24^th, 2019, based on Canon’s research.

[ii] When compared to Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM III

[iii] Due to Defocus Smoothing, transmittance of the lens periphery decreases due to the DS coating. Brightness of the lens at maximum aperture is about 1 1/3 stops darker than f/1.2

[iv] Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.