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    Canon Planning 3 More VCM L Prime Lenses

    By 12 Comments3 Mins Read

    Next week we’re going to see the Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM officially announced, the fourth lens in the VCM series of L prime lenses.

    We have been told by a solid source that Canon has advanced plans for 3 more VCM L prime lenses to complete the series of hybrid prime lenses.

    The Next VCM Lenses

    While the source only suggested what the lenses would be, they didn’t give us the exact focal lengths and speed. The series needs some continuity when it comes to size and weight and that may change what is possible as far as lens speed at the longer end, and we think it would be quite a challenge to release a lens wider than 20mm at f/1.4 and keep the size the same.

    Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM Mockup

    It was suggested that we’ll see an RF 28mm f/1.4L VCM along with “two lenses longer than 50mm, but one of them will be slower than f/1.4”. If we look at the Sumire line of cinema lenses, Canon has both an 85mm and 135mm option. Those would be logical focal lengths to bring to market to complete the VCM series of lenses.

    However, the CN-E 85mm and 135mm have significantly different light grabbing capabilities. The 85mm is T1.3 and the 135mm T2.2.

    Interestingly the CN-E 50mm T/1.3 and CN-E 85mm T/1.3 are close to identical when it comes to weight and size. Sure, they’re larger lenses and there’s more space to do things, but 50mm and 85mm tend to have similar optical designs.

    So, here’s hoping the same thing can happen for the VCM series.

    Canon 85mm Sumire Prime T1.3

    Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM?

    We think you should look logically at why f/1.4 85mm and 135mm lenses in the small form-factor would be incredibly challenging. We could see f/1.4 for the 85mm, but a 135mm would have to be slower than 1.8. Perhaps a 100mm would be an easier way to go and keep the lens no slower than f/2?

    All bets are off if Canon decides on larger lens designs for the longer lenses, but we don’t feel they’d do that.

    We already have the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM, and it’s not a small lens. We do have the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM, and that’s also a larger lens, but definitely smaller and lighter than its f/1.2 brother.

    When Will We See New VCM Lenses?

    We don’t currently know. That shouldn’t be a surprise.

    The RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM crept up on us late in the process, so we may not get much information too far out from the official announcement.

    Our confidence level in this information is high.

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    Craig is the founder and editorial director for Canon Rumors. He has been writing about all things Canon for more than 17 years. When he's not writing, you can find him shooting professional basketball and travelling the world looking for the next wildlife adventure. The Canon EOS R1 is his camera of choice.

    12 comments

    2. The CN-E 85mm and 50mm are only the same size in the same way that the ef 85mm 1.2L and 50mm 1.2 L are the same size. They aren’t. It’s just that CN-E’s have vastly oversized bodies to fit in with a standardized 114mm front.

      Personally, I would prefer something like a 75mm and a 110mm for video work, but I’m sure it will be the too wide range of 85mm and 135mm.
    3. 14mm? So there\'s something competing with Sony 14mm GM?

      I guess 28mm and 85mm f1.4 will be here, especially 85mm. 85L is too heavy for many, f1.4 with sub 600g weight is ideal.

      Unless Canon going for 75/60mm, which I love it personally but probably niche for many others.
    7. 14mm? So there\'s something competing with Sony 14mm GM?
      With the about-to-be announced 20/1.4 maybe Canon is showing that they are interested in fast/wide after all.
      An equivalent native lens (cost/size/quality) to the Sony 14/1.8 would be very nice :)
    8. My guess list:
      1. 85mm F1.4 L VCM
      2. 28mm F1.4 L VCM
      3. 100mm F1.4 or F2 L VCM

      It would round out the line-up with perfectly round numbers going from 20-100mm :)

      A 85mm F1.4 just makes a lot of sense just like the 35mm and 50mm. The 28mm would make a bunch of people happy and gives each costumer the perfect choice in the range between 20mm and 35mm with four lenses in that range.

      For me personally, 20mm and 85mm sound very intriguing, but the prices are (for me) sky-high. I'll probably end up with the 20mm at some point anyway. As for the 85mm, I have the F2 version, which I like although the AF is (very) slow in low light. I´d rather save up for a 70-135/150mm F2 if Canon ever releases it.
    9. I already own the 24, 35 and 50 mm VCM lenses. No interests in the 20 mm or 85 mm, but I could be tempted by a 28 mm if Canon decides to make it. 24 mm, 35 mm, and 50 mm covers a lot already.
    10. I already own the 24, 35 and 50 mm VCM lenses. No interests in the 20 mm or 85 mm, but I could be tempted by a 28 mm if Canon decides to make it. 24 mm, 35 mm, and 50 mm covers a lot already.
      I have the 24, and will probably preorder the 20. The 28-70/2 covers the rest, for me.
    11. With the about-to-be announced 20/1.4 maybe Canon is showing that they are interested in fast/wide after all.
      An equivalent native lens (cost/size/quality) to the Sony 14/1.8 would be very nice :)
      Back in EF days Canon only has UWA L zooms and little fast UWA L primes, this is a welcoming change for RF.

      And tbh we all know once Canon finished their lineup, Sigma will get the green light so it'll be a win for everyone. (unless a GAS Sony fan ;p
    12. And tbh we all know once Canon finished their lineup, Sigma will get the green light so it'll be a win for everyone. (unless a GAS Sony fan ;p
      Canon haven't released a version 2 of any RF lens so far in the last ~7 years. I consider the Z lenses to be a completely different segment to the 24-105 or 70-200mm options ie non-L, L and Z lenses.
      The range of f1.4 primes are filling out the mid-price market which is good to see though. Video features are taking on a greater significance.

      The current "holes" in their lineup vs EF are niche areas now:
      - fast /wide => 20/1.4 could be their only option or perhaps the start of a wider range. The EF14/2.8 was expensive and not great.
      - zoom fisheye
      - long macro to replace EF180mm
      - RF200-500 in whatever form it eventually comes in
      - "cheaper" big white primes eg 500/5.6
      - TS-E replacements
      - super-macro replacement to MP-E65 5x macro

      Will they release new ones next or start improving existing ones is hard to say.
      The other OEMs have shown improvements (cost/size/weight) to some of Canon's iconic RF lenses already.
      In the EF days, there was a combination but this covers 1987-2019 ie ~30 years.

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