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Last year Canon announced a trio of VCM lenses made for photography and video work, and the RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM this year. The lenses have been well received for the most part.
I'm impressed that all 4 lenses are nearly identical in size and weight and equipped with an aperture ring. We do wish compatibility of the new ring for photography worked with more cameras than the EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R1.
Current VCM Lineup
I would assume that there is a technical issue with cameras made before May of 2024 that won't allow this ability. We'll remain hopeful that whatever the issue is, it can be added in the future via a firmware update.
Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM
We have confirmed that Canon will be bringing an RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM to the lineup. It is expected to be about the same size as the other four VCM prime lenses, but no word on weight.
Canon made an EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM, which was/is a terrific lens and way nicer to shoot with than the EF 85mm f/1.2L USM II.
The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is another cinderblock of a lens in the Canon RF lineup, which I am not a fan of. It is amazing optically, but its usability isn't for everyone.
The size difference between the VCM lenses and the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM isn't much all things considered. Canon has figured out ways to make lenses smaller.
The VCM series size reduction is partially due to omitting optical image stabilization along with using the VCM (Voice Coil Motor) focus motor that is smaller than the USM (Ultrasonic Motor) normally found in L lenses.
Canon has used the STM motor in the 10-20mm f/4L IS STM.
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Size
| Dimensions | ø: 3.49 x L: 4.15″ / ø: 88.6 x L: 105.4 mm |
| Weight | 2.09 lb / 950 g |
Canon RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM Size
| Dimensions | ø: 3 x L: 3.9″ / ø: 76.2 x L: 99.1 mm |
| Weight | 1.3 lb / 580 g |
When is it coming?
There is no word as to when we can expect to see the RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM, but with 4 having been announced in the last year, we don't expect that we'll have to wait too long (relative term) for its arrival.
I used the EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM mainly because of its size and weight compared to the f/1.2L variants. I would probably jump on an RF version of the lens.
On a another thought: A 28-70mm F2 mkii (due to weight issues) would pair nicely with a 85mm F1.4 🙂 great times ahead 🙂
Or, if one day finally a RF 70-135mm F2 arrives, I could pair with the 50mm f1.4 VCM 🙂
Either way, I am excited about this news 🙂
Good I guess - Samsung and DJI have already taken enough of my money... 😱
Thanks, Canon!
Nice, that was Canon's own PR image. I swapped it out, I never saw it. Thanks for reminding about that weird "quote" bug that brings the backslash when using quotes in the comment section on the post page
Wanting to, and the ability to, are very different things. It has been a week of developmental hell. It's still only 'sort of' working. Yes, still working on the ad thing, they are very related.
So haven't bought any VCM lenses yet. And not going back to adapting EF lenses for a front heavy setup. Luckily got a Samyang RF 85mm 1.4 before they disappeared from the market. It's pretty fantastic.
While I am not a fan of overreliance on digital corrections, the only one I have (35 1.4) works perfectly fine. But to my eye it's not in the same class as the 50 and 85 1.2 lenses and that's why I am constantly whining for a 35 1.2 😢
I hesitated a bit to try one at first. But a few weeks I rented the 50mm F1.4 VCM and I loved it! Btw: I am a 99% stills, 1% video shooter (97/3%). If the EF 35mm 1.4 L ii indeed is better, I´d be open to purchase one. Even though it would mean I´d have to use an adapter...