I have been told by an unknown source that Canon will announce an RF 85mm f/2 IS STM in 2020.
The same source claims that a whole line of f/2-f/2.8 non-L prime lenses with IS are coming in the next 12 months.
The same source mentions that the line of prime lenses will start at 18mm and go up to 85mm. This seems like pretty wishful thinking from my point of view, but I have been surprised before.
Take this one with a grain of salt until we can confirm the information above [CR1].
The image for this post is of the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Right now the smaller bodies are interesting, but folks looking to minimize systems size and weight with an R body are stymied by the larger lenses.
I think we are going to have an rf 70-200mm f/4. I also think we are going to have an rf 135mm f/2. (Will it have IS? Hope so!) I don't think an rf 135mm 2.8 would make sense, at least not for years and years.
The ef 135mm f/2 has long been regarded as one of Canon's sweetest primes, and perhaps its best deal, certainly in an L (though the ef 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro is a contender). If the rf version is offered at a similar price, perhaps bumped up as a new release and to account for inflation, a 2.8 just seems superfluous.
But, I agree, Canon needs to offer cheaper, lighter, smaller lenses, not only for budget reasons, but for the sheer fun and convenience of having decent quality glass that is easy to carry around with a smaller body--and won't be such a heartbreak if lost or damaged when out and about.
It'll get the job done for now.
-Brian
Definitely a sentiment I agree with. As someone who uses my M6 a lot as my everyday out and about camera the R system lenses certainly poses some challenges. Weight is obviously a consideration but there's also the issue of their dimensions, especially their diameters. It makes it challenging with my existing camera bags. Generally speaking for everyday use I prefer to use a messenger bag rather than a larger dedicated camera sling bag especially since I need to carry other items as well other than camera gear. Luckily the EF lenses are a nice compromise, I find carrying my 28/2.8 EF IS (or 35/1.8 RF IS) and 100/2 EF with my RP to be a very workable combo.
No one would want a 50 F2 anyways.
Depends on your use cases. In my fashion environments, my beloved M cams are not going to cut it except for a b cam or with a wide angle for specific shots. And its simply faster to use a bulky 5d3 when youre shooting and moving rapidly. the joystick is still faster to use than a finger sliding across the screen, and when you have 20 seconds or less to take a shot or get that angle/eye, you need solid, weighted tools to capture them.
Not to mention needing to use a 70-200 or a 24-70...so yeah.