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This is a confusing mess of a firmware update from Canon for the RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM. Times like this make me wonder what is really happening over there.
Nonetheless, this is a worthy update to the Canon RF 24-105L as it adds some features to the lens that simply weren't there before. I think we can all get behind new features being added to our gear at no cost.
This firmware is available on Canon Japan's website, but here's the oddity.
- Only the firmware 2.0.7 for MacOS is available on Canon Europe; the Windows variant is not.
- The firmware is not listed in Canon USA at all.
Will this change? Most likely over time, but for something relatively easy for the regions to do, this leads to a mess for users to determine if they can or can not upgrade their lenses.
This update is something I hope they do with all the lenses that didn't have this functionality at the beginning, and it's pretty cool that Canon can do this, simply with firmware.
Basically, they have expanded the lens to have full-time manual focus, and also allow the focus ring to switch from manual focus to a control ring.
From Canon Japan
This firmware includes the following improvements and fixes:
- Added electronic full-time manual focus function (allows constant manual focus adjustment in both One-Shot AF and Servo AF). This function is enabled when used in combination with a compatible camera.
- A function has been added that allows the focus ring to function as a control ring. By assigning the aperture function when shooting video, etc., you can operate the focus ring without worrying about the clicking sound. This function is enabled when combined with a compatible camera.
- Other operational stability improvements have been made.
If your lens firmware is already version 2.0.7, there is no need to update the firmware. If you wish to update the firmware, please read this page carefully to the end before using the download service.
https://canon.jp/support/software/os/select/camera-other/rf24105f4l-firm
About the Canon RF 24-105 F4L IS USM
The Canon RF 24-105 F4L IS USM is meant to be a professional standard zoom, balancing cost, weight, and optical performance. The zoom ranges that go beyond 3 are inherently more difficult for optical designers, which is why you see zoom lenses such as 24-70, 70-200mm in the professional lens categories. Zoom ratios of 4+ (24-105) usually have some optical compromises to shove everything into a compact zoom lens.
From Optical Limits
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 USM L IS is a natural choice for EOS R users – at this point in time anyway. Just like other standard zoom lenses, it has its flaws, but it is clearly one of the better, if not the best lens in this specific class. Canon emphasized the performance at the wide end of the range with an evenly high – in fact, very high – sharpness across the image field. The broader center quality remains excellent at other focal lengths, whereas the outer image region deteriorates slightly.
https://opticallimits.com/canon/canon-rf-24-105mm-f-4-usm-l-is-review/
Super Spectra Coating
Nano USM AF System
Optical Image Stabilizer
Customizable Control Ring
Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
Download
You can download the new firmware from Canon Australia for both Windows and MacOS, as the other regions are slow on the uptake, it seems. The firmware is the same no matter where you download it from, so there are no worries about which region you download it from.
RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM Firmware Update, Version 2.0.7 [Windows]
But AF with this one is very fast just in situation where AF has to retry because it had not enough contrast at the first try. So never been a real problem.
About this lens: I am learning to like that lens more and more. At 24 MPix the image quality is excellent except very short distances @105mm - here I learned that I must stop down to ~f/8 to get good sharpness, contrast, definition.
IS with IBIS of R6 ii is stellar: If I have something to lean on or a good day, 1 sec exposure gives me 1 out of 3 nearly perfectly sharp images, and yes, at 105mm too! So a snappy point and shoot with extended range of situations coming at a, yes, no longer moderate price ;-)
I was hoping for a mk. II version, since this lens is quite weak at 105mm. Maybe it was just the one I once owned, or was I expecting too much?
I am not sure that the reviewers really give Canon enough credit for the control ring
I downloaded the firmware, I'll give it a try tomorrow.
Does anyone know on which cameras it will work?
Yes firmware on Canon's sites are a mess.
And sites are slow and annoying to navigate in general too. Luckily they are better making cameras and lenses than making websites.
Seems to be the way it works if the lens isn't $2000+
- shutter dial --> shutter
- control ring --> aperture
- ??? dial --> ISO (or at auto)
- scroll wheel --> AF area selecting