Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM on the Way

[Canon Rumors]

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 […]

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[sobrien]

Great news. I really like the RF 85mm f/2 STM but - assuming the size and weight is in line with the other VCM lenses - will be severely tempted by this for its faster AF (for uncooperative kids lol) and (presumably) slightly less busy backgrounds in tricky conditions. I mean, it would be a luxury to do that, as the f/2 really does produce excellent results, just not quite as nice as they EF 85mm f/1.4. I would also then finally sell my EF 85mm f/1.8 which I have hung on to for its AF and to have as a more rough and ready option.

 

[fox40phil]

Really nice news! The RF 85 f1.2 is way to heavy (and expensive)... I would switch from my Viltrox f1.8 if the price isn't that high. I hope its in the range +- of the RF 50mm f1.4.

 

[koenkooi]

Great news. I really like the RF 85mm f/2 STM but - assuming the size and weight is in line with the other VCM lenses - will be severely tempted by this for its faster AF (for uncooperative kids lol) and (presumably) slightly less busy backgrounds in tricky conditions. I mean, it would be a luxury to do that, as the f/2 really does produce excellent results, just not quite as nice as they EF 85mm f/1.4. I would also then finally sell my EF 85mm f/1.8 which I have hung on to for its AF and to have as a more rough and ready option.

You are pretty much describing my situation and reasoning, including selling the EF f/1.8!

 

[JP Davis]

If it is half as good as my 50 VCM this will be an instant purchase for me. Love to know what the timeline will be.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

Yay, a 85mm F1.4 VCM is coming (at some point)! Now, I have to decide which one I want... 50mm f1.4 or 85mm F1.4. I loved the 50mm f1.4 which I rented for a wedding and since there is no other option (I didn't like the RF 50mm F1.8) for me, it makes sense. I own the 85mm F2, which is fine in daylight/ dawn, but not in low light situations or when I need fast AF (yeah, uncooperative kids gets it right). But at least I have a viable option with this focal length if I don't opt for the f1.4...

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

 

[Zadak]

Typo in your image (\"59mm\")

 

[roby17269]

Well I guess still no RF 35 1.2L for me...
Good I guess - Samsung and DJI have already taken enough of my money...

 

[usern4cr]

Finally Canon is coming out with the 85 f1.4 ! It will be small & (relatively) light and wonderful!!! While having OIS would have been even better, I'm sure that not having it in order to be smaller & lighter will be OK with their great IBIS and it's not that much of a telephoto lens which would need it more.

Thanks, Canon!

 

[David - Sydney]

Well, roll me on the beach and call me Sandy! Canon Rumors actually wants us to comment again!

 

[Del Paso]

If it's as sharp as the RF 1,4/20, it see hard times ahead for the RF 1,2/85

 

[Canon Rumors]

Typo in your image (\"59mm\")

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

 

[Canon Rumors]

Well, roll me on the beach and call me Sandy! Canon Rumors actually wants us to comment again!

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.

 

[FrankyDoodle]

Really nice news! The RF 85 f1.2 is way to heavy (and expensive)... I would switch from my Viltrox f1.8 if the price isn't that high. I hope its in the range +- of the RF 50mm f1.4.

But the Rf 85mm 1.2 is also the best lens Canon ever produced!

 

[Daniel Lindblom]

My guess is that this is going to be the last lens in this series. I can't see them going further than 85 mm in this design. A really nice set of small lenses.

 

[Snapster]

A 35/85mm 1.4 combo is badly needed but so far the VCM line has been disappointing. For photography, the 35mm VCM is a downgrade from EF 35mm 1.4L ii. I wouldn't be surprised if the RF 85mm VCM would omit IS and be another downgrade from EF.

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.

 

[Tomba]

A 35/85mm 1.4 combo is badly needed but so far the VCM line has been disappointing. For photography, the 35mm VCM is a downgrade from EF 35mm 1.4L ii. I wouldn't be surprised if the RF 85mm VCM would omit IS and be another downgrade from EF.

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.

I am very happy with 24 and 35mm VCM. No complaints. I only use it for photography. Will buy 85mm VCM also.

 

[roby17269]

A 35/85mm 1.4 combo is badly needed but so far the VCM line has been disappointing. For photography, the 35mm VCM is a downgrade from EF 35mm 1.4L ii. I wouldn't be surprised if the RF 85mm VCM would omit IS and be another downgrade from EF.

For such focal lengths IBIS works well, so it'd be a material downgrade only if you mount the lenses on a RF body without IBIS.

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

 

[Exploreshootshare]

A 35/85mm 1.4 combo is badly needed but so far the VCM line has been disappointing. For photography, the 35mm VCM is a downgrade from EF 35mm 1.4L ii.

Could you please explain why and give some reasons. I am asking because most people on various who criticize the VCM line-up fail to provide reasons or explanations.

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...

 

[Exploreshootshare]

For such focal lengths IBIS works well, so it'd be a material downgrade only if you mount the lenses on a RF body without IBIS.

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

The 35mm F1.2 will come. It will be lighter, faster and designed by new formula and will be a "new F1.2" which will lead us to RF 50 & 85mm F1.2 mkii´s