Canon EOS R6 Mark III & RF 45 F1.2 STM November 6

[m4ndr4ke]

quite a lot higher than the launch prices of the R6 and R6 II

The R6 was released at €2849 and the R6 II at 3049€

good enough to fill the shoes of my Sigma 40 Art, well, I really may ditch the SigMonster for it.
I bet center sharpness will be a razor even at f1.2

I’d get ready for disappointment, if I were you.
If it’s confirmed as a double gauss design, I’d expect an okay-ish center at f/1.2, soft corners with CA and significant vignetting, getting decently sharp by f/1.8 to f/2.
The Art 40mm was released at over twice the price, without inflation. They’re totally different lenses.
Plus, the patent we saw is for a 48.5mm, not even 45 or close to 40.

Semi-macro is worth it

That’s really a matter of taste. For me, it’s not, and the external focus is one of the weakest points of these lenses — that, plus the gear type STM most of them use.

 

[Walrus]

I’d get ready for disappointment, if I were you.
If it’s confirmed as a double gauss design, I’d expect an okay-ish center at f/1.2, soft corners with CA and significant vignetting, getting decently sharp by f/1.8 to f/2.
The Art 40mm was released at over twice the price, without inflation. They’re totally different lenses.
Plus, the patent we saw is for a 48.5mm, not even 45 or close to 40.

Saying disappointment is too much if it's (almost as) good, I swap, if it isn't, I don't

About the real focal length, frankly if it's closer to 50mm then 45mm for me is even better, I chose the 40 Art for its stunning performances, but honestly I feel the slight difference in FOV with my previous 50 Art, and I definitely prefer the longer focal. I'm happy with the 40, but I always have been a 50 guy rather then a 35 guy, so this 45/48 whatever it is the new lens, really reasons with me if quality is there.

 

[Canon Rumors]

I'm not a fan of STM, it's a cheap cop-out to segment products. When even Tamron and Sigma have gone to magnetic linear motors for their new lenses, Canon shouldn't be selling new lenses with STM.

The stepping nature of STM means it will never be as good or accurate as USM when it comes to making the type of micro-adjustments that can be necessary to lock focus. When the lighting gets more challenging and more AF adjustments are needed to lock focus, the differences will become bigger and easier to see.

Canon really should stop releasing new lenses with STM.

You're thinking version 1 of STM. There's not "nature" to it, things get better. Having used the 28-70 2.8 and 28-70 2.0 side by side, there was no difference in speed an accuracy. The latest generation of STM is terrific.

The different versions of STM move groups in different ways. There are multiple versions of USM. Go back to a 90s version of USM and then USM today. Night and day.

Sigma and Tamron likely don't have the resources to develop multiple focus motor types and have to pick something to focus on.

 

[Snapster]

The RF 28-70 2.8 with the better STM also costs significantly more than reported 599 for the 45mm 1.2. Are we sure the new prime uses the best possible STM?

 

[m4ndr4ke]

Saying disappointment is too much if it's (almost as) good, I swap, if it isn't, I don't

The thing is: bringing the 40 Art to the table is setting the bar really high
That lens rivals the RF 50mm f/1.2

Are we sure the new prime uses the best possible STM?

Sure? We’re not even sure this lens will ever exist, at the moment.

 

[NotSure700]

The RF 28-70 2.8 with the better STM also costs significantly more than reported 599 for the 45mm 1.2. Are we sure the new prime uses the best possible STM?

I think it's more about internally focusing STM vs externally focusing STM. Even the old EF-S 10-18mm STM focused flawlessly. On the other hand, lenses like the RF 35mm 1.8 STM and RF 85mm F2 STM with external focusing system are slow, noisy and jittery.

 

[Canon Rumors]

I think it's more about internally focusing STM vs externally focusing STM. Even the old EF-S 10-18mm STM focused flawlessly. On the other hand, lenses like the RF 35mm 1.8 STM and RF 85mm F2 STM with external focusing system are slow, noisy and jittery.

I forget what STM motor those have, I'll look. It's the worst of the bunch. I found the the 85 f/2 frustating for what I use 85mm for.

 

[Canon Rumors]

The RF 28-70 2.8 with the better STM also costs significantly more than reported 599 for the 45mm 1.2. Are we sure the new prime uses the best possible STM?

A zoom costs more to make, more elements etc... so there's no reason to think they aren't going to put the best and smallest STM motor in the 45, I suspect the same team has designed the lens.

 

[Walrus]

The thing is: bringing the 40 Art to the table is setting the bar really high

Only real problem is bringing it around considering that I also bring around the 105 1.4 Art, which is another SigMonster so any reduction in size and weight (and ditching the adapter), if I don't loose quality, is really welcome, as I did when swapping the EF 24-70 L II with the RF 28-70 STM

 

[blackcoffee17]

I forget what STM motor those have, I'll look. It's the worst of the bunch. I found the the 85 f/2 frustating for what I use 85mm for.

The 85mm F2 is a stellar lens optically - except for the AF motor. Can't believe it wasn't intentional.

 

[m4ndr4ke]

I forget what STM motor those have, I'll look. It's the worst of the bunch. I found the the 85 f/2 frustating for what I use 85mm for.

16 gear
24 lead screw
28 gear
35 gear
50 gear
85 lead screw

The thing is: some of these lenses have really long focus ranges or have to move their elements a lot.
For instance, the 16 is supposedly crappy, but the elements make such little movements it’s barely noticeable.

The 85 has a lead screw STM, but it’s also the lens that moves its elements the most, and it doesn’t feature these new improvements we see in the 28-70.

 

[Halfmoon]

I think it's more about internally focusing STM vs externally focusing STM. Even the old EF-S 10-18mm STM focused flawlessly. On the other hand, lenses like the RF 35mm 1.8 STM and RF 85mm F2 STM with external focusing system are slow, noisy and jittery.

I have the RF 35mm F1.8 too, and felt the AF was also slow... I will keep the RF 28mm F2.8 for the size, but will be selling off my RF 35mm F1.8 soon... and maybe.... consider the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM....

 

[SvO2]

I'm not a fan of STM, it's a cheap cop-out to segment products. When even Tamron and Sigma have gone to magnetic linear motors for their new lenses, Canon shouldn't be selling new lenses with STM.

The stepping nature of STM means it will never be as good or accurate as USM when it comes to making the type of micro-adjustments that can be necessary to lock focus. When the lighting gets more challenging and more AF adjustments are needed to lock focus, the differences will become bigger and easier to see.

Canon really should stop releasing new lenses with STM.

I don’t know how canon does things, but microstepping is a thing for stepping motors.

 

[Canon Rumors]

16 gear
24 lead screw
28 gear
35 gear
50 gear
85 lead screw

The thing is: some of these lenses have really long focus ranges or have to move their elements a lot.
For instance, the 16 is supposedly crappy, but the elements make such little movements it’s barely noticeable.

The 85 has a lead screw STM, but it’s also the lens that moves its elements the most, and it doesn’t feature these new improvements we see in the 28-70.

Well, there are 4 different STM motors in Canon's chest.. sounds like an article. The blanket "STM is bad" needs to be put to rest.

 

[mimbu]

You're thinking version 1 of STM. There's not "nature" to it, things get better. Having used the 28-70 2.8 and 28-70 2.0 side by side, there was no difference in speed an accuracy. The latest generation of STM is terrific.

Come on, be real. If it was so "terrific" why does Canon only put it in their bottom end lenses. It is what it is, an entry level mechanically stepped focusing system that is cheap to produce and that does not perform as well as Canon's better focusing systems.

The different versions of STM move groups in different ways. There are multiple versions of USM. Go back to a 90s version of USM and then USM today. Night and day.

I owned some of the earliest USM lenses, including a 200/1.8L and 500/4.5L (fly by wire MF sucked), as well as a 50/1L and first version 85/1.2L (very slow and also fly by wire MF that sucked). I think I've used most/all of the different versions of USM since.

Sigma and Tamron likely don't have the resources to develop multiple focus motor types and have to pick something to focus on.

They already have STM systems that they have been using for years, but their new lenses after they have developed high torque magnetic linear AF have all used it. Even their lower end lenses.

And if we want to discuss resources, I don't think anyone would say that Sony doesn't have the resources to have multiple AF systems. Yet today, any new Sony lens released has magnetic linear drive motors. Even the cheapest kit lenses like the APS-C 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II. It's a $100 kit lens if you buy it with a camera, yet no STM to be seen here:



Both Canon and Nikon continue to stuff STM AF into lenses, and I don't think it's acceptable in 2025. The 200-800 has STM, as does Nikon's 180-600. These are not lenses that should have STM AF.

STM should only exist in the realm of Chinese makers like TT Artisan who have not yet developed better AF motors. (But make no mistake, the Chinese makers will develop better AF. They are iterating so fast it's crazy. When even 7 Artisans and TT Artisan have magnetic linear drive motors in their lenses, what will be the excuse for Canon still using STM?)

 

[mimbu]

The blanket "STM is bad" needs to be put to rest.

What needs to be put to rest is a maker like Canon putting STM into new lenses in 2025. It should not be happening. STM is the cheapest & worst type of AF that is commonly used today.

 

[candyman]

Come on, be real. If it was so "terrific" why does Canon only put it in their bottom end lenses.

Well, my 10-20mm f/4L is using STM. That is a 2000+ dollar lens

 

[mawlki]

The RF 45mm 1.2 for only 600 USD? I hope that's not a typo.
That would be really crazy

​

The RF 50mm F1.8 STM is €230,-

50mm @ f/1.8 is easily build GREAT with little
Remember the older nifty fifty's?

The f/1.2 will be heavier and less compact, but above all won't be optically that nice, probably.

 

[Canon Rumors]

The RF 50mm F1.8 STM is €230,-

50mm @ f/1.8 is easily build GREAT with little
Remember the older nifty fifty's?

The f/1.2 will be heavier and less compact, but above all won't be optically that nice, probably.

The 50 1.8 is terrible optically... The 45 will be far better.

 

[JohanCruyff]

That lens rivals the RF 50mm f/1.2

I think it's in the same market segment of the recent Nikon Z 50mm 1.4, which costs 1/3 or 1/4 of the top 50mm 1.4 lenses.
The Nikon "fast and cheap" Nikon Z lenses have noticeable vignetting and need to be used at F2 or F2.8 to get the best sharpness, they say.

But, for some portraits, extreme sharpness is not necessary).