Canon Officially Announces the RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ

[neuroanatomist]

I ordered the lens from B&H at 9:02 a.m EDT and also separately ordered 10 of the new RF rear caps. I will likely also need to order additional rear caps, but B&H set the maximum at 10.

I was ahead of you by one whole minute.

I ordered the rear caps from Adorama, their site allowed me to type in the quantity I needed (22).

 

[m4ndr4ke]

Judging by the photograph on dpreview, it looks like the new cap just lacks the protrusions we can cut on the original, to make it fit in more positions.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Judging by the photograph on dpreview, it looks like the new cap just lacks the protrusions we can cut on the original, to make it fit in more positions.

Indeed, only two tabs. But I have no desire to cut down the number of lens caps I have to save $8 each.

 

[scyrene]

Indeed, only two tabs. But I have no desire to cut down the number of lens caps I have to save $8 each.

View attachment 229463

Whereas I absolutely would, although I change lenses fairly infrequently so maybe laziness will win out.

 

[AlanF]

Indeed, only two tabs. But I have no desire to cut down the number of lens caps I have to save $8 each.

View attachment 229463

You could cut down the number of lenses.

 

[Del Paso]

You could cut down the number of lenses.

Sacrilege!

 

[Exploreshootshare]

Is it possible for them to apply the same concept to a telephoto zoom? I sure it is possible!

I was wondering about the same thing. We don´t need another 70-200mm F4 offering, so maybe Canon could do something like a 50-135mm F4 L PZ. I really don´t know anything about the technical part of designing such a lens, I just thinking about useful focal lengths in a (hopefully) small size.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

The new rear lens cap is the real story today!

Do I understand correctly: this new lens cap lets you attach the cap in three different positions? It would be quite helpful because I do swap lenses a lot. My wife absolutely hates the current lens caps (she often has to put on for me when I swap lenses) and in hectic situations or dark places it would be quite helpful.

 

[neuroanatomist]

You could cut down the number of lenses.

I. Don’t. Understand.

 

[Del Paso]

Does it come with the RFII cap? It needs a cap as it has flourine coating according to B&H.

According to Canon (France + Germany), it has fluorine coating only on the front lens.
But, since the rear lens is protruding, a rear lens cap still is a necessity.

 

[EOS 4 Life]

Bryan/TDP provides a more complete description of the zoom functionality, which turns out to be both of the options that were debated (rocker switch vs. free rotation). That is consistent with what's suggested by the zoom markings on the lens.



View attachment 229455

I have watched many videos, but I have yet to see a single one demonstrating the zoom functionality.
Being that is what makes this lens so different, it is pretty frustrating.
The RF-S 14-30 PZ only has the T---------W zoom rocker.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/images/14-30mm/oblique.jpg

 

[m4ndr4ke]

Handled it already

EDIT:

First impressions

The lens is really light for its size, it almost feels hollow. You can see it's very slightly wider than the VCM lenses.

The zoom range is lovely.
Autofocus is very fast.

The zoom ring is very loose if you use the manual zoom. For general use there’s really no lag; if you turn it extremely fast (on purpose), there’s just a little.
The W-T zone works like an analog control, so you can adjust the speed of zoom by rotating more or less, and it is spring loaded.

I took a few photographs with the lens, but I haven’t seen them yet on the computer. Anyway, my 20MP R6 isn't much of a challenge.

I have watched many videos, but I have yet to see a single one demonstrating the zoom functionality.
Being that is what makes this lens so different, it is pretty frustrating.
The RF-S 14-30 PZ only has the T---------W zoom rocker.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/images/14-30mm/oblique.jpg

I tried the lens yesterday, what do you want to know?

 

[Exploreshootshare]

You could cut down the number of lenses.

I was totally confused when I read your post, but I think I understand it now. I guess you meant to "cut down the number of spare lenses" by buying more camera bodies and attaching the lenses permanently to avoid lenses swapping and saving the money for new lens caps. Yeah, makes sense. I´d get a camera for the RF 100-500mm and never take it off.

 

[Del Paso]

Whereas I absolutely would, although I change lenses fairly infrequently so maybe laziness will win out.

I did both!
Modified the old ones and ordered the same amount of new ones.
I strangely never had enough of them.
Besides, I drilled three shallow holes where they align for mounting, and filled the holes with white enamel.
Much easier to install them in darkness.
So, if you ever buy a used Leica R, M, Canon EF or RF lens, you'll know it was mine.
But I decline any responsibility for them, and won't answer any warranty claim!

 

[Traveler]

I didn’t realise there’s a new rear cap, perhaps I’ve handled it today and didn’t notice.

Currently I’m already used to them, I know how much I rotate my lenses when I remove them from the cameras, so I always know where to aim the notch at, so I just feel it with my thumb and align properly.

It is actually a good design. Once you learn how much to rotate you don't have to look at the lens any more. Just find the mark on the cap with your finger

 

[mangobutter]

I wonder how this lens would compete with the EF 17-40 F4L at equivalent focal lengths both wide open and stopped down. Basically from 20mm to 40mm.

If you look at TDP crops, the 17-40 holds its own at high res, even vs the RF 24-70 2.8L @ 24mm.

Something tells me with the size of this new 20-50L AND its published MTF curves, it might not perform quite as well at least in terms of test charts. I hope i'm wrong because ive been dreaming of such a lens for a while.

I've owned the 17-40L on and off since 2005 with my most recent $200 copy being a bargain given it it can resolve (after 20mm or so)

 

[AlanF]

According to Canon (France + Germany), it has fluorine coating only on the front lens.
But, since the rear lens is protruding, a rear lens cap still is a necessity.

My jokes aren't going down well today. B&H wrote that it has a flourine coating - flour is dusty so it would need a dust cap.

 

[AlanF]

Judging by the photograph on dpreview, it looks like the new cap just lacks the protrusions we can cut on the original, to make it fit in more positions.

Indeed, only two tabs. But I have no desire to cut down the number of lens caps I have to save $8 each.

View attachment 229463

Another failed joke by me. Neuro's reply about "to cut down" was to M4ndr4ke's post immediately above it to cut out part of the original RF cap. Neuro's could be taken two ways: cut out or cut down.

 

[Del Paso]

My jokes aren't going down well today. B&H wrote that it has a flourine coating - flour is dusty so it would need a dust cap.

Sorry, I had noticed the flourine, but didn't want to correct you, presuming it was a typo.

 

[m4ndr4ke]

It is actually a good design. Once you learn how much to rotate you don't have to look at the lens any more. Just find the mark on the cap with your finger

I wouldn't go that far, EF rear caps were better, I just meant to say that I've got used to these. The fact that all my lenses are RF certainly helps.

EF rear caps have marks too, but they make no difference.

But yes, I confirm, I can attach RF rear caps without looking. However there's always the extra task of finding the notch, where EF rear caps can be attached "carelessly".