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

[Canon Rumors]

Canon has officially announced their first ever L series zoom lens starting at 20mm. It is also the first full-frame lens from Canon that features Power Zoom functionality. The great thing about this lens is that it is made for both photographers and videographers with its dual function zoom ring. You can either use the […]

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[neuroanatomist]

And...ordered. Shipping date is listed as July 24th.

 

[ScreensMatter]

This lens seems fantastic, well done for making a lens that is a true hybrid for photo and video. Is it possible for them to apply the same concept to a telephoto zoom? I sure it is possible!

 

[neuroanatomist]

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

I might be possible. Might not. The zooming groups in the RF 20-50/4 PZ are relatively small and still need to be driven by two Nano USMs.



The issue would be that a telephoto zoom (e.g., 70-200mm), the lens groups that would need to move with zooming are going to be much larger and heavier than those in the RF 20-50/4. Here are the zooming groups in the RF 70-200/2.8L Z, for example:



That zooming group is larger than the two focusing groups in that lens, and each focusing group has its own Nano USM. In other words, it might not be possible with Nano USM (though they could use Ring USM). The other issue is the travel distance. The zooming groups would need to move much further in a telephoto zoom, and that may present a problem for a repurposed AF motor, I'm not sure.

The other issue is a marketing one – the RF 70-200/2.8L Z lens already exists and with the PZ-E2 accessory mounted it is a Power Zoom lens meaning Canon already sells what you're asking for. But it's not a cheap setup...

OTOH, they could conceivably make an 70-200mm f/4L PZ lens to match the new 20-50/4L. Time will tell.

 

[neuroanatomist]

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.

When the zoom ring is rotated within the focal length numbers range, the zoom ring provides conventional manual control, though it [is] still electronically powered. Pulling back on the spring-loaded PZ/MZ zoom mode selector switch opens the gate, enabling zoom ring rotation into the W—T range, where the zoom ring electronically imparts adjustments at the rate selected by rotation angle.

 

[Del Paso]

Just got confirmation of my order.
Mine shall be delivered on June 24 to the store in Stuttgart, Germany.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Just got confirmation of my order.
Mine shall be delivered on June 24 to the store in Stuttgart, Germany.

B&H says July 24, not June 24. I wonder which it will actually be.

 

[ChyckenPotPie]

The new rear lens cap is the real story today!

 

[roby17269]

The new rear lens cap is the real story today!

Yes I have pre-ordered a few
I hadn't realized that this is my first new order with Canon in almost 2 years (RF 35 1.4 VCM ordered Jun 5 2024)

 

[Del Paso]

B&H says July 24, not June 24. I wonder which it will actually be.

According to the official Canon website, it SHOULD be June 24.
But, as they say on French wine and liquor bottles, "a consommer avec moderation"...(To be enjoyed in moderation)
I guess B&H could be closer to reality.

 

[neuroanatomist]

Yes I have pre-ordered a few

I preordered more than a few, since my rear caps migrate around on my lenses as I swap them. The problem I had was that B&H has a max order of 10 (and they mean it – trying to place a second order to exceed that simply did not go through). Fortunately, Adorama let me order the 22 rear caps that I need.

 

[Del Paso]

The new rear lens cap is the real story today!

Right!
Yet, the implementation of the Japanese concept "kaizen" was a bit slow!
And poka yoke failed as well!

 

[AlanF]

And...ordered. Shipping date is listed as July 24th.

View attachment 229451

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

 

[m4ndr4ke]

Handled it already

EDIT:

First impressions

The lens is really light for its size, it almost feels hollow.
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.

 

[neuroanatomist]

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

The Canon USA website says it comes with the Lens Dust Cap RF (not listed as MkII). Probably they have quite a few of the original version to offload, and will only include them with new lenses when they run out. I included the 20-50/4 in the count of MkII caps that I ordered.

 

[roby17269]

I preordered more than a few, since my rear caps migrate around on my lenses as I swap them. The problem I had was that B&H has a max order of 10 (and they mean it – trying to place a second order to exceed that simply did not go through). Fortunately, Adorama let me order the 22 rear caps that I need.

22?!?
I've ordered 4 since I rarely travel with more than 4 lenses... counting the 2 extenders I guess I could use 11

 

[ScreensMatter]

I might be possible. Might not. The zooming groups in the RF 20-50/4 PZ are relatively small and still need to be driven by two Nano USMs.

View attachment 229454

The issue would be that a telephoto zoom (e.g., 70-200mm), the lens groups that would need to move with zooming are going to be much larger and heavier than those in the RF 20-50/4. Here are the zooming groups in the RF 70-200/2.8L Z, for example:

View attachment 229453

That zooming group is larger than the two focusing groups in that lens, and each focusing group has its own Nano USM. In other words, it might not be possible with Nano USM (though they could use Ring USM). The other issue is the travel distance. The zooming groups would need to move much further in a telephoto zoom, and that may present a problem for a repurposed AF motor, I'm not sure.

The other issue is a marketing one – the RF 70-200/2.8L Z lens already exists and with the PZ-E2 accessory mounted it is a Power Zoom lens meaning Canon already sells what you're asking for. But it's not a cheap setup...

OTOH, they could conceivably make an 70-200mm f/4L PZ lens to match the new 20-50/4L. Time will tell.

You make some great points!

Having big and heavy zoom elements is a real problem they will have to solve. It will probably have to be variable aperture with software correction to keep exposure constant while zooming. I don't see how they will bring the small and light weight power zoom series to longer apertures without it.

About the, RF 70-200/2.8L Z and PZ-E2 is a great lens but the price and size does not really make sense to pair with a RF 20-50/4 PZ. I will never own it due to cost, might rent it if I need to.

 

[neuroanatomist]

22?!?
I've ordered 4 since I rarely travel with more than 4 lenses... counting the 2 extenders I guess I could use 11

Easier for me to just change them all out (with apologies to the environment for the extra plastic). 18 lenses, two extenders, two mount adapters. I sometimes travel with up to six lenses, but I swap through lenses frequently at home. I’d rather not play a game of roulette where the prize is annoyance.