Canon to Announce Another “World’s First” at Some Point This Year

[Chig]

The problem Canon had with the rf 135mm, is that the ef version was / is so strong. Sure the new lens is sharper, gains 1/3 stop in brightness and an image stabiliser. However, it’s larger and heavier. Plus is very expensive, you really have to want one to justify the rf version over the ef version. The EF version puts out really great images that are very similar to the rf version. For a lot of users who already have the ef version, there’s not a particularly strong enough reason to upgrade.

I had the EF 135mm f/2 and my RF 135mm f/1.8 is superior in nearly every way: image quality, AF speed, optical IS, ergonomics, build quality, weather sealing, shorter MFD, 1/3 stop faster (37% more light), better bokeh.
Weight is heavier but if you're using the EF-RF adapter(110gm) the difference is only 75gm.
The old lens is still a great lens and good value but depends if you want (and can afford) the best

 

[Bob Howland]

He meant my weird aversion to half- and third stops aperture in the name of the lens.

A 70-200mm F1.4 or F2 will never happen, but maybe a 70-180mm or something similar. Who knows.

I don´t believe Canon will make another PZ lens with an overlap to the RF 20-50mm, but I could imagine a PZ lens starting at 50mm to couple it with the existing lens. It is basically a question if there is a need for it. Since I don't shoot video at all/ that much, I can't really answer that question nor do I have an opinion about it.

I think the 20-50 is an extremely important lens or, more exactly, an extremely important architecture. It's the first interchangeable lens in a neat package whose focal length is designed to be controlled by the camera body. Previously Canon used a kludgy add-on to do that task. For photographers, this doesn't mean much. For video, this could kill camcorders. Furthermore, it's an L and comparatively cheap.

Regarding overlapping focal lengths, consider the 14/15-35 & 24-70/105, 24-105 & 70-200 and 70-200 & 100-400/500. Canon does this all the time, unlike Sigma that tends to have little or no overlap.