Is the Next VCM Prime Lens an RF 14mm f/2L VCM?

[rombe3jr]

Everybody talks about the overweight Viltrox, but they ignore the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 — it’s been around forever and is far more practical. The Viltrox is nowhere near a GM II rival: 800g vs 642g.

As a portrait shooter, you’re already hauling a strobe, a stand, a softbox, a second camera… so wasting weight on a Chinese anchor lens just isn’t acceptable.

On the other hand, Chinese manufacturers are slashing prices like crazy, so I believe the rumor about an RF 45mm f/1.2 non-L might actually be true.

You mean the 14mm DG HSM? At 1170 grams for a UWA prime, it’s not exactly practical for the general audience.

The Sirui Aurora 85 f/1.4 is also lighter than the Canon at only 540 grams, but at only 509 grams that Samyang takes the cake!

 

[Askeladden]

Would be strange if they didn't include a macro in the lineup.

 

[Zadak]

Would be strange if they didn't include a macro in the lineup.

Why

 

[Askeladden]

Because none of the current VCM primes are close focusing. When you have this now somewhat large set of lenses with the same form factor clearly meant for gimbal work etc it only makes sense. What if they want some close up shots within that framework of easy to use VCMs? Also the 100mm 2.8 is somewhat long for many applications so it isn't really a placeholder, pluss no VCM.

 

[P-visie]

Because none of the current VCM primes are close focusing. When you have this now somewhat large set of lenses with the same form factor clearly meant for gimbal work etc it only makes sense. What if they want some close up shots within that framework of easy to use VCMs? Also the 100mm 2.8 is somewhat long for many applications so it isn't really a placeholder, pluss no VCM.

Canon has 4 RF macro lenses (RF 24mm, 35mm, 85mm are not strictly macro lenses as they do not have 1:1 magnification). The (very much) missing macro lenses are a 180-200mm macro lens, and possibly the 300mm f4 macro lens, for which Canon has patent applications.

 

[Askeladden]

Canon has 4 RF macro lenses (RF 24mm, 35mm, 85mm are not strictly macro lenses as they do not have 1:1 magnification). The (very much) missing macro lenses are a (180-200mm) macro lens, and possibly the 300mm f4 macro lens, for which Canon has patent applications.

Yes, such a lens would have been nice to see, but in the context of video work, within the same framework and philosophy of the VCM prime lineup there won't be an ultra long macro obviously and it would be somewhat strange if they didn't have something for closeup.

 

[P-visie]

Yes, such a lens would have been nice to see, but in the context of video work, within the same framework and philosophy of the VCM prime lineup there won't be an ultra long macro obviously and it would be somewhat strange if they didn't have something for closeup.

A macro lens needs a long lens tube to get the required extension for “macro” magnification, hence the size of the RF 100mm (and EF100mm and 180mm macro lenses). The RF 85mm f2 macro and RF 85 mm f1.4 VCM lenses are roughly the same size. Keeping with the compact size of the VCM lenses means that a VCM macro lens will have a focal length that duplicates the existing RF macro lenses. All macro lenses have focus breathing, which is unwanted for video oriented lenses. I’m not a video shooter, but I have my doubts that there is a large market for “macro” video lenses.

I think that is highly unlikely that Canon will make a macro VCM lens. A wide angle (e.g 14mm) and a short telelens (e.g. 100-135mm) are much more likely.

 

[bn5fg]

Would be strange if they didn't include a macro in the lineup.

It would be strange if they made one. A proper macro should be long or externally focusing, while the VCM lineup is a completely different concept.

Because none of the current VCM primes are close focusing. When you have this now somewhat large set of lenses with the same form factor clearly meant for gimbal work etc it only makes sense. What if they want some close up shots within that framework of easy to use VCMs? Also the 100mm 2.8 is somewhat long for many applications so it isn't really a placeholder, pluss no VCM.

That’s why people often just use the 24mm or 35mm STM.

Yes, such a lens would have been nice to see, but in the context of video work, within the same framework and philosophy of the VCM prime lineup there won't be an ultra long macro obviously and it would be somewhat strange if they didn't have something for closeup.

Again, the fallback is simply the 24mm or 35mm STM.
Or do you just want it to match the VCM balance for some reason? I’d bet the 85mm f/2 or 24–105mm f/4–7.1 would cover that more or less.

By the way, I've bought the 24–105mm f/4–7.1 yet again. My favorite lens by far.

 

[tron]

My thoughts exactly, at a minimum we should be looking at f/1.8 and ideally f/1.4.

The 1.8 would have to have low coma and low vignetting to compete with Sigma 14/1.8

 

[tron]

A UWA lens makes sense, but I would think that Canon would do something at f1.4 to compete directly with the Sigma 14 mm f1.4. Why make it one stop slower? Maybe the two other VCM prime lenses will have a different filter size?

The Sigma 14mm/f1.4 is not a Canon mount product.

 

[photographer]

8000€ for the sumire prime lenses ...

I'm sorry, but what does "sumire" mean?

 

[photographer]

Even the 85mm f/1.4 isn’t really 85mm—more like 81mm. They had to make some compromises to keep the filter thread at 67mm. So I guess we won’t see anything longer than 85mm at f/1.4 in this lineup.

You're probably right, because there's a reason why the Sigma 105 1.4 has a 105 mm filter diameter.

 

[P-visie]

I'm sorry, but what does "sumire" mean?

Sumire is the name for a set of Canon cinema prime lenses.
See: https://www.canon-europe.com/lenses/sumire-prime-series/

 

[Zadak]

All of the Canon f/1.4 VCM's look quite nice. Canon is my favorite brand. Ergonomics... beautiful lenses to match! But I have to admit, the 3rd party market is getting pretty hard to ignore. Some people are saying that the new Viltrox Pro 85 f/1.4 rivals the e-mount G Master lens. And it is only $600 (USD). If the Chinese keep this up, they are going to undercut the major camera brands on all of these f/1.4 lenses by $1,000. That's saving $1,000... per lens.

That's what I am saying, chinese brands are catching up, not just in cameras, in general... technology. In areas such as drones they are well ahead of any other brands.

I bet in 5-10 years the camera landscape will be vastly different

 

[clearwaterphotog]

The 1.8 would have to have low coma and low vignetting to compete with Sigma 14/1.8

The VCM line is clearly video-centric. There's basically zero chance it has good coma or vignetting correction in this form factor, making it almost certainly a poor choice for astrophotography. I won't be holding my breath.

 

[P-visie]

The VCM line is clearly video-centric. There's basically zero chance it has good coma or vignetting correction in this form factor, making it almost certainly a poor choice for astrophotography. I won't be holding my breath.

The RF20mm f1.4 VCM has good coma correction.

See:

• The review on The Digital Picture: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-RF-20mm-F1-4-L-VCM-Lens.aspx
• The CanonRumors forum by @neuroanatomist: link

 

[rbr]

I would like to see both a 14mm f2 and a 28mm. Back in my 20 mp DSLR days I used to like to carry the EF 14L and the 28mm IS and never really missed leaving the 16-35 at home. The 14L was the first EF lens I sold once getting my R5 since the CA was too much for it. Now that I have been using the RF 10-20 I find I like 12mm more than 14mm and I'm not sure I would want a 14mm any more. I still would like a 28mm, though.

 

[Ozarker]

Are the VCM lenses permanently declicked? Or is there a switch?

 

[P-visie]

Are the VCM lenses permanently declicked? Or is there a switch?

The IRIS ring for setting aperture is permanently declicked. It can be locked in the “A” position.

 

[photographer]

That's what I am saying, chinese brands are catching up, not just in cameras, in general... technology. In areas such as drones they are well ahead of any other brands.

I bet in 5-10 years the camera landscape will be vastly different

The question is how many people would still prefer Canon (Nikon, SONY, ...) just like they prefer iPhone to cheaper Chinese mobile phones today. In Europe, the automotive industry is having problems because of China.

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