Patent: Multiple small RF prime lens optical formulas

[Canon Rumors Guy]

Canon News has uncovered a patent that shows Canon is working on small RF prime lenses, like non-L.
Japan patent 2019-152683 does include the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro in one of the embodiments, but keep in mind that lens design can sometimes build off of existing lenses.
RF prime lens optical formulas in this patent:

Canon RF 20mm f/2 (Lens length of 70mm)
Canon RF 35mm f/2.8 (Lens length of 40mm)
Canon RF 45mm f/2.8 (Lens length of 43mm)
Canon RF 35mm f/2 (Lens length of 30mm)

Beyond the prime lenses, there is also a wide-angle f/4 zoom included.

Canon RF 16-35mm f/4 (Lens length 90mm – 97mm)

Looking at all the embodiments, I think only the RF 16-35mm f/4 could realistically be coming.

Continue reading...

 

[nitram]

Would be wonderful to have further options with some pancake lenses...

 

[uri.raz]

Canon didn't discontinue the EF 20mm f/2.8, and other manufacturers have made new ones in recent years (Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED, Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art).

I would be surprised if Canon did not release a 20mm lens in the RF mount.

 

[wockawocka]

I'd really like to see a non STM RF35 as the current one isn't great and acquiring focus at a distance on low contrast areas (the Macro curse) and in servo mode the STM isn't very responsive.

 

[Stichus III]

These look like affordable RF lenses.

Canon if you are reading this, where's the f/4 trinity?

 

[unfocused]

I'd expect there will be a 24mm f2.8 eventually to match the EF version.

 

[Tom W]

The 20 would be interesting in f/2. Throw in a 28/2 and a 50/2 or 50/1.4 and you'd have a decent family of moderately-priced wide-normal lenses. Maybe an 85/2 also.

I know that they're working on the high-end first, but us regular people need lenses too. Although I have no problem adapting my EF lenses to the RP.

 

[BillB]

Reactions to the EF 24 f2.8, 28 F2.8 and 35 f2.0 have been mixed since they came out in 2012, and I don't think Canon has ever sold that many of them. Some people are content to make do with a zoom, which isn't that hard to do, the 16-35 f4 being what it is. Other people want moderately priced,smallish, high quality primes. Canon may have decided that the way to make a little money selling moderately priced, smallish, high quality primes is to spend a larger amount of money developing and building them.

 

[honestlo]

looking forward f/4 trinity (15-35mm f/4 L IS pls) coming next year !

 

[Richard CR]

These look like affordable RF lenses.

Canon if you are reading this, where's the f/4 trinity?

in development probably. they can only produce so many new lenses per year.

With Nikon having the F4's already done, you can bet Canon won't be too far behind.

 

[Adelino]

looking forward f/4 trinity (15-35mm f/4 L IS pls) coming next year !

I would like the f/4 trinity except with a 24-70 2.8. I'm saving.

 

[Sharlin]

Reactions to the EF 24 f2.8, 28 F2.8 and 35 f2.0 have been mixed since they came out in 2012, and I don't think Canon has ever sold that many of them. Some people are content to make do with a zoom, which isn't that hard to do, the 16-35 f4 being what it is. Other people want moderately priced,smallish, high quality primes. Canon may have decided that the way to make a little money selling moderately priced, smallish, high quality primes is to spend a larger amount of money developing and building them.

I'd have thought that the 35mm f2 IS is a pretty liked and fairly reasonably priced lens. The 24mm f2.8 IS and 28mm f2.8 IS are more difficult to justify.

 

[mclaren777]

Canon's 40mm pancake is an amazing lens. If we got something similar in RF format, that would be great!

 

[Stichus III]

in development probably. they can only produce so many new lenses per year.

With Nikon having the F4's already done, you can bet Canon won't be too far behind.

The f/4 trinity is a much better fit for the R and the RP. I hope that we'll see it soon.

 

[hmatthes]

Canon didn't discontinue the EF 20mm f/2.8, and other manufacturers have made new ones in recent years (Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED, Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art).

I would be surprised if Canon did not release a 20mm lens in the RF mount.

Sadly I just sold my EF20 2.8 -- what great lens! I found it big with the adapter and I usually shoot it manually.
Now I shoot a Voigtlander 21/4 Skopar until I find a good Leica 21mm that is not over-priced.

 

[davidcl0nel]

I like the EF 35 IS too. I use it for about 60% of my pictures...
The RF 35 1.8 STM is variable in length because of macro. I dislike this very much, and this is the main reason for switching NOT to RF. One lens I would use native (the 35 of course!) and the rest I can adapt easily. But I don't ever buy this current 35 STM.
My hopes for a similar 35 IS was not very high. They probably bring a L with 1.4 or 1.2, which is 800gr and 1500€ or more... (see the current 85). They might be superb, but I like the handy smaller ones.
So maybe they really announce some more smaller effective prime lenses... I can't understand the differences in length on different f-stops (maybe the numbers are switched?), because a f/2.8 should be tinyer than a f/2 ?!

 

[Ale_F]

Do you like a new affordable R without viewfinder (like sigma) and its relative pancake?

 

[padam]

Do you like a new affordable R without viewfinder (like sigma) and its relative pancake?

The RP is cannibalised enough already, they won't go any lower than that (The M system is there for those, who need smaller and/or cheaper).
And no, the Sigma might not be that cheap overall.

 

[Maximilian]

Yesss, Canon!
Bring it on the table.

 

[unfocused]

Reactions to the EF 24 f2.8, 28 F2.8 and 35 f2.0 have been mixed since they came out in 2012, and I don't think Canon has ever sold that many of them. Some people are content to make do with a zoom, which isn't that hard to do, the 16-35 f4 being what it is. Other people want moderately priced,smallish, high quality primes. Canon may have decided that the way to make a little money selling moderately priced, smallish, high quality primes is to spend a larger amount of money developing and building them.

Reaction was mixed in part because Canon introduced the trio of lenses at a substantial price premium over their non-IS predecessors. After about two years they announced substantial price cuts on all three, bringing them much more into line with their actual value.

I agree that most people prefer zooms and with the optical quality of modern zooms you aren't really giving up much, if you don't need a fast lens. These primes may not be big sellers, but they are a nice, reliable stable product the rarely needs updating. I would agree that Canon may view them as a small, but reliable source of income and I suspect that if they mirror the EF versions they probably won't require much additional investment by Canon.