The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L USM is coming in Q4 of 2022 [CR3]

Canon Rumors Guy

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We have confirmed yesterdays report about two new full-frame RF mount lenses in the RF 24mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro and the RF 15-30mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM.
Our assumption that they would be announced in the next few weeks may have been incorrect. These lenses may not be announced until October or November of this year.
A third lens will also be announced by November, and that will be the RF 135mm f/1.8L USM (we’re not sure about IS). A Canon RF 135mm f/1.4L USM has been on our roadmap for quite some time, and we have seen patents for such an optical formula. However, it looks like we’re getting an f/1.8 version of the very popular focal length.
There has been no word on the much rumored RF 35mm f/1.2L USM. We will actively try to get some new information.

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H. Jones

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I love it when there's a set of new lenses discussed and I could see myself buying all three!

F1.8 is definitely preferred for me over 1.4 for the 135mm. Definitely more handholdable and usable.

The STM wide angle may get picked up if it's cheap enough and good enough quality. I wouldn't mind a smaller option than the 16-35 for travel.

The 24mm prime is a big want for me and I will be very excited to pick that one up!
 
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It's not the first time you're talking about an RF 135mm f/1.8L. Last time was in May 2019 and it was supposed to be announced by February 2020. It was ranked [CR2].
 
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I’m happy for those looking for an updated 135/2, assuming this rumor pans out.

Personally, I’m very meh on the prospect of a 135/1.8. I had the 135/2, and while I found it to be a very good lens for portraits, I also found that the 70-200/2.8 was better. The zoom range offers more flexibility, and the same subject isolation as 135/2 can be achieved at 160/2.8 (or 170/2.8 for 135/1.8).

The RF 70-200/2.8 reduces the main advantage of the 135/2 over its EF counterpart, because the RF version is substantially smaller and lighter.
 
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davidcl0nel

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The RF 70-200/2.8 reduces the main advantage of the 135/2 over its EF counterpart, because the RF version is substantially smaller and lighter.
And would there be a similar reduction with an RF 135 f/2 with maybe 500g (the EF weights 750g) there would be a good advantage. And this is not the case if its f/1.8 or even 1.4.

Yes, an old design weights a lot more than these new compact RF zooms. I "only" use the RF 70 200 f/4, but this is awesome...
 
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bbasiaga

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Excellent! This is great news that it will be 1.8. No need for a 1.4 which would just put it out of reach financially and add weight and size. I would still rather it were a f2, just so we could get a true size advantage to the f2.
What do we think this thing will cost? I agree a 1.4 would have been similar to a 300 2.8 based on element size. But I could see this one still be $2k.

-Brian
 
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danfaz

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It's not the first time you're talking about an RF 135mm f/1.8L. Last time was in May 2019 and it was supposed to be announced by February 2020. It was ranked [CR2].
"[CR2] – This rating means there’s a strong possibility that the information has some truth to it, but it may be incomplete and/or misinterpreted information."

So based on that definition, there's no guarantee the lens would have been announced then.
 
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mxwphoto

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The 135 f2 was released April 1996 with MSRP $1089. That translates to $2029 in today's dollars. Also, given Sony's 135 f1.8 is $1900 MSRP back in 2019 ($2172 today), I assume the new Canon version would fall around $2299.

This new one will have to really impress for me to consider switching as I got a used f2 for $500.
 
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What do we think this thing will cost? I agree a 1.4 would have been similar to a 300 2.8 based on element size. But I could see this one still be $2k.

-Brian
2000 EUROS would be great, but in my thoughts Canon will place it at atl least 2500-2600 Euros. If you add the Ucraine-war-and-oil-and-gas-is-missing crisis to the calculation 2999 Euroe could come true. I hope, I´m not right
 
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vjlex

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It's not the first time you're talking about an RF 135mm f/1.8L. Last time was in May 2019 and it was supposed to be announced by February 2020. It was ranked [CR2].
I still don't quite understand why people don't want to give CR Guy the benefit of any doubt. Especially regarding any rumors around the 2020-2021 'lost years'. Just because rumors aren't promises doesn't mean they're lies.
 
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