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Canon has two RF versions of the 35mm focal length, but its flagship L series lens hasn't yet seen the light of day. The Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM has been rumored for quite some time, and if it continues for much longer, it will be granted unicorn status.
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM is an impressive lens, but these are far more advanced optical designs, which, of course, means a bigger lens that is heavier and, of course, more costly. Something that Canon certainly likes to flex with its L series lenses, and I think these designs certainly fit the bill.
This is an unusual entry from the Japan Patent Office as it's a reviewed patent application from 2024 that we haven't noticed before, and I've also not seen a patent with this numerical format either. That all being said, this is not an application, but a patent (7786834). The Patent application date, which is usually what we catch, was back in July 2024 (2024-102293).
Canon states rather clearly that this would be a very high-end lens design in their patent summarization.
To provide an optical system with high optical performance, excellently correcting various aberrations including lateral chromatic aberration, despite its wide angle and large aperture ratio.
Canon also curiously mentioned fluorine coatings on the embodiments, something I can't recall them ever getting down into the details to mention, as it doesn't change the optical characteristics, but changes the operational characteristics.
There is also a slower but more complex 45mm, so maybe Canon is also waiting to see the reactions to the 45mm f/1.2 before deciding on releasing another 45mm, so we'll discuss both, just in case Canon decides to show the 45mm some more love. Even though practically there isn't much difference between a 50mm and a 45mm.
Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM
There were two embodiments, but I picked the larger one. Why? Because Canon has already created a smallish VCM f/1.4 lens, and I don't think they would feel the need to prioritize size on its premier 35mm lens. Here is the design of the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM lens with its 14 elements across 11 groups that include 2 UD elements and 2 aspherical elements.
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It's a worthy design of the L designation, and as we discussed when we took a look at this lens, it's a very impressive lens.
This Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM design has more elements and groups than the already released 35mm f/1.4 L VCM lens.
The lens would be larger than the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM as well, being around 135mm in length. One potential issue is a fairly close back focus distance, which is the distance between the sensor and the last element, but it's not that excessive, as this lens sits around 6.5mm inset into the Canon RF lens mount.
| Focal length | 34.00 |
| F-Number | 1.24 |
| Half Angle of View | 32.47 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Lens Length | 154.96 |
| Back Focus Distance | 13.45 |
The other design, which I'll illustrate here, is also intriguing because it's a very compact lens, even more compact than the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 VCM at around 68.52mm. However, I think these lenses would have more compromises to get the much smaller size, and would be avoided by Canon. Regardless of embodiment, I think it's safe to say that it would certainly be Canon's most expensive 35mm prime ever created.
| Focal length | 34.97 |
| F-Number | 1.24 |
| Half Angle of View | 31.75 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Lens Length | 88.52 |
| Back Focus Distance | 13.45 |
Canon RF 45mm f/1.4L USM
At first, I was curious if this was going to be a VCM lens, but unless Canon breaks the lens size mold that they have exhibited with the other VCM lenses, this seems doubtful. This lens would be approximately 132mm in lens length, while all the other VCM lenses are around 99mm. That all being said, this is quite the impressive design for a normal focal length design.
| Focal length | 42.38 |
| F-Number | 1.52 |
| Half Angle of View | 27.04 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Lens Length | 152.96 |
| Back Focus Distance | 14.94 |
Closing Thoughts
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L has been thought of since the Canon RF mount came out in 2018, and is still absent. The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II was a legendary lens. Canon did release the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM, but as we have seen with other focal lengths, the VCM lenses usually have sat just under Canon's main L series prime lenses of the same focal length. For instance, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM and the Canon RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM.
Is there room for the Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM and a market for that lens separate from the f/1.4L? It's, of course, hard for us to say, but this may be the only reason that Canon doesn't create this lens. It's big, heavy, and going to be expensive. But this lens does, on the other hand, seem a necessary flex of Canon's optical prowess, and they've always taken pride in their 35mm L series lenses.
Now, if Canon managed to do this lens with the other lenses we recently discussed, such as the Canon RF 300mm f/2.0L, it could be a very interesting year for Canon in 2026.
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Just a Reminder!
With all patents and patent applications, I have to stress constantly – this is simply a look into Canon’s research; the only thing we can quantify accurately is that Canon is researching this. A patent application doesn’t mean they are going to release this in the next month, or even year, or even at all.
I am really hoping this lens will finally be announced!
An excellent optical corrected lens would make a lot of people happy. Crossing my fingers and hoping it'll get done soon!
Or if it's a 35mm L, then make it street/travel, photo oriented one, optimized for IQ, AF speed, size&weight. - 1.4, no video features, no IS, no extra buttons on the lens, etc.
This will be a no-compromise lens like the 85mm. If...
But the VCM is already really, really good. So, how much more is possible? That's my question...
I remember when EF 85/1.4 came out and absolutely destroyed the 85/1.2 II (have to admit it was considerably older).
I now see many ppl actually changing from 50/1.2 to 50/1.4.
I'm guessing same happening with 85/1.2 vs 1.4.
As long as you have a brilliant L lens with great IQ+AF, nobody cares for that tiny extra aperture and nobody wants the extra price and weight.
OK, not nobody, just very very few.
I came here and I see this and people are already teasing me. You guys are cruel 🤪
What can I say? if it does indeed come, I will get one (and sell the 1.4)
But this is not even a rumor... My hopes are 0, nada, zilch, none 🥺 until something more meaningful is rumored