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There have been a lot of mentions about new RF mount lenses coming in 2025 and 2026. The number continues to grow, and if Canon sticks to their 8-10 new lenses a year declaration from a few years ago, we're quickly hitting that number in rumored lenses.
With the release of 4 f/1.4L VCM lenses thus far, there are still a lot of people looking for new fast prime lenses that are optically corrected without the need for software correction, which is generally needed for distortion correction. For better or worse, the f/1.4L VCM lenses had a design philosophy and Canon has done an impressive job with the continuity in size and performance between the 4 lenses.
We have now been told that a pair of new f/1.2L prime lenses are on the horizon. There was no information about focal length or when we may see such lenses released.
New or Updated Lenses?
There was also no mention if the new f/1.2L lenses would be replacements for current lenses such as the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM and the pair of RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lenses. All three lenses are terrific, but as we've seen with recent releases, Canon has found ways to improve wide open sharpness with their new VCM lenses.
The RF 50mm f/1.2L USM could benefit from some of those advancements as well as some weight savings. We don't think size could be improved all that much if optical correction is the design philosophy for new f/1.2 lenses for photographers.
Photographers do feel a bit neglected when it comes to Canon's fast prime L lens strategy.
We think it's less likely to see replacements for the 85mm f/1.2L lenses, but the 50mm seems plausible.
We may be in the minority, but I'd love the aperture ring from the VCM lenses added to future Canon L prime lenses. We love having two control rings on the new VCM lenses.
Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM
We have also seen plenty of optical formula design patents (here and here) for an RF 35mm f/1.2L USM, which we think would be highly desired. Canon has designed other f/1.2L lenses in 24mm and 28mm variants. The latter? Not a hope!
Anything longer than 85mm is highly unlikely, just based on size and cost requirements associated with such lenses.
Summary
We did report back in 2024 that a RF 35mm f/1.2L USM would be coming, but we ended up with the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM.
We think it's extremely likely that Canon is going to address some of the desires of photographers, not all of us have any desire to shoot video in any meaningful way.
We'd love to see some new f/1.2L primes for photographers.
But I am not the customer for those. But bring them on to show me, what is possible
You meant to say RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM😉
Another 35mm L would probably not be released this year, with the VCM lens being less than a year old at this point in time, right?
As for the second, it is most likely a 24mm. However, If I was Canon, I would go bold and reach for a 20mm. They already struggled to keep the price down on the VCM, they won't try it for 1.2. Personally, that is the magical focal length for environmental portrait and lifestyle storytelling for me, but it looks like everybody struggles to deliver a good one. If Canon is that good, I would challenge it and show the world.
Oh man!
28mm is the greatest wide angle focal length ever conceived by man!
Cmon, be realistic. A 500 f/1.2 is far more likely!
I wish they'd make something like that to show-off at trade shows for the fun of it.
I'd like to see a "halo" lens like a 50 0.95 with AF, one can dream. It'd probably cost less than the manual focus Leica though!
Here we go again.
Someone that knows what's good for all of us. What we need and what we must and must not want.
I carry and shoot the 50 and 85 1.2... I am 56yo not super fit... it's not really that impossible. I also carry Siros 800L strobes and those are even bigger and heavier. I must be cheating somehow 😱
And with modern mirrorless AF and modern lens designs, using 1.2 is actually perfectly viable.
Thank you for your input. Canon please release the 35 1.2! And after that, the more 1.2's, the merrier.