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Canon's follow-up to the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM could be going wider, and we're here for it. It's time for some new ideas and focal ranges for fast zoom lenses
I have written a couple of times about the next iteration of the hugely popular RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. I have some level confidence that we're going to see it at some point this year going by the number of mentions that have come my way.
I have been told a couple of times that the follow-up will be the first VCM zoom lens from Canon. I expect we're going to see a lot of VCM lenses across the entire lineup going forward. It is going to be the evolution of autofocus technology. Nikon and Sony are already on their way.
The Surprise?
I have been told that the follow-up to the 24-70mm will be wider than 24mm. That would definitely be a good evolution for this classic focal range. While the source didn't know for sure how much wider, it was hypothesized that it would be an RF 20-70 F2.8L IS VCM, which may be the only thing that would make much sense. There is a big difference in FOV between 20 and 24mm.
I don't think Canon is going to keep releasing the same ol' stuff for the RF system. We're going to see new ideas and focal ranges that will take the place of what we have been used to. I wouldn't hate a zoom that starts at 20mm. I love the RF 20 f/1.4L VCM, it really is a unique focal length for the speed, at least in my world.
More to Come Soon
I have been told that I will be hearing more about the upcoming L lenses in 2026 in the near future. “Near” is relative, but I don't think we'll see anything until after the EOS R7 Mark II announcement in a few months
There had been a suggestion that the first VCM zoom lens was coming with the RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM this month, but it ended up being the RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5L Fisheye STM and both ended up shipping in volume this month. I don't think there will be an announcement for new lenses in the next 2 weeks.
There is something going in the Canon world. NAB is in April, and that is usually for the Cinema EOS side of things, though Canon doesn't have a consistent history of announcements for that show.
This would be a really fun lens. It'd be even more fun if it was the next F2L zoom. Don't hold your breath, it would just come up almost immediately.
One more thing: that is a very good to differentiate the F2.8 L zoom from the F2.8 STM zoom.
For that, I would love to see some extra mm FL on the long end, say 75 or 80.
But I suppose that the guess with 20 mm sounds more likely.
I really, really, really wish Canon would copy Sony and make a 50-150mm f2.0. I've rented one just to evaluate it and it's an incredible lens that covers such a useful range. Excellent for indoor events. Also one that you can just leave on the camera all the time. I've decided to get one and if Canon ever makes their own, maybe I'll switch, but it's just too handy to do without in the meantime.
That lens along with a 15-35mm and a 300mm 2.8 are all anyone needs for events, concerts, sports, weddings, and portraits. It's not much heavier than a 70-200mm 2.8. The f2.0 speed and shallow DOF are worth the cost. Come on, Canon! Do your own version and add some one-upmanship like making yours compatible with teleconverters. I bet they probably won't because then you could have a 50-150mm 2.0 and a 70-280mm 2.8 with the 1.4x converter and that would cannibalize sales of Canon's $10,000 100-300mm. So that's why I'll be buying the Sony for now and bringing an older a7r body out of retirement.
I doubt I would go for it, as I imagine myself more likely to jump to prime lenses, within a few years, but I'm certain such a zoom lens could make many, many users happy.
That would actually be very cheap.
A 600mm f/2.8 prime could probably cost 25k alone🤣
I tried the 50-150mm last year. Having 50mm on the telephoto zoom is interesting, but the wider aperture didn't really excite me. I don't know, I'm also the kind of guy who doesn't bother to own an 85 or 135mm, and covers everything beyond 70mm with the 70-200mm f/2.8, so I guess I don't care that much for shallow depth of field. I always found f/2.8 to be enough from about 85 onwards.
I also don't use the widest aperture of my 28-70mm f/2 that often, so there's that... 😛
The FE 50-150mm f/2 weights about as much as a traditional 70-200mm f/2.8, like the EF, and the size is pretty similar too. It's manageable, but these new 1kg 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses and, specially, the original RF 70-200mm f/2.8, that takes less space in the bag, are winning my heart. I can now carry a lens and a camera body where I used to carry just the 70-200mm. That's pretty amazing.
To calculate light loss with macro extension tubes, divide the tube length by the lens focal length to find the magnification increase, then use the formula
Usually, I only use that aperture when available light drops a lot, it’s just too much blur for most things.
Greetings from Middle Franconia, Hans