The Voigtlander RF 50mm f/1 was announced a few months back with very little information. Cosina has now released all of the specifications and pricing for the ultra fast 50mm lens for the RF mount. While this lens is manual focus, it is licensed and will have electronic communication with RF mount cameras. This will allow for things such as focus peaking, in-body image stabilisation functionality, focus assists and EXIF data.
We expect this lens to have terrific optical performance based on our experience with Voigtlander's Leica M lenses, but it won't come cheap. The lens will come in at ￥240,000 (about $1500 USD with straight currency conversion) and will begin shipping in October, 2023.
Designed exclusively for Canon RF mount
Equipped with an optical system optimized for image sensors of mirrorless cameras using Canon RF mounts*1. The lens has a full-size image circle and can be used with both full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras
Information communication with the body by electronic contacts
The lens mount is equipped with electronic contacts to realize electrical communication between the lens and the body. In combination with the Canon EOS R System's body, it supports Exif information, in-body image stabilization (3-axis)*2, and three types of focus assist functions (magnification, peaking, and focus guide*3).
Beautiful bokeh with 12 aperture blades
In order to make the holes formed by the aperture blades close to the circle, a 12-sheet diaphragm configuration is adopted. The out-focus part is a natural depiction, and the point light source is not polygonal, but round and soft bokeh.
GA (Grinding Aspherical) lens and mechanism
The first surface of the lens uses a GA (ground aspherical) lens produced in-house. It is possible to simplify the lens configuration while ensuring high performance, achieve both high-level image quality and a tight style despite the ultra-large aperture, and provide stable image quality from the minimum focusing distance to distant motifs by equipping the mechanism with a floating mechanism.
Manual focus for secure focus operation
The all-metal helicoid unit, which has been machined and adjusted with high precision, and high-quality grease that produces moderate torque, realize smooth focusing sensation. Enables subtle focus adjustments.
Aperture click switching mechanism
The aperture ring has a click switching mechanism, and it is possible to open and close the aperture steplessly without being affected by the click, such as when recording movies or adjusting the fine focus depth.
| Focal Length | 50mm | Caliber Ratio | 1:1 |
| Minimum Aperture | F16 | Lens Construction | 7 elements in 9 groups |
| Angle of View | 48.0° | Number of Aperture Blades | 12 blades |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.45m | Maximum Magnification | 1:6.9 |
| Maximum Diameter x Overall Length | φ79.3×64.0mm | Filter Size | φ67mm |
| Weight | 650g | Lens Hood | Exclusive hood included |
| Aperture Ring | Equipped (manual) with aperture switching mechanism | Supported Focus Assist Function 1 | Focus with focus guide |
| Supported Focus Assist Function2 | Focusing with peaking function | Supported Focus Assist Function 3 | Focusing with the magnifying button |
| Supported Sensor Size | Full-Frame | Electronic Contacts | Onboard |
| EXIF Information | Fully Supported | Image Stabilization | 3-axis support (limited to mounted bodies) |
Source: Cosina
Other lenses do have higher priorities to be done by Canon (best use of Budget and capacities).
On the other hand opening "cooperation" with Voigtländer seems to be a smart move.
They built high quality manual lenses for somewhat affordable money,
good enough to fight Leica, good enough to give Canon users added options on the RF mount.
(I use 3 Voigtländer M-mount lenses via an adapter on the RF mount, not too bad of an experience.
So thank you for bringing such a lens.
Independent on the real world IQ performance, an f/1.0 is a quite delicate thing.
The DOF is so shallow, that you've got to know what to do.
With such lenses super wide aperture, I really would like to have AF, especially when eye AF and eye controlled AF is available.
Otherwise, everything could become super dreamy ;)
I sometimes wonder if people are aware of all the features their cameras are able to do these days...
Otherwise one can buy the Leica version and use a Sony or a Nikon body with the Techart adapter that autofocuses (sharpness may take a minor hit, because this lens has floating elements, while the adapter will move the whole lens in one, but of course the two can work together),
Before eye-AF, in DSLR days I had consistency problems with the 50 f1.4 Art during still portraits sessions, with all the time and the control of the studio; so a MF f1.0 would be a pure consistency nightmare.
These are really GREAT lenses. I have their APO 50 and their 50mm 0.95 lenses (in addition to some 35's).....
I plan to get the R5D2....and would not hesitate to get this lens.....I have bad eyesight, but thankfully the focus assist of modern cameras allow me to still use and love them.
And heck...you can just set them hyperlocal or just prefocus for street shooting...and it's faster than trying to AF in those scenarios.
Anyway....this is pretty exciting IMHO.
cayenne
The mount will not change the characteristics in any way.
Edit 2/3 stop