“I want my RF 35mm f/1.2L USM (or f/1.4L) now!”

That quote is a running theme in the world of Canon, and I get it! We (consumers) love native and new lenses for the most part. There are likely a lot of people that are adapting the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM II or using the RF 35mm f/1.8 STM while they wait, they just don't want to wait anymore.

The RF 35mm f/1.2L USM has been on our roadmap since we launched the roadmap, and there have been may reports of “it's coming soon!”. While we didn't intentionally provide wrong information, there are likely many factors above our pay grade as to why the lens is taking so long to come to market.

Some possible reasons for the delay?

  • We have been told that the optical glass used for L lenses is still in short supply, but it is improving. A 35L would be a high-yield production. It makes sense that Canon would need a good supply of elements for manufacturing to keep costs down and to meet what will surely be a huge demand.
  • It has been suggested that Canon will announce a “trio” of fast L-prime lenses at the same time. Though we have not been able to confirm this. Canon would then need a good supply of glass for a 24L, 28L and 35L. We hope this announcement strategy is true.
  • It's possible that Canon simply wanted to improve on their own design if issues were found.
  • Canon has their own business strategy that they won't be too transparent about. Getting the “big white” RF lenses to market for the eventual EOS R1 makes a lot of sense. There are lots of agency shooters on the EOS-1D X Mark III and EF mount lenses.

We wish we had better news for you, but it seems we have to continue to be patient. We're not going to report on these lenses again until we have something 100% legitimate.

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70 comments

  1. Add me to the list of whiners :)
    And please I'd like a RF 35mm f/1.2L, not f/1.4 - don't care if the differences are minimal.
    Nikon has a 35mm f/1.2 on their Z roadmap. Sony users have the Sigma 1.2 (I think?) and maybe they'll get a G Master one as well.
    Whatever the reason.... I do not care. I want one :unsure:

    Obviously once I will eventually get one, the whining won't stop, I'll just be whining for something else ;)
  2. I still can't believe how sharp the 50 1.2 is....by far the best lens I've ever shot with. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had a 35 to go with it as well. I'm taking a ton of baby pictures of my daughter, and if it's in an indoor situation a lot of times the 50 is just too long and I have to back up or shoot awkwardly to get the shot I wanted. The 35 and that sweet sweet 100-300 posted yesterday are at the top of my lens-wanted list.
  3. I still can't believe how sharp the 50 1.2 is....by far the best lens I've ever shot with. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had a 35 to go with it as well. I'm taking a ton of baby pictures of my daughter, and if it's in an indoor situation a lot of times the 50 is just too long and I have to back up or shoot awkwardly to get the shot I wanted. The 35 and that sweet sweet 100-300 posted yesterday are at the top of my lens-wanted list.
    Buy or rent the EF 35mm ii and add adapter. Trust me, you won't be dissappointed. You can wait and not have the lens and miss capturing the best times of your daughter or spend half the cost of the RF 35mm when it eventually comes out and have a fantastic set up now.
  4. Also where are the f/4 zooms??
    What f/4 zooms? Are you unaware of the RF 14-35/4L, the RF 24-105/4L, and the RF 70-200/4L?

    A couple of months ago, patents published for an RF-S 15-70/4, 13-60/4 and 18-100/f4. Doesn't mean any will become products, of course.
  5. if it's in an indoor situation a lot of times the 50 is just too long and I have to back up or shoot awkwardly to get the shot I wanted.
    Funnily enough, a lot of the time when I have a 35 mounted (only the RF 35 f/1.8 mind you) I stick it on crop mode because I prefer the framing of ~56mm equivalent.
  6. What f/4 zooms? Are you unaware of the RF 14-35/4L, the RF 24-105/4L, and the RF 70-200/4L?

    A couple of months ago, patents published for an RF 15-70/4, 13-60/4 and 18-100/f4. Doesn't mean any will become products, of course.
    I wasn't aware of these patents. If they refer to Full Frame cameras they will be just fine for travelling. Of course at fixed f/4 they will be rather big and expensive (but worth it). For now I take the 14-35L with me and leave behind many mid range zooms to save space.
  7. I wasn't aware of these patents. If they refer to Full Frame cameras they will be just fine for travelling. Of course at fixed f/4 they will be rather big and expensive (but worth it). For now I take the 14-35L with me and leave behind many mid range zooms to save space.
    I believe they’re RF-S, apologies for getting hopes up.
  8. I still can't believe how sharp the 50 1.2 is....by far the best lens I've ever shot with. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had a 35 to go with it as well. I'm taking a ton of baby pictures of my daughter, and if it's in an indoor situation a lot of times the 50 is just too long and I have to back up or shoot awkwardly to get the shot I wanted. The 35 and that sweet sweet 100-300 posted yesterday are at the top of my lens-wanted list.

    I can't wait to sell my 50 1.2 and replace it with a 35 1.2!
  9. I'd honestly love just any f/1.4 lens, that isn't extremely expensive. But that goes for any brand that isn't Fuji these days.

    Also where are the f/4 zooms??
    What F4 zooms? We've got the 14-35, the 24-105, and the 70-200. Are you thinking of a 24-70 F4L? Personally, I'm quite envious of Sony's new 20-70 F4 and their 24-70 F2.8 that is as small and light as Canon's 24-105 F4L—with arguably better IQ.
  10. Honestly I can\'t understand the fuss of RF anything.

    The lenses are all *enormous,* fly-by wire, lack a focus window, and wickedly expensive. Worse, they\'re incompatible with EF cameras.

    I just bought a used EF 85mm f/1.4L for $800. Probably one of the most incredible lenses ever made. The RF equivalent is $2599, weighs 20% more and has fewer features. It\'s insanity.

    But I\'m glad you rich dentists are dumping your awesome gear for super cheap for no reason. Keep it up!!

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