It seems Yongnuo is throwing down the glove regarding the RF mount and autofocus capability. While Samyang and others have previously created autofocus lenses for the RF mount, they were told to stop by Canon apparently over patent issues.
Now it seems that Yongnuo will soon release the 35mm F2R DF DSM for the RF mount, which is already out for other mounts. This adds to the already available 85mm F1.8R DF DSM that Yongnuo has previously released for the RF mount. This image and information were leaked on weibo with the following image showing the lens on the EOS R camera.
The lens is listed on Yonguo's website for $403.00 – slightly pricy for a 35mm F2.0 lens and should also ship to the USA. I can't see this price holding up though, as the E mount version is around $250, and the Canon RF native 35mm F1.8 is only $500. So I suspect that may be a placeholder price for now. The Weibo user suggests around 200 yuan or $275.
B&H Photo carries the 85mm F1.8 for the RF mount, so Canon hasn't filed any injunctions, etc to prevent the sale of Yongnuo RF lenses in the USA. I suspect B&H will carry the 35mm lens as well.
I find it funny that on Yonguo's website, they blur out the fact that the lens is on a Canon R camera.
The lens itself looks like a pretty standard double-gauss lens, so the quality won't be exceptional, but since the lens will probably be around $250-$400, you do get what you pay for. Keep in mind though that this lens is relatively small, and while it may be bad on a full-frame camera, you could use it on a crop camera as a 50mm equivalent. Especially if the price is around $250, it could end up being a good low-cost option for a crop camera body.
For me though, the more interesting aspect is that it's another auto-focus lens for the RF mount. The more vendors that start making RF auto-focus lenses, the better.
Features include;
- Fn Button
- F/2 Large Aperture.
- Quiet CNC Stepping Motor Integrated, DSM Motor.
- 9 Optical Lenses in 8 Groups with Nano-multilayer Coating.
- Aspheric and Low Dispersion Lens.
- 7 Circular Aperture Blades.
- USB Firmware Upgrade.
- Metal Bayonet and Contacts
Specifications
| Product Model | YN35mm F2S DF DSM |
| Lens Mount | Sony E |
| Focus Mode | Auto Focus (AF) and Manual Focus (MF) |
| Lens Frame | Full Frame |
| Focal Length | 35mm |
| Angle of View | Diagonal: 61.3° Vertical: 36.74° Horizontal: 52.91° |
| Lens Construction | 8 groups 9 elements |
| Aperture Blades | 7 blades |
| Max Aperture | f/2 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Min Focusing Distance | 0.35m |
| Max Magnification | 0.13 times |
| Filter Diameter | 52mm |
| Driving System | Digital Stepper Motor |
| Max Diameter and Length | Φ67×72mm |
| Weight | 295g |
Source: asobinet
Agreed - if this goes on sale normally, it would be more evidence that there is a practical change of stance by Canon. AF 3rd party lenses are what (I think) everyone wants, both for 'exotic' specifications, and simply alternatives (generally at a lower cost) to Canon versions.
The 85 f/1.8 II is relatively new.
It does not represent a change of anything except to my knowledge every single 3rd party RF lens has been 85 mm.
There was one from Samyang/Rokinon and another one from Viltrox.
If you include manual focus lenses, there has been "a lot". The list hasn't been updated since August, and is definitely missing some, but probably includes most:
Third party lenses for the Canon RF mount
But choice is always good imho.
I would recommend RF 28mm over this lens.
lol.
This is good if it happens, but I will really be excited when its a Sigma.