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Canon R-Mount or RF Lenses

UPDATE: Rumor has it that Canon will be releasing another set of R-mount lenses, adding to the four below already on the market. Most of these lenses are “red ringed” or L series lenses aimed at professionals with one more non-pro consumer lens. They will be the following:

  • RF 85mm f/1.2L USM
  • RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
  • RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
  • RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
  • RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

Canon’s new RF line up of full-frame mirror-less cameras currently includes two camera bodies – the top of the line (so far) Canon EOS R and the entry-level Canon EOS RP. No doubt in the future a professional model will be introduced but camera bodies become old a lot faster than lenses.

The advice from professionals has always been to think of a camera body in terms of five years while a lens can last 30 years.

The new Canon R line of camera bodies introduces the world the new R-mount and RF Lenses which allows Canon to design totally new lenses and even lenses never possible before.

So far a handful of the new RF mount lenses are available but with an $99 adapter, all previous EOS lenses will fit the new cameras and work flawlessly with the auto-focus system and in-lens stabilization.

So those with a collection of great glass can still use it on the new cameras and new R mount designed lenses will continue to be released by Canon.

The R Mount Design

Getting rid of the mirror opened up the possibilities of new lens design and the Canon engineers have been taking advantage of the short 20 mm flange distance between lens and sensor to create some interesting, fast and new designs, some never before possible.

The new R mount allows the lens closer to the sensor and the 12 pin electronic connection delivers fast communication between the camera and the lens, facilitating a versatile and powerful system. 

Current Canon R Mount Lens Line Up

The Canon R full-frame, mirror-less system launched with four new lenses designed specifically for the new R mount.

Each of these new lenses features an innovative “control ring” which allows user customization of the ring. You can program the ring for control of any setting like ISO, shutterspeed, aperature, etc by turning the control ring.

These lenses also feature in-lens stabilization.

RF 28–70mm F2 L USM

Professional L series optics in a 28–70 mm F2 zoom. This lens features a maximum aperture of f/2 across the entire telephoto range.

RF 50mm F1.2 L USM

Designed for the R mount, the f/1.2 aperture means amazing performance in low light and gorgeous, detailed images with evocative background blur.

RF 24–105mm F4 L IS USM

The USM focusing motor makes this a very quite lens. The RF 24–105mm F4 L IS USM is versatile with its broad zoom range and constant f/4 maximum aperture. It’s the first L series lens to feature Canon’s fast and speedy NANO USM, making it ideal for landscapes, portraits and much more.

RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Compact, lightweight and easy to carry, the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM lens offers amazing versatility in a wide-angle macro lens. It has a 0.5x magnification ratio and a close focusing distance of 0.56 ft./0.17m for excellent macro photography.