RF lenses are the latest series of Canon lens. Previously, Full-frame cameras from Canon used EF lens mounts.
However, in September 2018 these camera companies announced their latest RF lens. There are two Canon camera products that use this lens already, the new Canon EOS R and EOS RP.
This lens is also a focus to be developed this year. RF lenses have similarities with EF lenses. That is, the inner diameter of the RF mount is equal to EF, 54mm. So, Canon users don’t need to worry because RF mount is also possible to use Canon EF and EF-S mounting lenses.
However, to use EF and EF-S mounting lenses in RF mount camera, we need to use one of three adapters made by Canon. This is because unlike the latest RF lenses, old lenses like EF and EF-S have different characteristics. This difference is on contact pins that connect the lens to the camera.
RF Lens Capability
In September 2018, Canon introduced four RF lenses. The four lenses are RF50mm f / 1.2L USM, RF24-105mm f / 4L IS USM, RF28-70mm f / 2L USM, RF35mm f / 1.8 Macro IS STM. Each of these lenses has different abilities. So, the use of this lens is different.
The first is the RF50mm f / 1.2L USM. This lens has a very large diameter. This lens also has a single focus. So, this lens can produce very high quality images. Next is RF24-105mm f / 4L IS USM. This lens is a lens with multi-function zoom.
In addition, RF24-105mm f / 4L IS USM is also a high speed auto focus from Nano USM. Moreover, the performance is quiet too, and the ability to control its aperture in EV 1/8 steps.
Third is the RF28-70mm f / 2L USM lens. This lens has a constant large aperture to produce an upper class bokeh effect. While the fourth RF lens from Canon is the RF35mm f / 1.8 Macro IS STM. This lens is used for photographing macros or objects that are very close. It will produce good images when used for photographing small objects.
Read too about CANON EOS R; New Generation from EOS Family
Adapters for EF Lens Mounting
There are some camera models that have been launched by Canon with RF lenses. They are EOS R and EOS RP. However, Canon still makes them possible to use Canon EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lenses. For this reason, Canon provides lens adapter.
In the release of the EOS R, Canon introduced three adapters for RF lenses. These three adapters have different features. The first adapter is the EF-EOS R Mount Adapter. Next is the EF-EOS R Control Ring Holder Adapter which install the lens using lens control ring.
And the last is the EF-EOS R. Especially for this adapter, it has the possibility to use drop-in filters. Neither the neutral variable density filter (V-ND) or the circular polarization filter (C-PL), and the clear filter (CL).
While in the EOS RP series, the camera will incorporate with the EF-EOS R mounth adapter. In addition, there will be several kits with EF lenses, including one with quite reasonable and affordable EF 24-105mm f / 3.5-5.6 IS STM standard zoom lens.
As discussed above. With these adapters, Canon’s old lenses can be reused. So that the lens still has value and not wasted.
7 Series RF Lens
Presumably, Canon will drop new RF lens will in 2019. This RF lens will be released in seven series. The lenses are 16-35mm f / 2.8L, 24-70mm f / 2.8L IS, 70-200mm f / 2.8L IS, 105mm f / 1.4L, 85mm f / 1.8 IS STM, macro lens, and non -L kit lens.
This series will be completed with a prime wide-angle lens too. Canon says that this lens is still under development. In addition, non-L lens kit lenses will also be issued for the EOS R series. This lens is also still under planning.
Canon promises that the EF-RF adapter will allow millions of EF lenses in circulation to be used “without compromise” on the new EOS R and RF mount cameras in the future. RF 28-70mm F2L USM will be charged $ 2,999.
RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM is available in December for $ 1099 ($ 3399 as a kit with EOS R). The 50mm F1.2L RF USM will cost you $ 2,299. While the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM will cost you $ 499. All three lenses ‘L’ are weather sealed.