Facebook Pixel Canon's Exciting New RF Lenses: The 70-200mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.8

Canon’s Exciting New RF Lenses: The 70-200mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.8

Last Tuesday, Canon announced two new RF lenses:

The Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS USM and the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM.

Canon's new RF lens, the 50mm f/1.8 STM
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Both of these lenses will ship in the first half of December, though they’re currently available for preorder ($1599 USD for the 70-200mm f/4L IS and $199.99 USD for the 50mm f/1.8).

The new lenses will undoubtedly appeal to the many Canon photographers who have already embraced the EOS R system, especially those who are looking for cheaper alternatives to the existing RF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and the RF 50mm f/1.2

Canon's new RF lens, the 70-200mm f/4L IS
The Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS

In fact, the 70-200mm f/4 and the 50mm f/1.8 have already garnered something of a reputation, thanks to their top-notch EF equivalents. The EF 70-200mm f/4L IS, for instance, is a high-quality, reasonably-priced option for landscape photographers, amateur portrait photographers, and more – while the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is just about the handiest Canon lens you can own, combining optical prowess with affordability and compactness. 

And while the RF 70-200mm and the RF 50mm f/1.8 won’t be quite as cheap as their EF counterparts, they’re certainly cheap enough to draw Canon photographers of all stripes, including a mix of professionals and hobbyists (for the 70-200mm f/4), as well as amateurs (for the 50mm f/1.8).

Plus, Canon has added several significant upgrades to these RF lenses. The 70-200mm f/4L IS, for instance, will offer up to 5 stops of image stabilization, which expands to 7.5 stops when combined with in-body image stabilization. It’s also Canon’s “shortest and lightest 70-200mm f/4 zoom lens to date,” making it an even more compelling option for landscape photographers who hike for hours on end.

Canon's new RF lens, the 70-200mm f/4L IS

As for the RF 50mm f/1.8:

You get the ultra-useful 50mm focal length for just $200 USD, not to mention the Canon RF lens control ring (which you can use to tweak camera settings on the fly). And the lens will be both compact and light – in other words, perfect for a casual photographer, or even a street photographer, looking to fire off shots without attracting much attention.

Canon's new RF lens, the 50mm f/1.8 STM

So if you’re after an affordable, high-quality lens with a wide maximum aperture and great ergonomics, check out the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, which is available for preorder for just under $200 USD

Alternatively, if you’re hoping to capture gorgeous landscapes, portraits, or even outdoor event photos without breaking the bank, you can preorder the Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS USM here for $1599 USD.

Read more from our Cameras & Equipment category

Jaymes Dempsey
Jaymes Dempsey

is the Managing Editor of Digital Photography School, as well as a macro and nature photographer from Ann Arbor, Michigan. To learn how to take stunning nature photos, check out his free eBook, Mastering Nature Photography: 7 Secrets For Incredible Nature Photos! And to see more of Jaymes’s work check out his website and his blog.

I need help with...