Distortion, Diffraction, Peripheral Illumination and Chromatic Aberration Correction along with Digital Lens Optimizer available for in-camera aberration correction
Single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) memory card
My readers know I am not a fan of the EOS-R camera in its current form. A major firmware release is expected the first quarter of 2019 in addition to a slew of new RF lenses. There is little to indicate what is included in the new software right now but suffice to say it cannot fix the major 'problems' like a single card slot, lack of a thumb wheel, around 3 fps burst rate in Servo AF with Dual Pixel RAW files, unimpressive battery life, etc.
Amateur Photographer (AP) editor Nigel Atherton recently interviewed three top Canon executives to discuss the new EOS R camera system. Mr. Shingo Hayakawa (SH) is the Deputy Group Executive, ICB Optical Business Group, Image Communications Business Operations. Mr. Masato Seita (MS), is the Manager, ICB Products Development Dept 11, Image Communication Business Operations, and Mr. Minea Uchida (MU) is the Manager, ICB Integrated Business Design Dept. 333, Image Communication Business Operations.
Below is an excerpt from the AP interview with the three Canon executives. If and when Canon brings out a full frame mirrorless version of the EOS-1D X Mark II camera(something I have been advocating for years), I will be the first photographer to put in my buy order.
What do you think are the most important technologies in the Canon system? SH: The distance between the lens and the sensor is much shorter. With EF lenses the space taken up by the mirror in the body imposes certain restrictions. The EOS R opens up all kinds of possibilities for lens design because of the shorter back focus. By removing the mirror we are able to use the space that it occupied for optics, which enables us to make more compact lenses. As for the mirrorless structure, we chose a large diameter for the mount because of the flexibility this offers for lens design. If we want to achieve smaller lenses, we can put the whole focus on making the lens compact. If we want a high quality, or wide aperture lens we can put the focus on that. This is key for us. AP: You have to prioritise, so which one of those types of lens do you think the typical EOS R customer is more interested in: compact or high quality? SH: Our target user of the EOS R is the advanced amateur, who is using maybe the 5D Mark IV or something like that. This user has a lot of different needs so we thought it was important to show straight away what’s possible with this system. Our strategy was to offer, at launch, two high spec lenses, one comfortable kit lens, and one compact lens. AP: When you decided to make a full frame mirrorless camera what were the main priorities for the system? SH: We started out thinking about the lenses we wanted to make and what the ideal lenses would be. That gave us the mount specifications and flange distance we needed. Only then did we start to consider how Canon could improve the main body. We decided that we wanted to make a completely new body, and to reconsider the ergonomics and operation so that it would be different from previous models. Our task is to give our customers more choice and then let them choose. AP: The response to the M Fn bar has been mixed. Some people don’t like it. How do you feel about that? MS: We expected that response, and guessed that would be the case. Our customers’ feelings about it vary, and different customers offer different criticisms, but the new technology has a value that we would like to offer to those of our customers who like it. AP: Will this technology be on all R-system cameras? Will it also go on DSLR cameras in the future? MS: We don’t know yet, but it depends on the features of each of the cameras that we have to consider. AP: Why did Canon not include an exposure mode dial on the EOS R? MS: When you have a mode dial on the left hand side your shooting mode is fixed, and it becomes fiddly to change while shooting. With the design of the EOS R it is easier to switch between modes, or between video and stills, with just the right hand without taking the eye from the camera. AP: The new Fv exposure mode is very clever. Is this something you came up with specially for the EOS R or is it something you have been thinking about for a while but saved for this camera? MS: We had the idea before and we thought it was good, and had been considering implementing it. Then we decided to introduce it on the EOS R. AP: So it could appear on future Canon DSLRs? MS: It could but it depends on what we want to prioritise on each individual camera. AP: The low light auto-focus performance is very impressive. How did you achieve that? MU: Thanks to our Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, a greater number of pixels can be utilised for autofocus. In addition, the EOS R’s image processor has enabled faster data processing. This combination achieves the low light performance. AP: There has been some criticism that the camera only has one card slot. Did you consider having two? And did you think about going with the XQD card, like Nikon? MS: To have two card slots, as well as the DSLR battery that we decided to use, the camera would need to be bigger, or the battery would have to be smaller. As for the type of card, we have always understood the demand for high speed. We thought SD would be the best choice overall for the EOS R when we considered the size, speed, familiarity and cost of the cards. AP: Some other manufacturers publish a road map for future lenses. Will Canon consider that? SH: If we publish a roadmap to the public then we are telling our customers what we are going to give them and we just have to focus on that alone, But we prefer to be more responsive to the market, and find out what our customers want and prefer. Technology is also advancing and evolving. AP: So now, you have four lens systems. Are you going to continue all four of them in the foreseeable future? SH: Yes AP: And if you’re an EOS M user, can you expect new lenses as well? SH: If there is a demand for such lenses, then we will release them. AP: Do you think that in five years time, Canon will still be making new DSLR’s? SH: Of course the situation is always changing and in the future, DSLRs will most likely experience a decline in popularity compared to mirrorless cameras, , but the optical viewfinder still has some advantages and we will continue to offer a choice for as long as our customers want it. AP: If there was a mirrorless version of the EOS- 1D X, do you think people would still buy the EOS- 1D X? SH: We would guess that a mirrorless camera like that would be popular, and have already analysed which technology will be required in a camera in five years time. AP: The EOS R does not have a number. What will future models be called? Are they all going to be EOS R plus a number? SH: We have not decided the numbering convention of future models yet. AP: Could you say how many cameras you expect to have in this system by this time next year? How long will people have to wait for new models? I’m guessing that perhaps the EOS R will be the middle camera in your range and there will be cheaper one, and a more expensive one? SH: That is a good idea! (joke) AP: The EOS R is quite expensive for what it is, compared to other mirrorless cameras… SH: We think the camera is not expensive or inexpensive, it is average. Let’s see what the customers think. In the system as a whole, we are working on a wide variety of attractive lenses. AP: One more question, what design feature of this camera are you most proud of? SH: The new mount system. Of course the design itself is brand new, but also the high-speed communication. That is part of the new system.
When I read parts of the interview below, I had sympathy for the engineering team. They were given an impossible task. Satisfy millions of current Canon DSLR users and attract millions more new mirrorless buyers and innovate. Oh, by the way, you are limited to a much smaller body to work with.
All the EOS-R innovations mentioned below can be applied to current DSLR if the engineers are given the same money and time to work on the present and future models. Considering Canon is the largest photographic company in the world and the last to announce a full frame mirrorless camera, the result is nothing to write home about, especially for serious and professional photographers.
Like I said before, why be a Johnny-come-lately follower, when one can be a real innovator. All the current full frame mirrorless cameras from the Big 3 look alike. They all use a separate line of lenses. There is No technical reason why a full frame mirrorless camera need a new mount different from a full frame DSLR mount. It is a marketing decision to have the new full frame cameras be smaller to appeal to a larger user base. Faced with a new size limitation, all features and functions have to adapt to the new reality.
The engineering team tasked with developing the EOS-R full frame mirrorless camera system gave an interview to DP Review recently. Below is an excerpt of their discussion.
The launch of Canon's EOS R gave us a chance to talk to a group of the engineers involved in the project. The company put forward an engineer from each of the main parts of the development process: physical design, optical design, UI design and overall product design. They talked of being given more freedom than ever before but also of the need to build on the EOS system's strengths.
A new, short and wide mount
Canon has been consistent across its launch, when it's said that the important announcement isn't the EOS R, specifically, or the fact that there's no mirror, but in what the RF mount allows them to do.
Manabu Kato sums up the freedom they've gained in terms of optical design: "people who've been working on lenses for a really long time have, with this new system, been able to make lenses like the 28-70mm F2 comparably easily, compared to how they had so many challenges in the past."
"By having [more] data being transferred between the camera and lens...you can improve the autofocus, metering and image stabilization performance"
As well as allowing more ambitious optical designs, the RF mount also adds data bandwidth, moving from eight communication channels to twelve. "During shooting there's a massive amount of data going between the lens and the camera, so making sure that was smooth was another challenge," says Kato. "By having that huge amount of data being transferred between the camera and lens, you can improve the general performance in relation to autofocus, metering and image stabilization. And you can also add features such as the control rings on the lenses."
"You can also use DLO without any problems," he said. Digital Lens Optimizer - Canon's name for digital lens corrections - previously required that the camera look up the data in a database, meaning that camera firmware needed to be updated to accommodate new lenses. It's now supplied in real time by the lens itself, so there's no need for a look-up step.
Video, as well as stills
This real-time data flow allows the use of Digital Lens Optimizer and distortion correction in video for the first time. And it's clear that, despite the EOS R's comparatively modest specs in that area, Canon has done a lot of thinking about the needs of video shooters.
"Getting rid of [the mode dial] was a big decision that required a lot of consideration"
"In relation to the optical system, we gave consideration to focus breathing*, and also aperture control: you can change the aperture in 1/8th stops," says Kato. "also the Nano USM, it's very quiet and quick: the first time in an L lens."
Difficult decisions
Trying to accommodate the needs of video shooters ended up leading the removal of the camera's mode dial, says Koji Yoshida :
"if you have a mode dial then the [exposure] settings will be the same for both stills and movies."
The decision not to offer a mode dial on the EOS R was not taken lightly.
"We consulted with a lot of different people and talked about this a lot, and decided to have different settings this time," he says. But it's clear this isn't a decision made lightly: "[The mode dial] is a function that's been common in the past, so getting rid of that was a big decision that required a lot of consideration," said Shintaro Oshima.
"There was a lot of internal discussion about this point," concurs Yoshida.
The challenge of legacy
This tension between novelty and legacy is a constant theme of our conversation. "Our aim was to carry on the traditional parts of EOS but then bring in new innovation at the same time," says Hironori Oishi :
"our biggest challenge was making this look like an EOS camera with just a single glance, you can see that it's an EOS camera, based on the traditional styling of the EOS cameras. And also the feeling, when you hold the camera - as soon as you hold it in your hand, you know it's an EOS."
This extended to the user interface, says Yoshida:
"the challenge we faced in terms of the software or the interface was making sure that it's got the same basic controls as an EOS: to carry on that operability that EOS users are used to, then also implementing new elements into that design at the same time."
The answer was to blend features from Canon's existing live view and DSLR experience:, he says :
"We used the mirrorless AF modes but we also also included features from the 5D Mark IV AF, like Expand AF area and large zone AF: this is the first time this has been introduced in a live view camera from Canon."
Opportunity for innovation
The solution to these tensions seems to have been to look for opportunities to innovate while maintaining continuity: something made clear in the challenges of maintaining EF lens compatibility. Despite the EF mount already being fully electronic, Kato says :
"it was difficult ensuring that compatibility. But we think that's a big plus for the system."
Tellingly, the team looked for ways to add new features. "We also achieved the control ring adapter which brings additional value to EOS lens users," says Kato: "The same applies to the drop-in filter adapter: it gives added value to those who already have EF lenses. We wanted to make sure that we looked after our current users of our EF lens system."
"The control ring adapter brings additional value to EOS lens users...the same applies to the drop-in filter adapter"
Oshima stresses that the need for continuity didn't hold the new camera back, though :
"another focus was the low light limit performance. That's a point of evolution from the EOS cameras."
"Another focus was the low light [autofocus] limit performance"
This eye for an opportunity to innovate is perhaps most clearly seen in the way the EOS R, unlike any other mirrorless camera, closes its mechanical shutter when shut down. "we wanted to protect the sensor as much as possible from dust and light hitting the sensor," explains Oshima :
"The light coming through the lens affects the sensor in the long term. The color filter array and microlenses and also the photodiodes can all be damaged by light [if the sensor is always exposed]."
To then protect the shutter blades, the camera stops its lens down and displays a warning not to leave it facing towards the sun, without a lens cap. "The aperture cannot be closed completely, so that message is kind of a safeguard," explains Kato: "We're kind of proud of the fact that with a simple idea, we've been able to increase value for customers."
Just the beginning
As usual, no one was able to discuss future products. When asked whether there was any chance of an APS-C RF-mount camera, Oishi was suitably non-committal: "we're thinking about it, but we can't answer in detail," he says. But the individual engineers did all discuss what they were looking forward to.
"We want to surprise and astonish you, so please expect big things"
"It gives more structural freedom in terms of design, because it doesn't have a pentamirror", says Oishi. "I'm excited about improvements in Digic image processor and functions that create more value and make easier to use," says Yoshida. But it's optics specialist Kato who seems most enthused:
"This is just the start of the system," he says, talking about F2.8 zooms and other possibilities, before settling on a broader-reaching point: "We want to surprise and astonish you, so please expect big things."
As you know Wildlife Photography is very different from other forms of photography. It is tough enough to find and keep up with the wildlife. There is no time to fumble around with camera buttons while trying to keep one's eyes on the action once it is located.
Sadly, the EOS-R does not do fit any of my requirements except the feel and EVF of the camera is good. As expected, the pro model of the EOS-R will be announced some time in the first half of 2020 to compete with the Sony A9, Nikon Z7, Panasonic S1 R, etc.
My question to Canon is - Why be a Johnny-come-lately follower rather than an industry leader?
There is NO technical reason why Canon cannot make a full frame mirrorless camera that resembles the EOS-1 body and uses the EF native mount. It is totally doable. The compromise is made because the marketing department thinks more photographers will prefer a lighter, smaller camera - one of the main selling points of the mirrorless camera to begin with.
"Yes, we are aware that mechanical stabilization is an important demand from the users, but considering the positioning of the EOS R, we decided not to integrate the IBIS […] because our priority was compactness. The compactness we wanted to have was not compatible with such a system. But of course, in the future, we will be able to answer them. This is our first model. We still have room for improvement. For the memory location, it is a question of compactness and priority for the photographers covered by the EOS R. We believe that one location is enough. And for the video, it’s the same answer. We believe that the intended target will be satisfied with the proposed modes."
Canon knows it is playing catch up to Sony in the high end mirrorless space. I hope they will not be distracted in spending too much time and money on beefing up the EOS-R line and delay some of their DSLR and EF lens upgrade. After all, the big prize - 2020 Olympics in Tokyo is just round the corner. How many pro photographers around the world do you think will be using the EOS-R to capture images of the game?
Over the next couple of years, one will hear all the wonderful new features and performance of the EOS-R and other full frame mirrorless cameras from the paid and 'unpaid' pundits, like superior 4K/near 8K video, in body image stabilization (IBIS), low light performance, unmatched ergonomics and mobility from a lighter body, etc.
The truth is many features and functionalities of high end DSLRs and Mirrorless will converge in the future until there is a almost a difference without a distinction. The real question is, how many photographers are ready to trade in or add another camera/lens combo to their current DSLR/lenses inventory.
The use of an adapter and the small size of the EOS-R prevent the new camera from functioning like the tradition EOS high end models. For those who like good performance and compactness wrapped in a small package, high end mirrorless cameras may be your solution. Personally, I am not willing to make this trade off to gain compactness and a little weight reduction.
MELVILLE, N.Y., September 5, 2018 – Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the next revolution in the company’s long history of innovative and award-winning camera systems, the EOS R system featuring the newly designed RF mount. You can download the whitepaper on this new camera here.
Recognizing the need to advance optical design, the Company sought to create a versatile and powerful new system that supports all current EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lensesi, and also provides the optical advancements and engineering flexibility to build upon for years to come.
When Canon set forth to develop a new interchangeable lens camera system, they focused on three core optical principles: high-image quality, high-specification performance, and compact design. Recognizing that optics is the foundation for any camera system, the RF mount was conceived to open new doors in optical design. Canon’s new RF mount features the same size diameter as the EF mount (54mm) and shorter back focus distance. This allows for lenses to sit closer to the sensor (the focal plane) and allowed Canon optical engineers to reimagine lens design utilizing larger rear lens elements to produce an image on the full-frame sensor. This new optical formula has paved the way for higher performing lenses. In addition, the Canon RF mount features a high-speed 12-pin communication system that provides faster and more in-depth communication between the camera and lens over existing Canon mount systems.
The EOS R system is designed for full, uninhibited compatibility with all existing EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lenses through the use of mount adaptersii. In addition, through the use of the optional Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter or Control Ring Mount Adapter these lenses, in fact, gain functionality.
“There has never been a time in history in which visual expression has been so prolific. Imaging, both still and video, are the communication mediums of today’s society. Much in the same way we learned to type in the past, today’s youth are skilled in shooting, editing, and visual storytelling in ways that only the masters of each craft were decades ago,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Knowing this, we needed to step back and design a system that delivers all the creative expression and functionality today’s youth crave, now and in the years to come.”
The First in a New System: The EOS R
The new Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera features a 30.3 megapixel CMOS sensor that is powered by the Company’s latest image processor, DIGIC 8, enabling shooting at up to 8.0 frames per secondiii. The new camera inherits a lot from Canon’s legacy in both EOS and Cinema EOS. Video storytellers can capture stunning 4K UHD video up to 30fps and record in 10-bit 4:2:2 (with an external recorder). The EOS R also comes with the ability to shoot Canon Log, providing 12 stops of dynamic range, minimal loss of detail in shadows and highlighted areas and an increased range of choices when color grading. Users with an existing collection of Canon lenses will be excited to know that all EF and EF-S lens are compatible with the camera. In order to do so, photographers and videographers can choose between using one of three new mount adapters, each uniquely designed to meet the individual needs of the user.
The new Canon EOS R camera features Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus with 5,655 manually selectable AF pointsiv, supporting AF at up to f/11 with a 384 zone (24x16) real-time metering system. With f/1.2 lenses, the camera astonishingly boasts AF sensitivity in low light in as little as EV-6. When using the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens with the EOS R, the camera can focus in as little as 0.05 seconds with Dual Pixel CMOS AFv, making it the fastest autofocus speed in the worldvi. These features provide photographers and videographers with Canon’s most advanced AF system to date. The EOS R also features a silent shutter setting when shooting in single-shot mode; an important feature for those who need to capture imagery without disrupting the scene. An upcoming free firmware update will enable silent shutter in continuous shooting mode as well.
“The EOS R system is not just a new camera or a new lens mount, it is a new design that will allow us to produce visual tools that were previously impossible, and allow our customers to tell their stories with greater depth, richness of color, and creative flexibility, in optically stunning ways.” states Kazuto Ogawa.
Thoughts From the First Users
“I think every camera system has its place and it’s all about having the right tool for the job,” reported acclaimed outdoor photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Jimmy Chin. “The new EOS R system for me in particular is very useful for the kind of shooting that I do in the mountains, where I need to worry about the size and weight. Having the option to use the new RF lenses or the EF lenses is really great.”
“I was instantly impressed with how quickly the EOS R was able to focus,” remarked celebrated fashion photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Lindsay Adler. “Whether my subject was moving or I was shooting in near-complete darkness, I had no problem getting tack-sharp focus in every shot. It was a relief to know my gear wasn’t going to hold me back from executing my vision, but instead it would really help me to execute this vision.”
“For us, it's all about getting the shot no one else can get, and a lot of this has to do with the camera,” says Devin Graham, director and filmmaker behind YouTube’s DevinSuperTramp. “The new EOS R will become one of our main cameras. It has a very small footprint, yet is able to create amazing images. As for the lenses, the new RF 28-70mm F2 has just become one of my all-time favorites. I’ll be bringing it on every project.”
Conveniently placed just to the right of the EVF, Canon has introduced a new Multi-Function Bar that will allows users to more easily access their customizable settings, such as AF, ISO and White Balance. Users will have the option to either slide or tap the bar to gain access to the settings and adjust on-the-go as they deem necessary depending on each particular shooting situation.
Answering the demand for enhanced mobile editing of RAW image files, Canon is also announcing a new application, Digital Photo Professional Express (DPP Express). In combination with an updated Canon Camera Connect App, DPP Express enables users to send, view, edit and process CR3 RAW files on their iPadvii. A free download of the app will be available October 2018.
Additional noteworthy features of the EOS R Camera include:
RF Mount Compatible with RF Lenses and EF/EF-S Lenses
Built-in EVF with 3.69 Million Dots, Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD and Dot-matrix LCD Panel
ISO range of 100-40,000, expandable to 102,400
USB 3.1 in-camera charging support
Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi providing easy sharing to compatible smart devices and social media sites
Single UHS-II SD card slot
CR3(RAW/C-RAW) and Dual Pixel RAW Support
Dust and weather resistant
New Firmware update will include the following features :
Eye detect AF in continuous shooting. The EOS R launches with the ability to do this in one shot.
Additional touch bar functionality added.
Continuous shooting in silent shutter mode. The EOS R only allows this feature in single shot at launch.
A “few tweaks” to video functionality. The 4K crop will not be changed, nor will the maximum frame rate in 4K.
Bug fixes
Availability and Pricing
The Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera is scheduled to be available in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $2299 for the body only. It will also be sold as a body-and-lens kit with the new RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens for $3399.
MELVILLE, N.Y., September 5, 2018 – Helping to rewrite the rules of visual expression, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today introduced a variety of new RF lenses and accessories to accompany the newly announced EOS R Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera System. The four new RF lenses are built around Canon’s new RF mount, which features a large 54mm diameter and shorter back focus distance than on current EOS DSLR cameras. The new RF mount enables new possibilities in optical design and lens formulation, allowing for faster and lighter lenses with higher performing optics.
The four new lenses, the Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L USM, RF 50mm F1.2 L USM, RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM and RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM capitalize on the robust optic foundation of Canon’s new EOS R system. The design behind Canon’s new EOS R camera and RF lens system started with the concept of the optimal rear lens element diameter and shorter distance (back focus) for a Full-Frame image sensor.
With over 130 million EF lenses in circulation since Canon launched the mount in 1987*, the Company is enhancing the possibilities for its loyal customers who own and love their EF glass. Canon is introducing three RF Lens Mount Adapters that expand the capabilities of existing EF lenses when paired with the EOS R camera. The Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R allows photographers to utilize the full breadth of Canon’s EF, EF-S, TS-E, and MP-E lenses on the newly introduced EOS R camera system. The Control Ring Mount Adapter adds a customizable control ring via the adapter that provides photographers with added functionality to their fingertips. The Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter now easily places circular polarizing or variable neutral density filters behind the lens, opening up new options for lenses such as the EF 11-24mm where using optical filters were previously not an option.
“Knowing exceptional optics are a vital tool in shaping the image a photographer captures, Canon designed the EOS R camera system from the ground up with optics as the starting point,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Canon is very excited about the world-class optics we have developed to marry with the new RF mount. With our rich history and more than 130 million EF lenses being used across the globe, Canon optics will continue to be at the forefront of our digital imaging development now and into the future.”
New Canon RF Series Lenses
Three of the newly announced Canon RF lenses are counted among Canon’s top-of-the-line L-series optics; incorporating rugged, dust and water-resistant construction. All four new RF lenses feature a customizable control ring that allows photographers to adjust exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture or ISO.
The Canon RF 28—70mm F2 L USM lens, the world’s first standard zoom lens with an f/2 aperturei is excellent for capturing landscapes, weddings and portraits with its large aperture for stunning bokeh. Initial testing within Canon has shown this new lens to produce better optical image quality and sharpness over similar focal length EF-series lenses, including the extremely popular and highly regarded EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM.
A portrait photographer’s must-have, the Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM lens sports an ultra large-diameter f/1.2 aperture and Canon’s Air Sphere Coating (ASC) technology to dramatically reduce flares and ghosting. This amazing new lens is capable of rendering subjects life-size on the full-frame sensor with its minimum focusing distance of only 0.59 inches.
Photographers seeking an all-around utility lens for the new EOS R camera system need to look no further than the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens. Coming in nine percent shorter in length than the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM, this compact lens employs a CIPA standard of 5 stops of IS and is equipped with NANO USM technology, the first L-series lens with the technology. This small chip-shaped ultrasonic motor is engineered to help deliver high-speed, smooth, precise and near-silent operation, plus full-time manual focus (when using one-shot AF).
A fast, wide-angle single focus lens, the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM lens is an excellent option for photographers looking for an affordable compact lens. Featuring a maximum shooting magnification of 0.5x, the lens can easily shoot macro photography of subjects such as flowers, food and even insects. The lens also utilizes a CIPA standard of 5 stops of IS and is compatible with Hybrid IS, compensating for both angular and shift camera shake.
Enhanced Capabilities for Canon EF Lenses
Thanks to its large lens mount design, Canon’s new EOS R series camera system delivers new capabilities in both design and function, but for existing Canon lens owners it does something incredible. It enhances the capabilities of existing EF and EF-S lenses with full compatibility and in some cases, enhanced functionality when paired with one of three RF mount adapters.
Canon lenses are historically top-rated, and the Company is looking to help customers gain even more value in their investment with three new RF mount adapters.
The Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is a standard adapter that provides full compatibility with EF lenses. Autofocus, metadata, and Optical Image Stabilization on EF lenses all continue to work seamlessly with the new EOS R camera through this adapter.
The Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R continues full EF lens compatibility with the addition of a customizable control ring. Functions that can be assigned and adjusted by the control ring include aperture, shutter speed, ISO speed and exposure compensation.
In addition to full EF lens compatibility, the Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R allows for lens filters to be used behind any EF lens and help photographers conveniently utilize variable ND and circular polarizing filters with any EF lens.
New Speedlite Series
Canon is also introducing a new compact and lightweight Speedlite, the EL-100. Designed for photographers who are just beginning to use an external flash or are in need of a secondary unit, the new Speedlite delivers both soft and natural lighting reproduction. In addition, the EL-100 can rotate upwards and to the left and right enabling photographers to bounce the flash off of nearby ceilings, walls or surfaces.
Additional Features of the Canon Speedlite EL-100 include:
Maximum Guide Number of Approx. 85 ft./26m at ISO 100
24mm Wide-angle Coverage
Optical Wireless Flash Function (Sender and Receiver)
Flash Exposure Control Including Support for Stroboscopic Flash and Continuous Shooting Camera-linked Functions Including Interlocked External Flash Power On/Off
Mode Dial with AUTO Position
Availability and Pricing
The Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM will be available in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $2299. The Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L USM, RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM and RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM will all be available for purchase in December 2018 for an estimated retail price of $2999, $1099 and $499.99 respectively.
The Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R will be available for purchase in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $99.99 and $199.99 respectively. The Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R will all be available for purchase in February 2019 for an estimated retail price of $399.99 with a variable ND filter or $299.99 with a circular polarizing filter.
The Canon Speedlite EL-100 will be available for purchase in October 2018 for an estimated retail price of $199.99.
