- Canon’s fourth ‘Hybrid’ f/1.4 Prime Lens ends up to 24 mm, 35 mm and 50 mm
- Versatile 20 mm wide -angle perspective and quick aperture
- List Price is £ 1,919.99 / AU $ 2,999 (US Prices Plus Sales Start Date TBC)
Canon continues to grow its selection of ‘hybrid’ RF lenses designed for photo and video with its latest addition, Canon RF 20mm F1.4L VCM.
It is practically identical in size, weight and design for three other f/1.4 hybrid primer, 24 mm, 35 mm and 50 mm lenses (see them all side by side, above), but offers the widest perspective of the quartet.
The 20 mm focal length is widely used by astro, landscape, architecture and interior photographers, plus it is also convenient for video work in narrow spaces and again for sweeping views.
Canon’s fastest ever 20 mm lens packs a 11-blade f/1.4 aperture that should prove to be particularly convenient for low light work, while its close focus skills of only 0.2 m could also deliver decent low depth of field shoots with dynamic perspectives.
It’s an expensive optical, remember you – £ 1,919.99 / AU $ 2,999 (US pricing to follow) makes it the most expensive of the four prime with approx. 15%. Still it is only 20 mm fast aperture prime for Canon’s mirror -free cameras in full frame.
Canon still does not allow third-party brands to make lenses for its full-frame cameras, which means it may remain the only choice for wide-angle-prime lovers for a while yet.
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Canon’s most versatile hybrid Prime yet?
I had a short convenient with RF 20mm F1.4L VCM at Canon UK’s headquarters prior to launch and the lens is a well -known sight. Its design is practically identical to the 24 mm, 35 mm and 50 mm settings in Canon’s hybrid lens line up.
The weatherproof lens measures 76.5 x 99.3 mm and weighs 18.3 OZ / 519G, making it an excellent fit with a camera such as the EOS R5 Mark II (see below) -et Logical camera / lens pairing and like the other prime, it has a 67 mm thread for Lens filter and a rear filter holder.
There is an iris (aperture) ring with smooth click -free adjustments ideal for video, plus a customizable lens control and buttons as well.
VCM stands for the Voice Coil engine – it is the engine that drives the autofocus, which Canon says is fast, accurate and near silent. I can certify the autofocus effectiveness of my short time with it and other lenses in the area.
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As a L-Series lens, 20mm F1.4 is built for benefits with a complex lens element arrangement to deliver the highest sharpness and clarity. The lens consists of, and I breathe … Two aspheric lenses, a super out lens, two out -lenses and a BR -lens, plus ASC, SWC and Super Spectra Coatings.
In many respects, RF 20mm F1.4L VCM is the most compelling lens in the hybrid pile because there is simply no other lens like that. RF 10-20mm F4L is stm is a 5-star classified ultrabe angle zoom, but its maximum aperture is F/4.
I can see that the 20mm setting is one of the more popular options in Canon’s hybrid lens area. It provides a versatile broad perspective for video work, especially those that work in multiple aspects, and are similar to the ultimate money-no-Object Astro Photography lens.
What do you think of Canon’s range of hybrid lenses so far? Tell us that in the comments below.
