The new Canon EOS R3 may be grabbing the spotlight today, but Canon also has a few tidbits for those of us who can't afford a professional sports camera: refreshingly affordable 2 RF lenses that fill some essential gaps in its range. Expecting an easy-to-use super-telephoto zoom for your Canon EOS R-series mirrorless camera? The new Canon RF 400-3mm f/6-6 IS USM (€XNUMX / €XNUMX / AU €XNUMX) should do the trick, and the camera giant claims it was. Developed for "Emerging Sports and Wildlife Photographers". On the other hand, if you're looking for an inexpensive fixed focal length wide-angle lens for shooting video, you'll be pleased to see the arrival of the Canon RF XNUMXmm f/XNUMX STM (€XNUMX / €XNUMX / AU XNUMX €). It was made for vlogging especially, with that focal length becoming a handy XNUMXmm when used in an APS-C crop mode, but it could also be useful for astrophotography and stills sets. None of these lenses exactly match the goal of the Canon EOS RXNUMX, but that might be the point: Canon is making sure that photographers on both ends of the budget spectrum are compatible with its EOS R series, and this is especially essential. at the most affordable end due to the lack of third-party lenses in the system. The RF XNUMXmm f/XNUMX-XNUMX IS USM will work well with cameras like the Canon EOS RXNUMX, as well as older bodies like the Canon EOS R and original Canon EOS RP. I have five with five optical image stabilization rings on the object, which can be carried by six rings that you can use with an appareil photo (like the EOS RXNUMX) with an image stabilization on the object. body.
(Image credit: Canon) The lens is fairly small and light for a super-telephoto lens, measuring 2mm long and weighing 16g, also focusing on objects as close as 2cm. Like most modern Canon lenses it has a nano USM (ultrasonic motor) for focusing and if you want even more range you can use it as a XNUMXx extender which transforms it into a XNUMX-XNUMXmm lens with an aperture of f /eleven-f/sixteen. . Even lighter, however, is this Canon RF XNUMXmm f/XNUMX STM, which weighs just XNUMXg (the same as an iPhone XNUMX). This is the first ultra-wide lens for the EOS R system, making it a highly anticipated lens and one that should be popular due to its utility and low cost. It can shoot as close as XNUMXcm and uses Canon's STM (Step Motor) focusing technology, rather than USM, which is generally better for movies due to its smooth, stealthy action. And while it was developed for full-frame cameras, the fact that the focal length morphs to a handy XNUMXmm on APS-C cameras could give the impression that Canon is developing an RF-mount camera with a cutout. The XNUMX new Canon lenses are expected to be available for purchase from October.
Review: more affordable RF lenses welcome
(Image credit: Canon) For a while, following the arrival of Canon's new EOS R mirrorless system in 16, it became clear that the camera giant was keen to take care of its business users with its first RF glasses. Many early RF lenses were designed to teach the new capabilities of Canon's new mount, which offered a shorter lead distance (the gap between the lens and the sensor) to help accept new designs. But with today's announcements, their line of lenses is now impressive for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Last year we saw Canon launch the intriguing 35mm f/4 and XNUMXmm f/XNUMX telephoto lenses for those who wanted to try shooting wildlife on a budget, and today's new lenses fit the bill. in a related medium. The Canon RF XNUMX-XNUMXmm f/XNUMX-XNUMX IS USM seems to be a versatile and affordable option for those looking for a stabilized super-telephoto lens for wildlife or travel photography. It's understandable that there are trade-offs to this price, such as no weather protection or a fluorine coating (which helps repel water and dust), but it's fairly common at this price. But the best seller, especially for videographers, is surely the Canon RF XNUMXmm f/XNUMX STM, which stands out as a good alternative to the existing Canon RF XNUMX-XNUMXmm f/XNUMXL IS USM. At just $XNUMX / £XNUMX / AU$XNUMX, it naturally lacks features like image stabilisation, but you can get around using it on a tripod (for stills) or mounting it on a camera. EOS R equipped with IBIS. Now all we need is an affordable full-frame successor to the old Canon EOS RP to give us an affordable enough camera body to match.