Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM Price, Specs, Availability Announced

The new Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is aimed at experienced stills and video shooters who want a fast optic suited to documentary, journalistic and street work.

According to Canon, the new RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is not just a duplicate of the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, it has a new optical design, but it's still made up of 14 elements arranged in 11 groups. Amongst those elements, there are two UD (ultra-low dispersion) and two aspherical elements. The ultra-low dispersion elements correct chromatic aberration while the aspherical elements are there to ensure high image quality across the frame while helping to keep the size of the lens down.

Canon's ASC (Air Sphere Coating) and Super Spectra coating are also applied to elements to minimise flare and ghosting.

In addition, as we'd expect with a Canon L-series lens, the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is weather-sealed.

The Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is supplied with the EW-73F lens hood and has a control/manual focus ring as well as an aperture ring, but the aperture ring only operates in video mode.

The Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM has two types of autofocus motor, nano-USM (ultra-sonic motor) and VCM (voice coil motor). The VCM is used for its speed and quiet operation while the Nano USM drives a dedicated floating element.

At its closest focusing distance of 28cm from the sensor, the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM gives a magnification of 0.18x. Focus breathing is also said to be controlled well so that the framing doesn't change much as the focus distance is altered.

At 99.3mm in length, and 76.5mm in diameter, the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is smaller than the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM (80.4 x 105.5mm) and at 555g, it's 205g lighter.

Although the new lens has an aperture ring, like the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z hybrid zoom that was announced in November 2023, it is only useful in video mode. That's a shame; it would be nice to be able to use it for stills photography too.

Interestingly, although the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM can accept 67mm screw-in filters, it also has a removable rear filter holder for gel filters.

The Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM has a metal mount and is sealed against moisture and dust.

Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM Price and Availability

The Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is expected to retail for £1849 / $1499 / €2049 and go on sale in July 2024.

The aperture settings runs from f/1.4 to f16, plus there’s an ‘A’ for automatic option.

Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM Specifications

• Lens type: Full-frame wide-angle prime

• Date announced: 5th June 2024

• Lens mount: Canon RF

• Lens construction: 14 elements in 11 groups with 2 UD and 2 aspherical elements

• Coatings: ASC and Super Spectra coating, fluorine-coated front element

• Image stabilisation: 7.0 stops with a stabilised EOS camera

• Weather-sealed: Yes

• Aperture blades: 11

• Maximum aperture: F/1.4

• Minimum Aperture: F/16

• Focus motor: Nano USM and Voice Coil Motor (VCM)

• Closest focusing distance: 28cm

• Maximum magnification: x 0.18

• Diameter x length: 76.5 x 99.3mm

• Weight: 555g

• Filter: 67mm