New wide-angle RF lenses from Canon

Canon has two new and affordable full frame RF lenses for your kit bag, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM and the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM.

Canon keeps expanding its RF lens line-up, and the two new units look suited to a variety of genres of photography and vlogging at a price point that usefully looks achievable by many.

The RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (above) is a compact wide-angle 24mm prime lens. Fast, bright, and image stabilised, it performs well in low light scenarios with a f/1.8 maximum aperture and circular, 9-blade design. This, Canon says, also creates a beautifully soft background, that makes the subject stand out sharply in the image. When used with an APS-C sensor camera, this lens also gives an effective focal length similar to 35mm.

Weight is just 270g and also featuring a gear type STM motor for fast and quiet focusing in a small form factor, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM is a decent shout for travel and landscape photographers wanting to shoot on the go. A minimum focusing distance of 14cm (0.5x magnification), allows users to get extremely up close and personal to their subject.

A customisable Lens Control Ring allows photographers to easily fine tune ISO, aperture, and switch between AF methods, while a dedicated focus ring gives greater control during manual focusing. With 11 elements in 9 groups, the RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM employs super spectra coating to prevent ghosting and flare,  as well as a 5-stop Optical Image Stabilizer which increases to 6.5-stops of IS when used alongside an EOS R series body featuring Canon’s In Body Image Stabilizer.

The RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM (above) boasts a 15 – 30mm focal range which is firmly in the sweet spot for capturing travel, landscapes or vlogs. It has a 5.5-stop Optical Image Stabilizer, and, when used with an EOS R System body featuring In Body Image Stabilizer, users can obtain up to 7 stops for steady stills and video. It weighs just 390g and features a leadscrew-type STM focusing motor, while a new optical design features aspherical and precision moulded elements and lens coatings. A combined Focus and Lens Control Ring allows users to manipulate settings without ever taking their eye off the scene or subject.

Compatible with the EOS R, EOS RP and EOS R6, Canon is possibly targeting them even more at its new APS-C models, the EOS R7 and EOS R10, thanks to the wide-angle focal lengths.

The RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM will retail at £719.99 inc VAT, with the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM coming in at £669.99 inc VAT.