Confirmed ! Canon RF 35mm f/1.2L USM Lens to be Announced in Early 2024 !
Rumors have swirled for years about Canon releasing an RF 35mm f/1.2L USM lens, but the company has finally confirmed it’s coming in the first half of 2024. After some false starts over predicted release dates and specifications, the eagerly anticipated prime lens for Canon’s mirrorless RF mount is real.
The RF 35mm f/1.2L USM will feature an extremely wide maximum aperture of f/1.2, allowing tremendous light-gathering ability and depth-of-field control. There were conflicting reports on whether Canon would opt for a slightly slower f/1.4 aperture, but they have committed to the faster f/1.2 lens. While the real-world differences between f/1.2 and f/1.4 are minimal, the marketing value of the faster lens remains high.
No detailed specifications for the RF 35mm f/1.2L USM have been released yet. But based on patents filed over the last year, we can expect a focal length around 34mm, a maximum aperture from f/1.2 to f/1.3, and an overall length around 60-155mm depending on the optical formula. Image quality should be stellar with advanced glass elements and coatings to control aberrations and distortions.
As Canon’s elite line of L-series lenses, the “Luxury” designation indicates premium performance and build quality with dust and moisture resistance. The 35mm focal length is a versatile prime lens suited for everything from landscapes to environmental portraits with its classic wide angle of view. On Canon’s RF full frame mirrorless cameras with short flange distances, the 35mm f/1.2L USM should deliver outstanding edge-to-edge image quality.
The introduction of this lens addresses demand from professional and enthusiast photographers for extremely fast aperture wide-angle primes to make use of the RF mount’s capabilities. It joins the high-end RF 50mm f/1.2L USM and RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lenses as statement pieces showcasing Canon’s optical mastery. Expect incredible bokeh and the ability to shoot in very low light conditions handheld.
Pricing remains unannounced, but will likely be over $2000 positioning it as a luxury product only for serious hobbyists and working professionals. The RF 35mm f/1.2L USM should spark new interest and demand for Canon’s RF ecosystem when it arrives in 2024.