Canon officially launched the first RF Lens designed for Hybrid Shooting - RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z - Canon HongKong

HONG KONG, 28^th December, 2023 — Canon officially launched the first RF Lens designed for Hybrid Shooting RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z. This new lens features iris ring for the first time among RF Lens and supports Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2 (optional), providing precise operation control as found in cinema lens during movie shooting. The lens also adopts an internal zoom design with fixed length, which achieves less change in center of gravity during zooming as well as smooth zoom operation. Covering a versatile 24-105mm range, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z promises sharp performance across varied perspectives, even under challenging light, thanks to its constant f2.8 aperture. Beautiful circular bokeh can be achieved via the lens’ 11 circular diaphragm blades, best for news, documentaries, corporate work, weddings, events, and social media content.

Designed for Hybrid Shooting
Being the first RF Lens designed for Hybrid Shooting, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z features iris ring (aperture control)^[1] for the first time among RF lens, which supports 1/32-stop aperture adjustment during movie shooting^[2]. Users can intuitively control exposure adjustment and degree of background blurs while enjoying light smooth torque feeling of the iris ring, similar to the operability found in cinema lens. In order to meet the needs of movie users, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z has been designed to support Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2 (Optional, available in March 2024), enabling the user to operate smooth zooming and minute adjustment of zoom speed. Attachment and detachment of this accessory can be managed without the use of a special tool.

RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z uses internal zoom design that achieved fixed length of the lens barrel even while operating zoom. Because the gravity center of the camera-lens system is not easily altered, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z supports stable composition and realizes comfortable shooting operation. This design is also advantageous when utilizing accessories, such as gimbal, for movie shooting. RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z also comes with a new tripod mount that can be easily attached and detached without the need of a special tool. As the camera and lens can be removed easily even when mounted on tripod of gimbal, it can promptly respond to changes of shooting style.

Versatile & Agile
RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, the world’s first 24-105mm focal length combined with consistent F2.8 specification^[3], is a lens that many professionals and amateurs have been waiting for. It combines the convenience and reach of the RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM lens, with the creative and low-light capability of the RF24-70mm F2.8L IS USM. This enables users to continuously shoot from 24mm up to the frequently used 105mm portrait focal length without switching lenses, bringing more flexibility to news, documentaries, corporate work, weddings, events, and social media content.

A large-diameter lens element can be placed close to the image plane by taking advantage of the large-aperture mount and short back focus, resulting in a maximum aperture of F2.8 throughout all zoom range. When compared to the RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM, the rich bokeh effect of the one-stop brighter F2.8 aperture is an attractive feature. The wider aperture also allows for faster shutter speeds to help prevent subject blurs. Its 11-blade circular diaphragm also allows the photographer to enjoy a beautiful, almost circular bokeh effect when the aperture is stopped down slightly.

The RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z has a short minimum focusing distance of 0.45m that allows you to get some really amazing close-up shots with magnification of up to 0.29x(at 105mm). This new lens brings a more versatile shooting experience for Portrait & Wedding, Press & Documentary, Sports & Action, and Video Production.

Superior Image Quality
RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z’s 23 elements in 18 groups optical design^[4] includes 1 Replica aspherical lens with higher surface precision than before and 2 GMo aspherical lenses to achieve high-level image quality throughout the entire screen. The Replica aspherical lens enhances the degree of flexibility in optical design and contributes to downsizing of the overall product. 4 UD lenses are also included in the optical system to reduce chromatic aberration throughout the zoom range. ASC (Air Sphere Coating) is also incorporated to suppress ghosting and reduces flare from the images.

The RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z adopts the "Electronic Floating Focus Control" technology with a "floating lens group" and a "focus lens group" for autofocus. With this technology, the positions of the "focus lens group" and "floating lens group" can change according to the focal length and subject distance without the need of complex zoom cam mechanism. Two Nano USMs are used to drive the "focus lens group" and "floating lens group" individually to reduce aberration fluctuation. In addition, the focus position is maintained by suppressing focus fluctuation during zooming through mechanical configuration and electrical control. This is effective for high-speed burst shooting and movie shooting while operating zoom.

When recording videos, a typical phenomenon that occurs is the 'lens breathing' in the footage whereby the camera's angle of view changes slightly during focus racking. The "Electronic Floating Focus Control" technology in RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z also reduces lens breathing in movie shooting, change in angle of view is suppressed even when focus distance changes.The RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z is also compatible with Focus Breathing Correction^[5] during movie shooting, further suppresses 'lens breathing' by compensating for the change in field of view when the focus point is changed, resulting in seamless video recording.

Outstanding Image Stabilization
The RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z provides up to 5.5-stop^[6] shake compensation, when used with compatible EOS R Series camera that have In-Body Image Stabilizer, up to 8.0-stop^[7] shake compensation can be achieve through Coordinated Control IS. This makes it ideal for handheld low-light shots, which typically calls for a tripod. With the powerful coordinated stabilization between the lens's Optical Image Stabilizer and In-Body Image Stabilizer of compatible cameras, get smooth natural-looking video recording even while shooting handheld.

Furthermore, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z is the first standard zoom lens to feature the 3-mode IS mode switch usually found on telephoto lenses, so users can easily change IS modes to suit the situation. IS Mode 1 for stationary subjects, suitable for Portrait shooting; IS Mode 2 for panning, suitable for shooting moving object like trains and cars etc; IS Mode 3 for subjects with unpredictable movement, for example football and basketball games.

Excellent operability and reliability
In addition to the RF lens control ring to adjust assigned settings such as ISO speed, shutter speed or aperture value directly from the lens, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z also incorporates two customizable Lens Function buttons on the body of the lens allow you to instantly access various functions related to AF, exposure, connectivity, and more. The lens has high level of durability and shock resistance with dust-and-water-resistant design^[8] to meet professional requirement. It also features fluorine coating on foremost lens surface to prevent dust, oil and water from sticking to the lens.

Suggested Retail Price
The new RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z is now available for sale. The suggested retail price is HK$24,980.

The accessories for RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z and their suggested retail prices are as follows:

[1] The iris ring cannot be used to set the aperture value when shooting still images. During movie shooting, when using the iris ring operation, focusing on a subject by autofocus may be difficult. In addition, the aperture value displayed on the camera may differ from the actual aperture value.
[2] Depends on camera setting, aperture value is displayed in 1/2-stop or 1/3-stop.
[3] As an AF interchangeable lens for full-frame sensor mirrorless cameras that have already been released as of November 1, 2023. (Based on Canon’s internal survey.)　
[4] Multiple exposure shooting is not supported on EOS R5/R6/R/Ra/RP, it is also not possible to shoot multiple exposures with another lens using images shot with this lens. The lens distortion correction on the camera is set to [Enable] automatically when in use.
[5] Available on EOS R6 Mark II / EOS R8 / EOS R50. As of 1st November 2023.
[6] CIPA Standard, Focal Length: 105mm, EOS R is used. In yaw/pitch direction.
[7] CIPA Standard, Focal Length: 105mm, EOS R3 is used. In yaw/pitch direction.
[8] With Dust-and-water-resistant EOS R series camera; however, it is not recommended for use under rain.