The landscape of professional standard zoom lenses is on the verge of a major shift. For years, Canon users looking for the ultimate walk-around lens have had to make a tough choice: pick the bread-and-butter RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM for its optical stabilization and classic focal range, or opt for the massive RF 28-70mm f/2L USM, a “halo” product renowned for its prime-like aperture but held back by its heft and lack of stabilization.
According to recent reports, Canon is looking to eliminate this dilemma entirely. The company is heavily rumored to amalgamate these two distinct philosophies into a single, groundbreaking optic: an RF 24-70mm f/2L IS VCM.
The Race for Ultra-Fast Zooms
The drive behind this new lens stems from tightening competition in the mirrorless market. Sony recently shook up the industry with its FE 28-70mm f/2 GM, a lens that manages to match the weight of Canon’s current f/2.8 variant while offering a much brighter maximum aperture. Sony is also rumored to be building out an entire “f/2 holy trinity,” including a pending 16-28mm f/2 GM and a 50-150mm f/2 GM.
With competitor lenses proving that fast glass no longer requires a 1.4 kg “boat anchor” on your camera body, Canon is poised to respond.
What to Expect: Features and Weight Savings
The rumored RF 24-70mm f/2L IS VCM is expected to introduce several key advancements:
VCM Focus Motor: Incorporating Voice Coil Motor technology will allow for incredibly fast, silent autofocus—a massive benefit for modern hybrid shooters who split their time between stills and video.
Significant Weight Savings: By utilizing modern computational corrections to manage wide-end distortion digitally, Canon aims to keep this lens remarkably compact, potentially pushing the total weight under 1 kg.
Image Stabilization (IS): Unlike the older 28-70mm f/2, this new lens will feature optical image stabilization, making it a powerhouse for low-light, handheld shooting.
Streamlining a Crowded Lineup
Trimming the fat from the current RF catalog makes a lot of strategic sense. The 24mm to 105mm focal range is currently incredibly crowded, featuring everything from budget-friendly glass like the RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM to the massive, high-end RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z.
By combining the best attributes of their top two standard zooms, Canon can cater to a much broader audience of wedding, event, and editorial photographers who demand f/2 light gathering without sacrificing the crucial 24mm wide angle or adding excessive bulk to their gear bags.
While exact announcement dates remain vague, there is high confidence that a major L-series standard zoom will debut later this year. If the rumors hold true, the RF 24-70mm f/2L IS VCM could easily become the new gold standard for professional photographers.
via: CR