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Canon is achieving the same performance with the mirrorless RF lenses as it did with the EF lenses today. The company has some popular offerings, such as the RF 10-20mm f4 L, the RF 50mm f1.2 L USM, the RF 100mm Macro, and the RF 100-400mm f5.6-8 IS USM, which have performed well. However, with the nifty-fifty being one of the most choice for wedding, portrait, street, event, and food phtoography, the company has revealed a new patent for this focal range. What does it offer? Let’s have a look.
First reported by Asobinet, patent number 2025121460 showcases multiple examples of a 50mm f1.4 lens. The report was submitted on February 7, 2024, and was recently published. It shows the system is built to be compact and have a wide aperture. However, the lens does not seem like your usual lens, but appears to be a variant in the Voice Coil Motor (VCM) series. The new system is designed for hybrid use. Here is a look at the design:
Example 1
- Focal length: 49.50
- F-number: 1.46
- Half angle of view: 24.04
- Image height: 21.64
- Total length: 117.49
- Back focal length: 14.66
While the company launched the RF 50mm f1.4 VCM last year, this new patent hints at a fresh take on the popular focal range. The report suggests that the new lens will control chromatic aberration much better. Canon states that with wide-aperture lenses, when one shifts focus from a closer distance to infinity, they face the challenge of aberration. As a result, the new lens hopes to overcome this. In addition, it will be lightweight and also improve autofocus.
As reported in our review of the 50mm VCM variant, the lens is pretty good. It is sharp, fast to focus, and built solidly. However, there is no image stabilisation, and it is somewhat pricey for some photographers. As most patents never materialize into actual products, this could be one such case. The VCM variant is great, and it is cheaper and lighter than the 50mm f1.2 lens. However, if the company is truly serious about launching a new hybrid lens, then they must launch a new f1.2 variant.
The original f1.2 lens was launched in 2018, lacked image stabilisation, and cost about $2500. However, despite weighing 950g, the lens excelled at sharpness, fast autofocus, and weather sealing. If Canon is able to achieve the same results again in the VCM lineup, then more photographers will want to stay with their system. Moreover, we are in 2025, and by the time the lens actually makes it to the market, it will likely be 2026 or 2027. So, more innovation is the only way forward.
