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The best Canon RF lenses for video

With leading technologies including smooth and powerful AF motors, superior image stabilisation and electronic focus breathing correction, Canon RF lenses have much to offer today's filmmakers. But which are the best RF lenses for video?
Five Canon hybrid RF lenses pictured against a black background.

Some lenses are best for stills and others are best for video, but Canon’s hybrid RF lenses provide the best of both worlds. From cinematic capabilities to a dedicated Iris Ring 1 , these features give the hybrid lenses a competitive edge and make them a must-have for videography and photography.

Canon's mirrorless 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@ System has been designed with the needs of videographers and filmmakers in mind right from the start. From the groundbreaking Canon EOS C80 and 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 C Cinema EOS cameras to revolutionary RF lenses such as the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE for 180° VR productions, the advanced RF lens mount at the heart of the design unlocks new opportunities for innovative video cameras and lenses.

A normal cinema lens tends to be relatively large because it incorporates a mechanical mechanism to help overcome focus breathing. But the high-speed communication of the RF mount and the use of VCMs2 and Nano USMs to control the focusing and floating lens groups means that they can suppress focus breathing optically without the need to use large mechanisms , enabling a very compact lens design.

Why is an RF lens ideal for shooting video?

Another aspect of RF lenses that's been specifically developed for video is the aperture mechanism. All RF lenses enable the aperture to be adjusted in 1/8 stop increments, which is much more precise than the 1/3 stops used for stills photography. "Changing the aperture in 1/3 stop increments while you're filming creates noticeable step changes in brightness," says Tibor Sz?vetes, Canon Europe Product Marketing Specialist. "But with 1/8 stop adjustments, that change is extremely smooth and imperceptible.”

Canon hybrid RF lenses for video and stills offer even more refined control of the aperture. Hybrid lenses such as the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM and RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z are equipped with an Iris Ring1 that supports manual 1/32-stop adjustments while filming movies. A switch on the lens can be used to mechanically lock the Iris Ring in the ‘A’ position, enabling electronic adjustments of the aperture to be made via the camera when shooting stills. More recent cameras such as the 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@1 and 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 Mark II support the Iris Ring for both video and stills.

Canon hybrid RF lenses have a similar colour balance to the range of Canon CN-R Prime lenses, which are known for their refined optical performance, accurate colour reproduction and fast T-stops. This means that during grading there will be less need to align the colour of the footage recorded with different lenses. This enables hybrid RF lenses and RF Cine Primes to be used interchangeably on a production.

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The expanding hybrid RF lens range

The Canon hybrid RF lens range includes primes and zooms, with each type of lens sharing a consistent lightweight design that makes for an efficient workflow, whether you’re shooting video, stills or a blend of both. The hybrid RF prime lenses each have the same fast f/1.4 maximum aperture and dimensions, for example, with all the control rings and custom buttons positioned in the same place. This makes it easy to switch between the lenses and operate them in the same way, Tibor explains. “Even the weight difference is minimal, which is useful when you’re shooting video on a gimbal, as you’ll only have to make minor adjustments to keep everything in balance if you change the lens.”

The hybrid RF zoom lenses also share a common design, including an Iris Ring, a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture across the zoom range and an 82mm filter thread size. Where the hybrid prime lenses provide the faster aperture values and cinematic look that some filmmakers crave, the hybrid zooms provide flexibility and reach, and enable dynamic reframing of scenes without the need to switch lenses.

These are just a few of the features that make RF lenses great for video, but which of the growing range of RF zooms and primes offers the most creative features for filmmakers? Here is a selection of the best Canon RF lenses for video to consider, to pair with the RF mount models among the best Canon cameras for video.

A close-up of a Canon camera with a Canon rf-24mm-f1.4l-vcm lens on a gimbal arm being used on a rocky seashore.

The RF mount has allowed Canon to rewrite the lens design rulebook to create hybrid lenses such as the Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM. “Thanks to the large mount, the short flange back and the high-speed communication, we are able to achieve more in a smaller package and create brand new lenses that were impossible or improbable with a traditional mount,” says Canon Europe’s Tibor Sz?vetes.

1. Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM

Best wide-angle Canon hybrid RF prime lens for video

The Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM provides a practical focal length for shooting video in confined spaces or for adding impact to exterior scenes and establishing shots with full-frame cameras such as the EOS C80 and 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 Mark II. Its bright maximum aperture makes it an excellent choice when shooting in low light, while the combined power of VCM and Nano USM focus motors provide rapid and silent AF that’s perfect for video and stills.

 A Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM lens.

Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM

The 24mm wide angle of view and fast f/1.4 aperture make this hybrid lens the perfect choice for creative storytelling in stills and video alike.

“Having two focusing motors inside the lens allows focus breathing to be reduced to a minimum optically when shooting movies, enabling the lens’s field-of-view to be maintained during focus pulls,” explains Tibor. “It can be further suppressed in EOS cameras that support digital focus breathing correction, but the optical suppression in the hybrid RF lenses is so good that any digital improvements are barely noticeable.”

As a professional L-series hybrid lens, the canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM has a weather-resistant build that’s designed with durability in mind. Its advanced design extends to the optics too, which include one Aspherical and two UD (ultra-low dispersion) elements, plus SWC, ASC and Super Spectra Coatings, ensuring that it delivers the outstanding image quality that’s required for critical photography and video work.

A night sky view with silhouetted trees and faint, distorted stars.

A demonstration of the value of filters on the rear of a lens. This image was taken without a filter. Taken on a Canon 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 Mark II with a Canon Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM lens at 6 sec, f/1.4 and ISO 800.

A night sky view with silhouetted trees and more distinct, sharper stars.

This shot was taken with a soft filter on the rear of the lens, but all settings exactly the same. The stars in the sky appear markedly brighter and more distinct without significant distortion.

A gelatine filter holder on the rear of the lens is another practical addition. “It’s something that it has in common with the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM,” adds Tibor. “With a wide-angle lens, the light has to bend a lot more to reach the sensor. If you put a filter on the front of the lens, you may see coma distortion of point light sources such as stars. Having the filter on the back of the lens, closer to the sensor, means that the light rays inside the camera are straighter and optical distortion is less likely to happen.”

Designed for the needs of filmmakers and videographers, Canon's RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is a solid prime lens choice. Lightweight and hybrid, it allows for variety.

2. Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM

Best standard-wide prime Canon hybrid RF lens for video

The Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is a notable addition to the 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@ System line-up. Despite its impressive f/1.4 aperture, this lens is noticeably lighter and more aligned to the size of the other primes in the range, for ease of interchange on video rigs. This is good news for hybrid shooters looking to achieve that ‘cinematic’ look with a smaller camera rig while also allowing more accessibility with freehand filming without the fear of fatigue.

A Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM lens.

Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM

A hybrid lens designed for stills and video, with a natural wide angle of view and a fast f/1.4 aperture.

This impressive performance is made possible by the lens’s advanced optical design, which includes two each of Aspherical and UD lenses. The curvature of the aspherical lenses mean light rays can converge to a single point creating a sharper image. Similarly using UD glass means an overall better performance due to its low refractive index and low dispersion, two elements that naturally produce better quality images.

Professional photographers and videographers often face challenging conditions in the field. The RF 35mm F1.4L VCM’s bright maximum aperture of f1.4 is incredibly useful when shooting in low-light conditions, allowing for a more artistic blur to isolate your subject from the background. In addition, its water and dust resistant design, combined with near-silent VCM and Nano USM focusing makes this lens ideal for shooting everything from intimate interviews in the field to documentary subjects at close quarters.

A close-up of a Canon camera with a Canon RF-50mm-F1-4L-VCM lens filming a seated man, just visible out of focus in the background.

Canon’s VCM focusing technology is incorporated in the RF 50mm F1.4L VCM. “This type of high-torque motor is important for our fast hybrid prime lenses, as it enables the larger focusing lens groups to be driven efficiently,” Tibor explains. “The Nano USM motor moves the smaller elements smoothly and silently too, and both groups can be controlled independently.”

3. Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM

Best standard prime Canon hybrid RF lens for video

The Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM provides a natural perspective on a full-frame camera, making it a great choice for filming people. It shares the same design as the other hybrid RF prime lenses, which is a significant benefit for single operator filmmakers or small production companies. “It’s important that they are able to easily swap lenses in their rig,” Tibor says. “The Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM, RF 35mm F1.4L VCM and Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM make this effortless because they are identical in size and have the same 67mm filter diameter. They are also optically matched in terms of colour profile, so you’re not going to see any change in the colour reproduction of a scene.”

 A Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM lens.

Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM

With its natural perspective and fast f/1.4 aperture, this hybrid lens is ideal for portraits, reportage and video with a cinematic look.

With its large maximum aperture, the Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM is not only a consummate low-light performer, it also helps you to isolate the subject in an incredibly cinematic way. An 11-blade aperture and both UD and Aspherical lens elements have been incorporated into the design, giving a signature blend of outstanding sharpness and beautiful blur.

“The 11-blade aperture provides more attractive, circular bokeh than a 9-blade aperture that you’d typically find on lens designed purely for stills photography,” Tibor adds. “You’ll also get a more pronounced starburst effect with specular highlights too. That’s going to give you a look closer to dedicated Canon Cine Prime lenses, which are also equipped with 11-blade apertures.”

An Iris Ring, Control Ring and customisable Lens Function button offer intuitive control over key settings, while the VCM and Nano USM focusing technology provide rapid, quiet autofocus and smooth pull-focus effects. In short, the Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM is sharp, smooth and fast, but it also delivers a stunning cinematic look.

A user’s hands hold a Canon camera with an RF-70-200mm-F2-8L-IS-USM-Z lens with Power Zoom filming a person playing piano on a stage in the background.

“The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is a versatile video lens, ideal for documentary and newsgathering as it gives you the ability to zoom into scenarios and isolate the subject from further away,” says Tibor. “It is also compatible with the Canon Power Zoom Adapters, which provide smooth zoom movements, the ability to control the lens remotely and more.”

4. RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z

Best telephoto zoom Canon hybrid RF lens for video

Sometimes, only a longer lens will do. If you can’t physically get closer to the subject, or you want to intentionally shoot from further away to capture a different perspective, then a telephoto lens opens up new creative possibilities. A 70-200mm zoom is one of the most versatile short telephotos you can use, providing a range of focal lengths that’s perfect for filming people, corporate events, weddings and more.

 A Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z lens.

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z

This 70-200mm telephoto lens offers a constant f/2.8 aperture with 5.5-stop image stabilisation, ideal for hybrid shooting professionals looking for extra flexibility and reach.

The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z offers a substantial upgrade in performance over its EF 70-200mm f/2.8 professional zoom predecessor. Three Aspherical elements, two Super UD, one UD element and Air Sphere Coating ensure incredible optical quality, while an 11-blade circular aperture renders out-of-focus cinematically.

The lens continues to perform in challenging situations too, thanks to weather-sealing, fluorine coatings and a powerful 5.5-stop Optical Image Stabilizer that delivers up to 7.5-stops of stability at the centre of the image and up to 7-stops in the corners when it's paired with a camera that has In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) such as the 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 Mark II.

Like the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens, this hybrid RF zoom features Dual Nano USM autofocus. Using two autofocus motors enables two different lens groups to be controlled independently, with a floating lens group providing the lens’s outstanding suppression of focus breathing. Another benefit of being able to move the floating focus group is that you can increase the focusing distance range internally, so it focuses much closer than the EF version – right down to 70cm.

Both the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z and the RF 24mm F1.4L VCM have identical dimensions and the same 82mm filter thread size, making for quick and easy zoom lens changes on a rig. The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is available with an optional heat-resistant white finish, though, which is useful when shooting in areas where the lens will be exposed to the sun for extended periods.

“The white version is therefore very useful for sports and wildlife filmmaking and photography,” Tibor explains, “and the heat-resistant coating remains effective even if it’s concealed by camouflage.” The black version of RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is designed to meet the needs of videographers, who typically want to avoid any potential reflections in darker scenes.

A user wearing a floral shirt and seated on a bright red wooden bench attaches a Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z lens to a Canon camera.

The Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z is a hybrid lens that blends characteristics from other areas of Canon's lineup," explains John Maurice, Canon Europe Senior Product Marketing Manager. "The lens name has a letter Z at the end to indicate that it is compatible with the latest Power Zoom accessories.”

5. RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z

Best multipurpose zoom Canon hybrid RF lens for video

When you need one lens to do it all and be able to react spontaneously to changing situations, reach for this lightweight, L-series hybrid RF zoom. The RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z covers a wide range of standard focal lengths, making it a great option for documentary and entertainment use, where you need to cover a lot of shots at speed. It’s a great interview lens too, allowing you to move from an establishing shot to a two-shot to a headshot with a turn of the short-throw zoom ring.

The constant f/2.8 aperture provides creative control over the depth of field at all focal lengths, with Dual Nano USM focusing minimising focus breathing and providing professional parfocal focus capability. “This means that when you’re zooming during video, you’re not going to lose focus, which can easily happen with older lenses or lenses that are not designed with video in mind,” Tibor says.

A Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z lens.

Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z

A professional 24-105mm zoom lens for filmmaking and stills, combining a fast and bright f/2.8 aperture plus exceptional sharpness, ideal for hybrid workflows.

If you’re shooting ‘run-and-gun’ style video or simply filming handheld, then the lens's 5.5-stop Image Stabilizer3 is a significant advantage. When the RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z is used with a camera that has IBIS, then up to 8-stops of coordinated image stabilisation4 is possible.

Manual controls are plentiful on the RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z too. In addition to a smooth-action focusing ring and wide zoom ring, it’s equipped with an Iris Ring, a Control Ring and two user-assignable Lens Function buttons. Like the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z, it’s also compatible with the optional Power Zoom Adapters PZ-E2 or PZ-E2B for professional control of the zooming action with third-party accessories via the 20-pin interface.

Hands holding a Canon camera with a Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z lens and Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2B attached.

“The Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z, pictured here with the Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2B, is designed for use with supported RF mount cameras," Canon Europe’s John Maurice says. "The ideal pairings will be with mid- to higher-tier cameras such as the EOS C80 and 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 C from the Cinema EOS lineup, and the 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@3, 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 Mark II and 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@6 Mark II."

A user’s hand plugs a lead into a Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2B attached to a Canon zoom lens.

The Canon Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2B enables smooth remote control of the zoom function on a hybrid lens. The zoom operations can be assigned to custom buttons on compatible cameras, and the zoom mode switch allows you to quickly switch between Servo and Manual zoom.

Canon Power Zoom Adapters

Canon Power Zoom Adapters PZ-E2 and PZ-E2B are optional accessories that provide precise, controlled zoom movement when shooting video with Canon hybrid RF zoom lenses. The adapters are equipped with wide/tele buttons for smooth zooming, a zoom speed adjustment dial and a convenient USB-C interface that can be used to power the device for extended shooting times and faster zooming.

The ergonomic design of these lightweight adapters means they can be operated comfortably in the hand, or when the lens is mounted to a rig or attached to a gimbal or tripod. Remote operation of the zoom is possible using the Canon Camera Connect app or Canon EOS Utility. Control over an IP network is also possible on supported cameras using Canon’s XC Protocol.

Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2B has a 20-pin remote connector that enables compatible zoom/focus demands to be attached. “Professional 20-pin zoom and focus demands provide precise, ergonomic, and remote lens control, enabling smoother, consistent adjustments without camera shake, all of which are crucial for camera operators working in professional and high-quality video production,” Tibor says. The PZ-E2B also works with Canon Zoom Servo Grip ZSG-C10 for ENG and ‘run-and-gun’ shooting, and supports virtual production with the RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z via its 20-pin terminal.

The Canon CN-R Prime lineup, pictured with a Canon 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 C camera.

Canon's CN-R Prime lenses are the first dedicated cinema lenses for RF mount cameras, offering the outstanding image quality and precise control that professional filmmakers working in drama, documentary, indie film and music videos require.

A Canon CN-R Prime lens mounted on an 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 C alongside a CN-Prime lens and a Sumire Prime lens.

"The design of the CN-R Primes is consistent with the CN-E and Sumire Primes," says Ram. "The filter diameter is identical, so you can utilise the same filters or matte box, and they share a consistent 300° focus ring rotational angle – which is important for people who are follow focusing and want to ensure the same focus throw from one lens to another."

6. CN-R Primes

Best Canon RF lenses for cinematic productions

"Canon cinema lenses are engineered to meet the high standards of cinematographers and video production," explains Ram Sarup, Canon Europe Product Marketing Specialist. "The focus and iris rings have longer rotation for more precise adjustments than photography lenses, they have reduced focus breathing, and their gearing enables you to use a variety of third-party manual and wireless follow focus accessories, enabling versatile control and operation regardless of the production size.

Canon CN-R Primes

Designed for professional filmmakers, these high-performance cinema lenses offer exceptional image quality and versatility.

"The CN-R Prime lenses have all the capabilities of our full-frame CN-E Primes, but with the added benefits that come with the RF mount. When you're looking at it from a video perspective, the biggest asset is the speed at which lens information can be output to the camera. Metadata is vital for visual effect workflows and virtual productions, which have increased so much in recent years.”

Optical quality is exceptional. Each of the CN-R Primes is equipped with an 11-blade iris – a distinctive feature they share with Canon hybrid lenses, that sets them apart from RF photography lenses. "That adds to the character of the lens," adds Ram. "Especially in terms of the bokeh, the halation and sun stars.”

"They share the same image quality characteristics as our CN-E Primes. This means they have a very sharp and clean optical performance, which makes them perfect for 8K, 4K and HDR productions."

Build quality is equally impressive. The lenses are constructed to the same high standards as the CN-E Primes and Sumire Primes, but the extended length of the RF mount cinema lenses and the knurled design of the mounting ring provides an extra level of comfort when changing lenses and shooting handheld.

For Canon EOS C80 and 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@5 C users who have been using EF mount lenses on their RF mount cameras via an EF-365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@ adapter, the ability to have a dedicated video lens is a big advantage, suggests Ram. "One thing that's true for any adapter that you buy from any manufacturer, is that eventually you could start to see some play between the adapter, the lens and the camera body – especially if you're frequently changing lenses, using large and heavy lenses, or working on a production where cameras are mounted on vehicles and constantly being whipped around. The RF mount gives you a more rigid and reliable connection between lens and body.”

Marcus Hawkins
  1. When shooting movies and operating the Iris Ring whilst AF is in operation, on rare occasions, focusing and aperture values could be inconsistent when using 365bet体育投注_365bet体育娱乐场-app官方下载@ System cameras released before May 2024
  2. Important: The Voice Coil Motor in the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM, rf-24mm-f1.4l-vcm and rf-50mm-f1-4l-vcm lenses emits a low-level magnetic field. While generally safe to use, we advise consulting your doctor if you have a pacemaker or any other medical device to address any concerns.
  3. Tested under CIPA Standards.
  4. When using a camera featuring In-Body Image Stabilisation (IBIS) according to CIPA standards.

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