Canon has launched a set of lenses that carry the abbreviation VCM, quick for Voice Coil Motor, a quick and silent autofocus system. The primary three primes of this sequence are the RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM, the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM, and the RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM. Let’s take a look.
The primary lens with a Voice Coil Motor is the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L VCM. It’s a big lens, just like the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L VCM. Each are comparable in dimension and have a built-in zoom mechanism. I reviewed the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L VCM when it was launched.
Canon has added three primes to this new sequence of VCM lenses, and the fourth is on its manner as we communicate. The lenses I acquired from Canon Nederland had been the 24mm, 35mm, and the 50mm. All lenses have the identical most aperture of f/1.4 and have a devoted aperture ring.
These VCM lenses are focused at video, with a silent autofocus that works with a mix of the Nano Extremely Sonic Motor for floating focus and the Voice Coil Motor for the rear focus. The aperture ring is with out clicks and works in increments of 1/32 cease for a clean transition in publicity.
The RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM, RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM, and RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM have the identical dimension and weight. This enables for quick lens altering with out the necessity to rebalance a gimbal with every change. The filter diameter can also be the identical, which is handy when utilizing variable impartial density filters.
The lenses have a large and clean digital focusing ring, the well-known management ring, and a spotlight change. There’s a programmable button and a spring-loaded iris-lock change. You must depend on in-body picture stabilization since these lenses haven’t any built-in stabilization system.
Obligatory Picture Correction
Just like many trendy lenses from numerous producers, these VCM primes rely closely on in-camera lens correction. With out the lens correction enabled, the efficiency seems to be weak. Particularly the RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM has the strongest vignetting and barrel distortion of the three, carefully adopted by the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM.
Closing the aperture to f/8 improves issues considerably, however it’s nonetheless necessary to use lens correction. Canon guarantees the absolute best picture high quality due to the design optimized for high-resolution imaging and claims it permits for higher high quality in comparison with optical correction alone.
Trying on the sharpness of the middle and proper prime nook reveals good element, solely barely gentle within the nook at f/1.4. Closing the aperture to f/8 improves sharpness, as anticipated. The examples had been captured with in-camera lens correction enabled. It reveals how the lens correction doesn’t appear to degrade sharpness noticeably, if in any respect.
Bokeh and Flares
These three VCM primes all provide a most aperture of f/1.4. This enables plenty of mild via the lens, which is right in low-light circumstances with no need to lift the ISO an excessive amount of. That is particularly handy for video when there is no such thing as a alternative to vary the shutter velocity. It additionally permits for a shallow depth of subject and a delightful bokeh.
The dimensions of bokeh balls is determined by each distance and focal size. The shorter the focal size, the smaller the balls seem. Nevertheless, in all three instances the balls look clean, spherical, and don’t seem to have any onion rings. In direction of the corners, the balls tackle a cat-eye form.
I used the lenses throughout a marriage below harsh daylight, with out the lens hood. Though this doesn’t present the total extent of potential flares, it displays a real-world taking pictures state of affairs. I didn’t expertise any important flaring.
Autofocus
The mixture of the Nano USM and VCM autofocus methods permits for silent and very quick efficiency. The picture is concentrated the second you activate the autofocus. With servo AF, the topic stays in focus.
The lens doesn’t prolong throughout focusing, which is a blessing, because the autofocus is fully by wire. With out energy, it isn’t doable to vary focus manually or in any other case.
I checked for any focus respiratory and didn’t discover any. I’m unsure if that is because of the focusing system of the lens itself or digital correction within the digital camera.
Actual-World Use
I used these three VCM prime lenses primarily for an engagement shoot and a marriage. I feel these lenses are greatest suited to that sort of images. My expertise is usually based mostly on that use.
The compact dimension and lowered weight had been very handy in comparison with the lenses I normally use—particularly throughout an extended day at a marriage. Nevertheless, the same dimension and look made it troublesome to seize the proper lens by contact. I used to be compelled to test the focal size each time. It’s not an actual challenge, however one thing to concentrate on.
At first look, the aperture ring is a pleasant addition. I might have favored a button to activate clicks, making it simpler to maintain the aperture on the identical setting, and providing some suggestions when altering aperture.
Nevertheless, to make use of the aperture ring for images, the newest cameras are required. I used a Canon EOS R5 and a Canon EOS R5 Mark II for this marriage ceremony. The aperture ring labored on the latter, however not on the previous. To maintain issues easy, I set the aperture ring set to auto with the iris-lock button. This fashion, it behaved equally on each cameras.
Night time Sky Pictures
The RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM has potential for night time sky images. Nevertheless, I’ve had dangerous experiences with lenses that depend on in-camera lens correction. Particularly when stacking is concerned, lens correction can result in severe banding points. You possibly can disable lens correction for this function, however the vignetting and distortion are excessive with this lens.
I anticipated banding to happen when stacking a number of photographs for a brief star path. Surprisingly, banding was virtually fully absent. I did discover some combined outcomes when stacking photographs in StarStaX, however Photoshop posed no issues.
Conclusion
To be sincere, I’m not a fan of lenses that rely closely on lens correction. I want lenses which have an optical method that reduces lens errors as a lot as doable. This normally means bigger and heavier lenses, which I settle for.
Canon hasn’t launched an RF 24mm or RF 35mm with massive apertures but, besides on this VCM sequence. I just like the compact dimension together with the f/1.4 aperture. I additionally like having an aperture ring. However I don’t just like the necessary lens correction, particularly with the 24mm, which I want to use for night time sky images and stacking.
To my shock, even with lens correction utilized, the photographs are completely usable for the aim I take into account. So I’ve needed to change my opinion on that. These lenses are price contemplating, particularly at their cheap worth level.
Nevertheless, I do have an issue with the aperture ring and the way it’s applied. I might have most well-liked the choice to allow clicks. However greater than that, I don’t perceive why the aperture ring doesn’t work for nonetheless images on cameras launched earlier than 2025. It really works for video, with out exceptions, so why not for pictures?
There’s at all times the choice to make use of the auto setting and management the aperture with the scroll wheel. But when I’ve an aperture ring, I need to use it. It is a important downside for me. It makes me hesitant to purchase certainly one of these lenses. However for those who’re okay with it, these VCM lenses are well worth the cash.
What I Like
Small dimension and lightweight weight
Related dimension and weight for lens adjustments whereas utilizing on gimbal
No notable focus respiratory
Aperture ring with out clicks (for video)
Quick, silent, and dependable autofocus
Programmable button
Good picture high quality after lens correction
Minimal banding when stacking (is determined by software program)
Climate-sealed
Affordable worth
What I Dislike
The aperture ring doesn’t work for stills on older cameras
Obligatory in-camera lens correction
No chance to activate the clicks on the aperture ring
Arduous to tell apart by contact attributable to an identical dimension and weight (debatable)
No lens stabilization (debatable)
