Canon now has three fast f/1.4 L VCM lenses built specifically for hybrid producers, with the addition of the RF 50mm f/1.4 L. The new RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM, like the RF 24mm f/1.4 L VCM launched today and the RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM disclosed in June, is the same size and shape, with the only difference being internal construction and weight.

The new RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM is a standard lens with a natural-looking field of view that should be ideal for portraits, but it is also suitable for reportage, street photography, and even landscapes.

The RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM has 14 components organized into 11 groups. The lens contains a single UD lens and two aspherical lens elements. It also has Canon’s Air Sphere Coating (ASC), Super Spectra Coating (SSC), Subwavelength Coating (SWC), and fluorine coating.

The new lens, as designed for hybrid shooters, must have fast and smooth autofocus capability. Everything, including still photography, requires speed, but seamless focus adjustments and minimum focus breathing are especially important in video. The RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM guarantees minimal focus breathing thanks to a highly crafted optical design, while speed is provided by Canon’s Nano USM (Ultrasonic Motor) and VCM (Voice Coil Motor) actuators. The lens can focus as close as 0.4 meters (15.7 inches), for a maximum magnification of 0.15x.

With a fast f/1.4 aperture, the lens promises silky smooth bokeh. The lens includes an 11-bladed aperture diaphragm that can be controlled using a dedicated aperture control ring located near the lens mount. This aperture control ring is compatible with photo and video cameras such as the R1 and R5 II, as well as other Canon EOS R system cameras.

As previously stated, the dust and weather-resistant RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM lens is the same size as the RF 24mm f/1.4 L VCM and the RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM. All three lenses measure 99.3 millimeters (3.9 inches) long, 76.5 millimeters (three inches) wide, and use 67mm filters. The lenses’ weights differ slightly. The RF 24mm is the lightest of the lot, at 515 grams (1.1 pounds), and the RF 35mm weighs 555 grams (1.2 pounds). The RF 50mm f/1.4 L VCM weighs somewhat more, at 580 grams (1.3 pounds).