Canon has launched the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. These two new lenses, along with the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM which is due to launch later this year, make up Canon’s f/2.8 L “Holy Trinity” series for the RF mount.

Following the development announcement of six RF lenses in February and the recently launched RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM and RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM, the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM and RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM are the third and fourth RF lenses to be introduced by Canon in 2019. Launching later this year are the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM and RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS– the last two of six RF lenses.

“As the emergence of mirrorless cameras continue accelerating the market and with Canon’s deeply rooted heritage in optics, we are excited to expand the lens offerings and acquiesce the needs of EOS R users,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The technical improvements and features within these new RF lenses are needed to drive the market forward.”

Both lenses are around the same size but are heavier than their EF counterparts – the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 weighs 840g and the 24-70mm f/2.8 weighs 900g. Canon says that the RF 24-70 has substantially less focus breathing than the EF 24-70 f/2.8L II. That’s thanks to the system’s shorter flange distance, which allows for placement of the lens’ single focus element close to the sensor.

Both the 15-35 and 24-70 offer Dual Sensing IS, which uses information from the camera’s sensor to judge camera shake more precisely. A combination of lens IS and in-camera digital IS can be used while shooting video.

RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is a versatile wide-angle to the portrait-length lens with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. The optical design incorporates a series of aspherical and Ultra-Low Dispersion elements, which greatly reduce a variety of aberrations throughout the zoom range in order to produce sharp and clear imagery. An Air Sphere Coating has also been applied to suppress flare and ghosting when working in strong lighting conditions.

The Nano USM focus system is claimed to deliver fast, nearly silent autofocus performance with full-time manual focus override. An Image Stabilizer also compensates for up to five stops of camera shake to help produce sharper handheld shots in difficult lighting conditions. A unique Control Ring is also integrated into the lens design for intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself. Additionally, this 24-70mm is weather-sealed and has a fluorine coating to protect the front and rear elements.

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM will retail for $2,299.00.

RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM

Covering a versatile wide-angle focal length range, the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM features a bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture. The range of wide focal lengths suits working in a variety of situations, from landscape to documentary shooting.

The zoom features an advanced optical design that is claimed to greatly reduce color fringing and distortion for high clarity and sharpness. An Air-Sphere coating has also been applied to reduce flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color fidelity when working in bright conditions.

Complementing the imaging capabilities is an apt Nano USM focus system, which delivers fast, nearly silent autofocus performance with full-time manual focus override. An Image Stabilizer also compensates for up to five stops of camera shake to help produce sharper handheld shots in difficult lighting conditions. A unique Control Ring is also integrated into the lens design for intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself. Additionally, this 15-35mm is weather-sealed and has a fluorine coating to protect the front and rear elements.

The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM will retail for $2,299.00.

The lenses are the first wide-angle L series lenses to feature Canon’s 5-stop Image Stabilizer, based on Canon’s innovative technology pioneered in the EF lens range. The Dual sensing IS and Combination IS improves the IS shake detection capabilities of the lens as well as automatically detecting when used on a tripod to turn off the IS system.

The RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM and the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM are Canon’s first fast aperture zoom lenses to include Nano USM technology. Originally introduced in the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Nano USM lenses use a motor system that delivers high speed focusing for photography, as well as continuous smooth, virtually silent focusing for video recording – making these lenses an essential tool for videographers also using the EOS R System as unnecessary focus sounds aren’t recorded during shooting. The RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM, like the RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, features a focus breathing suppression system which prevents the angle of view changing when focusing – producing a natural look when focusing during filming.