Canon RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM Lens | Canon RF

The Canon RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM is a high-performance ultra-wide-angle prime lens crafted to meet the demands of both photographers and videographers. Its design prioritizes functionality, addressing the diverse requirements of contemporary image creation. This lens highlights exceptional image quality, quick autofocus, reduced focus breathing, and offers an intuitive, silent, and customizable user experience.

Optimized for Photo

This ultra-wide prime lens is well-suited for various photography genres, including nature, landscape, architecture, interior, and street photography. It provides an expansive angle of view, allowing photographers to create striking and dynamic compositions that emphasize space and foreground elements. With an impressive maximum aperture of f/1.4,it offers excellent control over depth of field and significantly enhances performance in low-light conditions, making it particularly suitable for astrophotography.

The optical design incorporates ultra-low dispersion (UD) and Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics (BR) elements, which effectively minimize chromatic aberrations, resulting in exceptional clarity and color fidelity. Additionally, Air Sphere (ASC) and Subwavelength Structure (SWC) coatings help to reduce flare and ghosting, thereby enhancing contrast.

In contrast to its ultra-wide field of view, this lens also performs remarkably well with close-up subjects, featuring a minimum focusing distance of 7.9 inches and a maximum magnification of 0.19x. The rounded 11-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth and aesthetically pleasing out-of-focus rendering.

Optimized for Video

In video applications, the lens’s ultra-wide field of view and close-focusing capabilities can be combined with motion to produce particularly dynamic visuals. The manual aperture ring features a de-click switch, allowing for smooth and silent adjustments to the iris. Focus breathing is effectively managed, ensuring a stable composition and consistent field of view during focus transitions. The linear focus motor provides intuitive manual focus control. Additionally, the design is consistent with other lenses in the Hybrid series; all lenses share a 67mm front filter ring and similar dimensions, facilitating seamless rigging and operation with multiple lenses during a shoot.

VCM and Nano USM Autofocus

The focusing mechanism has been optimized for both photography and videography, providing an effective balance of speed and precision. A Nano Ultrasonic Motor (USM) manages a floating focus system, while a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) fine-tunes a rear focusing group. The combination of these two technologies delivers an excellent blend of rapid response and silent operation, which is particularly advantageous for video recording.

Additionally, the floating focus design ensures uniform image quality across the entire focusing range, extending from 7.9 inches to infinity. The inclusion of an AF/MF switch and full-time manual focus override allows for intuitive control over focus when necessary.

Design Details

Despite being a fast ultra-wide lens, this 20mm f/1.4 remains relatively compact and lightweight for regular use. Its design and size is matched to the other Hybrid lenses and is built for everyday use for a wide range of shooting applications.

• The dimensions (3 x 3.9 inches) and weight (1.1 pounds) of these lenses are virtually identical to those of other lenses in the Hybrid series. Additionally, they feature a front filter ring diameter of 67mm. The included filter holder, which connects to the rear of the lens, accommodates pre-cut gel filters. This design is particularly beneficial for situations where multiple filters may be required or when a single filter will be utilized for an extended period.
• In addition to the manual aperture ring, this lens has a customizable Control Ring and Function Button, which can be programmed to control a range of shooting settings.
• L-Series level durability and weather resistance for working in inclement conditions.