Canon RF 20mm F1.4L VCM Lens

OVERVIEW

The RF20mm F1.4 L VCM is an entirely different L-series lens, targeting a wide range of still- image and video shooters, with a combination of strong wide-angle coverage, a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, and excellent optical design. On a full frame camera this lens gives you a vivid wide-angle look which has for decades been used in landscape, street photography, architectural photography, and strong commercial imagery. On the video side, this lens really shines with a dedicated manual Iris ring, and a linear focus motor called a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) that is virtually silent. The VCM works in tandem with a Nano USM on the floating focus unit for incredibly fast autofocus. And finally, focus breathing is barely noticeable on this incredibly versatile lens.

Incredible feature set from an incredible lens

This lens has a lot going for it. You already know about the new VCM and Iris control ring, but there is so much more. You can attach filters to this lens in two ways, a front 67mm screw thread allows for screw-on filters, and in the back of the lens is a cut gel or polyester filter holder (bundled). You also have a Control Ring and a lens function button, both of which you can assign functions to. This lens is also dust and weather resistant, has two aspheric and three UD (Ultra-low Dispersion glass) elements, Canon’s specialized BR (Blue spectrum Refractive) optics, and ASC (Air Sphere Coating) to reduce ghosting.

We’re putting our focus on focusing

The RF20mm F1.4 L VCM is part of a series of “hybrid” lenses that focus on video performance as much as still photography. One of these features is a change to how the focus system works. There is a Nano USM that controls the floating focus unit, and a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) that powers the primary rear focus unit. These focus motors are coordinated and work in tandem for incredible speed in near silence. One important note about the VCM is that it requires power to hold its position, so when the camera is off, or the lens is not attached to a camera, you may hear and feel slight movement. This is normal, and there is extra cushioning inside the lens to help prevent damage in this situation.

Excellent image quality

Again, thanks to the Canon RF lens mount, the RF20mm F1.4 L VCM lens offers great optical quality. Its optical design includes one Super UD element, two UD elements, and even BR optics (Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics) to minimize chromatic aberration. On top of that, this lens features the same dust- and water-resistance found on L-series lenses with seals around the Control ring, focus ring, zoom ring, operation panel, and lens mount.

It’s Showtime!

This lens is part of a family of “hybrid” lenses that focus on video creation as much as still photography. To that end, this lens features a manual iris control ring so you can smoothly change the aperture from f/1.4 to f/16 during video capture. Thanks to advancements in lens design, focus breathing on this lens is extremely minimal, and backlit images are sharp. Combine all of these features, and you’ve got a great video lens in your hands — and a superb ultra wide-angle still image lens.