New Canon RF 85mm f/1.4L VCM Rumours

Canon is reportedly expanding its growing VCM prime lens lineup with a new RF 85mm f/1.4L, which would become the fifth entry in the series after the 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm f/1.4 lenses. The VCM series (short for Voice Coil Motor) has gained attention for blending compact design with high-end optics, and this 85mm addition rounds out a versatile set of fast primes for both photographers and videographers.

The new 85mm is expected to match the physical size of the other VCM lenses, with a compact 76.5 x 99.3mm design and a weight likely around 550-580 grams. That would make it dramatically lighter than Canon’s RF 85mm f/1.2L USM, which tips the scales at nearly 1.2kg. The smaller footprint is possible because Canon skips optical image stabilization and uses a more efficient VCM focusing system. Like the rest of the VCM line, the lens is also expected to include an aperture ring for manual exposure control, though full compatibility is currently limited to newer bodies like the EOS R5 Mark II and upcoming R1.

An 85mm f/1.4 in this form factor could be really coll. The focal length is a favourite for portraits, offering flattering compression and shallow depth of field, but it’s also useful for everything from street photography to events and product work. While Canon hasn’t officially confirmed it yet, the pace of recent VCM releases suggests we might not have to wait long.

You can see full details on Canon-rumour’s website here