For photographers who specialise in the portraiture photography genre, the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS lens would definitely be of interest to you! The 85mm focal length is one of the popular focal length choices used by portraiture photographers. Having tried out the EF85mm f/1.2L and EF85mm f/1.4L lenses, and having reviewed the EF85mm f/1.4L previously, I personally prefer using the f/1.4 focal length.

I would be keen to test and review the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS lens, some time down the road when the opportunity arises. Using my previous knowledge and experience using the EF85mm f/1.2L and f/1.4L lenses, the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS lens would be able to continue on Canon’s 85mm L lenses legacy.

With the announcement of the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS lens, I now have an option to choose from both EF and RF lenses, the 85mm portraiture lens that I have been considering to add on to my setup. How I would want to build my Canon EOS RP and RF lenses setup, it’s still a work in progress (and a lot to strategise and plan) since I have my existing Canon EOS-1DX Mark II DSLR inside my setup.

For those who have just started/concentrating on the Canon EOS R and RF lenses system, you have less headache and can start to welcome the new RF lenses being announced and arriving into the market. The new RF L lenses announcements showed Canon’s commitment to the Canon EOS R and RF lenses lineup, I am looking forward to more lenses on their RF lenses roadmap!

Let me share with you more information and details on the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS lens:

“We are proud to introduce the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS, a powerful lens that achieves the highest optical performance among Canon’s interchangeable lenses with 85mm focal length,” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “Equipped with Canon’s  original DS coating and f/1.2 maximum aperture, the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS makes significant and smooth ‘bokeh expression’ possible to achieve.”

Unique DS Coating for Smooth Bokeh

With Canon’s proprietary vapour-deposited coating technology, the DS coating has the effect of gradually decreasing the transmittance of light from the centre to the periphery of the lens. This produces a smooth gradient bokeh that provides that beautiful expression as soft blurring can be achieved all around the outline of the bokeh. To optimise the effect, DS coating is used on the front and rear surface of the lens, allowing users to achieve high optical performance when shooting. The optical performance of the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS, together with the previously released RF85mm f/1.2L USM lens, even surpasses that of the renowned EF85mm f/1.2L USM lens.

With the large aperture of f/1.2, the soft and smooth gradient bokeh effect of the DS coating is maximised. The unique DS feature of the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS adds a special touch to images in various settings, ranging from weddings and portraits, fashion or lifestyle scenarios.

A Large Aperture Lens with Superior Resolution

When it comes to large aperture lenses, the 85mm focal length has been the ideal choice for portrait photographers, allowing them to create natural-looking portraits with beautiful bokeh in the background. The RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS has an optical design of 13 elements in 9 groups, including Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics (BR) optical element, 1 UD and 1 ground aspherical lens element. The BR and UD lenses help to greatly suppress chromatic aberration, resulting in excellent rendering performance.

The lens also features Canon’s proprietary Air Sphere Coating (ASC) to reduce lens flare and ghosting caused by reflections, as well as enhance image clarity and contrast when shooting back-lit subjects.

Thanks to its bright aperture of f/1.2 and 9-blade circular aperture, the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS delivers beautiful and soft background blur. The large aperture also allows users to capture sharp and crisp images in low light environments with a higher shutter speed.

The lens achieves a minimum focusing distance of 0.85m and 0.12x maximum magnification, expanding the shooting area from close-ups of people to shooting small objects.

A Brand New Shooting Experience

The RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS also features a new “control ring” found in new RF lens series, allowing users to assign settings that include aperture value, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity and exposure compensation. The tactile control ring gives the user precise control allowing accurate adjustment without looking away from the subject.

When the control ring is operated alongside the main dial and quick control dial on the EOS R camera, user will have three dials to set the aperture, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity respectively, simplifying the complex operations that initially required several steps to achieve.

For flexible adaption to changes in the environment, users can assign exposure compensation to the control ring during portrait shooting. In the case when there is a sudden change in lighting conditions, the user can use one hand to operate the control ring and adjust exposure compensation while simultaneously using the shutter button with the other hand.

Being an L-lens for professionals, the RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS’s weatherproof construction also makes it dust and water-resistant, making it the perfect choice of lens for photographers who enjoy outdoor photography.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing and availability will be advised at a later date.

* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy *

The post Canon Announced RF85mm f/1.2L USM DS lens appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Canon has announced that a new firmware update for the EOS R and EOS RP is now available for download. As part of the effort to continuously improve on the user’s experience every step of the way, the new firmware update improves on both cameras’ auto-focus capabilities and ensures that users never miss out on a shot.

This new firmware version offers the following key areas of improvement, enhanced for a seamless experience with the EOS R (v1.4.0) & EOS RP (v1.3.0):

1. Enhances eye detection Auto Focus (AF) for improved face and eye recognition at greater distances.
2. Improved Auto Focus (AF) performance helps the camera to focus on smaller subjects.
3. Reduced lag time between the actual Auto Focus (AF) and the AF frame display for images in the viewfinder or on the LCD.

With this firmware update, Canon delivers on its promise of “Delighting You Always”, ensuring that users have more control over their craft and are empowered to capture the shots they want.

The firmware update is available for download via the following links:

EOS R: https://asia.canon/support/EOS%20R/model

EOS RP: https://asia.canon/support/EOS%20RP/model

If you are a Canon EOS R or EOS RP owner, remember to update your camera firmware! Do Pay It Forward and Pass It On, share this firmware update to your fellow Canon EOS R and EOS RP camera owners to update their firmware!

Check out my Canon EOS R articles that I published earlier: Key links and information on Canon EOS R versus Canon EOS RP

Canon EOS R versus EOS RP

The Canon Mirrorless Journey from Canon EOS M to EOS R

Canon EOS RP review article

Canon EOS RP review photos on Flickr

Canon EOS R review article

Canon EOS R review photos on Flickr

* Information courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy *

The post New Firmware Update for EOS R & EOS RP Improves AF appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

I had reviewed both Canon EOS R and Canon EOS RP full-frame mirrorless cameras, I decided to invest in the Canon EOS RP along with my family as a shared camera and also as a daily usage/back up camera for my current Canon EOS photography system. Through this article, I hope that I would be able to allow readers to know more and understand about the differences between the Canon EOS R and EOS RP, which Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera is more suitable for you.

Table of comparisons between Canon EOS R and Canon EOS RP (Technical Specifications)

Canon Singapore website has product technical specifications information for their cameras and you can compare different Canon cameras. The pictures below, a table of comparisons between Canon EOS R and Canon EOS RP technical specifications, were from Canon Singapore website when I did a comparison between both cameras. From the side by side comparisons, you would be able to view and differentiate the key technical specifications between them.

Source: Canon Singapore website (select Canon EOS RP and Canon EOS R to compare side by side)

Table of comparisons between Canon EOS R and Canon EOS RP (Non-technical Specifications)

Adding on to technical specifications comparisons, I have also compiled a list of comparisons/differences between the Canon EOS R and Canon EOS RP from a photographer/user observations and hands on handling experience

Which is more suitable? Canon EOS R or EOS RP?

Choose Canon EOS R

• If you are planning to use full-frame mirrorless for mainly commercial photography and videography work
• Upgrading from entry level DSLR
• Upgrading from compact digital cameras, compact mirrorless cameras
• Switching/Upgrading from a middle level DSLR to similar capabilities full-frame mirrorless camera
• A back up camera for commercial photography and videography work

Choose Canon EOS RP

• If you are looking for a low cost full-frame mirrorless camera
• This is your first full-frame mirrorless camera
• Upgrading from compact digital cameras, compact mirrorless cameras
• A full-frame mirrorless camera for fun and leisure
• Switching from entry level DSLR to full-frame mirrorless camera
• For professionals looking for a low cost and capable full-frame mirrorless camera as a back up camera

Why did I choose the Canon EOS RP?

Inside my Canon EOS RP review article that I recently published, I wrote about why did I choose the Canon EOS RP. Investing in the Canon EOS RP had been in the works for a period of time as I was searching for that mirrorless camera that suits my needs and requirements, the search took a bit of time.

In my personal humble opinion, this Canon EOS RP full-frame mirrorless camera is probably the full-frame mirrorless camera that has the potential to change the full-frame mirrorless market even further, a low cost, value for money and capable full-frame mirrorless camera that would attract photographers to upgrade from their compact cameras or professionals to own it as a backup and fun camera to have.

DSLR versus Mirrorless

This is probably a never ending debate in the photography world, DSLR versus Mirrorless, there are so many debates out there, too much noise at times. Both DSLR and mirrorless cameras are good and solid in their own rights, DSLR system has been a proven camera system over time while mirrorless system has improved significantly over the years. Would DSLR camera system continue to decline, mirrorless system continues to rise and takes over the photography world? Maybe yes, maybe no.

I would not be emphasising too much into this debate for my article, let’s concentrate on the fun, craft and beauty of photography, capturing the moments, telling the stories with the best of both worlds with DSLR and mirrorless cameras together, with the Canon EOS 1DX Mark II and Canon EOS RP as my current/personal best of both worlds setup.

Final thoughts and views on Canon EOS R versus Canon EOS RP

Canon EOS R versus Canon EOS RP, which camera suits you better? This really depends on your budget, needs and requirements. The Canon EOS R system and family is only going to get bigger, with more RF lenses being lined up and patiently waiting for more Canon EOS R camera bodies to be announced (looking forward to the 1D series equivalent EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera).

Stay tuned for more announcements from Canon down the road for their EOS R system.

Key links and information on Canon EOS R versus Canon EOS RP

The Canon Mirrorless Journey from Canon EOS M to EOS R

Canon EOS RP review article

Canon EOS RP review photos on Flickr

Canon EOS R review article

Canon EOS R review photos on Flickr

The post Canon EOS R vs EOS RP appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.