Today, Canon is introducing a lineup of lenses that are surely doing something different from all the other options out there. The company is refreshing and introducing a number of new tilt-shift options–but these aren’t just any tilt-shift lenses. These lenses have macro focusing capabilities. We can say hello to a brand new Canon 50mm f2.8 L Macro, a 90mm f2.8 L Macro, and a 135mm f4 L Macro option. All of these lenses have tilt-shift and macro capabilities–and Canon is specific in saying that they’re true macro at 1:1. In addition to that, they all have 9 aperture blades. Even further, they’re all L lenses–but they obviously lack weather sealing as that’s very difficult to do otherwise.
It’s been a while since Canon introduced new tilt shift lens options and so it makes sense that they’ll finally go after these. They 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm have a Minimum focusing distances of .27 meters, .39 meter, and .49 meters accordingly. That’s quite close focusing and means that you can get the tiniest sliver of an eyelash in focus if anything at all. None of these lenses have autofocus–and you shouldn’t really expect them to. They’ll perhaps be best used with an option like the Canon 5Dsr.
Here’s the important tidbit from Canon’s press release today.
New Tilt-Shift Lenses
Tilt-Shift lenses have several applications for suitable photographers because of their ability to provide enhanced creative control over perspective through the tilt function and depth-of-field through the shift function in their images. This ability can be optimal when photographing landscapes, portraits, and architecture.
The image quality derived from Canon Tilt-Shift lenses has evolved considerably since their first inception several years ago. Enhanced optical elements like molded aspherical glass and UD lenses are at the core of the new Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro lens, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro lens and TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lens. These features provide users with edge-to-edge resolution, improved image quality over previous Canon TS-E lenses and minimum distortion. Canon also included two anti-reflective coatings, SubWaveLength Structure Coating (SWC) in the TS-E 50mm f/2.8L and TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lenses and Air-Sphere Coating (ASC), into the TS-E 50mm f/2.8L and TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro lenses. SWC helps to reduce flare and ghosting, while ASC is a new technology that provides amazingly high, anti-reflective performance, particularly when alleviating incidental light that can enter a lens.
The new Canon Tilt-Shift lenses also offer improved operability over previous models, including larger tilt, shift-and-lock knobs, lock-release button and a new tilt-locking mechanism that firmly locks the lens in the zero-tilt position to help prevent unintended tilting to increase more precise shooting capabilities. The rotation of the tilt-shift lenses also allows users to freely change the axis of tilt movement and shift from right angles to parallel to better adapt to various shooting conditions and situations.
The new Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro lens, TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro lens and TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lenses are scheduled to be available November 2017 for an estimated retail price of $2199.00††.
Canon TS-E 50mm f2.8 L Macro
Lens |
|
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture |
50mm f/2.8 |
Lens Construction |
12 elements in 9 groups |
Diagonal Angle of View |
46°00’ |
Focus Adjustment |
AF with full-time manual |
Closest Focusing Distance |
0.90 ft. / 0.27m |
Filter Size |
77mm |
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight |
Ø3.4 x 4.5 in., approx. 34.0 oz. / Ø86.9 x 114.9mm, approx. 945g |
The Canon TS-E 50mm f2.8 L Maroc replaces the 45mm–which is probably around 25 years old now. This lens is a more normal focal length. So to that end, they’ll be targeting this lens at tabletop, portrait, and landscape. Like the others here being announced today, it sports 9 aperture blades.
Canon TS-E 90mm f2.8 L Macro
Lens |
|
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture |
90mm f/2.8 |
Lens Construction |
11 elements in 9 groups |
Diagonal Angle of View |
27°00’ |
Focus Adjustment |
Manual focus |
Closest Focusing Distance |
1.28 ft. / 0.39m |
Filter Size |
77mm |
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight |
Ø3.4 x 4.6 in., approx. 32.3 oz. / Ø86.9 x 116.5mm, approx. 915g |
The new Canon TS-E 90mm f2.8 L Macro replaces the older 90mm. It’s designed for Portrait and product photography with its 9 aperture blades. However, it can also make for a really interesting option for landscapes.
Canon TS-E 135mm f4 L Macro
Lens |
|
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture |
135mm f/4 |
Lens Construction |
11 elements in 7 groups |
Diagonal Angle of View |
18°00’ |
Focus Adjustment |
AF with full-time manual |
Closest Focusing Distance |
1.60 ft. / 0.49m |
Filter Size |
82mm |
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight |
Ø3.5 x 5.5 in., approx. 39.0 oz. / Ø88.5 x 139.1mm, approx. 1110g |
As one of the longer options being announced from Canon, the Canon TS-E 135mm f2.8 L Macro is being targeted at portrait and product photographers–mostly those who work in studios. Like the others it has macro focusing capabilities.