It’s no secret that in many ways, Canon is late to the party. We all know them — the chronically late people who consistently want the attention on them as they enter. In some ways, it’s disrespectful. But in Canon’s case, we can say that since they joined the mirrorless camera world with sincerity that they come bearing gifts for us all. And apparently, early next year, we’re finally going to be getting the lenses that we’ve wanted. At least, that’s what the reports are saying.
Camera Insider via Canon Rumors is saying that we’re supposed to be seeing the 14mm f1.4, 24mm f1.4, 28mm f1.4, and 35mm f1.4 L lenses come next year. Additionally, they’re supposed to have image stabilization in the case of all but the 14mm. We want to believe this, but we can’t totally. And let’s explain why some of it doesn’t, yet some of it does.
Some of it Makes Sense
Canon’s strategy thus far in the mirrorless camera world has been to emulate what they did in the EF lens space. Truly then, it doesn’t sound like the research and development is really all that much because it’s based on what’s worked with them successfully for several years. I mean, look at every other company. They’re all making 24mm and 35mm lenses in the premium range. Sony and Leica are the big ones here. Sony’s G Master lenses are the envy of so many — even us. And Leica’s Apochromatic SL prime lenses are something no other manufacturer does. Those ideas line up perfectly. I mean, sure — why wouldn’t Canon make these lenses?
It also further lines up that they’d add image stabilization to these lenses too. That’s how they made their latest 135mm f1.8 L prime lens stand out from Sony’s.
Some of it Doesn’t Sound Like Canon
In the past, Canon only made a 28mm f1.8 lens. I personally was the one who reviewed this lens for the site more than a decade ago. I really liked it too. The colors, the bokeh, and the image stabilization made it fun to use. Part of that magic also came from the incredible Canon 5D Mk II.
Making a 28mm f1.4 L IS USM doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. If you look at the entire landscape of the lens manufacturing world, there aren’t that make premium 28mm lenses on the market. I own the Leica 28mm f2 Apochromatic SL lens — and I adore it. But Leica tends to take risks on lenses like this. Sony doesn’t even have one. Otherwise, one of our favorites is the one made by Laowa.
But could Canon really do it? I’d like to believe that they would do it. For the record, I think that they’ve got the capability to make one with all their money. However, I don’t think that they would.
However, Canon also has a reputation for doing things that are totally different at times. They just announced a 28-120mm f2.8 lens, for example. Where I’m on the fence about them is the production of a 14mm f1.4 L USM lens. Do I think they could make it? Sure. Would they actually do it? I’m not totally sure on that one. But if they do it make, I’m very curious about it.
This is where I think some of this is a big lie. I don’t think that they’d put any priority on making a 28mm lens. And if they made a 14mm lens, I think that they’d prioritize a tilt-shift instead.
Hopes and Dreams
Right now, I’m working on my first personal project that I’ve done in a long time. I’ve shot some photographs for it on Sony, some on Panasonic, and some on Canon. All of the camera manufacturers make very capable cameras. But the only one that really does everything that I want for this project is Canon. Specifically, with their cameras, I can shoot multiple exposures in RAW format. No one else does that unfortunately. But they should! I’ve been asking Sony for years to put it into their cameras, but ehy don’t.
What I’d really wish for are these 28mm and 35mm f1.4 L IS USM lenses. Those are the lenses that I’ve been waiting for.