Just a handful of weeks ago, we reported on the announcements of four Canon RF mount lenses from Sigma and an ultrawide RF mount lens from Tamron. Exciting as it was to see the RF mount being opened up to third-party lens manufacturers, all these lenses are meant for APS-C Canon RF mirrorless cameras. A new report from CanonRumors suggests that a Chinese lens manufacturer will be the first to introduce a full-frame autofocus RF mount third-party lens. While this statement isn’t entirely true, given that an autofocus Canon mirrorless third-party lens was introduced back in 2020 (more on that later), it does give hope to those of us who have been waiting for such an announcement in recent years.
Canon’s RF mount has been around for a few years now, and the company has certainly kept most of its users happy since the launch of its first full-frame mirrorless camera in 2018. As of today, Canon USA lists over 40 RF mount lenses listed on their website, not a small number by any means. While mirrorless cameras are lighter, faster, and offer the most cutting-edge technology, it’s easy to forget that they can cost significantly more than DSLR equivalent lenses. Canon RF lenses can be a big investment, and while amazing, their glass is definitely not cheap. For amateurs and hobbyists, spending thousands on a new body and a new set of lenses can be a dealbreaker.
Until recently, Canon seems to have kept a tight lid on the RF mount technology, preventing third-party lens manufacturers from making autofocus RF lenses. Canon’s native glass is incredible, no doubt, but this decision definitely limits the RF system’s potential to be adopted by more casual photographers. Yes, adapters are available, but there’s nothing like a native mount lens to make your photography feel more natural and fluid.
Samyang Already Made A Big Splash
A recent article on Canon Rumors suggests that Chinese lens manufacturers might bring the first third-party full-frame Canon RF lenses to the market. But let’s clear something up—this isn’t true. Samyang already released an autofocus Canon RF lens, like the excellent 85mm f1.4 AF, back in 2020. It’s worth mentioning because it shows what third-party brands are capable of when given the chance. We gave it a whole 5 stars during our review, where we noted:
“The Samyang 85mm f1.4 RF is a beautiful lens. It doesn’t feel like a Canon lens, so if you’re considering one, get that clear in your head. However, it feels like a high-quality optic, and it shoots like one. The colors, bokeh, etc. are all gorgeous. And for the most part, the autofocus is too. My only major complaints are the slight compatibility issues and the weather sealing. It’s not perfect weather sealing, and I think that we should have it at this price point. Still, if you want a Canon 85mm f1.4 lens for the RF system, this is your best bet.”
With this lens, Samyang showcased that third-party manufacturers could deliver great performance at a fraction of the cost of Canon’s native RF glass. While Sigma and Tamron have announced APS-C RF mount lenses now, the lack of third-party full-frame lenses for Canon could be a deterrent. Canon DSLR users might just be able to afford their first steps into the Canon full-frame mirrorless camera lineup with such lenses.
What Does The Article State About Canon RF Lenses
The Canon Rumors report suggests that a Chinese lens manufacturer may soon introduce full-frame RF mount lenses. The nod towards Chinese manufacturers would then exclude big players like Sigma and Tamron, both Japanese corporations. My bets would be placed on Viltrox. This company has managed to surprise me on many levels by consistently releasing one stunner after another in recent years. Their lenses have been superbly constructed, performed like champions always, and are much cheaper than you’d expect.
I’d argue their lenses perform at par with those made by mainstream photography brands like Nikon, Canon, and Sony. If anyone could be the first (in the second half of this decade) to get out a third-party full-frame RF lens, it could very well be Viltrox. It would be such a treat for Canon users if the above-seen Viltrox 16mm f1.8 autofocus lens found its way to the RF system. In our review of the Sony FE version of this lens, we said:
“The autofocus on the Viltrox AF 16mm f1.8 lens is blazing quick; the sharpness is incredible for a lens at this price point, and the build quality is exceptional. The distortion? Almost non-existent. Weather sealing? You got it. Want a physical aperture ring? It’s there for you. Worried about your 77m screw-on filters being left unused? Not anymore; this lens has no bulbous front element. In short, Viltrox may have just created the perfect ultrawide lens for amateur and professional photographers and videographers. Currently available for Sony’s FE mount, it’ll soon make its way to more brands’ cameras. This lens could and should have other manufacturers shaking in their boots. It’s a fascinatingly good lens for such an affordable price, and it will tick off all the boxes that many photographers (and videographers) looking for an ultrawide lens would have.”
I really think Viltrox could carve a niche for themselves if they manage to do this early in 2025. They’ve already got close to 20 full-frame lenses in their lineup, so once they crack the RF mount, porting those over should hopefully not take too long.
Other dark horses to watch out for would be TTartisan and Meike, both of whom have shown they can produce a steady stream of lenses, but are still yet to match the quality that Viltrox offers. Or we might just see Samyang pulling off another surprise. Nevertheless, this report showcases exciting times ahead for Canon RF camera owners.