Third-Party RF 50mm F/1 Coming October!

Third-Party RF 50mm F/1 Coming October!

We finally got details on the Voigtlander knocked in 50 millimeter lens, the third-party lens promised way back at CP Plus. But it’s not what you think. Stick around for the details after this short break, but first, subscribe to this channel for a chance to win a Canon EOS R5. I’ll be giving one away to one lucky subscriber once this channel reaches 100,000 subscribers. Anyone above the age of 18 with a valid mailing address is eligible. Additional terms and conditions are linked in the description down below.

The Voigtlander Nocton 50mm Lens

The Voigtlander Nocton 50mm lens was announced on the heels of CP Plus. It was the first third-party lens approved by Canon, but we didn’t have any information other than it didn’t have autofocus, leaving many to wonder if it was real. But later, Canon did confirm it was real and that they were approving third-party lenses. But still, we didn’t have any details, at least no details until now.

Impressive Aperture and Features

The Voigtlander Nocton 50mm lens is very fast, faster than Canon’s RF 50mm F/1.2. It’s wide open at F/1, and it’s going to start shipping in October for a price of $1500. As the lens is approved by Canon, it can communicate directly with the camera body through the mount and supports EXIF information as well as Ibis. It has a 12-sheet diaphragm providing a round and soft bokeh, and it’s well-built, weighing in at 650 grams.

Canon’s Limited Approval of Third-Party Lenses

This is a bit of a good news, bad news situation. We have our first Canon-approved third-party lens ready to hit the market, and it has an impressive aperture of F/1. It’s faster than Canon’s RF 50mm F/1.2, and it’s priced lower than Canon’s offering. However, it doesn’t have autofocus, and that’s where some people are frustrated. Since Canon started restricting third-party lenses and approving them on a case-by-case basis, we’ve only had two lenses being announced. This Voigtlander lens is the first one actually coming to market, and it’s manual focus.

The Power of Third-Party Lenses

What frustrates many people is not that this Voigtlander lens isn’t a good lens, even without autofocus. It’s that since CP Plus, which was back in February of 2023 (not too far away), we’ve only had two approved lenses from two companies. We want to see Sigma and Tamron. We want to see lenses like the 60-600mm and the 150-600mm, as well as many other prime, zoom, and super telephoto lenses at affordable prices. This is what Sigma and Tamron provide: affordable lenses for photographers and videographers.

Sigma and Tamron lenses offer creativity and a wide range of options that Canon is not currently focusing on. Canon’s RF Mount lacks the depth and breadth of options that Sony’s E Mount offers, especially in terms of primes, zooms, and super telephotos. The power of third-party lenses is that they give us something that Canon doesn’t currently provide. They fill a gap in the market and offer more options to photographers.

While the Voigtlander Nocton 50mm F/1 lens is exciting with its construction and promising results, it comes at a price of $1500 and lacks autofocus. Many photographers are eagerly waiting for Sigma and Tamron to be approved by Canon to produce lenses with autofocus for the RF Mount, as they are known for producing high-quality lenses at more affordable price points.

The Need for More Lenses

Since the announcement of the RF system in October 2018 with the EOS R, followed by the Canon EOS RP in January, we have seen a slow release of lenses for the RF Mount. While Canon has introduced some high-end glass and affordable kit lenses, there is still a significant gap in the affordable lens category between 600mm and 1200mm. Sigma and Tamron can fill this gap with their offerings and attract more customers to the RF system.

Canon’s approval of Sigma and Tamron lenses in the RF Mount would help sell more camera bodies and provide photographers with a range of options. It would not compete directly with Canon’s high-end L Series glass, but rather offer more choices in the mid-range section of the market. This would be a win-win situation for Canon, third-party manufacturers, and photographers alike.

While the future of Sigma and Tamron lenses in the RF Mount is uncertain, many photographers are eagerly waiting for their approval. The Voigtlander Nocton 50mm F/1 lens is a step in the right direction, but there is still a demand for more options. If Canon wants to satisfy its customers and attract new ones, approving more third-party lenses is the way to go.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Are you waiting for Sigma and Tamron lenses in the RF Mount? Are you satisfied with Canon’s current lens lineup? We look forward to hearing from you!