Canon's latest "unholy trinity" lens is here: the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM

Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM
(Image credit: Canon)

After numerous leaks, the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM has finally been announced – the second of the "unholy trinity" of zoom lenses for the manufacturer's RF-mount ecosystem.

The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM stands as a slightly slower, slightly wider and much cheaper alternative to the professional Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM "trinity" professional lens. 

• Read more: Best Canon RF lenses

Notably, this is Canon's broadest ever zoom range for a full-frame autofocus lens. Even so, despite the 14mm ultra-wide coverage, it accepts regular 77mm screw-in filters and boasts a minimum focusing distance of 20.1cm / 7.9 in across the entire focal range. 

As you would expect of one of Canon's L-series lenses, the 14-35mm is weather sealed for optimum performance in all conditions and boasts a sophisticated optical formula, with 16 elements in 12 groups (among them 3 aspherical and 3 ultra-low dispersion elements) featuring ѕubwаvеlеngth ѕtruсturе соаtіngѕ to control flаrе аnd ghоѕtіng.

The autofocus mechanism is the Nano USM variety for fast and "completely silent operation" that makes the lens ideal for discreet stills and noise-free focusing when shooting video. 

In addition, as an image stabilized (IS) lens, it is capable of 5.5 stops of stabilization as standard on any RF-mount body, expanding to 7 stops of compensation on the Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R6 (where the IS works in tandem with their in-body image stabilization systems). 

And of course, as standard for a Canon RF lens, it features a control ring on the nose that can be customized for aperture, shutter speed, ISO speed and exposure compensation – or de-clicked (at a Canon-authorized service center) for use as a video lens. 

While we don't yet have dimensions of the optic, we know that it weighs 544.3g / 1.2lbs – which is notably lighter than the 840g / 1.85lbs of the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L version. 

The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM will be available in August for $1,699 / £1,749 (approximately AU$2,253) and comes with the Lens Hood EW 83P. 

Pre-order the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM at Adorama (US)
Pre-order the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM at B&H (US)
Pre-order the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM at Park Cameras (UK)
Pre-order the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM at Wex (UK)

Read more: 

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM review
Canon EOS R5 review
Canon EOS R6 review
Canon reveals what the R in Canon EOS R really means
Canon EOS R Mark II to be announced May 2020

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.