Canon Announces 85mm f/1.4L IS Lens, 3 Tilt-Shift Lenses & New Flash

Canon has finally announced the widely anticipated 85mm f/1.4L IS lens, in addition to a trio of tilt-shift lenses, and a new Macro Twin Lite flash.

Canon 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

Canon’s original 85mm prime lens have always been a favourite for portrait photographers due to their incredible sharpness and in this photographers opinion, the ability to produce some of the best looking bokeh of any comparable lens.

In fact, the only thing missing from previous versions was any sort of image stabilization. If you wanted that, you had to opt for a compatible third-party brand.

Well, with the announcement of this lens, that’s all changed.

Filling the gap between the non L series 85mm f/1.8 and substantially more expensive 85mm f/1.2 L II lenses, the new f/1.4 features:

• Air Sphere Coating to reduce flaring and ghosting
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Image stabilization rated to four stops
• Dust and water resistant
• Nine-blade rounded diaphragm
• Full-time manual focus override
• Minimum focus distance: 2.79 ft. (85 cm)
• Front filter: 77 mm
• Weight: 2.09 lbs. (950 g)

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Lens is expected to start shipping early this November.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM Lens

As Canon’s first 85mm L-series lens with IS capability, it has an advanced optical formula with a large-diameter aspherical lens, plus a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture to deliver gorgeous, sharp and detailed images suitable for virtually any application.

The 85mm isn’t the only lens Canon announced today. Also announced are three, yes three, new Macro Tilt-Shift lenses.

The newest additions to the TS-E line include a 50mm f/2.8L macro, a 90mm f/2.8L macro and finally a 135mm f/4L macro which will provide photographers with lots of options to embrace the new creative opportunities these new lenses will bring to the table.

All three lenses share the following features:

• Two UD Lens Elements Help Reduce Chromatic Aberration
• Optimized Lens Coating for Ghosting and Flare Reduction
• Large Tilt and Shift Knobs for Increased Operability
• Tilt-locking Mechanism for Use When Shooting

Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Tilt – Shift Lens

Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro Tilt-Shift Lens

Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro Tilt – Shift Lens

All three lenses are expected to ship around the beginning of November

Canon Macro Twin-Lite MT-26EX-RT Flash

Finally, as if the lens announcements weren’t enough, Canon also introduced the new MT- 26EX – RT Macro Twin Lite flash system.

Combining two rotatable, detachable flash heads that can be controlled independently, the MT-26EX-RT is designed to work in tandem with Canon’s EF and EF-S Macro lenses, (although, you may need a separate adapter for use with some lenses).

The flash heads can be rotated up to 60 degrees horizontally and 45 degrees vertically and feature a maximum Guide Number of 85.3 ft./26m at ISO 100 when both sides are firing.

Other features include:

• Wireless/Radio transmission to control up to 15 flash units or up to 5 groups.
• Compatibility with Canon E-TTL/E-TTL II
• Manual power control from 1/1 to 1/512
• LED focusing lamps
• Recycle time of 0.1-5.5 seconds
• High-speed sync.

The MT-26EX-RT will start shipping early this November.