Canon RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z and EOS Cinema Firmware Updates Announced

Lens NewsFirmware Update

by Jeff LochNovember 2^nd, 2023

Canon has just announced a new high-end zoom lens: the RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z. This world’s first f/2.8 trans-standard zoom lens is the first Canon RF lens with a dedicated aperture ring. It has complete zoom/focus internal mechanisms, which means the lens never moves, plus built-in image stabilization with an IS switch, and it is compatible with an optional power zoom adapter module. Furthermore, new firmware updates for multiple Cinema EOS cinema cameras, including the Canon EOS R5 C, EOS C70, EOS C300 Mark III, and C500 Mark II, have been announced, alongside a new smartphone App that allows you to control your cameras wirelessly. So, without any further ado, let’s take a closer look at all these new products!

The Canon RF “trinity” of lenses consists of the 15-35mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm, all with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, and they are all “L IS USM” lenses. This trio of lenses has been complete for nearly three years now. I have personally upgraded from the EF versions to the RF versions, and while this is a costly upgrade, the RF versions are definitely worth it from a build and optical quality perspective.

Canon is now developing a second “trinity” of lenses with an extended range, and that consists of the 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM, the 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM, and the newly announced RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z.

Canon RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z – features

The Canon RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is part of Canon’s “photography” lineup of lenses and is not a Cinema EOS or Cine-Servo lens, which are usually much bulkier and way more expensive. Even if this new lens becomes available with an optional lens support bracket and zoom rocker, it is not a cinema lens.

This new 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z weighs 2.9lb/1.34kg, which is well contained if you compare it to the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM that weighs 2.67lb/1.2kg or the legendary EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS III that is 3.17lb/1.44kg.

The RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z has a length of 7.8in/19.9cm, similar to the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM. Since this is a relatively long lens, an optional LH-E1 support bracket will be available to relieve some pressure off the camera’s lens mount.

One of the main concerns professional users had with the Canon RF “trinity” of lenses is that the lenses extend and retract when you zoom in or out. The RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is longer than its counterparts, but all the zoom and focus movements are internal, which means the lens barrel doesn’t move as you zoom or focus.

On the lens, you’ll find a zoom ring, a manual focus ring, a user-assignable control ring, and a dedicated aperture ring. This is the first time an RF lens has a true iris ring, and there is an iris ring switch to lock it into place when you are in Auto settings. However, this iris ring currently does not work in Stills mode, but it should work with other camera models launched in 2024. Also, you’ll find two user-assignable function buttons on the lens, but both can only be assigned to the same function.

As its name suggests, this lens has built-in image stabilization of up to 5.5 stops, and up to 8 stops if combined with IBIS or Digital IS on your camera. There is a dedicated IS mode switch on the lens with three different positions.

Inside, you’ll find a “floating” optical system and two nano USM focus motors for fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance. The lens is dust and weather-resistant with gaskets all around the lens and electronic contacts to ensure it’ll resist harsh shooting conditions.

Lens design

The lens design comprises a whopping 23 elements in 18 groups, including three aspherical and four UD elements. In terms of coatings, you’ll find an Air Sphere coating, SSC multi-coating, and a fluorine coating on the front element to reduce fingerprints and repel dust/oil/water droplets.

The minimum focusing distance is 11.7in/45cm at all focal lengths. The aperture diaphragm consists of 11 blades. Lastly, the front filter diameter is 82mm.

Power zoom adapter

As mentioned previously, an optional PZA – Power Zoom Adapter – will be available, designed specifically for the Canon RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z. Please note that it can control the zoom ring only, and not the aperture ring. This adapter attaches directly to the side of the lens via three screws that don’t require any tools.

On the inside, the PZA has an electronic connector and a wheel that makes the zoom ring move.

On the side, you’ll find a zoom rocker, and below it, a Manual/Servo zoom switch. The adapter is powered via the lens body contacts and requires no battery or external power.

However, on cameras such as the Canon EOS R5 C, you’ll need external power to access the maximum zoom speed. For cameras such as the EOS C70, the camera can provide enough power to the zoom motor giving you access to the full zoom speed of the PZA. The zoom speed goes from 3 to 90 seconds in normal mode and 1.5 to 90 seconds in high-speed mode.

Two versions will be available: one with a USB-C on the side and another with a 20-pin port instead of USB-C. You can use that port on the side of the adapter to increase the speed of the motor when using it with the EOS R5 C, but also to control the zoom motor externally if you go with the 20-pin version.

Canon EOS Cinema firmware updates

Last but not least, Canon will release multiple new firmware updates for the Canon EOS R5 C, EOS C70, EOS C300 Mark III, and EOS Mark II that all add:

• Support for CN-R primes and Flex Zoom.
• Support for the upcoming RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z and PZA compatibility.
• Improves vectorscope by adding six targets: yellow, green, cyan, blue, magenta, and red. This can be useful when using color charts, for example.
• Proxy file name option: you can now rename proxy files with “_Proxy” at the end of the file name instead of “_P” as Adobe recommends.

The EOS C70, EOS C300 Mark III, and C500 Mark II will also benefit from new digital teleconverter options (1.5x/2x/2.5x/3x), a feature already available on the R5 C. Furthermore, it’ll add support for the RC-IP1000 remote camera controller.

Another firmware update for the Canon XF605 camcorder will also be released. This firmware will add support for SRT protocol, file recording in XF-AVC Full HD 25Mb/s, proxy file recording in MP4 at 16Mb/s in XF-AVC Full HD 25 format, chunk recording and continuous playback of multiple clips, proxy files renaming, and support for the RC-IP1000 remote camera controller.

Canon Multi-Camera Control App

Canon also showed us an upcoming App for filmmakers called Multi-Camera. This iOS App will allow you to control up to four cameras from your iPhone, including the EOS C500 Mark II, EOS C300 Mark III, EOS C70, and XF605. The App connects to your camera over WiFi and can adjust multiple camera settings from your smartphone, see what you’re recording, start/stop recording, adjust the focus, zoom and iris, ND Filters, ISO, Shutter, White Balance, and Custom Picture profile.

Pricing and availability

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z will be available in March 2024 for $2999. The PZA module will also be available in March 2024 and retail for $999 for the USB-C model, and $1299 for the 20-pin version. All firmware updates and the Canon Multi-Camera Control App should be available in early December 2023, free of charge.

For more information, please visit Canon’s website here.

What do you think about all these Canon announcements? Are you interested in getting the RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z? Do you often need a PZA module for the kind of content you shoot? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!