New RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM lens and SPEEDLITE EL-5 from Canon

 

Bring your creative ideas to life with Canon’s RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM and SPEEDLITE EL-5

The wide aperture of the RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM and the powerful illumination of the SPEEDLITE EL-5 give portrait and event photographers more creative freedom

 

Sofia, Bulgaria, November 2, 2022 – Today, Canon Europe announces the launch of the RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM – a fixed-focal-length telephoto lens ideal for low-light portrait photography, and the SPEEDLITE EL-5 – a high-quality Speedlite flash for wedding and event photography. The wide f/1.8 aperture and built-in optical image stabilizer allow the RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM to capture sharp images with a soft background, while the longer focal length creates beautiful portrait shots. Offering the same intuitive design as the EL-1 and enhanced features at a competitive price, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 is the perfect assistant for professional photographers. Canon also announces that it will add neural network image processing technology to its DPP software, which will enable photographers to improve the quality of the images they capture.

Shoot standout portraits with the RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM

The RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM (which succeeds the popular Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM) captures stunning portraits thanks to the combination of a wide f/1.8 aperture with 9 blades and a 135mm focal length, which create a beautiful bokeh effect and compress the subject's features for a more attractive look. This also creates a more comfortable and relaxed shooting environment due to the greater distance between the subject and the photographer for natural-looking shots, whether you're taking a headshot or a full-body portrait. The RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM is also excellent for close-up shooting – with a closest focusing distance of 0.7m, providing 0.26x magnification. The RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM also offers an optical image stabilizer for up to 5.5 stops slower shutter speed, which increases to 8 stops in combination with the camera's built-in image stabilizer^[i] – ideal for shooting in low light conditions or without a tripod.

As with Canon's entire range of RF lenses, the RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM delivers exceptional image quality across the entire frame. Advanced optics include three UD elements, providing high resolution, accurate color reproduction, and reduced chromatic aberration. Thanks to ASC and Super Spectra coatings, the RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM eliminates glare, and the fluorine coating protects the lenses from dirt for sharp images every time you shoot.

The RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM provides ease of use and control, making it easier for photographers to shoot under pressure, such as at weddings or live sports events. The Nano USM motor allows for fast and quiet autofocus operation, which, in conjunction with Canon's "Eye Detection AF" feature^[ii], ensures that the RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM precisely focuses on the subject's eyes, allowing the photographer to concentrate on composition – useful when shooting with shallow depth of field. The RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM is Canon's first non-super-telephoto lens to feature two functional buttons that can be used for temporary autofocus stop or other functions. The lens control ring can also be customized to adjust various settings from the lens, such as shutter speed, aperture, or ISO sensitivity. Dust and water resistance seals around the lens mount ensure reliability in all shooting conditions.

SPEEDLITE EL-5: Powerful yet easy-to-use Speedlite flash

Equipped with professional features, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 is a high-performance and reliable flash, an indispensable accessory for any event photographer. With a guide number of 60^[iii] and an incredibly short recycling time of 0.1-1.2 seconds^[iv], this flash allows you to easily illuminate dynamic events such as celebrations or weddings. Also, the LP-EL lithium-ion battery provides extended bursts of up to 85 full-power flashes and up to 350 full-power flashes on a single charge^[v]. For more delicate lighting conditions, extended manual power adjustment allows users to shoot at 1/1024th of the full flash power^[vi].

As Canon's first Speedlite flash with a multi-function foot, compatible with the latest EOS R series cameras^[vii], the SPEEDLITE EL-5 is equipped with gold-plated contacts for reliable camera connection and enhanced communication. For reliable performance, even during prolonged flash shooting, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 features an efficient passive cooling system that allows heat to dissipate faster. In adverse weather conditions, dust and water seals provide photographers with confident shooting.

Designed for professional use, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 offers a range of advanced features, such as wireless control via radio communication for up to 15 additional Speedlite flashes and a Camera Link function that allows photographers to trigger cameras connected to wirelessly controlled Speedlite flashes. The two white LED lamps act as a pilot light or as an AF assist beam for successful focusing in low light conditions. Through the custom flash mode (C.Flash), photographers can save settings (C1, C2, C3) to the Speedlite flash and can also "link" them to the camera's custom modes^[viii], which function as combinations of preset settings to speed up workflows in more complex shooting environments. With the same intuitive design and menu system as the EL-1, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 is equipped with a familiar joystick and convenient button layout along with a new (Flash) Menu Direct button for easy access to the Speedlite settings menu from the camera.

 

DPP Cloud Update

Canon is expanding the functionality of its Digital Photo Professional software for advanced photographers with a new subscription-based neural network image processing tool that improves image quality through the power of cloud computing and Canon's advanced artificial intelligence technology. Photographers can reduce noise while restoring detail and sharpness, which was previously impossible at high ISO sensitivities, improve color accuracy, and benefit from lens-specific optimizations.

 

Today also sees the launch of the EOS R6 Mark II – a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers hybrid shooting enthusiasts innovative ways to develop their creativity – without compromise and regardless of the subject. Capable of shooting bursts at 40 fps and equipped with Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology for high-speed recognition and tracking of more subjects, the EOS R6 Mark II sets new records for speed. A true hybrid camera, it can also record superb oversampled 4K 60p video or 6K RAW video.

 

For more information on the RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM, please visit: https://www.canon.bg/lenses/rf-135mm-1-8-l-is-usm-lens/

Additional information on the SPEEDLITE EL-5 can be found here: https://www.canon.bg/cameras/speedlite-flash-el-5/

 

RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM – key features:

• Wide circular f/1.8 aperture with 9 blades
• 135mm focal length
• 5.5-stop image stabilizer (8 stops with IBIS)
• Advanced optics, including three UD elements and ASC and Super Spectra coatings
• Nano USM motor for fast and quiet autofocus

 

SPEEDLITE EL-5 – key features:

• Guide number 60, built-in pilot lamp
• Short recycling time of 0.1-1.2 seconds^iv
• LP-EL lithium-ion battery
• Canon's first Speedlite flash with a multi-function foot
• Wireless control via radio communication for up to 15 additional Speedlite flashes