Canon presents EOS C400 and RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM

Canon is launching a new cinema camera with RF bayonet onto the market. With its box-like housing, the EOS C400 is aimed at professional filmmakers. Its new full-frame stacked CMOS sensor records videos in 6K resolution - at up to 60 frames per second.

The camera has three native ISO levels: 800, 3200 and 12800, which means it should deliver outstanding image quality even in low light. Canon promises a dynamic range of up to 16 f-stops. The built-in ND filters are also an important feature for professionals. They reduce the light by 1 to 10 f-stops. An improved dual-pixel autofocus system is designed to track focus quickly and precisely.

The EOS C400 will cost 7999 US dollars at launch in the USA and will be available from September. The price is no bargain, but not particularly expensive for this class. The almost four-year-old Sony FX6, for example, currently costs just under 5400 francs. The price of the similarly aged Canon C300 Mark III with APS-C sensor was almost 11,000 francs when it was launched.

RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM: fast RF fixed focal length

With the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM, Canon is bringing a popular fixed focal length up to the latest state of the art. It is said to be the "first hybrid lens of its kind" - meaning it is equally suitable for photo and video recording. Among other things, Canon has almost completely compensated for focus breathing. The image quality should meet the highest standards.

The speed of the new lens of 1.4 enables a thin focal plane. An 11-blade iris diaphragm should ensure an attractive bokeh. The RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM weighs 555 grams - over 200 grams less than its predecessor with EF bayonet.

Two motors work inside the new lens: the new "Voice Coil Motor" (VCM) is responsible for the focus. It is said to be even faster, more precise and quieter than the nano-ultrasonic motor (USM), which performed this task in previous lenses. It is also used in the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM, but only to compensate for focus breathing. To do this, it moves a second lens group in synchronisation with the focus motor and thus prevents the image section from changing.

In addition to the new lens, Canon confirms in its press release the development of "further zoom and fixed focal length lenses of the L series with a uniform size and the same hybrid concept". It is therefore quite possible that we will soon see a 28mm 1.4 L VCM and a 50 mm 1.4 L, for example.

The Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM will be available from July 2024 and will cost 1699 francs or 1899 euros at launch.

Speedlite EL-10: compact flash unit for RF cameras

Canon has introduced the EL-10 as the successor to the Speedlite 430 EXII. It retains the form factor of its predecessor and is also powered by four AA batteries. The EL-10 is compatible with the new multifunctional accessory shoe of Canon's mirrorless cameras. As these no longer react to infrared light, the autofocus assist light is no longer required. The new flash can therefore also no longer be triggered optically.

The EL-10 can focus its light on a focal length range between 24 and 105 millimetres. Three custom profiles can be individually configured and then called up on the flash or in the camera menu. The flash has a guide number of 40 and a recharge time of 1.5 seconds.

The Canon Speedlite EL-10 will be available from July 2024 and will cost 269 francs or 299 euros at launch.