The best Canon RF lenses for shooting video

Another aspect of RF lenses that's been specifically developed for video is the aperture mechanism. All RF lenses enable the aperture to be adjusted in 1/8 stop increments, which is much more precise than the 1/3 stops used for stills photography. "Changing the aperture in 1/3 stop increments while you're filming creates noticeable step changes in brightness," says Mike. "But with 1/8 stop adjustments, that change is extremely smooth and imperceptible."

These are just two of the features that make RF lenses great for video, but which of the growing range of RF zooms and primes offers the most creative features for filmmakers? Here is a selection of the best Canon RF lenses for video to consider, to pair with the RF mount models among the best Canon cameras for video.

Best standard full-frame Canon RF lens

"In the video world, it's not always about being super sharp or resolving an amazing level of detail," explains Mike. "It's mainly 'the look' that's important to the DoP. This is a lens that ticks every box. It's super-sharp, with incredible resolution and fast focusing – but it also has that stunning look."

Having the widest available maximum aperture in the Canon EOS range means that the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens is not only a consummate low-light performer, it also enables you to isolate the subject in an incredibly cinematic way. A 10-blade aperture and both UD and aspherical lens elements have been incorporated into the design, giving a signature blend of outstanding sharpness and beautiful blur.

Best Canon RF lens for bokeh

The Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM DS lens uses the same mechanics and optical formula as the Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM, but it has a special Defocus Smoothing (DS) coating on a couple of the elements that further blurs the background.

"It gives you a totally unique look that's unachievable by anything else on the market," Mike explains. "The background looks like it's been shot with a 1930s cine lens, but the foreground looks like it's captured in 2020s 8K resolution. You can essentially create two feelings in one image. If you love shooting at f/1.2 and you love soft bokeh, this lens adds that extra level of performance on top of what is already a cutting-edge product."

Best macro Canon RF lens

Macro photographer Oliver Wright used this lens to film tiny insects and lizards in a tropical butterfly house. "Using the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L MACRO IS USM with the Canon EOS R5 is really exciting and allows me to do a whole raft of new things," says Oliver, who shot 8K video and 4K slow-motion clips of a snake's tongue moving by teaming the camera's high resolution with the RF 100mm F2.8L MACRO IS USM's 1.4x magnification.

"Previously, to get to those types of higher magnifications, I would have had no focus system," he says. "If your subject moves in any way, you have to recompose your shot. With this lens, you can go all the way up to 1.4x magnification and it's super sensitive on the focus tracking and near-silent on the focusing."

Best Canon RF lens for portraits and interviews

If you need a lens that will give your interviews an edge, then the flattering, cinematic look produced by this L-series prime more than delivers. The narrow field of view and fast maximum aperture make it easier to separate the subject from the background compared with an 85mm lens.

"The Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM lens is a legendary portrait lens," says Canon Europe Product Specialist Mark Fensome. "It is highly regarded for being tack-sharp. Thanks to the capabilities of the RF mount, however, we've been able to make some significant additions to its RF successor, the Canon RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM, especially for video.

Best ultra-wide-angle Canon RF lens

With its outstanding image quality and robust, weather-sealed construction, the first lens in Canon's trinity of professional RF zooms enables you to capture creative new angles.

The Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM lens's optical design includes three aspherical and two UD elements, along with SubWavelength structure Coating (SWC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) for exceptional contrast and edge-to-edge sharpness. Nano USM autofocus and a highly effective optical Image Stabilizer further enables you to make the most of the lens's clarity.

Best multipurpose Canon RF lens

It might not have the bright maximum aperture of the other zooms in this RF video lens roundup, but the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM lens's strength is its versatility. "This lightweight 10x zoom covers a large range of focal lengths, which is fantastic for those filming situations where you need one lens to do it all," Mike says. "It's a great option for broadcast and entertainment use, where you need to cover a lot of shots quickly."

Mike also highlights the lens's control ring as an advantage for video. "The control ring on this lens also doubles up as the focus ring, so it is by nature de-clicked. This gives you the opportunity to change settings silently if you need to."

Best Canon RF lens for travel

This high-performance L-series lens combines the stunning image quality of a set of prime lenses with the convenience of a zoom. Factor in the large f/2 maximum aperture, and you've got an RF lens that offers incredible creative control.

When the Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM lens is attached to a Canon EOS R5 or EOS R6, you can also take advantage of the camera's in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) for sharp handheld recording. In fact, as Mike reveals, the unique design of this lens means it's capable of reducing the effects of camera shake more effectively than some stabilised lenses.

Best telephoto Canon RF lens

Although considerably smaller and lighter than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses that have gone before it, the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM packs a substantial upgrade in performance. With aspherical and Super UD elements, SWC and Super Spectra coatings and a 9-blade aperture, it offers incredible optical quality. Weather-sealing, fluorine coatings and a 5-stop Image Stabilizer ensure that the lens continues to perform in challenging conditions, too.