Realise your creative vision with Canon’s RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM and SPEEDLITE EL-5

Fast and bright, the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM and SPEEDLITE EL-5 offer portrait and event photographers more creative freedom

SPEEDLITE EL-5 & RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM

Auckland, NEW ZEALAND – 02 November 2022: Canon New Zealand today announces the launch of the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM, a telephoto prime lens ideal for shooting portraits in low-light and the SPEEDLITE EL-5, a high-performance Speedlite for capturing weddings and events. A fast, bright f/1.8 aperture and built-in Optical Image Stabilizer enable the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM to capture crisp images with a soft background, while the longer focal length creates flattering portraits. Offering the same intuitive design as the SPEEDLITE EL-1 and advanced performance at a competitive price, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 is the perfect accessory for professional photographers. Canon is also announcing a Neural Network Image Processing tool that will be added to its DPP software, enabling photographers to improve the quality of the images they capture.

Capture stand-out portraits with the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM

The successor of the popular Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM, the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM achieves striking portraits thanks to the combination of a fast f/1.8, 9-blade aperture and 135mm focal length that create a beautiful bokeh effect, while compressing the subject’s features for more flattering shots. This also creates a more comfortable and relaxed shooting environment thanks to the additional distance between the subject and photographer, for natural looking photos whether capturing tight headshots or full body shots. The RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is also perfect for close shooting, with a focusing distance of 0.7m that gives a 0.26x magnification. RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM also employs an Optical Image Stabilizer for up to 5.5 stops of stabilisation, and up to 8 stops of co-ordinated control stabilisation¹, which is ideal when shooting in low light or hand-held.

As with Canon’s entire RF lens range, the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM delivers exceptional image quality across the entire frame. The advanced optical design features three UD elements to ensure high resolution, accurate colour reproduction and reduce chromatic aberrations. With ASC and Super Spectra Coating, the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM also benefits from minimal ghosting or flare, while the fluorine coating helps to keep the lens free from dirt for sharp images every time.

The RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM offers effortless operation and handling, to support photographers in high-pressure shooting scenarios such as weddings or live sporting events. A Nano USM motor enables fast and quiet AF operation, which, coupled with Canon’s Eye AF feature, ensures the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM accurately focuses on the subject’s eye so that the photographer can concentrate on the composition - useful when shooting with a shallow depth-of-field. The RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is Canon’s first ever lens, other than super-telephoto lenses, to feature two Lens Function buttons, which can be used for AF-stop function or other features. A Control Ring can also be customised to change various settings from the lens such as shutter speed, aperture or ISO. Weather sealing around the lens mount will ensure reliability in an extensive range of shooting conditions.

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

Packed full of professional features, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 is a high-performance, reliable Speedlite that is a must have for the kit bag of any event photographer. Featuring a Guide Number of 60² and a blisteringly fast flash recycle time of 0.1-1.2 seconds ³, it’s never been easier to illuminate action-packed events such parties or weddings. Likewise, the rechargeable Li-ion Battery Pack LP-EL enables a long continuous flash count at up to 85 flashes at full power, and up to 350 flashes in a single charge, at full power⁴. For more subtle lighting requirements, the extended manual power setting enables users to set the flash to 1/1024^th power⁵.

Canon's first Speedlite to feature a Multi-Function foot that is compatible with the latest EOS R series cameras⁶, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 uses gold plated contacts to ensure a reliable connection with the camera and improved communication. For reliable performance even when shooting with flash for long periods of time, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 is designed with an efficient passive cooling system that allows heat to dissipate more quickly. When shooting in various weather conditions, the weather sealing will give photographers confidence in their kit.

Built for professional workflows, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 offers a number of features such as wireless radio control for up to 15 additional Speedlites and a Camera Link function that allows photographers to trigger external cameras connected to these Speedlites. The Dual White LED light acts as a modelling light or AF assist lamp, to support focusing in low light situations. With the custom flash mode (C.Flash), users can register flash settings (C1, C2, C3) on the Speedlite and can also ‘link’ these to the camera’s custom modes⁷, which act as a pre-set to speed up workflows in more complex environments. With the same intuitive design and menu system as the SPEEDLITE EL-1, the SPEEDLITE EL-5 offers a familiar joystick and button layout along with a new (Flash) Menu Direct button for easy access to the Speedlite settings menu on the camera.

DPP Cloud Upgrade

Canon has also bolstered its Digital Photo Professional software for advanced photographers, with a new subscription-based Neural Network Image Processing tool that enhances image quality through the power of cloud computing and Canon’s advanced AI technology. Photographers are able to reduce noise, while restoring detail and sharpness, previously not possible at such a high ISO, improve colour accuracy and benefit from lens optimisation.

Also launching today is EOS R6 Mark II, a full-frame mirrorless camera that delivers innovative ways for hybrid shooters to master their creativity – without compromise and no matter what the subject. Capable of continuous shooting at 40fps and featuring Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF to recognize and track more subjects at greater speed, EOS R6 Mark II sets new speed records. A true hybrid, it can also capture superb oversampled 4K 60p video or 6K RAW.

RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM key features:

SPEEDLITE EL-5 key features:

Availability and pricing

The RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM will be supported by Canon New Zealand’s 5-year warranty when purchased from an authorised Canon New Zealand reseller[8]. Pricing will be set at dealers’ discretion, with an RRP of $4999 (incl. GST) for the lens and pricing for the SPEEDLITE EL-5 TBC. Both will be available in New Zealand early 2023 and more information can be found here: www.canon.co.nz/camera-lenses/rf-135mm-f1-8l-is-usm and www.canon.co.nz/speedlite-flashes/speedlite-el-5.