Your comprehensive guide to hybrid lenses

Canon has expanded the new generation, L-series range of Hybrid lenses. With an aim to constantly improve the features and benefits, our aim is to share the key specifications and usage of the new hybrid lenses. This then serves to allow you to select the lens that best suits your needs.

For the full specs of these lenses – see below.

What is a Hybrid lens?

Hybrid lenses integrate advanced features from both photo and cinema systems. This enables a seamless use on mirrorless camera bodies. These lenses also offer include a fast and accurate autofocus, large apertures for cinematic bokeh, and compatibility with a wide range of accessories. This all serves to enhance the quality of both photo and video.

Overall, these lenses provide greater versatility and creative opportunities for those who frequently switch between photography and videography. They are ideal for capturing a variety of high-quality scenes without the need to carry multiple lenses. This takes away the need and cost for cinema specific lenses.

Hybrid features

1. Size

On a logistical level, the unified size between the hybrid telephoto and general zoom lenses, as well as the prime lenses, provides ease of organisation and storage. There are however further benefits for users switching between video and photo.

Interchangeability: users can easily swap the same sized lenses on the same camera without worrying about the need to adjust the entire setup. This saves precious time when switching lenses between scenes, which ultimately allows you to capture more content.

Consistent handling: lenses of the same size will have very similar weights and balances. This allows for easier handling on the camera, without the need to readjust your grip or stance. As users will be accustomed to the size of the lenses, this will also create a quicker workflow when switching setups.

Unified filters: having the same filter size means (such as ND filters) across the lenses, means it saves you the cost and hassle of purchasing new filters.

2. Focus breathing control

Focus breathing happens when a lens shifts focus during still photography or video recording. It's especially noticeable in video since the transitions in focus are captured.

These transitions are often used intentionally as a storytelling technique, but they also occur when the autofocus system follows a moving subject. Considering how often focus transitions take place during a project, it's easy to see how frequently focus breathing occurs and how distracting it can be.

The two high-performance Nano Ultrasonic Motors (USM) on the Hybrid RF telephoto and general zoom lenses have been designed to enable rapid focusing. This makes them highly responsive for video and effective at controlling focus breathing. In contrast, the recently developed Voice Coil Motor (VCM) in the Hybrid RF Prime lenses set a new standard for electronic focus control. The independent operation of the VCM and Nano USM allows the lens to achieve swift, smooth focus to significantly reduce focus breathing while providing a fast and quiet performance.

3. Large aperture

A large aperture is important in both photo and video for several reasons. Both the f/2.8 and f/1.4 on the new hybrid lenses will allow more light to reach the sensor. This is particularly useful in low-light conditions such as evenings or when shooting indoors. This large aperture enables users to shoot without the need of high ISO settings, which would naturally introduce more noise.

For the telephoto and general zoom lenses, users will benefit from the faster shutter speeds thanks to the f/2.8. This helps to capture fast-moving subjects particularly in sports or wildlife photography and videography.

The even larger f/1.4 aperture on the prime lenses adds the ability to dramatically enhance storytelling with the use of a shallow depth of field. Filmmakers often use this to create a more cinematic theme.

Overall, the large apertures found in the hybrid lenses have been designed and built for high performance, producing sharper visuals and better colour retention. In addition, beautiful background blur will help isolate subjects from the background, improving the visual interest in both photo and video.

4. Ergonomics

The hybrid RF prime lenses are equipped with the same controls to suit the versatile needs of creators switching from photo and video. There is a smooth turning Iris ring purposely designed for convenient aperture control during video shooting. The new inclusion of a rear filter holder allows users to attach filters at the back of the lens, rather than the front. It minimises vignetting and other optical flaws that may occur when using front filters.

The hybrid RF telephoto and general zoom lens series include several features that benefits smooth photo and video zooming. The ‘fixed front’ lens (meaning the size of the lens doesn’t extend) makes it steadier to hold when zooming as the size and weight distribution of the lens remains consistent. With improved stability, camera shake is reduced whilst delivering a sharper photo and video.

Additionally, its compatibility with the RF extenders (1.4x and 2x) give the users the option to zoom up to 400mm in focal length without the need of carrying multiple telephoto lenses. Finally, the power zoom adapter compatibility allows for extremely smooth video zooming to create a cinematic theme.

5. Build quality

As part of the Canon L-series, these lenses offer robust build quality and the highest optical performance suitable for photo and video. The weather sealing protects against dust and moisture when shooting in harsh conditions with enhanced optical quality to minimize aberrations. In addition, with our 5-year warranty on these lenses, you can have peace of mind knowing exceptional support is provided in the years to come. 

Specs of the new hybrid lenses (as of November 2024):  

In summary, these lenses set a new standard for creativity in the hybrid photo and video age – from the external look to the internal design. With the increasing number of creators working either alone or in smaller teams, a dual-purpose lens for both mediums not only simplify the workflow but expands the creative possibilities of photo and video.

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