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10 January, 2023 Posted in Better photo tips, Photo gear
Ever since I first held an EOS R camera with the RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM lens, I was curious about what that extra ring on the lens would be for. Little did I know it offered configurable functions tlored to your personal photography needs.
The RF lens control ring is one of many new features introduced by Canon's EOS R camera system which offers a plethora of possibilities in enhancing your photographic experience. It's up to you as the photographer to decide how best to utilize this innovative feature.
Starting out with my EOS R, I was initially using EF lenses that worked on both systems since I had only the standard EF-EOS R mount adapter at hand. However, as I began adding RF lenses like the larger RF 28-70mm F2L USM alongside the tiny RF 16mm F2.8 STM to my kit with the EOS R6, I realized its full potential.
Even compact lens designs may lack an obvious control ring but feature a switch instead, which can be customized according to your preferences through Canon's Camera and Lens communication protocol. The real game-changer lies in using this additional ring for functions such as changing focus speed or zooming while keeping the camera still.
The RF lens control ring serves several useful purposes:
Adjusting Focus Speed: Quickly adjusting the focus speed can be crucial during times when you need to make fine adjustments on-the-fly without having to reach out for your dials or buttons.
Controlling Zoom Function: Using this ring as a zoom tool allows for smooth and precise zooming movements, which is particularly useful in video shooting scenarios requiring fluid transitions between wide and narrow angles of view.
Navigating through Menus: The control ring can be customized to navigate through menus or access specific settings quickly using the Jump function on your camera's screen.
Shutter Control: Some advanced cameras allow you to adjust the shutter speed directly via this ring instead of using traditional dials, providing a smooth and more tactile experience during shooting.
ISO Setting: Deping on your camera model, you can configure this ring to control ISO settings, offering yet another level of customization for rapid adjustments in changing light conditions.
Manual Focus: A useful feature when shooting at low light or requiring precise focus control is the ability to use the control ring as a manual focus tool.
The possibilities with an RF lens control ring are almost less once you delve into your camera's custom settings and learn how they interact with Canon’s advanced communication protocol between lenses and cameras. As a photographer, you'll find that mastering this feature can significantly elevate both your efficiency in the field and overall creativity when composing images or capturing videos.
For those who are new to the EOS R system, I recomm exploring various tutorials and resources avlable online specifically on how to utilize different features of Canon's lens control ring effectively. This knowledge not only improves your workflow but also allows you to personalize your camera setup according to your unique style and needs as a photographer or videographer.
Let me know in the comments below if you've already discovered the potential of your RF lens control ring, and how it has enhanced your shooting experience!
About the author:
Brian Worley - Full-time photo tutor and photographer dedicated to sharing knowledge and skills for photography, videography, lighting, post-, and more. He writes books and articles for photo magazines and consistently carries at least one Speedlite flash in his camera bag.
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EOS R Camera RF Lens Control Ring Customizing Canon EF EOS R Adapter Adjust Focus Speed with RF Lens Navigation through Menus via Control Ring Shutter Control Using RF Lens Ring Manual Focus Technique on EOS R System