In-depth review of the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro lens - a no-brainer for EOS R owners! Check prices or order at B&H: bhpho.to/320KLgc // WEX: tidd.ly/31ZnJpU Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop
Another Great video, Gordon! I was sort of surprised the lens seemed too tight for V-logging/selfies. I say this because it is the same field of view that the crop EF-M 22mm F2, which others like so much for Vlog/selfies. But only "sort of" surprised because personally, the 22 looks tight to me too.
This is my favorite among the RF lenses. I had the 24-105 and 35mm with me on my business trip last year and I used the 35mm like 95% of the time. I was using the EOS RP on that trip and the EOS RP + 35mm combo was superb.
I have 3 RF lenses and 5 EF lenses and this one is probably my favourite due to its weight, IS and macro. Stick it on a gimbal and its light as and pretty fast at 1.8
This was the first RF lens I bought and it is always on my camera. I bought an RF 24-105 RF L, which is a lovely lens, but it mostly stays in my bag. More RF lens reviews please.
Same thing! First thing after getting my EOS R I got the RF 35mm. It just felt like a good choice to try out. And I love it. I've gotten many of the RF L-lenses since that, but still end up using this 35mm a lot because it is so light and nice to use.
Gordon you helped me make a body &lens choice way back in 2009/2010 my art has grown dramatically since. Thankyou for your efforts and glad to see you back doing great work
Good and thorough review. I was impressed by the enlarged images taken with the 35 vs. the 24-105. Very helpful. This also makes a sweet street photography lens. Enjoyed the review.
This is the best value Canon lens ever. Super practical to use. You should talk about the design of the lens hood for this lens, it's a lens hood you don't need to take it off for storage. it's only 1mm wider than the filter thread.
Great review Gordon! As someone who ditched all my lenses in a bag as soon i get my RF35, I can confirm everything you said. Sold my EF35 f2 IS, never looked back. Even on my holiday, never took RF24-105f4 L out of camera bag. Small, portable, sharp @ f1.8 versatile, great for video. Did a lot of video jobs wit it on a gimbal and bought a couple 52mm ND filters. This combo is very small and powerful with my R. Looking to get RF85 f2 in the future and have a perfect combination of lenses. RF power :)
Great video as always. Looking forward to your review of the 85mm f2 lens, interested to how it compares against the EF 85mm f/1.2L II as it’s around the same price for a used one
This is great. As part of my transition to RF I picked this lens up and everything you’ve said about this lens matches my experience with it thus far. On the RP it’s a great combination to walk around with. I’d really love to see canon release an RF mount 40mm pancake prime like their current EF version. That would make an awesome every day carry combination on the RP. Small, light, and compact, with reasonably good picture quality.
I'm thinking of buying the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens for my Canon EOS RP. My question is the lens has a f/1.8 which will give me a nice shallow depth of field... but what about the maximum depth of field? I take pictures and videos of outdoor products (product reviews) and many times in the video I want to show the beautiful surroundings so I don't want the shallow depth, I want to take in everything behind me or the product. Why don't they list what the maximum depth of field is for any particular lens?
Thanks for the brilliant review. I always enjoy your on the money reviews. I previously had one of these and used it a few times with my Canon C70. I sold it and bought a Sigma 50mm Art, but I'm not really sure if that lens is any better?
This is genius move of Canon for their RF F1.8 prime line up, offering way more for less. An inexpensive($450USD) most compact(lightness too) 35F1.8 prime, with 5 stop image stabilizer, 1/2 macro capability, very close MFD, 9 bokeh blades, in addition, center to extreme corner sharpness is pretty decent with some vignetting, distortion and chromatic abbreviations which can be easily fix via software(like Dxolabs). Kudos to Canon and Gordon.....👍👌👏
As always a great review from Cameralabs so further reviews on RF lenses would be most welcome. Also really enjoying your excellent book which arrived a couple of days ago! Thanks.
Really appreciated the comparison between the RF budget lenses! It’s tricky seeing all the gorgeous reviews of the R5 / R6 / A7SIII, so videos like this one help remind me that there’s still plenty of fun to be had with the cheaper options. Would love to see all the RF lenses reviewed. Thanks Gordon!!
Thanks Gordon, nice review. I bought the RF 35 right after I bought my EOS R. I really like it and it's pretty good for a walk around lens. I also have the RF 24-105 F4 L which I got with my R. Since I sold all my other lenses when I bought the R, I’ve held off buying anymore. Now with the R5 and R6 out there, I’m going to re-evaluate what I think I need (or want). Thanks for the the great reviews!
Thank you Gordon! I’m going to go a little bit against the current and ask if you could do a comparison between the RF 85 f2 Macro and the new Samyang RF 85 1.4: both definitely great 85mm lenses, but seeing a true comparison would be cool!
Finally, someone comparing this lens side by side to an RF 'L' lens - exactly what I've been wanting to see (trying to decide for new R6). Gordon, thanks!
I always love your reviews, and this was no exception. I would love to see more RF lens reviews! Specifically I liked your comparison of the 35mm lens with other lenses @ 35mm as well, at varying apertures. For example, I’d like to see how the 35mm 1.8 compares with the 15-35mm 2.8 @ 35mm, or how the 50mm 1.2 compares with the 24-70 2.8 @ 50mm. Cheers!
Switching back to the Canon r system after selling everything off a couple years ago (following first one R7 motherboard death, then an R8’s failure requiring rtn to Canon). Is the mix of features in the R6ii plus the current low price, and telephoto lens options, that has won me back. Thanks for the review.
Gordon your reviews of the various Canon RF lenses in the line-up is greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to do so. I've come the Canon mirrorless world after shooting with a 5D Mark II for the last dozen years and been wanting to pick up a smaller, lighter-weight AF IS lens for everyday walk around usage to go with the R5. Sounds as though this RF 35 f1.8 might well fill-the-bill (although I wish it were weather sealed). Unless you have another suggestion insofar as a small, light weight, high quality AF IS lens with the RF mount in the f1.4 or 1.8 category (made buy another quality lens manufacturer) that you've tested,I think I just might add this to my small but expanding RF lens collection.
this lens alone makes worth owning the R system. truly a gem in the industry. had mine since launch. the closest thing is the Nikon Z 35 which is bigger, more expensive, and can’t do macro. this lens is a gem. optically this performs identically to the Z too. at much less cost!
Thanks Gordon, always been tempted by this lens. But I have the RF15-35, so apart from the macro side seems like its not needed. It would have been good to see the comparisons using the 15-35 at 35mm in this video as well. What are your thoughts if you have used both.? Rf35 still a great lens though.
I have used both but not at the same time I'm afraid! I did find the 15-35 very sharp though so i hope it would compare favourably. PS - my 15-35 review is at www.cameralabs.com/canon-rf-15-35mm-f2-8l-is-usm-review/
Gordon, you don't look ridiculous at 10:40 with your EOS RP and 35mm F1.8. Other people are ridiculous for not appreciating your camera setup😂. Thank you for your review 🌻🌼🌷
Love the RF lens tests. Not a whole lot out there directly comparing the RF to the EF versions. Your 70-200 comparison was helpful, but I’d really love to see a RF/ef comparison of the 50mm, 24-70mm, 24-105mm, and 85mm.
Just wanted to say thanks for this excellent video - the comparisons (especially to the 24-240mm lens) really helped make my decision in buying this 35mm. Haven't come across your channel before - but have subscribed now!
i have RF 50mm 1.8 STM, what do you think, do i need both 35mm and 50mm, or just one of them? Thank you for your response in advance! Great review btw!
Well it depends if you feel you want something wider when you shoot with the 50! Might be worth waiting for a 28 or 24 in the future for a bigger difference.
I’m back considering this lens again, after selling off my first copy a couple years ago(!) when i thought i was moving away from Canon for good. Ah, our camera madness! ;-)
Best RF 35mm review I’ve seen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Now, PLEASE review the RF 85mm f2 vs RF 85mm f1.2 and Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 RF 🙏🏻 I’m a portrait, beach and boudoir photographer... I’m between RF 85mm f2 and Samyang (of course because of budget Hahahah) but want to make sure of my decision!!!!!
Great review Gordon. I liked the lens but I had problems with the lens hitting in low contrast (but well lit) situations. I also had issues with the lens in servo mode as when it missed focus it would do the typical STM behaviour of zooming the full range before coming back. Did you see any signs of this? I ended up using an adapted EF 35, F2 IS instead that didn't have this as an issue. It's worrying that Canon has released the 85mm STM macro. As if the USM light and fast lenses are being forgotten about for the foreseeable future.
@@cameralabs it seems to be, I just wonder why they put it in there when it seems inferior to USM? It means the only way to have lightweight, snappy and confident lens performance is to use the EF versions. As much as I sing the praises of the 35mm F2, the 85mm 1.8 design is some 25+ years old.
While I am more a tele guy I bought exactly this lens with my RP because it is (1) small, (2) light, (3) very good IQ, (4) f/1.8, (5) image stabilization, (6) 1:2 max reprod. ratio which makes it a true all rounder. Especially f/1.8 + IS + full frame extend the tripod-less range vastly! So I confirm your findings!
@@cameralabs absolutely mate your are my only source of unbiased and fun info. Would love of you would continue to do RF reviews. I'm loving the system in addition to my Fuji and can't wait to expand my glass collection. Keep up the brilliant work mate 🤠 Im off to watch the 85! I can't wait to buy it
Great review (as ever). The rendering of this lens is nice with smooth out of focus details. It would be interesting to see how well it can do against the 45MP sensor. Good idea these 2.0 reviews of the RF catalogue!
Canon did say a couple of years ago, or a bit further back, that their new lenses (the L lenses, I presume) were designed for 100mp sensors (and perhaps higher). But I’m wondering about their new non L lenses, and how well they do, stopped down a couple of stops, on the high rez bodies.
Great review. I'm planning to switch to the RF system sometime in the next year. I wrote the 35 off as a softer option when looking into things originally, but from your review it looks like I may have judged too soon. A hypothetical RF 35 1.2 would be great, of course, but this would be so much smaller/lighter in the bag.
50mm gives you a shallower DoF and more lens compression so it'd be better if you just want subject separation. The RF 35 1.8 is more a do it all lens.
What do You think Gordon, this lens and R8 for video? Just IS in the lens would be enough or still too shaky? For example for hand held filming of things and people etc
.... and if they do get to close you can always prod them with the tripod Gordon! Nice useful review. And yes, of course I would like to see more RF lenses covered, especially at the more 'reasonable' price points. Thanks. BobUK.
Hi Gordon, does this lens accepts ND or any filter such as UV in the lens front, also the R85mmf/2 that you reviewed before? I'm asking because the barrel moves quite a lot. Thanks!
Sharpness aside, I think the corner sharpness comparison on Brighton seafront shows the RF 35mm to have superior micro contrast than the zoom (probably due to the lower element count). This difference will be even more apparent when producing C-type prints from raw derived tiff files. Excellent video as always Gordon!
Excelent review, got mine on Tues, took it around Lincoln yesterday , one thing I was suprised by , I thought it would have a wider view than it does have, I expected to be able to capture the cathedral totally, but it is not that wide ! I am very pleased with the close up bokeh effects as well .
35 is not particularly wide, it's pretty mild and works well as a standard length. If you want to photograph larger views, you'll need something closer to 24 on full-frame.
Yes! I’ve been waiting for this review from you 👍🏽 I have the RP along with the ef50mm 1.8 and I have repeatedly desired a wider and faster lens. Thanks for also comparing it to all the other lenses! I really appreciate it and would enjoy it if you were able to compare other rf lenses too. Looking forward to the 85mm which would likely be the one to get after the 35. (I didn’t think I’d have money for the 70-200 so I got the 24-240 as my first lens to go with the RP) Thank you Gordon and looking forward to the 85mm review!
Question: In an ad for a third party RF extension tube set, it was noted that the product did NOT work with the RF35 f/1.8. Do you know the problem? Will any brand work? I would like to get a bit closer which would indicate the 11mm tube in the set and I would like to reduce the MFD of the 600mm f/11 for bird feeder use but have no use for RF tubes that only work with the zooms. Do you know the details here?
How would you say the autofocus speed of the 85mm f2 is for video compared to the 35mm? I have little ones and the 35mm is almost always a step or two behind when shooting video of them running all over near me and out. Will I have the same complaint with the 85mm? I have no issues with something like the RF 24-70, which I may return (arms are too weak to carry all day).
I wish you had commented on the contrast and color saturation of the lens compared to the others. Particularly, how well it does against the L lens. Other than that, I enjoy your reviews.
I owned the EF f2 for a while and used it on the EOS R before selling it to get this RF f1.8 version. The EF f2 had the advantage of USM focusing, not extended while focusing and a real lens hood. This RF F1.8 has the advantage of not having to use an adapter, a control ring and most of all the shorter minimum focus distance. I do miss that lens hood though!
Great lens. I got mine for £379 after a canon cashback offer. I feel for this price the lens is great. For the full RRP I feel the lens lacks a little. For the full price the lens should have some light weather sealing and a better focusing motor.
Great video Gordon Thankyou. Can you recommend RF35mm f1.8 or EF Sigma 35mm f1.4 for EOS R hybrid work? I want the best quality photos and video, I can get the lenses for the same price. Thankyou
I dont see canon rushing to fill out the lower end of the RF lens market. With the lowest current body going for 3k, going full modern RF modern setup is 4k with taxes (US). That said, these rendering looks FANTASTIC. My 35f2 IS is good but in comparison has rakish, noisy bokeh and can do some ridiculous hazing in some instances. Now whats the chance canon actually makes a cheap 50 thats not an L. They thumbed their nose at users that needed/wanted a modern basic 50mm. Thank goodness my 501.4 hasn't skipped a beat in 8 years. Thanks again for all the info gordon!
Gordon, Great view. When you test lenses, could you point them towards bright light sources so we get a sense of how much flare they have. Also, if you can comment on what, if any purple or green fringing you see in the corners, and coma effects. I have Canon APSC cameras and an ancient 6D and am considering upgrading to one of the new R models, so would welcome your reviews of the RF lenses. Best regards, Craig
Yes, I should do more flare tests in my reviews. If you go to cameralabs.com and check out some of the Sony, Nikon, Sigma and Tamron reviews done by Thomas, you'll see he includes them.
@@cameralabs Thanks a lot I've ordered one and am also considering the 85mm f2 and going without a zoom. I've just got rid of my EF 24-105 F4L and EF 85mm F1.8 and was just going to use the 2 RF primes and not bother with the RF 24-105 f4L. The 24-105 L seems like a jack of all tradesand master of none.
@@cameralabs me too. I think zooms for street and general purpose 'tourist' shots make you lazy. A good prime makes you think about composition and hence move around a bit more to get the shot. In my experience the primes tend to produce more interesting and compelling imagery because you can't be lazy. My 24-105 f4 was the biggest waste of money when I was using EF mount cameras. Hardly used.
Gordon, following your question at 13:30, what happens if you point an EOS R5/R6 at a crowd of people? How will it decide to focus when it sees multiple people?
i prefer long working distance lenses as i have a few ext rings to bring them back in if i need for macro. on my sigma 100-400 c which has quite a big working distance i can get 2mm of ruler on the sensor (M50 crop) by adding ext tubes and converters, at that extreme it is only suitable for studio macro but its a nice to know its available with some outside the box thinking. i'm very happy with the telephoto wildlife i get with M50 at the moment but eventully i can see myself getting an R5, much later when its a year or generation older for the price drop. as always Great review Gordon.
Yes please definitely want to see more RF lens reviews new to all this have the Rp with the 24-240mm and the 35mm deciding what else I need want a good zoom maybe the 100-500 a proper macro to do bugs ect and a good ultra wide ( current using samyang 14 mm ) so help would be great
Thanks for your amazing work!! Maybe a comparison to other EF lenses for us that move to mirrorless setup? Canon 85 1.8, sigma 35 1.4 art etc! cheers from athens greece!
In-depth review of the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro lens - a no-brainer for EOS R owners!
Check prices or order at B&H: bhpho.to/320KLgc // WEX: tidd.ly/31ZnJpU
Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs
Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ
Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop
Another Great video, Gordon! I was sort of surprised the lens seemed too tight for V-logging/selfies. I say this because it is the same field of view that the crop EF-M 22mm F2, which others like so much for Vlog/selfies. But only "sort of" surprised because personally, the 22 looks tight to me too.
Great video as always, rf 35mm was my 1st rf lens! How do I get an autographed copy of the book “In Camera”?
Yes, please test all of the RF lenses. Thanks.
This is my favorite among the RF lenses. I had the 24-105 and 35mm with me on my business trip last year and I used the 35mm like 95% of the time.
I was using the EOS RP on that trip and the EOS RP + 35mm combo was superb.
I would love to see you review all of the RF lenses. I really enjoy your review style.
Thanks!
I have 3 RF lenses and 5 EF lenses and this one is probably my favourite due to its weight, IS and macro. Stick it on a gimbal and its light as and pretty fast at 1.8
and yes please test the RF 85 F2 vs the EF 85 1.8 classic. see how this new lens competes 20 years later!
Yes Yes Yes
that comparison would be awesome
I don't need macro capabilities of RF 85mm f2...
Sharpness would be final determinant for me
I suspect the new one will thrash the old one as my 85mm f1.8 is a bit soft.
Please test 85f2
@@cameralabs Thx
This was the first RF lens I bought and it is always on my camera. I bought an RF 24-105 RF L, which is a lovely lens, but it mostly stays in my bag. More RF lens reviews please.
Same thing! First thing after getting my EOS R I got the RF 35mm. It just felt like a good choice to try out. And I love it. I've gotten many of the RF L-lenses since that, but still end up using this 35mm a lot because it is so light and nice to use.
same thing for me too...
Gordon you helped me make a body &lens choice way back in 2009/2010 my art has grown dramatically since. Thankyou for your efforts and glad to see you back doing great work
Thanks for sticking around!
Good and thorough review. I was impressed by the enlarged images taken with the 35 vs. the 24-105. Very helpful. This also makes a sweet street photography lens. Enjoyed the review.
Witch variable nd filter would you recommend for this lens?
Would love to see you reviewing every RF Lens! Thanks for the great video!
Cheers!
Thank you again Grodon, Now please the RF 85mm F2.0 and please compare it with the 85mm f/1.2 :)
Definitely!
@@cameralabs yes, thank you. Will certainly be waiting on this review.
@Charl Moor I'm trying to get the Samyang for this comparison.
@@cameralabs did you ever do one ?
This is the best value Canon lens ever. Super practical to use. You should talk about the design of the lens hood for this lens, it's a lens hood you don't need to take it off for storage. it's only 1mm wider than the filter thread.
Great review as always👍 this lens is really good, hope Canon releases the Canon 100mm L macro for RF soon.
Yes, that'd be nice, although the 85mm f2 will give you 1:2
@@cameralabs that's true, maybe I get the 85mm until one day the 100mm releases.
Just ordered this lens to replace my very old and underperforming EF 50mm f/1.4. Can't wait to actually try it !
Great review Gordon!
As someone who ditched all my lenses in a bag as soon i get my RF35, I can confirm everything you said.
Sold my EF35 f2 IS, never looked back. Even on my holiday, never took RF24-105f4 L out of camera bag.
Small, portable, sharp @ f1.8 versatile, great for video. Did a lot of video jobs wit it on a gimbal and bought a couple 52mm ND filters. This combo is very small and powerful with my R.
Looking to get RF85 f2 in the future and have a perfect combination of lenses. RF power :)
Always lot's of information with various samples ! I really enjoy your reviews, Gordon !
Thanks!
This is my favorite lens. It's sharp and lightweight. Great for street photography
Great video as always. Looking forward to your review of the 85mm f2 lens, interested to how it compares against the EF 85mm f/1.2L II as it’s around the same price for a used one
This is great. As part of my transition to RF I picked this lens up and everything you’ve said about this lens matches my experience with it thus far. On the RP it’s a great combination to walk around with. I’d really love to see canon release an RF mount 40mm pancake prime like their current EF version. That would make an awesome every day carry combination on the RP. Small, light, and compact, with reasonably good picture quality.
Keep up the good work, yours are amongst the best reviews out there. No nonsense and to the point telling us what we want to know 👍🏻
Thanks, that's what i try and do, although frustratingly the approach doesn't seem as successful as the others!
I'm thinking of buying the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens for my Canon EOS RP. My question is the lens has a f/1.8 which will give me a nice shallow depth of field... but what about the maximum depth of field? I take pictures and videos of outdoor products (product reviews) and many times in the video I want to show the beautiful surroundings so I don't want the shallow depth, I want to take in everything behind me or the product. Why don't they list what the maximum depth of field is for any particular lens?
Thanks for the brilliant review. I always enjoy your on the money reviews. I previously had one of these and used it a few times with my Canon C70.
I sold it and bought a Sigma 50mm Art, but I'm not really sure if that lens is any better?
If you don't care about size, the Tamron EF 35 1.4 is INCREDIBLE. Image Quality about as good as the RF prime lenses for 1/3 the price.
This is genius move of Canon for their RF F1.8 prime line up, offering way more for less. An inexpensive($450USD) most compact(lightness too) 35F1.8 prime, with 5 stop image stabilizer, 1/2 macro capability, very close MFD, 9 bokeh blades, in addition, center to extreme corner sharpness is pretty decent with some vignetting, distortion and chromatic abbreviations which can be easily fix via software(like Dxolabs). Kudos to Canon and Gordon.....👍👌👏
As always a great review from Cameralabs so further reviews on RF lenses would be most welcome. Also really enjoying your excellent book which arrived a couple of days ago! Thanks.
Thanks for ordering my book!
Thank you Gordon. I’ve watched all the reviews. Very helpful!
Yes, please test all of the RF lenses. I've just purchased a Canon R and your reviews are very helpful
Cant wait for the 85 f2 review
Really appreciated the comparison between the RF budget lenses! It’s tricky seeing all the gorgeous reviews of the R5 / R6 / A7SIII, so videos like this one help remind me that there’s still plenty of fun to be had with the cheaper options.
Would love to see all the RF lenses reviewed. Thanks Gordon!!
Thanks Gordon, nice review. I bought the RF 35 right after I bought my EOS R. I really like it and it's pretty good for a walk around lens. I also have the RF 24-105 F4 L which I got with my R. Since I sold all my other lenses when I bought the R, I’ve held off buying anymore. Now with the R5 and R6 out there, I’m going to re-evaluate what I think I need (or want). Thanks for the the great reviews!
Thank you Gordon! I’m going to go a little bit against the current and ask if you could do a comparison between the RF 85 f2 Macro and the new Samyang RF 85 1.4: both definitely great 85mm lenses, but seeing a true comparison would be cool!
Would love to see this one as well!
Finally, someone comparing this lens side by side to an RF 'L' lens - exactly what I've been wanting to see (trying to decide for new R6). Gordon, thanks!
I always love your reviews, and this was no exception. I would love to see more RF lens reviews! Specifically I liked your comparison of the 35mm lens with other lenses @ 35mm as well, at varying apertures. For example, I’d like to see how the 35mm 1.8 compares with the 15-35mm 2.8 @ 35mm, or how the 50mm 1.2 compares with the 24-70 2.8 @ 50mm.
Cheers!
Switching back to the Canon r system after selling everything off a couple years ago (following first one R7 motherboard death, then an R8’s failure requiring rtn to Canon). Is the mix of features in the R6ii plus the current low price, and telephoto lens options, that has won me back. Thanks for the review.
Dunno why people dislike such an informative videos for no reason...?🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
Some people dislike a particular format or system, like Canon, so automatically dislike.
fanboyism on fire😀🔥
@@drbeardo6960 Lolz
@@cameralabs
May be some hate you, may be jealous of you😀
Anyways,
please compare RF85mm f2 macro vs EF85mm f1.8
@@planetfun85 He reviews Nikon gears too
He reviews other brands too
He can't review everything available on market, bro
Gordon your reviews of the various Canon RF lenses in the line-up is greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to do so. I've come the Canon mirrorless world after shooting with a 5D Mark II for the last dozen years and been wanting to pick up a smaller, lighter-weight AF IS lens for everyday walk around usage to go with the R5. Sounds as though this RF 35 f1.8 might well fill-the-bill (although I wish it were weather sealed).
Unless you have another suggestion insofar as a small, light weight, high quality AF IS lens with the RF mount in the f1.4 or 1.8 category (made buy another quality lens manufacturer) that you've tested,I think I just might add this to my small but expanding RF lens collection.
this lens alone makes worth owning the R system. truly a gem in the industry. had mine since launch. the closest thing is the Nikon Z 35 which is bigger, more expensive, and can’t do macro. this lens is a gem. optically this performs identically to the Z too. at much less cost!
also this lens reminds me of the EF-M 22-2 pancake lens but scaled up. another canon great 35mm equivalent.
A modern-day legend
Thanks Gordon, always been tempted by this lens. But I have the RF15-35, so apart from the macro side seems like its not needed. It would have been good to see the comparisons using the 15-35 at 35mm in this video as well. What are your thoughts if you have used both.? Rf35 still a great lens though.
I have used both but not at the same time I'm afraid! I did find the 15-35 very sharp though so i hope it would compare favourably. PS - my 15-35 review is at www.cameralabs.com/canon-rf-15-35mm-f2-8l-is-usm-review/
Gordon, you don't look ridiculous at 10:40 with your EOS RP and 35mm F1.8. Other people are ridiculous for not appreciating your camera setup😂. Thank you for your review 🌻🌼🌷
I have been on the fence to get the Canon R and the RF 35mm lens, but this video may have just convinced me! Thank you, Gordon!
Love the RF lens tests. Not a whole lot out there directly comparing the RF to the EF versions. Your 70-200 comparison was helpful, but I’d really love to see a RF/ef comparison of the 50mm, 24-70mm, 24-105mm, and 85mm.
Here's a comparison of the 50s... www.cameralabs.com/canon-rf-50mm-f1-2l-usm-review/
Dear Gordon, did you try this lens with the r5? I’m wondering how it will handle the 45mp. Love your reviews! Thanks
Just wanted to say thanks for this excellent video - the comparisons (especially to the 24-240mm lens) really helped make my decision in buying this 35mm. Haven't come across your channel before - but have subscribed now!
Thanks for a very informative review. How do you find the vignetting on this lens? Looking forward to your review on RF85 F2.0!
I'm not bothered by vignetting as it's easily corrected if it bothers you. I just left it as it was though.
Thanks for this great review. I enjoy your reviewing style, so I wouldn't mind you reviewing all the RF-lenses.
i have RF 50mm 1.8 STM, what do you think, do i need both 35mm and 50mm, or just one of them? Thank you for your response in advance! Great review btw!
Well it depends if you feel you want something wider when you shoot with the 50! Might be worth waiting for a 28 or 24 in the future for a bigger difference.
I’m back considering this lens again, after selling off my first copy a couple years ago(!) when i thought i was moving away from Canon for good. Ah, our camera madness! ;-)
Huge kudos for the brief shot of the pink Ibanez JEM guitar. Terrific review!
Just for you!
Best RF 35mm review I’ve seen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Now, PLEASE review the RF 85mm f2 vs RF 85mm f1.2 and Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 RF 🙏🏻
I’m a portrait, beach and boudoir photographer... I’m between RF 85mm f2 and Samyang (of course because of budget Hahahah) but want to make sure of my decision!!!!!
Great review Gordon. I liked the lens but I had problems with the lens hitting in low contrast (but well lit) situations. I also had issues with the lens in servo mode as when it missed focus it would do the typical STM behaviour of zooming the full range before coming back. Did you see any signs of this? I ended up using an adapted EF 35, F2 IS instead that didn't have this as an issue. It's worrying that Canon has released the 85mm STM macro. As if the USM light and fast lenses are being forgotten about for the foreseeable future.
I think STM is only for the more affordable lenses in the RF system.
@@cameralabs it seems to be, I just wonder why they put it in there when it seems inferior to USM? It means the only way to have lightweight, snappy and confident lens performance is to use the EF versions. As much as I sing the praises of the 35mm F2, the 85mm 1.8 design is some 25+ years old.
While I am more a tele guy I bought exactly this lens with my RP because it is (1) small, (2) light, (3) very good IQ, (4) f/1.8, (5) image stabilization, (6) 1:2 max reprod. ratio which makes it a true all rounder. Especially f/1.8 + IS + full frame extend the tripod-less range vastly! So I confirm your findings!
I am loving this lens and the R6. I always enjoy your videos mate. Thanks for making this wonderful channel. Also I love your book
Thanks, and glad you enjoyed my book too! Hope you're seeing all my other RF lens tests!
@@cameralabs absolutely mate your are my only source of unbiased and fun info. Would love of you would continue to do RF reviews. I'm loving the system in addition to my Fuji and can't wait to expand my glass collection. Keep up the brilliant work mate 🤠 Im off to watch the 85! I can't wait to buy it
Informative and comprehensive review. Yes, please review more Canon lenses.
Thanks for the great review! Was just looking for this.
Great review as usual!
Thanks!
Nicely presented and easy to follow. And Standen NT House and garden too!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great review (as ever). The rendering of this lens is nice with smooth out of focus details. It would be interesting to see how well it can do against the 45MP sensor. Good idea these 2.0 reviews of the RF catalogue!
I have some images in my R5 review with it I think...
Canon did say a couple of years ago, or a bit further back, that their new lenses (the L lenses, I presume) were designed for 100mp sensors (and perhaps higher). But I’m wondering about their new non L lenses, and how well they do, stopped down a couple of stops, on the high rez bodies.
Great review. I'm planning to switch to the RF system sometime in the next year. I wrote the 35 off as a softer option when looking into things originally, but from your review it looks like I may have judged too soon. A hypothetical RF 35 1.2 would be great, of course, but this would be so much smaller/lighter in the bag.
"Don't worry, I wasn't drunk" LOL!
It's in my collection! Great little lens!
So
which lens give better subject separation from background.??
EF 50mm f1.8 or RF 35mm f1.8 macro ??
50mm gives you a shallower DoF and more lens compression so it'd be better if you just want subject separation. The RF 35 1.8 is more a do it all lens.
Thanks for a great review. Does the lens seem robust and can you fit a filter on it, it looks like it extends with focusing so I’m not sure.
It's not weather-sealed. The filer is 52mm
What do You think Gordon, this lens and R8 for video? Just IS in the lens would be enough or still too shaky? For example for hand held filming of things and people etc
It would be ok, especially with the optional movie stabilisation
.... and if they do get to close you can always prod them with the tripod Gordon! Nice useful review. And yes, of course I would like to see more RF lenses covered, especially at the more 'reasonable' price points. Thanks. BobUK.
Hi Gordon, does this lens accepts ND or any filter such as UV in the lens front, also the R85mmf/2 that you reviewed before? I'm asking because the barrel moves quite a lot. Thanks!
Yes, the filter thread is inside the part which extends.
@@cameralabs thanks
Sharpness aside, I think the corner sharpness comparison on Brighton seafront shows the RF 35mm to have superior micro contrast than the zoom (probably due to the lower element count). This difference will be even more apparent when producing C-type prints from raw derived tiff files. Excellent video as always Gordon!
Excelent review, got mine on Tues, took it around Lincoln yesterday , one thing I was suprised by , I thought it would have a wider view than it does have, I expected to be able to capture the cathedral totally, but it is not that wide ! I am very pleased with the close up bokeh effects as well .
35 is not particularly wide, it's pretty mild and works well as a standard length. If you want to photograph larger views, you'll need something closer to 24 on full-frame.
@@cameralabs so that would be the stock lens I got with my camera, especially as is it very bright tgoday !
im torn between the sigma art 35mm 1.4 vs canon rf 35mm 1.8 , any thoughts ?
I was on the fence but this video convinced me I made the right choice. I will get it.
Really good video! Keep up the great work!
Nice compact prime. STM will be good for casual youtubers who use hot shoe mics
Yes! I’ve been waiting for this review from you 👍🏽 I have the RP along with the ef50mm 1.8 and I have repeatedly desired a wider and faster lens. Thanks for also comparing it to all the other lenses! I really appreciate it and would enjoy it if you were able to compare other rf lenses too. Looking forward to the 85mm which would likely be the one to get after the 35. (I didn’t think I’d have money for the 70-200 so I got the 24-240 as my first lens to go with the RP) Thank you Gordon and looking forward to the 85mm review!
Best reviews ever! Well done sir!!
Thanks!
Question: In an ad for a third party RF extension tube set, it was noted that the product did NOT work with the RF35 f/1.8. Do you know the problem? Will any brand work? I would like to get a bit closer which would indicate the 11mm tube in the set and I would like to reduce the MFD of the 600mm f/11 for bird feeder use but have no use for RF tubes that only work with the zooms. Do you know the details here?
I'm afraid not, sorry!
How would you say the autofocus speed of the 85mm f2 is for video compared to the 35mm? I have little ones and the 35mm is almost always a step or two behind when shooting video of them running all over near me and out. Will I have the same complaint with the 85mm? I have no issues with something like the RF 24-70, which I may return (arms are too weak to carry all day).
Final production 85s aren't available yet for testing.
Great review Gordon.
Great little lens, I use it on my R and R3
A versatile budget lens indeed..! Thanks for the review sir♥️🙂
Will Sigma release R mount lenses in near future?? 🤔
I hope so
I wish you had commented on the contrast and color saturation of the lens compared to the others. Particularly, how well it does against the L lens. Other than that, I enjoy your reviews.
More reviews please! This review was very helpful.
Thanks! I've since reviewed all the new RF lenses on my channel!
Fantastic little lens. Best value for money in a lens since the old 50mm F1.4 imo.
I would like to see you review all the current and future (as the become available) RF lenses. You do a nice job. Thank you
Thanks!
I owned the EF f2 for a while and used it on the EOS R before selling it to get this RF f1.8 version. The EF f2 had the advantage of USM focusing, not extended while focusing and a real lens hood. This RF F1.8 has the advantage of not having to use an adapter, a control ring and most of all the shorter minimum focus distance. I do miss that lens hood though!
Thanks, nice comparison!
I wish Fuji did primes with image stabilization as well...
Great lens. I got mine for £379 after a canon cashback offer. I feel for this price the lens is great.
For the full RRP I feel the lens lacks a little. For the full price the lens should have some light weather sealing and a better focusing motor.
Great video Gordon Thankyou. Can you recommend RF35mm f1.8 or EF Sigma 35mm f1.4 for EOS R hybrid work? I want the best quality photos and video, I can get the lenses for the same price. Thankyou
If you'd find the IS and closer focusing useful, then get the Canon RF model.
I dont see canon rushing to fill out the lower end of the RF lens market. With the lowest current body going for 3k, going full modern RF modern setup is 4k with taxes (US).
That said, these rendering looks FANTASTIC. My 35f2 IS is good but in comparison has rakish, noisy bokeh and can do some ridiculous hazing in some instances.
Now whats the chance canon actually makes a cheap 50 thats not an L. They thumbed their nose at users that needed/wanted a modern basic 50mm. Thank goodness my 501.4 hasn't skipped a beat in 8 years.
Thanks again for all the info gordon!
Gordon, Great view. When you test lenses, could you point them towards bright light sources so we get a sense of how much flare they have. Also, if you can comment on what, if any purple or green fringing you see in the corners, and coma effects. I have Canon APSC cameras and an ancient 6D and am considering upgrading to one of the new R models, so would welcome your reviews of the RF lenses. Best regards, Craig
Yes, I should do more flare tests in my reviews. If you go to cameralabs.com and check out some of the Sony, Nikon, Sigma and Tamron reviews done by Thomas, you'll see he includes them.
Good review as usual Gordon. How does this lens work with a higherMP sensor in the R5?
It seems to be ok, I have used it on that body
@@cameralabs Thanks a lot I've ordered one and am also considering the 85mm f2 and going without a zoom. I've just got rid of my EF 24-105 F4L and EF 85mm F1.8 and was just going to use the 2 RF primes and not bother with the RF 24-105 f4L. The 24-105 L seems like a jack of all tradesand master of none.
@@stevemurnan1702 I prefer the primes
@@cameralabs me too. I think zooms for street and general purpose 'tourist' shots make you lazy. A good prime makes you think about composition and hence move around a bit more to get the shot. In my experience the primes tend to produce more interesting and compelling imagery because you can't be lazy. My 24-105 f4 was the biggest waste of money when I was using EF mount cameras. Hardly used.
You are exceptional at what you do!
Thankyou!
Gordon, following your question at 13:30, what happens if you point an EOS R5/R6 at a crowd of people? How will it decide to focus when it sees multiple people?
If I needed a fast/wide astro lens for the RF cameras and didn't want to fork out for the RF15-35, what would you recommend Gordon?
I'd adapt a third party EF lens
Slam Dunk
Looking forward to mounting this on my R6. R6 right now please!
i prefer long working distance lenses as i have a few ext rings to bring them back in if i need for macro.
on my sigma 100-400 c which has quite a big working distance i can get 2mm of ruler on the sensor (M50 crop) by adding ext tubes and converters, at that extreme it is only suitable for studio macro but its a nice to know its available with some outside the box thinking.
i'm very happy with the telephoto wildlife i get with M50 at the moment but eventully i can see myself getting an R5, much later when its a year or generation older for the price drop.
as always Great review Gordon.
Yes please definitely want to see more RF lens reviews new to all this have the Rp with the 24-240mm and the 35mm deciding what else I need want a good zoom maybe the 100-500 a proper macro to do bugs ect and a good ultra wide ( current using samyang 14 mm ) so help would be great
Nice review! Would love to see a Samyang 85mm 1.4 for RF review.
Thanks for all that you do, Gordon!
Would love to see those test
Thanks for your amazing work!! Maybe a comparison to other EF lenses for us that move to mirrorless setup? Canon 85 1.8, sigma 35 1.4 art etc! cheers from athens greece!
silly quesion, how did you make it zoom in and out like that in the beginning?
It's not zooming, that's just the barrel extension when you turn it on and focus.