Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 IS USM lens review with samples

Here's Canon's latest, flagship, fast standard zoom lens, for their new EOS R camera system. Let's let it loose and see what it can do!

Find it here (Amazon affiliate link - I earn a commission on purchases. Be sure to buy the right lens for your system):

All pictures taken by me on a Canon EOS R camera.

...or on YouTube Memberships:

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Music:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

[RFGfotografie]

In my eyes you deserve to have a "free" lens of this price category, as your the best reviewer on Youtube.

[kyokuten]

Your reviews are the pinnacle of how reviews can be, carry on Sir, respect

[bird]

Chris, thank you for your review. If I had money, I would have bought two 24-70mm lenses. One for you, one for me.

[zipopc]

I use this lens with a Canon R6 3 months now and i can say that it is trully amazing. It performs perefctly in every regard. Excellent review. I am not buying any lens the last 5 years unless you have tested them first.

[blanked]

Thank you for the review, I find it reassuring how even RF version isn't that much an improvement over the previous EF version, this makes me very happy with my EF 24-70mm f2.8 mk ii 😊

[asierardines]

I love the fact that your reviews are totally unbiased, very straight to the point and covering both technical and creative aspects, keep up the good work!!!

[pavendax]

this is prob the most relaxing and accurate also the best lens review channel on the youtube

[philipcook]

You got Watchman Nee, brilliant! God bless you brother. Love your lens reviews, professionally consistent and well tested.

[intj.]

Thank you for your consistency in all of your reviews.

[borism]

Great review, I guess Its on the "Too expensive" list for now. I wish Tamron port their fast zoom from Sony to the Canon RF or maybe Sigma brings an affordable fast zoom line to the RF Canon club for us the more budget oriented

[RFGfotografie]

The image stabilisation of these lenses are perfection.

[craigcarlson]

Chris, A great review as always. The only thing i would ask about is how you wrap up your conclusion of this lens. Hearing all that you describe, it sounds like an impressive lens. But then when considering the very high cost, shouldn't we have been able to expect more on dimensions contrast at closest focus distance, lens flare and color distortions at large apertures? For this kind of money, i feel it should actually be doing better on those measures. As a long time Canon user who is considering getting one of the new R6 or R5, i do feel like we are being led into a pricey dilemma...with the exception of the 35mm f1.8, we either pay VERY big bucks to get the very good but maybe quite over priced high end RF lenses, or we put up with adapting EF lenses. (The new RF variable aperture lenses all seem pretty unremarkable). A not entirely desirable situation.

[ivillious]

bought the lens 2 months ago and i am in love with it super sharp

[chadj.w.anderson]

Great Canon lens review, well put together with real info, real samples and specs. Thank you and God bless.

[jeffreyfleming]

Great review, I found it thoroughly informative. Wonderful!😊

[jackH]

Thank you, your explanation is very nice, no one explains the same way as you 👏🏼

[pieterdewit]

Hi Christopher, I’m really curious how it performs on a R7 ! Could you test that as well ?

[PTUsher]

I’m invested in the RF system but boy do we need some smaller lighter lenses! Great review as always, I rent this lens for £20/day on Fat Llama but I wouldn’t buy it at this price. your views are bang on, thanks for all your good work - my fave channel :)

[MacPhantom]

Great review, and brilliant lens!
I recently bought an EOS R and swayed a little about whether I should get this lens. In the end I went for the RF 24-105 f/4 L, and I couldn't be happier about it; also the body. Canon really shines these days, and this year seems to be exciting too. I couldn't care less about things like in-body IS… It's other things that count for me, and the EOS R combo delivers them all.

[balamina]

Hi Christopher, Thank you so much for the great and clear explanation. Very useful and informative! God bless you!