Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS: Build and IQ | 4K

Want to support this channel? Use these affiliate links to shop at:

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[geoffreyenriquez]

I appreciate the portability of this RF lens for users who want a portable full-frame mirrorless setup. f1.8 / f2.0 primes might be a sweet spot for light weight mirrorless kits. Faster primes and fast zooms seem to negate the portable nature of mirrorless for those that are seeking it. Thank you for the review! Looking forward to part 2.

[peterebel]

Thank you for the video!
The RF 35 F1.8 Macro is a very smart fit to the compact mirrorless EOS R & RP.
The whole setup is very compact and together with the tilting screen it opens your totally new perspectives you practically can't do with DSLRs.
You can shoot in narrow corners, VERY low, ...
I own it now for a quarter of a year and I got shots practically impossible with all my prior equipment.
This is the lens which changed my mind for mirrorless (I do not love EVF after some month of use).
Very versatile! Very unique, not just another lens.

I still own the EF 35 F1.4L II and love it since some years now. It is totally different in usage.
And the EF 100 F2.8 Macro IS, also great, also very different in usage.

Both great lenses for more classic setups of shooting. But the RF 35 F1.8 Macro IS opens you a new world in nature photography, documentation, reports, ..., only limited by your creativity.
Worth while the (limited) money, I never missed the last bit of optical excellence at all!
A smart move from Canon: Starting mirrorless by not just replacing successful EF lenses but launching innovative products picking up the unfolding chances of the mirrorless platform.
This path is different from Nikon's and very different from Sony's.

[Schneewittchen]

Thank you for this detailed and honest video. I ordered the 35mm f2 IS for my DSLRs a few days ago. Even though I might change to the "R" system next year (wait for the pro), I probably will not switch to the 35mm f1.8, but work with adapters. By the way, I postpone this purchase for years before me but now I have an order for children's pictures of a forest kindergarten. The forest is really dark, even in the sunshine. Since I feel my beloved 40mm Pankake not sure enough ... The second camera is equipped with the 100mm 2.0, here would be my dream the 85mm 1.4 IS. Thanks for your great videos that I have been watching for years. Greetings from Thomas (Germany).

[WilliamWallaceRoss]

Well, fully trust your reviews and look for your take before making purchases. Just purchased one with the lens hood, used on KEH in Excellent + Condition which should be good for my Canon R10.

[joostkuijper]

I understand the 35mm f/1.4 L mkII is a good benchmark, however, i would love to see a comparison to the EF 35mm f/2.0 IS USM. The question for those who own the latter is: Is it worth it to upgrade? For vignetting obviously not, but there are more aspects.

[mitigo]

This is the best video on reviewing the image quality of this lens. Would love to see one on the 50mm.

[tomvandenheuvel]

The MF speed depends on how fast you turn. so a 180 degree fast turn will change focus much more then 180 degree slow. Also in my EOS R, you can set the focus ring sensitivity to degree, so feels more like the mechanical focus of EF lenses. (can be found under custom settings tab 3)

[jodokcello]

If you could have only two RF lens, wicht two would you take?

[LeoinFrance]

Wow, that degree of vignetting for a prime totally surprised me. Don't we get primes for better optics? It's a positive point for the Macro fonction though.

[vaskoobscura_]

You're right that 35mm is more like a 38 or 39mm. I was thinking it wasn't looking as wide as my 35 1.4L. Very nice review by the way. I'm going to skip on this 35 1.8.

[seansitter]

Thanks again for an amazing review, Dustin. My patreon contributions are the best return on money I’ve ever spent!

[mikafoxx]

Been using my trusty 40mm 2.8 on the RP since my 6D screen died with 150k on the shutter. I'm not totally sold on these lenses? The 40 2.8 isnt flawless, but its better than the ef 50 1.8 stm, and from research probably about on par with the RF 50 1.8 at f4 and on.
Picked up an EF sigma art 35 1.4 but didn't like it because it short focused too often near infinity and combined with f1.4 and a slightly curved focal plane it was unusable for blue hour landscape handheld, despite how sharp and contrasty when focused well.
Considered picking up this, or a 35 f2 IS, or a tamron 45 or 35 1.8 VC.. just not sure if anything is reaaonably better for what I need at 2.8-4 apertures. Stabilization would help a lot. Any suggestions? The sigma 40 1.4 looks like a gem comparably to the 35, but still no stabilization and it's not exactly one you want to hike around with.

[JonPaulKersey]

Hey Dustin 👋, thanks for the review but I have one question. How does the RF 35mm f/1.8 compare against the Sigma 35 mm f/1.4 ART for portraits?

[schwalleyf]

I think you did a good review but I have had the lenses since the EOS R came out. I have now used it on the EOS R and R5. The one thing I think you forgot is that unlike the EF lenses the RF lenses are undateable and fix may of the problems also I turn on corrections with the menu on the camera. It embeds it in the raw for Adobe to read. The latest update I did not see the Vignetting as bad as you showed with the EOS r5.
The STM lenses were developed for video it is fast with still photos and is quieter during video. Over all since it is updatable I think it is more accurate than most 35 mm lenses.

[chronocross]

If you already have the 35mm L should I still get the RF 35? Besides the control ring I really dont see any other helpful use of having another 35

[ye-soonmoon]

It is helpful to understand of lens. Mine is EOS RP with RF 24-105mm F4L IS.
I am a totally beginner for using camera. I just want to take beautiful pictures as I can.
Do I need to buy some more lenses for getting better quality pictures?.

[pfmusic]

Great lens. Thanks for the recommendation

[TLYRIDER]

I love this lens and I just posted my review last week on my channel. After using this I am now eagerly waiting for the wide angle lens RF 15-35

[youuuuuuuuuuutube]

Great review. I had the same impressions about the final rendering of the lens. It gets the job done, but there's nothing special.

[Marcus]

I purchased this lens to take to Amsterdam & never really had much issue, actually loved it for the lightweight & compactness, personally think its worth the price tag for that alone, main thing that bugs me is the focus is relatively loud, but on the Eos r iv never had a problem with shadow recovery but i suppose the rp has a weak sensor so could see how that could be an issue, but for a native r lens its best in class for travel at the moment, love your reviews as they cover every aspect and you find the good and bad, any more R lenses on the horizon for testing ? would love for you to review the RF 28-70 f2