Canon RF Lenses

Updated June 1, 2020

In preparing to update my photography quiver for the new line of Canon's mirrorless lenses, I went through a period of researching and testing the new lens line. My questions about each lens and how they compare to each other were not sufficiently answered online, and so I thought I should publish my summarizations of each lens, including their strengths and weaknesses. I will plan to keep this document current as new lenses are released.

The New Canon RF Lenses: which are the best for you?

By all accounts, the new RF mount mirrorless-specific lenses are a breakthrough for Canon, ending the 31 year reign of Canon's hugely popular and high-quality EF lenses. The RF lenses advance Canon lens technology in several significant ways. The most important change is simply superior image quality through better glass, better glass coating and better lens design. The large mount diameter allows for larger maximum apertures; a key for several lenses with particularly wide apertures. Shorter flange distance (or the distance from the image sensor and the first piece of glass) allows the lenses to be built in a more compact format. In-lens image stabilization technology as well as communication between the lens and the camera on in-camera stabilization allows for more stable images. Canon RF lenses also come with a control ring, which allows the user the ability to make customized exposure changes from the lens itself.

Canon RF 24–105mm F4 L IS USM Lens

This lens has an enormous range from wide-angle to telephoto, and a photographer could use this as reason to justify a kit without a middle-range prime or zoom lens. This is an "L" build lens, and so it has very good quality. However, often, the image quality is less than superior, which is what you'd expect with such a long focal range. Also, this lens seems designed more for videographers than still photographers, with a build that seems designed more for zooming while filming. Ultimately, this lens is a jack-of-all-trade lens, and it can work for general purpose travel, outdoor, sports, nature, cityscape and portraiture work.

Strengths of the RF-24-105MM Lens

Cost is better than most RF lenses
Encompassing range from wide-angle to telephoto in a single lens
Consistent minimum aperture of F4 at all focal ranges.
Travel photographers needing to cut down on heavy kits will appreciate the general purpose and lightweight nature of this lens.

Weaknesses of the RF-24-105MM Lens

Better lens for video than still
Doesn't have that solid build often preferred by photographers.
Image quality is very good rather than excellent.

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Canon RF 28–70mm F2 L USM Lens

I consider this lens to be the current flagship of high quality zoom among the new RF lenses. It is breathtakingly sharp, and features a uniquely wide maximum aperture.

Strengths of the RF 28–70mm Lens

Amazing maximum aperture of F2.
Solid, large and heavy lens is beneficial for photographers who appreciate solid build
Image remains extremely sharp at various apertures.
Outperforms EF prime lenses.

Weaknesses of the RF 28–70mm Lens

Lack of wider zoom makes a
Very heavy lens, making it a difficult choice for backcountry and travel photographers.
No in-lens image stabilization
Expensive

Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM Lens

Nifty-fifty's are usually affordable, but this RF 50mm lens is nothing of the sort. The cost is justified by the amazing image quality and extraordinary wide aperture. 50mm prime lenses are not for everybody, and with the many zooms that already cover this range, this lens seems to be made specifically for the photographers who love this standard focal length.

Strengths of the RF 50mm Lens

Great bokeh
Excellent image quality
Solid prime lens

Weaknesses of the RF 50mm Lens

No in-lens image stabilization.
Focal length covered by other lenses

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Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

The first thing you notice about this lens is how compact it is compared to its EF equivalent. It is much smaller than earlier medium telephoto lenses, which makes it much more interesting as a travel photographers lens.

Strengths of the RF 70–200mm Lens

Amazing contrast and resolution at all focal lengths
Very light: weighs only 2.35 pounds
Much more compact than its predecessor
Improved image quality over its predecessor

Weaknesses of the RF 70–200mm Lens

Expensive

Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

This ultrawide zoom replaces Canon's wildly popular EF 16-35, and is coming up as superior in every test on image quality and sharpness. For anybody who uses ultrawide, the advancements on this lens are hard to ignore.

Strengths of the Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 Lens

Incredible image quality, a sound improvement over its popular EF equivalent.
Weather sealed and other technology against water and dust
In-lens image stabilization
Constant F2.8 maximum aperture at every focal length.
Control ring

Weaknesses of the Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 Lens

Very large for an ultrawide zoom.
Photographers report that the plastic build on this model feels substandard
Vignetting at 15mm

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Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

This is the least expensive of the new Canon RF lenses, but it has very good image quality. Since the image quality of some of Zooms (such as the 28-70) are superior to this lens, I see the advantage of this lens its light weight and affordable cost. As a long-time macro user, I don't imagine many cases where this focal length would work for me, although it is the only macro RF lens to date.

Strengths of the RF 35mm Lens

Inexpensive
Very good image quality
The only macro RF lens that has been released
In-lens Image stabilization
Light enough to easily allow single hand use
Amazing maximum aperture

Weaknesses of the RF 35mm Lens

Unusual focal length for a macro lens
Image quality generally inferior to the more expensive Zoom lenses that cover this focal length.

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens

The 85mm lens has long been prized as the ideal all-purpose portraiture and human subject and fashion focal length. The RF version of the 85mm is an exceptional lens, surpassing its Canon predecessors and probably the competition. A solid, heavy lens, the RF 85mm uses only 13 lens elements, which corrects many issues compared to similar lenses which need more elements.

Strengths of the RF 85mm F1.2 Lens

Unprecedented image quality
Impressive maximum aperture of 1.2
Quality remains high at different apertures

Weaknesses of the RF 85mm F1.2 Lens

Expensive
Focal range generally has very specific uses
No in-lens image stabilization
Large, heavy lens that will weigh down an outdoor photographer's kit

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Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens (The Bokeh Lens)

This lens, almost identical to the Canon RF 85mm F1.2, has one key difference: it uses a defocusing technology to create more intense, clean and smooth bokeh effects when used in the widest apertures. I love the fact that Canon is releasing creative lens concepts such as this one, and if I had a choice between the two lenses, I would opt for this version, as Bokeh is so important in many of the people shots this focal length is used for.

Strengths of the 85mm F1.2 L USM D Lens

Unusual premise and a very creative lens concept
Unprecedented image quality
Impressive maximum aperture of 1.2
Quality remains high at different apertures

Weaknesses of the 85mm F1.2 L USM D Lens

Even more expensive than the regular RF 85mm
Focal range generally has very specific uses
No in-lens image stabilization
Large, heavy lens that will weigh down an outdoor photographer's kit

Canon RF 24–240mm F4–6.3 IS USM Lens

This single lens contains most of the focal lengths used regularly by photographers. It simply has an amazing range. The problem, of course, is that this incredible focal length diversity comes at the price of image quality. Nevertheless, consumer photographers should be impressed by image quality compared to earlier superzoom models.

Strengths of the RF 24–240mm Lens

Light and compact for its range
A contender for photographers with weight and space requirements of a single lens
Good weight distribution on RF cameras

Weaknesses of the RF 24–240mm Lens

Lower image quality
Maximum aperture is not ideal

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Canon RF 24–70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

The problem with the amazing RF 28-70 is that it is missing that essential medium wide-angle focal length between of 24mm.

Strengths of the RF 24–70mm F2.8 Lens

Excellent optics
Very versatile focal range
Very good maximum aperture of F2.8
In-lens image stabilization
Not too heavy (1.98 pounds) and medium-sized

Weaknesses of the RF 24–70mm F2.8 Lens

Inferior image sharpness to the RF 28-70.
Edge sharpness issues.

Best Canon Lenses for Different Types of Photographers

The reality is that many of the best lenses for Canon's new mirrorless camera system are not RF lenses, but Canon's older EF lenses. However, this article is strictly about the best RF lenses; meaning, if you are going to build a kit entirely from Canon's new lens technology, how should you build your kit?

for Travel Photographers

3 Canon RF Lenses for Travel Photographers

Travel photographers find themselves in nearly more photography situations than any other photographer. As a travel photographer, you are a true generalist, shooting in city and country, focuing on landscapes, cityscapes, street scenes and nature scenes. For travel photographers, I would pick this holy trinity of the main focal ranges, with three lenses that are all exceptionally sharp. For travel photographers, I suggest passing on the RF 28-70, for its bulky size and weight. The combined weight of these three lenses is 2,810 grams or 6 pounds 19 ounces. That is an acceptable weight for travel photographers who want the entire trinity at exceptional quality.

Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 24–70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

for Outdoor Photographers

3 Canon RF Lenses for Outdoor Photographers

Outdoor photographers, photographing a generalist combination of nature, wildlife, and outdoor sports will be well represented by this holy trinity of focal length and exceptional quality in RF lenses. Weighing in at just over 6 pounds, these 3 lenses will nearly complete every need of most outdoor photographers. While these are expensive lenses, this combination covers wideangle outdoor-scapes, a middle range which is great for human subjects and portraits, and a longer telephoto range for street scenes and wildlife.

Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 24–70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

for Landscape Photographers

3 Canon RF Lenses for Landscape Photographers

Landscape photographers are generally more willing to add weight to their kit than general travel photographers, who need more mobility. For this reason, I suggest the Canon RF 28-70mm, which is much bulkier than the RF 24-70, but with the benefit of absolute superior image quality. Landscape photographers will also enjoy the pristine quality of the RF 85mm for telephoto landscapes as impeccable image quality.

Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 28–70mm F2 L USM Lens
Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens

for Urban and Street Life Photographers

3 Canon RF Lenses for Urban and Street Photographers

City and street photographers need high quality images, but also wide apertures for low-light, documentary style photography. Here, I suggest the RF15-35mm to cover the wide-angle shots that are often a cornerstone of the street photographer's work, the superior quality RF 28-70mm for middle ranges, and the specialized Bokeh lens, with its exceptional wide aperture and that unique quality of a lens that has a heavy focus on bokeh; an effect that has endless uses in street photography.

Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 28–70mm F2 L USM Lens
Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens (The Bokeh Lens)

for Wildlife Photographers

3 Canon RF Lenses for Wildlife Photographers

Most macro photographers will find the RF 35mm an underwhelming choice for most macro shots, which makes the higher focal length macro lens in the EF series compelling (a 100mm RF macro lens is in the works). But considering the fact that we are looking exclusively at RF lenses, this kit, covering macro, wide-angle and telephoto covers the essentials for most wildlife photographers.

Canon RF 24–70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Lens
Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

Canon RF Lenses

The New Canon RF Lenses: which are the best for you?

Canon RF 24–105mm F4 L IS USM Lens

Strengths of the RF-24-105MM Lens

Weaknesses of the RF-24-105MM Lens

Canon RF 28–70mm F2 L USM Lens

Strengths of the RF 28–70mm Lens

Weaknesses of the RF 28–70mm Lens

Canon RF 50mm F1.2 L USM Lens

Strengths of the RF 50mm Lens

Weaknesses of the RF 50mm Lens

Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

Strengths of the RF 70–200mm Lens

Weaknesses of the RF 70–200mm Lens

Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

Strengths of the Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 Lens

Weaknesses of the Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 Lens

Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

Strengths of the RF 35mm Lens

Weaknesses of the RF 35mm Lens

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens

Strengths of the RF 85mm F1.2 Lens

Weaknesses of the RF 85mm F1.2 Lens

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS Lens (The Bokeh Lens)

Strengths of the 85mm F1.2 L USM D Lens

Weaknesses of the 85mm F1.2 L USM D Lens

Canon RF 24–240mm F4–6.3 IS USM Lens

Strengths of the RF 24–240mm Lens

Weaknesses of the RF 24–240mm Lens

Canon RF 24–70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

Strengths of the RF 24–70mm F2.8 Lens

Weaknesses of the RF 24–70mm F2.8 Lens

Best Canon Lenses for Different Types of Photographers

for Travel Photographers

for Outdoor Photographers

for Landscape Photographers

for Urban and Street Life Photographers

for Wildlife Photographers

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