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Extremely-wide lenses require large, heavy glass. That’s much more true for zooms, which might simply start to strategy the burden of a telephoto. However the brand new Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L IS USM weighs simply over a pound, and consists of stabilization. With the L within the title and a $1,699 price ticket, nonetheless, Canon’s new ultra-wide mirrorless lens has lots to reside as much as.
I spent a while photographing fall landscapes with the Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L IS USM on the EOS R6. With wonderful sharpness and stabilization, this lens may simply be a panorama lover’s dream. That value, nonetheless, could also be a sticking level.
Too Lengthy, Didn’t Learn
The Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L is light-weight and well-built. There’s little to complain about within the autofocus and stabilization efficiency. It captures gorgeous JPEGs, but additionally captures some vital nook bending vignetting at 14mm that’s going to wish lens profile corrections (not but supported in Lightroom or Seize One as of penning this assessment).
Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L IS USM Evaluation Professionals and Cons
Professionals
Compact and lightweightWeather-sealed5 stops of stabilization, 7 with IBIS bodiesExtra management ringBeautiful colorClose focusing capabilities
Cons
$1,699Some correction wanted for RAW recordsdata for barrel distortion and vignettingControl rings could be laborious to distinguish at first
Gear Used
I paired the Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L with the EOS R6. I used this set-up primarily for landscapes.
Improvements
Extremely-wide optics are usually both stabilized or light-weight, however not each. The Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L has 5.5 stops of stabilization, or 7 with IBIS our bodies, but solely weighs 1.2 kilos. Comparatively talking, there’s not likely a lens prefer it. There are different ultra-wide zooms, however none have this mixture of stabilization and portability.
“With wonderful sharpness and stabilization, this lens may simply be a panorama lover’s dream.”
Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L Tech Specs
Canon lists the next tech specs for this lens:
Focal Size: 14-35mmMaximum and Minimal Aperture: F4-F22 (in any respect zoom settings)Lens Mount Kind: RF Mount; Metallic MountMinimum Focusing Distance: 7.9 in. (0.2m), in any respect zoom settingsMaximum Magnification: 0.38x, at 35mm zoom setting (Fill body with topic approx. 3.7 x 2.5 inches / 94 x 63mm in measurement, at 35mm zoom place)Angle of View (Diagonal): 114°00’ – 63°00′Lens Development: 16 components in 12 groupsSpecial Parts: Three UD-glass components, three Aspherical components, Contains one UD Aspherical lens elementLens CoatingCanon SSC (Tremendous Spectra Coating)Canon SWC (Sub-wavelength Construction Coating)Canon ASC (Air Sphere Coating)Fluorine coating on entrance floor of entrance elementFilter Dimension Diameter: Ø77mmAperture Blades: 9; round shapeLens Switches: AF/MF change, Stabilizer ON/OFF switchDust/Water Resistance: Climate-resistant seals at lens mount, switches, zoom ring, focus ring, and Management RingFocusing System: Nano USM; rear focusing system, Twin Pixel CMOS AF Protection. EOS R, RP – approx. 88% (horizontal) x 100% (vertical). EOS R5, R6 Approx. 100% horizontal and vertical. Face Detect + Monitoring – approx. 100% x 100percentFull-time Handbook Focusing: Sure (One-Shot AF solely)Management Ring: YesClick-stops supplied (60 clicks/full revolution)Click on stops could be eliminated by Canon service facility, for a service price.IS Mode Choice: None (computerized panning detection supplied)Optical Picture Stabilization: 5.5 stops optical IS correction with EOS R and RP. Conforms to CIPA take a look at requirements, utilizing EOS R.Coordinated IS (with EOS R5, R6): As much as 7 stops Coordinated IS correction. Conforms to CIPA take a look at requirements, utilizing EOS R5Maximum Outer Diameter x Size: Approx. Φ3.3 in. x 3.9 in. (approx. Φ84.1mm x 99.8mm), Minimal size at approx. 22mm zoom place; Most size at 35mm zoom place – approx. 4.25 in. / 107.9mmWeight: Approx. 1.2 lb. (approx. 19.0 oz. / 540g)
Ergonomics
The Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L is refreshingly moveable. It’s not a tiny pancake lens, certain, however it balances effectively on the beefy physique of the R6. Weighing about 1.2 kilos, it feels nice within the fingers. It’s not obscenely lengthy both and measures 4.25 inches. The lens extends simply barely because it zooms out and in, however the size change is minimal.
The lens has two switches near the lens mount. The highest is the AF-MF change; the underside a easy on-off change. There’s no stabilizer mode change. Canon says that the lens robotically detects panning.
The primary of three rings is the zoom. It’s wider than the opposite two and the one one which’s labeled. That’s adopted by the main target ring. A 3rd management ring sits on the finish of the lens. This third ring has a click on when it turns. This ring could be personalized within the digital camera menu to regulate something from aperture to publicity compensation. The feel can be completely different from the similarly-sized focus ring. With three rings proper in a row, it takes somewhat time to succeed in for the proper one. However, the completely different sizes and textures, with some apply, will assist Canon shooters seize for the suitable one.
As an L collection lens, the 14-35mm has that crimson ring on the entrance. It’s a design that works rather well with the physique of the R6. The entrance of the lens takes 77mm filters. There’s some plastic across the entrance although, and the precise glass isn’t that huge. You possibly can see a stunning intricate sample from the 9 aperture blades on the entrance.
A brief petal-shaped hood ships with the lens.
Construct High quality
Panorama photographers can take this lens out in inclement climate. I set this lens within the dewy grass and splashed it with a water bottle. It acted like nothing had occurred.
The weather-sealed plastic on the lens barrel feels precisely just like the physique materials on the surface of the R6. It feels nice within the fingers and, regardless that the lens is comparatively light-weight, it doesn’t really feel low cost or flimsy.
Autofocus
I wasn’t anticipating such a wide-angle lens to have the ability to get in shut. The Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L can focus as shut as 7.9 inches from the focal aircraft. Including within the size of the lens, you may get fairly shut. The close-up means made this lens very enjoyable to make use of. I may simply change from panorama to close-up kind pictures.
Low-light autofocus was on par with what I anticipated on an f4 lens paired with the R6. It locked on to a panorama at sundown with the Zone AF space mode. In the dead of night, it may nonetheless autofocus on areas with a variety of distinction. For instance, it locked on to headlights at nighttime.
Extensive-angle lenses aren’t made for quick motion. Regardless of this, I nonetheless managed to get a couple of sharp pictures of my canine operating in the direction of me earlier than he received into the minimal focus distance. I don’t suppose the photographers on the lookout for a 14-35mm are going to seek out fault with the autofocus within the sorts of topics this lens was made for.
Ease of Use
Probably the most tough a part of utilizing the 14-35mm is the financial institution of three management rings one proper after the opposite. Some separation — like placing the switches in between two rings as a substitute of close to the mount — would have helped some. It’s important to go by the texture and texture of the rings to seize the suitable one. It is going to take somewhat apply. However, the completely different patterns on the grips and the press on the ultimate ring will assist. It’s simply going to have a brief break-in interval.
The one-mode change for the stabilization is straightforward to make use of as effectively. I usually should Google the completely different modes as a fast refresher on which one does what. This lens senses panning, Canon says, and I didn’t discover something on the contrary.
With stabilization, I may shoot at fairly low shutter speeds. At 35mm, I managed to get all the way down to 4 seconds fastidiously bracing my elbows and holding my breath. If you’re utilizing the lens’ close-up capabilities, that exaggerates the shake. I may get the seven stops marketed with extra distant landscapes, however close-ups had been 5 stops or much less. With close-ups, I may nonetheless get sharp pictures at 1/4 at 35mm and 1.3 seconds at 14mm. If you wish to shoot lengthy exposures with out a tripod, you’ll want endurance, one thing to brace your elbows on, a couple of makes an attempt, and a gradual grip. However, it’s doable and that stabilization makes the lens simpler — and extra enjoyable — to make use of.
Picture High quality
The Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L produces some beautiful JPEGs with nice shade and sharpness. The RAW recordsdata present a little bit of distortion with out the lens profile accessible fairly but, however ought to with time have the identical magnificence with extra flexibility. It actually lives as much as the L-line customary.
Bokeh
Extremely-wides aren’t identified for his or her bokeh. However, get in shut and you’ll actually create some. A few of these bokeh balls have smooth edges, a few of them have a slight onion ring to them — particularly from the smaller factors of sunshine. Dewdrops, for instance, tended to create bokeh with extra of an edge, whereas mild filtered by way of bushes had a smooth edge.
Sharpness
This lens is tremendous sharp, with just some slight lack of sharpness on the corners. The RAW recordsdata don’t look as sharp because the JPEGs, nonetheless, so that is one other space the place I’m eagerly ready for Seize One and Lightroom to launch assist for the lens.
Lens Character
RAW
Switching from the JPEG to the RAW, there’s a variety of in-camera correction occurring right here. That’s to be anticipated with such a wide-angle. The corners are bent in at 14mm. There’s additionally a really robust vignette. Each of those are pretty effectively corrected with the in-camera processing on the JPEG recordsdata.
I did spot some occasional blue fringing round excessive distinction areas, largely when backlit by the sky. Chromatic aberration wasn’t in any other case simple to seek out.
I needed to work laborious to get this lens to flare. Pointed at direct solar, I may sometimes get a small streak or some spotty flare. Even then, the flare didn’t wreak havoc on the picture’s distinction. The colours remained wonderful, even with flare.
Coloration Rendering
I set the in-camera shade profile to panorama and actually liked the colour coming off the JPEGs. The few crimson leaves that I managed to seek out in what’s turning out to be a low shade fall seemed stunning and vibrant. With an correct white stability, shade felt near the precise scene.
Additional Picture Samples
From day one, the Phoblographer has been enormous on transparency with our viewers. Nothing from this assessment is sponsored. Additional, a number of people will submit critiques and present a number of modifying within the images. The issue then turns into that anybody and everybody can do the identical factor. You’re not displaying what the lens can do. So now we have a complete part in our Additional Picture Samples space to indicate off edited and unedited images. From this, you can also make a choice for your self.
Edited
Unedited
Conclusions
Likes
I just like the smaller type issue. It balances effectively with the physique of the R6.It’s weather-sealed and feels sturdy.A rarity for an ultra-wide zoom, it’s stabilized to five.5 stops (7 with IBIS).There’s a 3rd management ring that may be customized set to regulate aperture, ISO, or different choices.The colours coming from this lens are stunning.The lens can focus fairly shut.
Dislikes
It’s not low cost.There’s some robust nook bending and vignetting at 14mm (and the profile for the RAW shouldn’t be but accessible in Lightroom or Seize One).The management ring placement may have been higher.
The Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L is a superb panorama lens. The lens captures stunning shade with minimal flare. Its built-in stabilization system permits for decrease shutter speeds. With distinction, it might probably nonetheless focus in restricted mild. And, its light-weight and weather-sealed.
The 14-35mm’s principal holdback is just that the lens profile isn’t accessible but in main picture editors. RAW images at 14mm have some robust vignetting, nook bending, and diminished sharpness; the JPEGs look wonderful. There’s some occasional blue fringing on excessive distinction edges backlit by the sky. The three management rings proper subsequent to one another aren’t as intuitive to study.
And, at $1,699, it’s not low cost. Paying that a lot for a zoom lens that’s not an f2.8 goes to be a troublesome choice. Canon’s EF mount equal is $600 cheaper.
However, the highlights overwhelmingly supersede the negatives. For that, I’m giving the Canon RF 14-35mm f4 L 4 out of 5 stars.
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