Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM Review – digitalcameras.ie

Quick, ultra-wide zoom lenses have lengthy been staples for superior {and professional} photographers. The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L is a latest instance, constructing upon Canon’s legacy of 16-35mm f/2.8 glass for his or her DSLR system. Our in-depth evaluate will let you know all the things you might want to know in regards to the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L and whether or not it’s a good selection to your images.

Canon is the primary firm to promote a 15-35mm f/2.8 lens. Though 16-35mm f/2.8 lenses have been round for years, the distinction between 15mm and 16mm is noticeable. In the meantime, you could find even wider f/2.8 zooms from a number of corporations (such because the Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 and Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 GM), however none of those attain all the best way to 35mm. This spectacular vary of focal lengths makes the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L one of the versatile ultra-wide zooms at present, a minimum of on paper.

The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 has a fancy 16-element design that takes benefit of the quick flange distance of Canon’s RF mirrorless system to maximise the lens’s optical efficiency. Not like many ultra-wide zoom lenses, the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L additionally has the power to take commonplace screw-in filters due to the 82mm filter thread on the entrance of the lens. The lens is absolutely climate sealed, befitting a high-end optic in Canon’s L sequence.

However how does it carry out? We have now been conditioned to count on very sturdy picture high quality from Canon’s L lenses normally – and their mirrorless L lenses specifically – however there’s just one solution to know for positive. That’s why I put the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L by way of months of assessments, together with in depth utilization each within the area and in a managed lab atmosphere. This evaluate is the results of these assessments.

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L Specs

• Full Title: Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM (see Canon Lens Abbreviations)
• Mount Sort: Canon RF Mount
• Focal Size: 15-35mm (2.33x zoom)
• Angle of View (Full Body): 110° 30′ to 63°
• Most Aperture: f/2.8
• Minimal Aperture: f/22
• Aperture Blades: 9, rounded
• Filter Dimension: 82mm
• Lens Parts: 16
• Lens Teams: 12
• Particular Parts: 3 aspherical, 2 ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass components
• Anti-Reflection Coatings: ASC (Air-Sphere Coating) and SWC (Sub-Wavelength Coating)
• Fluorine Coated Entrance Aspect: Sure (and rear factor)
• Picture Stabilization: Sure
• Inside Focusing: Sure
• Management Rings: Zoom, focus, and customized ring
• Switches: AF/MF and picture stabilization on/off
• Focus Motor: Nano USM
• Minimal Focus Distance: 280mm (11 inches)
• Most Magnification: 0.21× (1:4.8)
• Mount Materials: Metallic
• Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
• Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 127 × 89 mm (5.0 × 3.5 inches)
• Weight: 840 g (1.85 lbs)
• MSRP: $2399 (test present worth)

In all the things from the advanced optical design to the fluorine-coated entrance factor and climate sealing, these are high-end specs. Whereas the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L is a giant dedication for many photographers as a result of $2399 worth, this isn’t out of line with the competitors. If you happen to’re attempting to find a deal, the worth has dipped as little as $1899 through the holidays.

I’ll have extra to say in regards to the lens’s construct high quality and building momentarily, however for now, right here is Canon’s official lens building diagram for the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L:

Within the diagram above, the letter A represents aspherical lens components. B is for ultra-low dispersion lens components. C is for sub-wavelength coating. D is for air-sphere coating.

Construct High quality

Like most fashionable lenses, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L is fabricated from high-quality plastic that feels very sturdy and reassuring to make use of. Whereas it’s not a small lens, Canon has stored the scale manageable, and it’s not a burden to hold for a full day of images.

By way of weight, right here’s how the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L compares to a few of the alternate options obtainable proper now, organized from lightest to heaviest:

• Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II: 547 grams / 1.21 kilos
• Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S: 650 grams / 1.43 kilos
• Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 III: 790 grams / 1.74 kilos
• Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 A for FE & L-mount: 795 grams / 1.75 kilos
• Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L: 840 grams / 1.85 kilos
• Sony 12-24mm f/2.8: 847 grams / 1.86 kilos
• Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8: 950 grams / 2.09 kilos
• Nikon F 14-24mm f/2.8: 1000 grams / 2.20 lbs
• Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 G2: 1100 grams / 2.42 kilos
• Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 A for DSLR: 1150 grams / 2.53 lbs

The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L is roughly in the course of the pack. It’s on the heavy facet for a mirrorless lens however lighter than most DSLR lenses – though it does weigh greater than Canon’s personal EF 16-35mm f/2.8 III, a little bit of a shock.

Whereas the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L has good construct high quality general, it does have some drawbacks associated to the extending lens barrel:

Most ultra-wide zooms are externally zooming, so this isn’t the tip of the world. Nevertheless, the kind of plastic that Canon makes use of on the extending barrel is noticeably decrease in high quality than the remainder of the lens’s exterior. It doesn’t really feel as reassuring as I’d have anticipated from a $2400 L-series lens. There’s additionally a small quantity of wobble on barrel when it’s prolonged – beneath 1mm in any route – and whereas it’s not sufficient to have an effect on the lens’s optical high quality, it’s sufficient that small grains of sand or mud may wiggle their means into the lens over time.

These flaws aren’t deadly, and so they aren’t even uncommon for a quick, ultra-wide lens. So, whereas there may be room for enchancment if Canon ever makes a 15-35mm f/2.8 L II, I used to be happy with the lens’s construct high quality general. It helps that the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L is extensively climate sealed, permitting the lens for use even in harsh climate and downpours with out severe concern.

Dealing with

The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L handles precisely as you’ll count on of a high-end, ultra-wide zoom. It has a devoted management ring alongside the standard zoom and focus rings, plus an AF-MF change and a change to manage picture stabilization. The zoom ring is massive and well-dampened. It’s a very satisfying and environment friendly lens to make use of.

All of that is refreshing in a market the place lenses have gotten more and more minimalist. Whereas I had hoped for a customized perform button as properly – and a few photographers could have wished to see a spotlight distance show – I can’t complain ultimately. The lens handles similar to knowledgeable L-line optic ought to.

Lastly, I’d like to say this lens’s inclusion of picture stabilization. Many competing lenses should not have built-in stabilization, as an alternative relying upon the in-body picture stabilization (IBIS) techniques of their respective cameras. This can be a good benefit of the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L, particularly as a result of wide-angle lenses typically battle to completely stabilize the picture (particularly within the corners). Any assistance is welcome, and I discovered that the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L carried out very properly when capturing handheld at sluggish shutter speeds.

The subsequent web page of this evaluate covers the optical traits of the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L, together with focusing efficiency and sharpness assessments within the lab. So, click on the menu beneath to go to “Optical Options”: