Introduction
The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L is a fancy ultra-wide zoom from Canon with a relentless f/4 most aperture. The lens is a part of Canon’s high-end L line, though the value ($1500, usually happening sale for much less) is about as little as you’ll discover for an L-series zoom. In right this moment’s evaluation of the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L, I’ll dive into all of the options and traits of this lens, together with picture high quality exams from our lab.
Some of the fascinating issues concerning the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L is the focal size vary. Extremely-wide zooms are staples for a lot of photographers nowadays, particularly for taking pictures landscapes and structure. However even amongst ultra-wide zooms, this one is exclusive: No different full-frame lens available on the market right this moment can attain each 14mm and 35mm. Nikon matches the broad finish with their Z 14-30mm f/4 S, and the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L will get shut, however that’s about it. Therefore why I take into account this lens to be the religious successor of the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L, which additionally has an unusually giant zoom vary.
Generally, zooms that push the envelope of their focal size will endure from points with measurement, weight, or picture high quality. However this lens bucks the pattern a bit. The picture high quality is sweet – I’ll get to that later – and the dimensions and weight are fairly cheap, too. At 544 grams (1.20 kilos), it’s a straightforward addition to virtually any bag, weighing lower than a typical customary zoom just like the RF 24-105mm f/4 L.
Due to the longer-than-usual zoom vary, you may have the ability to down your equipment if this lens is part of your bag. For instance, fairly than a standard three-lens zoom set (comprised of a large, customary, and telephoto zoom), you could possibly simply pair this lens with a ~50mm prime lens and a telephoto zoom as a substitute. I received’t speculate an excessive amount of on doable kits, however I might see this lens making a killer trio alongside the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 (or RF 50mm f/1.4 L) and RF 70-200mm f/4 L.
After all, all of that solely applies if it performs properly! How does this lens truly maintain up in apply? I’m glad to report that I’ve now examined the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L extensively, each within the discipline and within the lab, to reply that query. Immediately’s evaluation will cowl all the things you might want to know concerning the RF 14-35mm f/4 L and whether or not it’s best for you.
Construct High quality
The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L is a well-built lens that makes use of the identical supplies as Canon’s different L-series zooms. The outer barrel is fabricated from a cushty textured plastic, with rubber zoom and focus rings. The lens zooms externally, and the interior barrel feels to me prefer it’s fabricated from a barely cheaper, although lighter, materials. The lens’s measurement and weight are very cheap, and the filter thread measurement is smaller than anticipated at 77mm. As you’ll be able to see, the lens doesn’t look remotely lopsided on a digicam just like the EOS R5:
Although this lens zooms externally, it by no means gave me concern to make use of it in harsh circumstances. I examined it within the excessive chilly of a Colorado winter in addition to the sand and wind of Dying Valley. It dealt with all the things and not using a downside. A part of it’s because it’s extensively weather-sealed, and half is as a result of the exterior zoom itself is fairly minimal. You’ll be able to see that within the illustration under the way it’s prolonged at 14mm, retracted round 22mm, and prolonged once more at 35mm. Nonetheless, it by no means extends by greater than a centimeter at most, so there’s simply much less floor space for mud or rain to land on:
All in all, this struck me as a well-built lens whose solely potential sticking level – the exterior zoom – is one thing that’s true of virtually each wide-angle zoom lens.
Now let’s cowl the dealing with options of the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L.
Dealing with
The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L handles properly. The lens has two controls: the standard AF/MF swap, and a picture stabilization swap. There’s a zoom ring, focus ring, and customized management ring. You’ll be able to see these under:
Perhaps it’s a shock that an ultra-wide zoom has picture stabilization within the first place, given the good IBIS programs in right this moment’s Canon cameras (and Nikon’s competing Z 14-30mm f/4 S shouldn’t be stabilized). However I believe it was a sensible choice. IBIS can run into points stabilizing the corners of ultra-wide lenses, and for those who shoot video, a stabilized ultra-wide zoom is good for handheld recording. Plus, a few of Canon’s cameras by no means received IBIS, together with the full-frame EOS R and EOS RP cameras in addition to lots of their APS-C our bodies.
All in all, the lens handles properly and truly matches the higher-end RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L’s dealing with in just about each approach. Whereas some photographers could have hoped to see a customized operate button or a devoted aperture ring, the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L doesn’t have these options both! Making an allowance for the value of the lens, I’m pleased with the design and dealing with of the RF 14-35mm f/4 L.
Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L Specs
- Full Identify: Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM
- Mount Sort: Canon RF Mount
- Focal Size: 14mm to 35mm zoom (2.5× zoom)
- Angle of View (Full Body): 114° to 63°
- Most Aperture: f/4
- Minimal Aperture: f/22
- Aperture Blades: 9, rounded
- Filter Dimension: 77mm
- Lens Parts: 16
- Lens Teams: 12
- Particular Parts: 3 aspherical, 3 ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass parts
- Anti-Reflection Coatings: ASC (Air Sphere Coating), SWC (Sub-Wavelength Coating), and SSC (Tremendous Spectra Coating)
- Fluorine Coated Entrance Component: Sure
- Picture Stabilization: Sure
- Inside Focusing: Sure
- Inside Zooming: No
- Management Rings: Zoom, focus, customized
- Perform Button: No
- Switches: AF/MF and picture stabilization on/off
- Focus Motor: Nano USM
- Minimal Focus Distance: 20 cm (7.9 inches) in any respect focal lengths
- Most Magnification: 1:2.6 (0.38× magnification) at 35mm
- Mount Materials: Metallic
- Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
- Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 99 x 84 mm (3.9 x 3.3 inches)
- Weight: 544 g (1.20 lbs)
- MSRP: $1500 (test present worth)
The following web page of this evaluation covers the optical traits of the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L, together with sharpness exams within the lab. Click on the menu under to go to “Optical Options”: