Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens

I bought this lens used over Amazon at a savings of nearly $150 from the retail price. This is an excellent lens for a beginner on a budget like me trying to dig in and learn as much as I can about photography as quickly as I can (getting ready for the birth of my son preparing to take lots of pictures of him), while using the RF platform on the Canon EOS RP. Since the EOS RP lacks "in body image stabilization" (IBIS), this lens is a must have for someone just getting started with the RP or the R since it has image stabilization built in - that gives a needed advantage for low-light situations as well as handheld video recording. Considering how wide this focal length is (similar to the focal length of the main camera [*correction* - selfie camera] on an iPhone), it has an amazing level of bokeh - way beyond anything your phone's main camera could produce naturally. The fact that it can do macro photography as well is just fantastic, though you won't have the versatility you would have with a longer focal length like a 100mm macro lens (the Canon RF and EF mount 100mm macro lens is a beast, but at a price almost 3x that of this 35mm lens). The photo I included here of the lady bug was the best one I could take after taking multiple photos because the 35mm focal length requires getting very close to a subject you are trying to do macro photography work with. With something that is moving quickly but small, or which could get spooked by a shadow, a longer focal length would be better. This lens can be used for portraits, but in my experience the 50mm rf lens, even though it is not image stabilized, is a much better option. I started out just with the EOS RP and the 50mm RF lens, but realized very quickly that I needed a wider focal length, macro capability, and image stabilization. This lens delivers all of these features with excellence. That said, having it and using it also convinced me that I will need an 85mm eventually as well. I hope to eventually add the 85mm rf lens to my collection, which by my research would be even better for portraits, but the 35mm is still great if you're dealing with more than one person. For those debating on getting a kit lens versus a lens like this prime 35mm rf or the prime 50mm rf lens, I strongly suggest you go with a prime lens first - though you lose the option of a variable focal length in a single lens, you gain a wider maximum aperture (f/1.8), and in this case, macro capability. Having both of these features in your first or second lens makes a HUGE difference.The limitations you have with a single focal length forces you to become a better photographer (thinking about composition, staging, making you more willing to learn how to use manual photography features), and besides, with a camera like the EOS RP you can always crop in closer when you have 26 megapixels to work with. Years ago I had a Canon Rebel T7i with a kit lens and eventually sold it. I recently compared the photos I took with that setup versus the ones I have taken with the EOS RP and the RF 35mm lens, and there is no contest. The 35mm prime on the RP beats anything I took with that other setup with a prime lens every time.

The Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens is nothing short of a masterpiece. As a photography aficionado who has been through a wide array of lenses over the years, I find that this lens has a perfect blend of versatility, build quality, and performance. It has exceeded my expectations in numerous ways, thus deserving a 5-star rating. Build and Ergonomics Starting with the build, Canon doesn’t disappoint. The lens is constructed with high-quality materials that offer a premium, sturdy feel. The focus ring is exceptionally smooth, allowing for precise control. It’s compact and lightweight, which is a huge plus for those who travel or shoot for extended periods. Image Quality What truly stands out is the image quality this lens produces. The sharpness is exceptional, even wide open at f/1.8. The lens captures exquisite detail and delivers vibrant, true-to-life colors. The bokeh is buttery smooth, providing that professional look we all strive for in our photographs. Macro Capability The macro functionality is perhaps the most surprising and delightful feature. It opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities, from capturing the intricate details of a flower to intricate food photography. This is not just a lens; it’s a versatile tool for artistic expression. Autofocus The STM (Stepping Motor) technology ensures that autofocus is swift, silent, and accurate. Whether I’m shooting portraits, landscapes, or close-up macro shots, the focus has been reliably on point, contributing to a more efficient workflow. Pros: 1. Stellar Image Quality: Exceptional sharpness, vibrant colors, and beautiful bokeh. 2. Macro Functionality: Adds a new layer of versatility and creativity. 3. Quick and Silent Autofocus: Efficient and unobtrusive, ideal for both photography and videography. 4. Compact and Lightweight: Easy to carry, making it a great travel companion. 5. Build Quality: Robust and premium, built to last. Cons: Honestly, it’s challenging to find any significant faults with this lens, which speaks volumes about its quality and performance. Comparison When compared to lenses like the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM for Canon, the Canon RF35mm F1.8 offers the added advantage of macro capabilities and the benefits of the RF mount. While Sigma’s lens is excellent in its own right, the versatility and integration of the Canon lens make it a superior choice for those invested in the Canon ecosystem. Usage Experience I’ve used this lens extensively for various types of photography: portraits, landscapes, macro, and even some video work. It has performed exceptionally well across the board. From studio settings to outdoor environments, this lens has proven itself to be a reliable and high-performing piece of equipment. Final Thoughts The Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens is a stellar piece of optical engineering, perfect for both professionals and hobbyists. It combines incredible image quality with versatile features like macro capability and fast, silent autofocus. It represents not just an incremental improvement, but a significant leap forward in what one can expect from a 35mm lens. If you’re in the market for a high-quality, versatile lens, this should be at the top of your list. Thank you for taking the time to read this comprehensive review. I hope it provides the detailed insights you need to make an informed decision.

1/3/2022 update I have now owned this lens for over a year. It is on my full frame Canon camera more than any other lens I have ever owned, including L lenses, other prime lenses, zoom lenses, and third party lenses. The image stabilization works very well. Focal length is ideal for close portraiture. Lets in a ton of light. It is lightweight. Couldn’t ask for a better lens. I like this better than any L lens I have ever owned because it is portable and produces beautiful photos. Trusty 50mm lens from Canon for the mirrorless body. Most affordable one. Just received it today (12/30/2020) and love it already. I have a Canon EOS RP, and with the lens, this is the most lightweight and portable setup I have ever had with a full frame camera. Only have had the lens for a few hours but it looks very similar to the EF version (which I love) and seems to function great. Best lens for the price with the Canon mirrorless system. The other RF lens I have is the 35mm F1.8 STM IS. Love that lens as well. It appears that both of these lenses focus well for both photo and video, and most importantly to me, they are both quiet for video. I use the RP for photography and family videography. Highly recommended. Please keep making more affordable RF lenses, Canon. Thank you!

I've always been told that photography is all about the skill instead of the gear, but the quality of my photos has dramatically improved since getting this lens. Before buying, keep in mind that this lens is an RF lens and currently only works with the EOS R, EOS RP, EOS R5, and EOS R6. There is also no adapter to use this on EF cameras. This review is of me shooting on an EOS RP. Overall, I can say without a doubt that this is the best lens I have ever owned. I primarily do portrait photography, but I started to get into macro photography because of this lens. The minimum focusing distance lets you get super close to what you are shooting. The high aperture does a really good job of making the photo feel like you are really up close and also allows you to shoot at much higher shutter speeds to get really sharp details of moving insect wings without sacrificing light quality. The lens is also extremely small and compact. It is perfect for toting around all day if you are at a zoo or gardens. This lens has Canon's new control ring on it that allows you to control certain settings assigned by going into your camera's menu. The only downside for this lens is that, even though I have owned it for weeks and have shot over 2000 photos with it, if you were to hand it to me right now, I couldn't tell you which was the control ring and which was the focusing ring. I've had to disable the control ring because I keep accidentally changing the setting assigned to it. That being said, the auto focus is extraordinary on this lens. It is incredible how fast it can go from being focused for photographing a group of people 20 feet away to focusing in on a beetle less than an inch long half a foot away. Overall, if you own an RF camera, I believe you should have one of these on hand just because of the versatility. All of the photos attached have been shot with this lens. You can see how sharp the lens is from there.

I bought this lens as both an all around and macro (and because the price was right for an RF lens). So far I'm very pleased. I also own the 24-105 lens which is a great walk around, but over the years I've found myself shooting at 35mm more often than not and the RF 35 is smaller, making it less noticeable than either the zoom or the excellent RF 50. The fairly wide bottom aperture and macro capability are bonuses. The lens is fast focusing and even found focus on a very foggy winter morning (see photo) when other lenses I've owned would have "hunted" unsuccessfully. I didn't have to switch to manual focus to get the shot. Color rendition and saturation are as I've come to expect from all Canon lenses and the bokeh was pleasing if not spectacular. Of course, as you'd expect, it's not the best choice for a portrait lens, but plenty good enough for casual pictures of friends and family. I'm looking forward to using the lens through the upcoming holidays and will update this review with any additional information as the lens reveals its merits and shortcomings. UPDATE: After using the lens for a couple of months I continue to feel that it can't be beat for visual acuity, weight, balance, fast focus and size. I've added a couple of images to give an idea of low light performance and "everyday" family shots (in this case, of our dog opening her present).

I absolutely love this lens! The Canon RF35mm F1.8 quickly became one of my favorites. It’s incredibly sharp, lightweight, and works beautifully in all kinds of situations — portraits, close-ups, everyday photos, and low-light shots. The macro capability is a huge bonus, and the autofocus is fast and accurate. I was impressed from the first test images. Colors look amazing, the bokeh is smooth, and the lens feels great on the camera. For the price, the performance is outstanding. Highly recommended!

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 has quickly become one of my favorite lenses. It’s incredibly sharp, lightweight, and versatile — perfect for everything from street photography to portraits and even food shots. The wide f/1.8 aperture gives beautiful background blur and performs great in low light. I also love the macro capability, which adds so much creative flexibility. Autofocus is fast and reliable, and the image stabilization is a bonus for handheld shooting. If you’re building out your RF kit, this lens is a no-brainer!

Update ~3 weeks 6/11/23 +1 star I don't write roller-coaster reviews like this but this lens has been unique. TLDR - Optical quality top notch, L grade ; AF issues exist ; high copy-to-copy variation in AF precision/repeatability and hunting. About 400 pics later, i changed my mind i'm keeping this lens. Maybe there are better copies out there but i'm a bit tired of returning. Yes it has some AF issues but it has excellent optics - sharpness, contrast, bokeh match other L lenses i have used, IS is very very good (see R7 wide open Nasturtium full image and the tiny ant at 200% magnification - shot into the setting sun). I'll work within the limitations and use MF for critical work. It is a no-go for astro photography or wide-open night time landscapes, barely useful for fast moving subjects. Video AF works good (not great) it will struggle keeping up with kids moving fast. Wide open there is significant purple fringing at high contrast edges. Update +2 weeks 6/7/23 -2 stars Definitely has a slight focus precision issue (i.e. repeatability not accuracy, it is accurate on average) which shows the most at infinity, wide-open. See two photos, both at f/1.8 on a R7 one is slightly blurrier. It's not a very big deal, as this only shows up at 100% magnification. MF works ok, no issues. I think the focusing STM mechanism has a positioning issue where the elements move very slightly after the focus confirmation due to inertia or play - sloppy engineering. Canon should re-design this lens. I'm probably returning this in a few days (for the second time)- disappointing. Original Review 5 stars The first copy i got from Amazon had a significant front-focus issue - when focused on a person's eye the picture would end up looking sharp at the nose and soft at the eye, it was noticeable even at normal magnification. The problem was worse in Servo AF where the lens also exhibited rapid, micro focus hunting even with a fixed camera adn fixed subject. The issue was present equally with a R6 and R7, so it was not the body. Movie focus was good, no issues. The image quality was great in areas that were in focus, only those were not the areas i wanted in focus. :) . So i returned that one to Amazon and bought a second copy. The second one did not exhibit the focus shift, it also was not focus hunting like crazy. This copy focuses quite accurately and moderately fast, it's almost on par with the RF 50 1.8 STM but nowhere near as good as the RF 24-105 f4. Images are very sharp and contrasty even wide open, IQ is as good or better than the RF 24 105 L and definitely better than the RF 50 1.8. Image stabilizer works very well. Bokeh is very soft. Overall i recommend this lens but not for fast moving kids or sports - the AF won't keep up well.

Great lens. Good price

Achei ótimo fiquei com medo que não fosse original pesquisei bastante e aparamente tudo certo eu amo a minha

解像度はとても良いと思います。 ハーフマクロも便利です。

I’ve been looking into these lenses almost from the moment when I bought R6 II and as it is typical, when you squeeze all money on the body, the lens suffers. Especially when you buy the kit version, so you have something to work with. But when you buy a full frame camera you likely want it for low light conditions and you just get mediocre results with kit lenses. Amazon Warehouse Deals (used) So I was looking at other used markets as 699$ is not cheap in my books. I was reluctant to go to the FB market. And just in time, this listing from Amazon Warehouse deals popped up for 469$ in a “very good” condition stating that the box is damaged and it’s missing manual. I thought I had nothing to lose due to Amazon's great consumer protection. Plus I assumed if someone returned it, it’s likely within a 30-day window, significantly reducing risk when buying from unknown sources. However, despite those assumptions, my expectations were not super high. You could get anything. Then that moment came, I received lenses. Boy oh boy, I was blown away how lucky I was. I’d say I’ve got brand new, ok, mint condition if you will. Not a speck of dust or wear&tear signs on the lens body. I’ve done a flesh light optics test and while there is some internal dust visible (normal), it was way less than in my barely 3 months old brand new kit lenses. In short - impeccable condition. I’m super happy with the deal and condition. Also, I rarely buy used stuff, and I think overall this is the 2nd time ever, I bought from Amazon Warehouse deals, but I’m so delighted that I did! Even the box came in perfect condition, and I couldn't care less about the manual which was indeed missing. SPECS and PERFORMANCE Talking about specs, if you’re looking in this listing, you probably already know everything about these lenses, and detailed YT videos will go much deeper than what I can cover here. These 35 mm are recommended by many as a first prime “must have” lens. Reason is versatility as it can be used in various scenarios, from kinda macro photography (0.5x macro factor), portraits, street and all the way to landscape. Exactly what I needed. My primary goal is traveling, so street photography and landscapes. But I also do a lot of product reviews/photography and ever since I got them (2 weeks ago), I never put the kit lens back on camera. What blew me away is handheld shake tolerance. I’ve been shooting even for 1 second handheld in a dark room and a combo of R6 IBIS + lens IS worked very well and photos came up sharp. Compared to dark room conditions when using kit (24-105) lenses, I couldn't come nearly to exposure like with these. I haven't got many opportunities to go outdoors yet, and today was finally a sunny day, so you can see a few of my first-tested outdoors photos. Just to be clear, those were shot in cRAW and I “developed” them in LightRoom Classic. Other than today outdoors, I’ve shot 1000’s of product photos (focus bracketing adds up quickly) and I’m very happy with sharpness and overall colors, dynamic range, etc… AUTOFOCUS I’m a still photography guy, so videography is not my gem. If you do video, yes, the focus STM motor makes noise but in my opinion completely acceptable. Compared to my old DSLR camera, this is dead silent :-). However, for a videographer who has a mic on hot shoe, even that can be too noisy, as mic can pick it up. Also, in product photography I stumbled upon a similar issue like with kit lenses, if the product is glossy and evenly colored, focus will fail (red square). Solution, switch to manual focus, which is super easy on these lenses as there is a physical switch on barrel (unlike kit lens, where I have to go in the camera menu). The test with a contrasting subject like coin, passed successfully and AF got it immediately. Overall in normal conditions AF is really fast and effective. Besides buzzing noise, in certain focusing conditions I noticed repeated kicking / throttling sound. This is also normal. Since I got them used, I wanted to be absolutely sure this is ok, so I swung by Henry’s and guys over there confirmed it’s all good as they’re experts, and I’m not. Just sharing here in case you come across this and get concerned. PHOTO QUALITY As I already mentioned, these are very sharp and fast lenses. On F1.8 it’s possible to experience some distortion like chromatic aberration. Honestly, I didn’t see it (it also depends on the subject), but I watched a lot of reviews and saw some examples. If so, the recommendation is to shoot with F2.0 or above when all these disappear immediately. WEIGHT and DIMENSIONS One of the primary reasons why I bought these lenses is the minimalist size suitable for travel. I’ll be honest, when I was choosing the camera I went from the entry-level R10, wanted to wait for the new R7 II which still isn’t announced, and ended up grabbing a Christmas deal with R6 II. What shocked me was - weight. I exaggerated, no doubt. I could probably be totally fine with APS-C lighter and cheaper ecosystem but no, I wanted low-light. So now I’m paying a price to carry this weight wherever I go. Kit zoom lenses are bulky and heavy and I knew I’ll need some slimmer option for traveling / street photography and this is how I came up with 35 mm. This 35 mil lens fixes the weight problem considerably. It’s not a pancake like 24 or nifty-50, but IS (image stabilization) is not something I wanted to leave out (other 2 doesn’t have it). These lenses are still slim, and lighter than kit, and much more suitable for everyday photography. Also - important, 35 mm is the ideal focal length, most “natural” of it all. In conclusion, these are amazing lenses and I absolutely love them so far. Like I mentioned, I checked photos I took today, and again it was my first outdoor shooting with these lenses. Final verdict: 5 stars

Super fast delivery and nice lens for snapshot!