Canon 28-70 2.8 VS the Primes 24mm, 35mm, 50mm (1.8) Initial Thoughts and Review

Join me as I put the new Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 lens to the test! I compare it against three popular prime lenses: the RF 24mm f/1.8, RF 35mm f/1.8, and RF 50mm f/1.8. See how the new zoom lens performs in both photo and video tests, including in-studio pixel-peeping comparisons. Find out why I’m choosing to keep the RF 28-70mm and potentially parting ways with the primes. Is the versatility worth the trade-off? Watch this in-depth review to find out!
Canon R8 - amzn.to/3YuSIrk
Canon RF 28-70mm 2.8 stm - amzn.to/4eckQp2

[@BrentTouchstone]

You can find this lens right here through my affiliate link. It cost you nothing extra but helps support this channel with a small commission: amzn.to/4eckQp2

[@oldirtyjedi]

I don’t understand why this lens has nearly no reviews. Glad to see you’re enjoying it. I’m thinking of purchasing one down the line.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@oldirtyjedi I don’t understand it either. I was excited enough to preorder. It’s odd but hey this has been my best performing video now 😀

[@mhabuoi]

I have been using this lens for a month. Got one on the day they were released. Very happy with the results. This lens and the R8 have become my daily carry

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@mhabuoi I’m using it on the same camera and so far I’m happy too.

[@henrysteadman963]

The review is ‘cleeeeean’! :) Great examination and comparison sir, thank you 🙏

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@henrysteadman963 I’m glad you liked it! Thank you!

[@LawrenceFoster-i7j]

On some of the 35mm comparisons there was a slight lag while the PC rendered the 35/1.8 image. After that it was too close to call. 50mm was better on the zoom when pixel peeping. The zoom was clearly sharper at 28 than the 24mm. Conclusion for me is to keep my 35/1.8 stabilised because I have a very good copy, and its perfect for my non-IBIS RP, *BUT* I'm selling my 50mm and buying this zoom! Very effective and informative video, thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@LawrenceFoster-i7j awesome! thanks!

[@jakebauer7453]

Fantastic review. No one is talking about this lens and I don’t understand why!

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@jakebauer7453 I know. It’s weird. I keep going back to Amazon to see what other users are saying and last I went it was still just one review. I want to do a more in-depth video once I spend some more time with it.

[@Frodofoto01]

Thanks for the comparisons. At what f/stop were the comparisons done?

[@BrentTouchstone]

The video comparison was 2.8 and the train-yard pics were taken at 2.8 as well. I think the photo comparisons were f8. I can check back when I’m with my computer again. I’ve been real busy, sorry for the delayed reply.

[@carldaniel3155]

Incredibly sharp... great contrast. 35-70 range better than 24-70 f2.8 wow! Its a winner 🏆

[@BrentTouchstone]

I agree completely!

[@bojanstanisic85]

Thanks for this review, about to buy this lens, not so many reviews since it is brand new...and I think your video just sealed the deal. Cheers!

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@bojanstanisic85 Thanks! I hope you enjoy it. I’m pretty happy happy with it :)

[@yuituitun]

Great video! I have the R8 and the Rf24 F1.8 and I bought the Rf28-70 F2.8 IS STM. I too feel the Rf28-70 has better image quality than the Rf24. Your review has convinced me. Thanks! I'm looking forward to the portrait and video comparisons.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@yuituitun I’m glad you like the video. I’ll definitely be reviewing this lens further once I get some more time with it. Thank you!

[@irishRocker1]

I was planning to get this lens and probably 35mm or 50mm F1.8 later on as well. Not seeing any need for the primes with this lens. would have liked to see a comparison for portraits.

[@BrentTouchstone]

I plan on doing a deeper review of this lens however I don’t shoot a lot of portraits anymore. It’s something I may try though.

[@ghalibsworld]

That's very good to know. In the case of video, could you please review the image stabilization? As well as the effect of stabilization in the photo in the case of night photos.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@ghalibsworld I’ll be doing a more in-depth video soon. Thanks! This was just my initial test as I only had a couple days to decide if I was going to keep the lens or not.

[@xberel09]

Nice to see this video popping, so few reviews on this lens ! Two questions : do you have the source that mentions some L glass in that lens ? And sharpness seems is overall comparable between zoom and primes, but the Color rendition seems duller with the primes, especially the greens, is it something you can also observe ? Keep up with those good videos !

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@xberel09 The L-Glass its sourced straight from Canon site same as the weather sealing, the two main reasons I bought the lens. I agree about the sharpness with primes. The color render is really great with this and the focus breathing or lack of for video is amazing. Thanks for the comment.

[@golosbezdoka]

Thanks for the review. I appreciate it. I've noticed there was a slight difference in how bright the footage was with the different lenses. At the end of the video it looked like 35@2.8 was darker than 28-70@2.8. Was it a different setting or a color grade? Or is the 35 not as bright as the 28-70 when both have the same settings applied?

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@golosbezdoka You are correct. The 35 was not quite as bright. The colors were a little bit duller too. That was the biggest surprise to me. I’m glad you like the review. Thank you.

[@lamddd]

love the video! thank you for sharing!! super informative ❤

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@lamddd Thank you! I look forward to doing a deeper dive into this lens :) So far I’m loving it.

[@MrAhmama]

Good looking pictures you've taken! Interesting to see how great the zooms are these days when put up against primes when it comes to sharpness. I'm not a Canon shooter and I just saw this video and got curious, but if I'll ever jump ship I'd definitely pick that zoom with the R8 for most every day shooting needs seeing how well the lens performs.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@MrAhmama that’s the combo I’m using:) Thanks!

[@juhaaavalaakso455]

I have 24mm1.8IS and considering to change it to the 28-70 2.8. this video IS super helpful. I just got R8. Do you recommend that with R8? How silent that lens is? When focusing while video and pics?

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@juhaaavalaakso455 I hardly hear it in video focusing and during playback I hear nothing. R8 is what this was all shot on. I’m loving the combo :) I’m glad you found the video helpful.

[@juhaaavalaakso455]

@@BrentTouchstone Thank you! Going to change my 24mm for this. Been thinking this for month now. I want Zoom and there are no big difference with 1.8 and 2.8. Anyways. Yes your video is great! No selling and talking nonsense. Simple review using your eyes.

[@pedror9486]

Great photos! Have you had a chance to take photos in low light environments to test performance. Maybe where there’s people?

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@pedror9486 Thank you. I have not had that chance. I can try. It might take me a bit. I live in a small town and go to bed at 8 like an old man, lol.

[@pedror9486]

@@BrentTouchstone Hopefully you’re able to, after seeing your photos in daylight, definitely a good lens have, but if it will perform well low light, even better. Thanks again!

[@TheNapsterHack]

Very good video!!! Thanks for sharing your analysis. Here I am an owner of an RP with the 35mm 1.8 and the 85mm 2.0 and thinking of buying this 28-70... Do you see a risk that I will stop using the 35mm after buying the new one? It's surprising that it's at least as good as the prime lens... Do you have the 24-105 rf? A comparison would be great since the 24-105rf is an L, and I'm wondering if it's sharper...Thanks again for the review.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@TheNapsterHack Thanks! If you use the 35mm at 1.8 often then I wouldn’t worry I’d stop using it. I mainly use my 35 for video and always stop down to 2.8, so this is better in my opinion for me. The focus breathing is almost non existent. Also if you’re into astro photography the 35mm 1.8 might serve you better in that situation. I don’t have the other lens 24-105 :(

[@cas818028]

What camera body were you using with this lens? Love the shots btw. I am on the fence about getting this. I have the Tamron g2 EF 24-20 2.8. Thinking of selling it along with a couple of other lenses to get this one.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@cas818028 I shot everything on the Canon R8 body. Good Luck with your decision. I think I’ll be pretty happy with mine. It’s always hard though to decide things like this, at least for me. Thanks for the comment!

[@cas818028]

@@BrentTouchstone that’s really good to know as I also have the R8 and the EOS R

[@IanSamAbraham]

How does this compare with RF 24-70mm F2.8?

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@IanSamAbraham I’ve never used that lens. I wish I could say and there’s not really any comparison videos that I’ve been able to find. Sorry

[@HybridePassion]

Damien Bernal in french...you can use subtitles !

[@dastumpinator]

It's as good as my 24-70 2.8 on my R5. Much smaller too. I love it.

[@lbeetech]

How does it compare to the 24-70 2.8 L?

[@BrentTouchstone]

I’ve only used the EF version of that lens and it’s been a while, but I would say I’m happier with this on the R8 then I was with that on the 6D.

[@theaudiofool5475]

And on which camera did you test it?

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@theaudiofool5475 R8

[@cameraprepper7938]

I never use zoom lense, only prime Lenses for me.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@cameraprepper7938 That’s certainly a viable route.

[@aranelchan]

Canon has also added weather sealing to the RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM, so this isn't their first RF non-L lens to have weather sealing.

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@aranelchanThe Canon 200-800mm is listed as weather resistant. This lens is listed as weather sealed equivalent to an L-Series lens. You had me double guessing myself, but that’s what I remembered and going to the canon site just now confirmed that.

[@aranelchan]

@BrentTouchstone Ah, I was recalling without checking. But when I check, the Canon Europe website states that the RF 200-800mm has "dust and moisture resistance equivalent to our pro L-series lenses". Of course, since Canon doesn't provide IP ratings or anything similiar, we don't know for sure without possibly destructive testing that one L lens truly has weather sealing equivalent to another L lens!

[@dps6198]

At nearly $1,200. I'll wait a year or so when prices have gone down and I can get it off the used market. That's how I buy most of my equipment. Anyway, I don't pay over-the-counter retail price for any Canon equipment

[@BrentTouchstone]

@@dps6198You do you :) I’ve done that many times myself. This is a lens variant I’ve been waiting for though.