Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Review - Worst RF Lens Ever?

This is my full review of the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens. It's a tiny lens and it has a lot of good in it, but there are some things that I just really do not like, which actually make it the worst RF lens that I have ever tried. That being said, it isn't all bad. In this video I talk about the image quality, build quality, autofocus, operating and more.
Buy the lens here: amzn.to/48AonM1
Lens hood: amzn.to/3NSuWB3
Canon does an amazing job with their new RF lenses and the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is also a very decent lens, especially considering its price. It's less than 300$ but the image quality is very good, but there are many flaws with the lens too. The photos are sharp, but without any profile corrections there is a heavy vignette and a lot of distortion. However, Canon (as well as many other brands nowadays) builds these lenses so, that they are intended to be used with profile corrections to begin with. This makes it cheaper to build the lenses and they can keep them smaller. This does cause the issue of losing a bit of resolution in the edges of the image, as the uncorrected full-resolution image gets stretched out. All of that being said, with the price of this lens considered, I think the images that come out of this lens are just fantastic. When it comes to image quality with the RF 16mm, I'm very happy.
As for the auto focusing with the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM, there's really nothing special to say. It works and it keeps your subject in focus, especially if it's a clear subject like a person in decent lighting conditions, but that's pretty much all there is to say. It works, but it's not the greatest out there. It's exactly what you would expect to see in a 300$ Canon lens with an STM focusing motor.
The build quality of the RF 16mm is decent, but it's just too small for me, and I do not like the way you operate the lens. It feels a bit cheap as it is a very small and lightweight lens, but it still does feel pretty solid. The size and the weight just make it feel like a cheap lens, which it is, so this shouldn't come as a surprise.
The RF 16mm f/2.8 lens only hosts one ring and a switch. The ring either acts as an RF control ring or as a focusing ring, depending on if you have the switch set to the Focus or the Control mode. For my style of shooting, this doesn't work, since the switch doesn't make the camera itself go to manual focus, so even if the switch is set to the Focus mode, you'll still have automatic focusing if you don't turn off autofocusing in your camera menu. This is my biggest caveat with this lens.
Read more about the lens here: www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/rf16...
______________________________________
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Build
1:05 Operating the lens
2:49 Image quality, distortion & vignetting
4:05 Flares & lens hood
4:19 Autofocusing
5:13 Close focusing
5:46 No image stabilisation
6:20 Conclusion & why I use the lens for every video
______________________________________
✨ MY LIGHTROOM PRESETS ✨
filtergrade.com/vendor/kasper...
📷 MY CAMERA GEAR 📷
Canon R6 Mark II - amzn.to/3tJzMd1
RF 14-35mm f/4 - amzn.to/3vgpMZ6
RF 16mm f/2.8 - amzn.to/48AonM1
RF 35mm f/1.8 - amzn.to/3TK1TTV
RF 85mm f/2 - amzn.to/48lsYRR
DJI Mini 2 beginner drone - amzn.to/41MpMML
DJI Mini 4 Pro drone - amzn.to/48hKDtG
💡LIGHTS💡
Nanlite PavoTube II 6C Tube Light - amzn.to/4aGDB3o
Godox Flexible LEDs - amzn.to/3RJuF4I
🎙️ AUDIO 🎙️
Rode VideoMic Go II on-camera mic - amzn.to/3NNDYz6
Rode Wireless Go II wireless mic - amzn.to/3NPVJhi
My Headphones - amzn.to/3S55t9T
My Speaker - amzn.to/3S4D0RD
🎒 CAMERA ACCESSORIES 🎒
Memory cards - amzn.to/48wQZFo
Tripod - amzn.to/3TRePYf
Gorillapod - amzn.to/48GBZow
Camera backpack - amzn.to/4aLl3Pg
Backpack for airplane hand luggage - amzn.to/3tynuUW
Camera sling bag - amzn.to/3H7csJe
Magnetic neck strap - amzn.to/48CPxBm
Magnetic wrist strap - amzn.to/4aGKdyJ
Camera top handle - amzn.to/41Ig7Xz
💻 DESKTOP & EDITING 💻
Editing laptop - amzn.to/3SfIMAh
27" 4K Display - amzn.to/3NReHnJ
SSD-drives - amzn.to/3tJAMhh
The best mouse - amzn.to/3S4BW02
🎧MUSIC 🎧
I get my music from Musicbed,
the best music licensing platform out there
bit.ly/musicbedkg
📽️ FILM LOOK PLUGIN 📽️
Make your photos & videos look like film with Dehancer
Get 10% off with the code KASPER10
www.dehancer.com
These are all affiliate links to help my channel ✌️😊
______________________________________
Contact me: [e-mail]
Instagram: / kaspergaram
Check out my travel & nature film channel: / @kasperstravels

[@kaspergaram]

I think one of the biggest issues with Canon’s R-series is the shortage of RF-lenses. I’m really waiting for third-party options. What do you think? 🤔

[@RichardLannen]

Thank you for the video - Is the lens silent enough to not pick up the focusing noise with a mic on the hot shoe?

[@kaspergaram]

It slows down when in video mode so that the sound isn’t too noticable, so I’d say you’ll be fine

[@RalphyEx]

Hey man, great review, loved it. You could speak a bit slower.

[@kaspergaram]

Thanks a ton dude! Hahah, i’ve previously gotten feedbaack that i should speak faster 😂

[@cre8tivexchange]

Just be authentic bro.

[@kaspergaram]

@@cre8tivexchange hahah trying to ✌️

[@TheLordQueenYo]

0.5 speed

[@BleepingWorld]

The focus hunting all the time in picture mode is REALLY annoying. I just wasn't sure if this was a defect

[@kaspergaram]

Yeah it is! The lens definitely isn’t too great when it comes to focusing

[@KarthikeyanThangavel-pl1ek]

It’s perfect for budget top down game review shooter like me. Cheap, lightweight (using weak tripod with horizontal bar) and 16mm 2.8 (no fancy light) auto focus

[@kaspergaram]

Yup, works wonders for something like that

[@TMVVisualMedia]

Great review! What's the worst lens you have ever bought?

[@kaspergaram]

Thanks a lot ✌️ that’s a tough question, but I’ve had many bad experiences with some Samyang lenses, so I guess that would be my answer. I don’t have a specific lens in lind from them though

[@TMVVisualMedia]

@@kaspergaram very cool. Thanks for the reply!

[@kaspergaram]

@@TMVVisualMedia thanks for the comments 😊✌️

[@uummmaaaarrrr]

How is this lens in low light? I am confused that does this f2.8 of 16mm lens works as good as f2.8 in 50mm lens? Please do let me know

[@kaspergaram]

In terms of exposure/brightness it is the same 😊 but this lens isn’t great with autofocus in low light

[@PurpleNurpleReviews]

I'm thinking of getting this lens in prime day sale today... can't afford an L series. I want a wider lens and will hopefully get the chance to do some astrophotography on holiday if weather allows. but will also be good for general travelling.

[@kaspergaram]

@@PurpleNurpleReviews yeah this will be great for astro!

[@wolfiemedia]

@@kaspergaramit’s not. Check the Dustin Abbot review.

[@kaspergaram]

@@wolfiemedia oh wow, i stand corrected! This seems like it would be excellent for astro

[@skfineshriber]

I really don't like the way some Canon lenses move their front elements in and out as you turn them on or off. It's disconcerting when it happens as you put the lens cap on. I worry I'm damaging the lens if I'm putting any pressure on it while it's moving. It seems to be a feature of their STM lenses.

[@kaspergaram]

Yeah I feel you. I’ve never seen it as a massive issue but it’s definitely not a good thing either. The extending part seems a bit flimsy

[@buniquedoll]

Can you compare it to the RF 10-18 mmm lens

[@kaspergaram]

I haven’t tried that lens but it’s an RF-S lens so it’s made for crop sensors and it wouldn’t really work with my R6ii anyways, so I can’t even test it out actually, sorry. As for the specs, the 10-18mm has a much worse aperture and it’s a zoom lens, so i would guess the image quality is much worse too

[@johnmorrisproductions]

Awesome review! I have the same lens, and I’ve come to the same conclusion. 🙃

[@kaspergaram]

Thanks a lot dude? 😊 Happy to hear that I’m not the only one with these thoughts, as I thought I’m just too nitpicky 😂

[@johnmorrisproductions]

@@kaspergaram Sure! It’s a great little lens, the focus ring this is a little annoying. But for the price, 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@kaspergaram]

@@johnmorrisproductions i mean for the price, the image quality is on point for sure. But i’d much rather have a traditional focus ring and just skip the control ring altogether

[@johnmorrisproductions]

@@kaspergaram Definitely!

[@ejh_x2]

can you do rf 16mm vs 24mm?

[@kaspergaram]

I could, but I don’t have the 24mm and have never tried it, and I can’t afford to buy it now. Sorry

[@MASTEROFSAND]

You mean the 24mm f/1.4 mk II? I own it and I’ll tell ya, the 24mm is SHARP at 2.8 and stays sharp, a bit soft in the corners at f/1.4 but usable. I use the 16mm when filming magic up close at a table setting, capturing what the 24mm can’t, and I use the 24mm as a general purpose lens for my ad and content creation work. General purpose? Go 24mm. Need to capture EVERYTHING in a small space, and don’t mind soft corners (which I don’t mind myself)? Go the 16mm. Hope it helps. I refer you to Christopher Frosts review on the 24mm lens if you have more questions. (Also, between you and me, if you own the 24mm lens, you get free bragging rights amongst photographers, not that I’ve personally gained their respect through pulling out this lens multiple times…😅)

[@victorchay12]

This lens can be used to do video of weddings ?

[@kaspergaram]

It can, but I wouldn’t. It’s not good for it

[@victorchay12]

@@kaspergaram What lense would you use in this range?

[@kaspergaram]

@@victorchay12 currently there aren’t any good prime options IMO. I’d go with the 15-35mm or the 14-35mm

[@unpluggeddibyendu9711]

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING UP AGAIN AND AGAIN ?? BTW LOVE YOUR WORK

[@kaspergaram]

It’s something I can’t control 😂 it just happens very naturally. Something I do when I’m thinking. I’m trying to get rid of it though. Thanks!

[@MxC420]

Love mine!

[@kaspergaram]

I love what it can do, but I don’t love how to use it

[@RyannGomz]

Dude is the videomaker version of Eminem, 678 words per minute

[@kaspergaram]

😂😂😂😂 best comment i ever got 😂

[@richardmohan1037]

Fuck you got me!!!!! You and your KZbinr trickery

[@kaspergaram]

Hahahah sorry dude 😂😂

[@popopo1976]

Why did you keep looking up ?

[@kaspergaram]

It’s a reflex for me. Happens without me really noticing it

[@harry54ck]

A bad lens is the one producing content that was rejected by your client. Did you have client rejections after using this lens? Canon RF 16 is not that bad. It only has bad corners while the center and side image quality is great. But! This lens is a bit wider than the normal 16mm focal length. In some tests it appeared to be even wider than 14mm counterparts! This means you have room for cropping to still enjoy quality 16 mm images. There are plenty of professional real estate and nature videos on KZbin made with this lens which proves they are great. It is lightweight, cheap and with autofocus.

[@kaspergaram]

It's a 16mm after the lens corrections are applied, so yes, without lens corrections it is closer to a 14mm. That's how Canon and many other brands make lenses these days, because it's cheaper and they can keep the lenses smaller. I am also saying that the image quality is decent for a lens at that price point. I do really like what I can do with the lens, I just don't like the way the lens is operated. It doesn't fit my style of shooting, but obviously someone else might really like it.

[@harry54ck]

Style is just another thing. I'm really missing the same but 20mm lense which seems to me as the greatest and most descriptive video focal length but having 16mm I can crop to have 20. I'm just about to buy Canon R system and see it as follows: Canon R8 - a lightweight camera that I can have with me in any situation, RF 35 f1.8 - image quality, low light, stabilization, macro, RF 16 - lightweight wide angle and 800mm for something nonstandard. Moonrises, wildlife, sunsets and much more for beautiful brolls. I have watched much about rf 16 and came to conclusion that the lense provides space for cropping which is the way for nice image quality. If you have video shot on RF 16 - I'd be happy to see. @@kaspergaram

[@kaspergaram]

All of my talking head scenes are shot with this lens, so yes, there's a lot of video shot with the RF 16mm on my channel 😊 I don't really use it for much other than the a-roll though. As for the setup you are going for, it sounds very good and versatile. I absolutely love the RF 35mm. I've even traveled with just that one lens with me. It's by far my favourite focal length too, but that's just personal preference.

[@hkgspotter1]

Others love it... .and yes, you need to SLOW down.

[@henakos]

Laowa 15mm f2 zero-d manual lens. 👌

[@kaspergaram]

Oh yeah i’d love to test that bad boy out! It just wouldn’t fit my content creation as it’s only manual focus, but it would be cool to test out.

[@samarianosans]

this is one of the best lenses a wedding photographer can pick.

[@kaspergaram]

Well, a similar lens would be in my opinion too. But not this specific lens. As a wedding photographer, I’d want one with a more reliable/faster AF

[@samarianosans]

@@kaspergaram I use it in dance floor every other weekend and it's sharp, fast and accurate and weighs nothing. There's no other 16mm like this in any brand .

[@kaspergaram]

@@samarianosans hmm, glad to hear! My experience hasn’t been quite as good. I still do use it a lot, but I don’t really like to use it. I guess different needs and preferences for each. It for sure is sharp and light though!