Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z Review by Ken Rockwell

[@Twobarpsi]

Your gear reviews have helped me so much. From your 5DMKII, which I just bought last year, to your EX-430II flash review. Best tips I learned from your 5DMKII user guide are the use of C1 C2 and C3, to using +2 saturation for people, and +3 for landscapes in the standard picture style setting. This REALLY wakes the camera up, and has transformed my photos to the next level! Your website is amazing, and your KZbin channel is incredible! Can't thank you enough for all your work and documentation!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks! I forget, but go easy on saturation with people. +2 sounds a bit severe.

[@g1234538]

Your commentary is the best haha, you always include such great insight into aspects that matter in your reviews and I always appreciate it! Very thorough!!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!!!!

[@DocCohiba]

Have followed you on your website for years. Great you’re doing videos on you tube. You are the go to guy for honest camera reviews. Many thanks

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!!!!

[@d3xmeister]

I miss the longer reviews,but I do appreciate every video and article you do. Priceless ! Thank you !

[@KenRockwellTV]

Full review is at www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/24-105mm-f28.htm to reproduce all that info here would be a three hour video! Thanks!

[@d3xmeister]

@@KenRockwellTV Bring on the 3 hours review ! ! ! :))) Thank you, Ken, we love you !

[@efreutel]

Superb KR review. Canon’s demonstrated ability to innovate makes me glad I chose the Canon system way back in 1989.

[@KenRockwellTV]

You’re smarter than I! I chose Nikon in 1983 when it was the best, and by waiting till 1989 Canon was better. Thanks!

[@mikafoxx2717]

At least you didn't choose Sony! Nikon made some banger cameras, even though Canon.. there's a reason it's more popular. It just works.​@@KenRockwellTV

[@datalaforge]

The legend! I remember first reading your website back in the early 2000s when my beloved Canon A1 stopped working and my partner got me a Nikon d3000. You did NOT review it favorably lol but I still had fun with it. Love to you and yours.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!!!!!

[@chandmathur4133]

Of most of the reviews I respect and follow your review the most and my buying decision are based on your reviews.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!!!!

[@tonygreenmike]

Canon gives the cap for hot shoe, do we need a protective covering for the power zoom adapter contact points on the barrel ? I guess the exposed contact points isn't a cause for concern.

[@KenRockwellTV]

They're flat and sturdy on the lens. The flash shoe contacts are tiny and delicate.

[@Kevon420]

Hopefully Canon release firmware that allows the aperture ring to be used in photo mode, however it not having click stops is too bad for photographers. Otherwise, another masterpiece lens from Canon!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@nickthakephotovideo]

Thanks Ken, always been great reading your reviews over my career! Question - I'm sold on this lens for video work, do you think there is still a need for the RF 24-70 2.8L if i get this one? I can see the close focus is better on the 24-70...

[@KenRockwellTV]

Of course not, this completely eclipses the old RF 24-70/2.8. Thanks!

[@smallrtech]

Ahah Ken would be probably the only human in the world to own a 100-300 and keep it preciously in the box. Can't wait for the review of this one though!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Just opened it yesterday. Stay tuned, nice lens.

[@LouisLuzuka]

I was not expecting this

[@KenRockwellTV]

Not expecting what? I review everything eventually.

[@LouisLuzuka]

@@KenRockwellTV u right

[@EvilTeddie23]

@kenrockwell At 2:02 you mention that older lenses used to provide a cap of some sort to cover the exposed bracket and screws. Can you please elaborate on this and post a picture. I have both the 24=105 and 70-200 Z lenses and this aspect is the only piece that irks me. Thanks!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Hi! I have all the details at my individual, full written reviews for every lens at kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/index.htm Thanks!

[@EvilTeddie23]

@@KenRockwellTV I've read the review but there is no mention of the cap/cover that you mention at the 2:02 minute mark in the video?

[@davidlathammcswn]

Thanks for sharing your insights Ken!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!!!

[@andrewcrossley2448]

Rather reminds me of my two 1990 keepers, the 20 to 35 2.8L and 80 to 200 2.8L. Internal zoom, all metal, mint condition and still going strong. On my EOS1 and power drive, for film it’s still a dream team. Slow focus, no IBIS but stick it on a monopod and keep the the inverse shutter speed rule (over 1/250 at full zoom) and it has produced fantastic Velvia, Provia and Reala based images for decades. The tele works with the decent quality original Sigma 1.4 APO converter. And it all still works fine with the rather more complex 5D mk3. There was just something so intrinsically elegant about the EOS1’s single point focus and easy to adjust metering and exp correction. For the record, I think I may have ended up with about 1 in 1000 poorly exposed slide shots with the EOS1. Sometimes I purposely used AEB for once in a lifetime trips like the Taj Mahal at dawn and the Grand Canyon at dusk. Often I’d cart my Bronica MF along too for safe measure. Certainly improved my weight lifting. Off the see major sights and sites of China in 2 weeks. Big issue is 5kg weight limit for carry on bags. So it’ll be my new X100VI and tiny EOSM5 and a couple of canon mini zooms I guess. I did consider the 5D mk 3 and 24 to 105 f4 L combo but it’s a bit too hefty.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@SkylerKing]

Holy crap, they finally did it...

[@KenRockwellTV]

About time. Thanks!

[@mobelue]

I also love my 24-240. It’s also a good walking around travel lens. Kinda wondering about this 2.8 for better images but expensive, very heavy, and buying things I would not use.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Images would be the same. Thanks!

[@mobelue]

@@KenRockwellTV Wow! Thank you Ken. I’ll keep what I have. Very sharp. Love that lens.

[@ladyethyme]

Omg seriously?!?! I JUST left a comment on one of your other reviews about how I missed your content and hoped you would be back soon!!!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Obviously I'm listening 😀. Thanks!!!

[@BeardedGeezer]

I believe the aperture ring can be used for still pictures, but only on the new R1 and R5 Mk II.

[@KenRockwellTV]

We’ll see. It was ignored on my other cameras and it makes sense Canon would add this.

[@voicesofoblivion]

Excellent lens and great presentation! With the photo "Bubble Man", which was taken with this lens and which is on your website, you could certainly win a prize 🙂

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

Great insights as always

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!!!

[@well69]

I watch reviews and content you make because I learn something from you even on items i know I'll never buy (sometimes that changes) just because i love your style. Thank you for doing it.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@iggytse]

I wish Nikon would have come out with a lens like this. Very convenient range and constant aperture. Nikon only wants to sell you a 24-70mm and 70-200mm in the assumption you will get 2 bodies for shooting events.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Just one of many reasons I changed to Canon back in 2012. Nikon simply lacks the development budget that Canon has to do all this. Thanks!!

[@Wildmountainsafaris]

Ken when are you going to review the Olympus zoom you’ve been using pls?

[@KenRockwellTV]

One fine day. The 12-40/2.8 II is great, sharp and superb, just haven’t had the time to write it up. Thanks!

[@Wildmountainsafaris]

@@KenRockwellTVthanks ! Look forward to it! (And the loooooong overdue Contax 645 review 😂)

[@neilarmitage6632]

This has to be the most versatile lens available

[@KenRockwellTV]

Yes! Thanks!!!

[@melcu1990]

2:11 muscle memory of nikon F mount will never leave you

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@d.k.1394]

Great review

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!

[@classic.cameras]

This lens is both EPIC and also WTF. Like what is this thing? Ugh I am so conflicted!

[@KenRockwellTV]

Just a natural progression to greatness, all good. It's about time!

[@classic.cameras]

@@KenRockwellTV I agree. Its a great lens but also uh what is this lens. If I still used Canon RF I would love to own this lens. Well except the price I would pay.

[@HARLYDAVIDZ]

CANON EOS R5 MARK II VS Sony A1 II WITCH IS BETTER AND WHY??

[@KenRockwellTV]

R5 II. R5 II has better color rendition and far superior ergonomics and menus. See www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/nikon-vs-canon-vs-sony-full-frame.htm for details. Thanks!

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

Ken have you received your X100VI yet?

[@KenRockwellTV]

Not yet. Not excited; Fuji still hasn’t replaced the rear 4-way controller that was deleted in the X100V so I’ll probably stick with my superior X100F which has both the rear 4-way as well as the nubbin. Thanks!

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

@@KenRockwellTV I got mine late last month. Fuji's menu system is very complex. I love the camera but am still getting used to the menu. Other than digging through the menu I haven't needed to use the nubbin much. Thankfully since the camera has so many direct controls, and the Q quick menu, I don't need to dig into the very complex menu system often.

[@mikafoxx2717]

​@@RoastBeefSandwichThat's good I don't mind complicated menus when it's a set and forget deal, and all your buttons do your bidding. That being said, sometimes I like to bring out a dinosaur like a 5D classic. That thing's never heard of auto iso, but it can take some damn good pictures if you can master it.

[@-EvoII-]

Putting the lens on and off with the power on????

[@KenRockwellTV]

It’s better to turn off the power first, especially if the camera covers the sensor, but it’s not going to hurt anything to do it with the power on. Thanks!

[@VafaPhotography]

Hahaha you do you 😉 The difference between a photographer who uses a tool to do a job, they won't stop and pause they will only swap out and move on. No caps on backs or fronts either. It's a hammer that gets used and looks abused cause it's just a tool to get the job done. You do you @Ken

[@GungKrisna12]

a lens solely designed for one thing: wedding videography

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks, but this is a very flexible lens.

[@boeingdriver29]

Ah, I miss Kodachrome 25. ❤

[@KenRockwellTV]

I don’t! Highlights were always too green for me, even with PKM and PKR. I love Velvia, and since 2014 prefer digital. Thanks!

[@arunashamal]

Canon keep releasing interesting and useful lenses to wedding and event photographers, While Nikon keeps releasing the same zoom lens every couple of months over and over again

[@KenRockwellTV]

Agreed! Thanks!

[@freddiebeckwithphoto]

I always check your reviews... Thank you. But if you don't think f/2.8 is necessary, come shoot high school sports with me. :)

[@KenRockwellTV]

You got it! Obviously you take this seriously; people who don’t and have to ask what lens they need for casual use at sports worry too much about gear. Thanks!

[@jamesmgreen15]

Thanks as ever.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank YOU!!!