Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM Review & Sample Images by Ken Rockwell

[@enri_1986]

Before I switched to mirrorless, I had the EF 35 II and it was a stellar performer. The RF version raises the bar another notch. Can’t wait for a fast 24 or even a 28.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@kifley19]

The RF 24mm 1.4 is coming out on Oct 30, 2024z

[@KenRockwellTV]

@@kifley19thanks for the heads up

[@pioniercg]

I absolutely love your website and channel being zero, ZERO bs. So rare these days. I only wish one day to read/watch an review of S5II here. Can’t decide between it or RS6II, for photography in 99% of the time. Anyway, thank you for what you are doing!

[@KenRockwellTV]

My R5 II review is in the works. Regardless of price, I prefer the R6 II for its superior controls. 45mp vs 24mp is irrelevant, but sure scares people into the R5.

[@pioniercg]

@@KenRockwellTV ach, good to know, I had in mind Panasonic S5II tho : ))

[@DSG0805]

Well, some people definitely like the narrower depth of field view. Moreover, if it is close focusing, you can open wide and get cool detail shots. I did an event yesterday with two cameras-zf with 35 1.4 sigma adapted and 850 with 70-200e-and I loved using the 35 1.4 for close focusing isolation of details that gave a different perspective than my 70-200 zoomed in to 200. So definitely still has its place. Plus I used it a lot at 1.4 as lighting was dim even with speedlite.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thanks!

[@plisskenetic]

9:10 - this explains why the other said lens brands can be cheaper, they're not made in Japan

[@KenRockwellTV]

I can’t recall seeing any difference in overall prices. Canon asks just $2,500 for their RF 70-200/2.8L and Nikon asks $2,700 for their Thai version. Thanks!

[@GungKrisna12]

​@@KenRockwellTVCanon managed to make it cheaper by making it externally zooming

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Ken, I really liked The Pacific Terrace Hotel photo, and the other photos. They look like Postcards, nice work there Ken. Many thanks for sharing this video 😊

[@KenRockwellTV]

Thank you!!!!!

[@seaeagles6025]

@@KenRockwellTV Your welcome Ken 😊

[@LouisLuzuka]

How does this compare to the 35mm L mark i, it was a magical lens 😮

[@filibertkraxner305]

I used to have that and just from these samples I can tell the corner performance is way better. Yes, even from a KZbin video ;-) Still not buying this because it don't have a commercial use case for it. But looks good.

[@LouisLuzuka]

@@filibertkraxner305 oh so it’s basically perfection that’s what you’re buying it for, more for commercial use… for me I like the idea of imperfections and asymmetry so this isn’t for me but thank you very much!

[@filibertkraxner305]

@@LouisLuzuka Exactly. For my personal work I'm all about imperfections: shooting and printing film on cameras up to a century old. Absolutely love it but my clients demand something else.

[@LouisLuzuka]

@@filibertkraxner305 what are your favourite focal lengths

[@Kevon420]

superior in every way besides being more expensive and not mounting on film cameras.

[@Phoyographer]

Ken...if you could have only 1 lense what lense would it be?

[@KenRockwellTV]

As I keep saying, the RF 24-240mm IS USM is by far my favorite and usually the only lens I carry if I’m not having to review something else. See the sample image files and full review at www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/24-240mm.htm

[@johnalexander2349]

I'm thinking of a 35mm f/1.4 for my D850, but I'm waiting for Sony's November event, and hoping they release a new RX1R Mk iii, because I"d much rather buy that.

[@KenRockwellTV]

OK, swell. I prefer Canon, to each their own. Sony Mirrorless and Nikon DSLR are completely different.

[@johnalexander2349]

@@KenRockwellTV I don't like dragging the DSLR around with me, but I'm not spending $3200 on a decade old Sony. Neither Nikon nor Canon have a horse in the "world's smallest full frame" race, but I already own the Nikon DSLR...

[@joudi_pics]

Hi Ken, I couldn’t dream about someone who would teach me about photography more than you, you enlighten my knowledge about photography, knowing that you don’t need more than 12Mp and a 24-200 is the greatest tip I can give anyone, but when it comes to video I’m as intelligent as an ape, I wonder if you know a based professional like you who speaks facts about videography and videography gear, that will be very helpful to me, thank you! ❤

[@KenRockwellTV]

Personally I use my iPhone for video; unless you have a day to set up logging the iPhone deals with real world available light better than anything. Otherwise I’d get a real camcorder over a mirrorless camera. Thanks!

[@GungKrisna12]

Basically, VCM is Canon's term for linear motor

[@KenRockwellTV]

Exactly.

[@Michael-fw5ef]

Ken, do you think the regular RF glass is good? It seems inferior to me. I want to buy into Canon, but I feel like the company is giving us very poor quality RF glass (regular not L).

[@KenRockwellTV]

All of the Canon RF lenses are spectacular optically, as are most of the other brands. This isn’t 1997; today optics are mostly flawless and any lack of picture quality is the fault of the user, not the lens. Today “L” is more marketing to get you to pay more. Look at the sample images in my reviews or try them yourself; “L” is just more expensive and mechanically a little tougher - but exactly as sharp. Thanks! See the reviews at www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/index.htm

[@robertmueller6979]

I have the RF 100-400, Rf 35 1.8, and the RF 100-500 L. They all equal the old L glass very well. The 35mm is super fast with closeups of moving animals and kids not a problem at all. Just super fast. I also shoot Olympus so daily comparisons are the norm for me. Money is not a problem for me but like other people said I'll stick with the 35 1.8 instead of this 35 1.4 simply because I love the look.

[@KenRockwellTV]

@@robertmueller6979of course, the 35/1.8 adds IS and closer focus and is a more useful lens in general.

[@robertmueller6979]

@@KenRockwellTV 100% agree

[@obsidian00]

I’d rather just buy the EF 35mm f/1.4 ii and adapt it…much cheaper and top tier performance 😊

[@KenRockwellTV]

Agreed. Just the EF II is bigger and more expensive, which is how life often goes. Thanks! www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/35mm-f14-ii.htm

[@thehedgeknightnc3681]

I think I'll go to NAPA auto parts and get some thin, red pin striping tape and wrap all my canon lenses.

[@KenRockwellTV]

That’s right! Do it!

[@vinhsanity]

For the price, this lens should be better - it doesn’t live up the it’s L badge. Canon just knows it can tax their user base.

[@KenRockwellTV]

Yes, there is little difference other than the red paint with L lenses today. You know the real L lenses no longer are made, and a telling point it that one of the recent press releases alludes to how Canon claims one of their non-L RF lenses has L level optics and mechanics, which is a sideways way to show how Canon has dropped the bar on what it takes to be called L. Thanks!