Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IN DEPTH review - NO-BRAINER for EOS R!

In-depth review of the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro lens - a no-brainer for EOS R owners!
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[@cameralabs]

In-depth review of the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro lens - a no-brainer for EOS R owners! Check prices or order at B&H: bhpho.to/320KLgc // WEX: tidd.ly/31ZnJpU Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop

[@3VAudioVideo]

Another Great video, Gordon! I was sort of surprised the lens seemed too tight for V-logging/selfies. I say this because it is the same field of view that the crop EF-M 22mm F2, which others like so much for Vlog/selfies. But only "sort of" surprised because personally, the 22 looks tight to me too.

[@lovemycity420]

Great video as always, rf 35mm was my 1st rf lens! How do I get an autographed copy of the book “In Camera”?

[@RogerZoul]

Yes, please test all of the RF lenses. Thanks.

[@goldfries]

This is my favorite among the RF lenses. I had the 24-105 and 35mm with me on my business trip last year and I used the 35mm like 95% of the time. I was using the EOS RP on that trip and the EOS RP + 35mm combo was superb.

[@shawn5210]

I have 3 RF lenses and 5 EF lenses and this one is probably my favourite due to its weight, IS and macro. Stick it on a gimbal and its light as and pretty fast at 1.8

[@GrandHuevotes]

and yes please test the RF 85 F2 vs the EF 85 1.8 classic. see how this new lens competes 20 years later!

[@drbeardo6960]

Yes Yes Yes that comparison would be awesome I don't need macro capabilities of RF 85mm f2... Sharpness would be final determinant for me

[@cameralabs]

I suspect the new one will thrash the old one as my 85mm f1.8 is a bit soft.

[@RodTalboys]

Please test 85f2

[@dramitvaghela3989]

@@cameralabs Thx

[@mcatech05]

Gordon you helped me make a body &lens choice way back in 2009/2010 my art has grown dramatically since. Thankyou for your efforts and glad to see you back doing great work

[@cameralabs]

Thanks for sticking around!

[@kipmay5101]

Good and thorough review. I was impressed by the enlarged images taken with the 35 vs. the 24-105. Very helpful. This also makes a sweet street photography lens. Enjoyed the review.

[@Moni-qd9no]

Always lot's of information with various samples ! I really enjoy your reviews, Gordon !

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@adrianlucy6592]

Keep up the good work, yours are amongst the best reviews out there. No nonsense and to the point telling us what we want to know 👍🏻

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, that's what i try and do, although frustratingly the approach doesn't seem as successful as the others!

[@michaelajoseph6856]

Thank you Gordon. I’ve watched all the reviews. Very helpful!

[@JohnArmwood]

I would love to see you review all of the RF lenses. I really enjoy your review style.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@bysumeet]

Thanks for the great review! Was just looking for this.

[@fatgrouch]

This is the best value Canon lens ever. Super practical to use. You should talk about the design of the lens hood for this lens, it's a lens hood you don't need to take it off for storage. it's only 1mm wider than the filter thread.

[@tomislavcorak2170]

Great review Gordon! As someone who ditched all my lenses in a bag as soon i get my RF35, I can confirm everything you said. Sold my EF35 f2 IS, never looked back. Even on my holiday, never took RF24-105f4 L out of camera bag. Small, portable, sharp @ f1.8 versatile, great for video. Did a lot of video jobs wit it on a gimbal and bought a couple 52mm ND filters. This combo is very small and powerful with my R. Looking to get RF85 f2 in the future and have a perfect combination of lenses. RF power :)

[@AdrianBacon]

This is great. As part of my transition to RF I picked this lens up and everything you’ve said about this lens matches my experience with it thus far. On the RP it’s a great combination to walk around with. I’d really love to see canon release an RF mount 40mm pancake prime like their current EF version. That would make an awesome every day carry combination on the RP. Small, light, and compact, with reasonably good picture quality.

[@simonpotter2082]

As always a great review from Cameralabs so further reviews on RF lenses would be most welcome. Also really enjoying your excellent book which arrived a couple of days ago! Thanks.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks for ordering my book!

[@gestx]

This is my favorite lens. It's sharp and lightweight. Great for street photography

[@bruck177]

Really appreciated the comparison between the RF budget lenses! It’s tricky seeing all the gorgeous reviews of the R5 / R6 / A7SIII, so videos like this one help remind me that there’s still plenty of fun to be had with the cheaper options. Would love to see all the RF lenses reviewed. Thanks Gordon!!

[@jayemery]

I always love your reviews, and this was no exception. I would love to see more RF lens reviews! Specifically I liked your comparison of the 35mm lens with other lenses @ 35mm as well, at varying apertures. For example, I’d like to see how the 35mm 1.8 compares with the 15-35mm 2.8 @ 35mm, or how the 50mm 1.2 compares with the 24-70 2.8 @ 50mm. Cheers!

[@MarkAlderson]

Thanks Gordon, nice review. I bought the RF 35 right after I bought my EOS R. I really like it and it's pretty good for a walk around lens. I also have the RF 24-105 F4 L which I got with my R. Since I sold all my other lenses when I bought the R, I’ve held off buying anymore. Now with the R5 and R6 out there, I’m going to re-evaluate what I think I need (or want). Thanks for the the great reviews!

[@themutantcow]

Just wanted to say thanks for this excellent video - the comparisons (especially to the 24-240mm lens) really helped make my decision in buying this 35mm. Haven't come across your channel before - but have subscribed now!

[@1839dpAHC]

This was the first RF lens I bought and it is always on my camera. I bought an RF 24-105 RF L, which is a lovely lens, but it mostly stays in my bag. More RF lens reviews please.

[@Trespas]

Same thing! First thing after getting my EOS R I got the RF 35mm. It just felt like a good choice to try out. And I love it. I've gotten many of the RF L-lenses since that, but still end up using this 35mm a lot because it is so light and nice to use.

[@millionbees]

same thing for me too...

[@gamegoats6359]

Really good video! Keep up the great work!

[@jon112media]

Yes! I’ve been waiting for this review from you 👍🏽 I have the RP along with the ef50mm 1.8 and I have repeatedly desired a wider and faster lens. Thanks for also comparing it to all the other lenses! I really appreciate it and would enjoy it if you were able to compare other rf lenses too. Looking forward to the 85mm which would likely be the one to get after the 35. (I didn’t think I’d have money for the 70-200 so I got the 24-240 as my first lens to go with the RP) Thank you Gordon and looking forward to the 85mm review!

[@ramblingG]

Thanks for this great review. I enjoy your reviewing style, so I wouldn't mind you reviewing all the RF-lenses.

[@briefcasemanx]

If you don't care about size, the Tamron EF 35 1.4 is INCREDIBLE. Image Quality about as good as the RF prime lenses for 1/3 the price.

[@snowwalker9999]

Thank you again Grodon, Now please the RF 85mm F2.0 and please compare it with the 85mm f/1.2 :)

[@cameralabs]

Definitely!

[@ChristopherGeorge_photography]

@@cameralabs yes, thank you. Will certainly be waiting on this review.

[@cameralabs]

@Charl Moor I'm trying to get the Samyang for this comparison.

[@ReformationsGlassArt]

@@cameralabs did you ever do one ?

[@cyrillkrahenbuhl3009]

Would love to see you reviewing every RF Lens! Thanks for the great video!

[@cameralabs]

Cheers!

[@davidreichel3394]

Informative and comprehensive review. Yes, please review more Canon lenses.

[@vivalasvegas702]

This is genius move of Canon for their RF F1.8 prime line up, offering way more for less. An inexpensive($450USD) most compact(lightness too) 35F1.8 prime, with 5 stop image stabilizer, 1/2 macro capability, very close MFD, 9 bokeh blades, in addition, center to extreme corner sharpness is pretty decent with some vignetting, distortion and chromatic abbreviations which can be easily fix via software(like Dxolabs). Kudos to Canon and Gordon.....👍👌👏

[@mike_pj]

Great review. I'm planning to switch to the RF system sometime in the next year. I wrote the 35 off as a softer option when looking into things originally, but from your review it looks like I may have judged too soon. A hypothetical RF 35 1.2 would be great, of course, but this would be so much smaller/lighter in the bag.

[@jaypainespotter]

It's in my collection! Great little lens!

[@armandoruizzzz]

Yes, please test all of the RF lenses. I've just purchased a Canon R and your reviews are very helpful

[@sebastiank7956]

Great review Gordon.

[@jmaurice]

Great video as always. Looking forward to your review of the 85mm f2 lens, interested to how it compares against the EF 85mm f/1.2L II as it’s around the same price for a used one

[@ryans_life]

I am loving this lens and the R6. I always enjoy your videos mate. Thanks for making this wonderful channel. Also I love your book

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, and glad you enjoyed my book too! Hope you're seeing all my other RF lens tests!

[@ryans_life]

@@cameralabs absolutely mate your are my only source of unbiased and fun info. Would love of you would continue to do RF reviews. I'm loving the system in addition to my Fuji and can't wait to expand my glass collection. Keep up the brilliant work mate 🤠 Im off to watch the 85! I can't wait to buy it

[@hhansari]

Finally, someone comparing this lens side by side to an RF 'L' lens - exactly what I've been wanting to see (trying to decide for new R6). Gordon, thanks!

[@johnharrison1263]

That`s my gear, nice to hear such a good review

[@royalscanlon3217]

Gordon your reviews of the various Canon RF lenses in the line-up is greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to do so. I've come the Canon mirrorless world after shooting with a 5D Mark II for the last dozen years and been wanting to pick up a smaller, lighter-weight AF IS lens for everyday walk around usage to go with the R5. Sounds as though this RF 35 f1.8 might well fill-the-bill (although I wish it were weather sealed). Unless you have another suggestion insofar as a small, light weight, high quality AF IS lens with the RF mount in the f1.4 or 1.8 category (made buy another quality lens manufacturer) that you've tested,I think I just might add this to my small but expanding RF lens collection.

[@lizandrichardbrown7731]

Nicely presented and easy to follow. And Standen NT House and garden too!

[@cameralabs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@samdecaprio]

I have been on the fence to get the Canon R and the RF 35mm lens, but this video may have just convinced me! Thank you, Gordon!

[@HeroShotz]

Cant wait for the 85 f2 review

[@Ranblv]

I was on the fence but this video convinced me I made the right choice. I will get it.

[@audreyseybold567]

More reviews please! This review was very helpful.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! I've since reviewed all the new RF lenses on my channel!

[@timrtfx]

Just ordered this lens to replace my very old and underperforming EF 50mm f/1.4. Can't wait to actually try it !

[@cnihon5894]

Huge kudos for the brief shot of the pink Ibanez JEM guitar. Terrific review!

[@cameralabs]

Just for you!

[@chuc.dxq3809]

Great review as usual!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@koniako1982]

Best reviews ever! Well done sir!!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@kathfern]

Great review thankyou!

[@PhotoTubeUK]

Sharpness aside, I think the corner sharpness comparison on Brighton seafront shows the RF 35mm to have superior micro contrast than the zoom (probably due to the lower element count). This difference will be even more apparent when producing C-type prints from raw derived tiff files. Excellent video as always Gordon!

[@bobuk5722]

.... and if they do get to close you can always prod them with the tripod Gordon! Nice useful review. And yes, of course I would like to see more RF lenses covered, especially at the more 'reasonable' price points. Thanks. BobUK.

[@OnlyAntonis]

Great review as always👍 this lens is really good, hope Canon releases the Canon 100mm L macro for RF soon.

[@cameralabs]

Yes, that'd be nice, although the 85mm f2 will give you 1:2

[@OnlyAntonis]

@@cameralabs that's true, maybe I get the 85mm until one day the 100mm releases.

[@hawkeye284]

"Don't worry, I wasn't drunk" LOL!

[@bird271828]

Gordon, you don't look ridiculous at 10:40 with your EOS RP and 35mm F1.8. Other people are ridiculous for not appreciating your camera setup😂. Thank you for your review 🌻🌼🌷

[@jamescook5931]

You are exceptional at what you do!

[@cameralabs]

Thankyou!

[@scorpionx211]

A bit late to the party but better late then never! Thank you for Great reviews!!

[@GrandHuevotes]

this lens alone makes worth owning the R system. truly a gem in the industry. had mine since launch. the closest thing is the Nikon Z 35 which is bigger, more expensive, and can’t do macro. this lens is a gem. optically this performs identically to the Z too. at much less cost!

[@GrandHuevotes]

also this lens reminds me of the EF-M 22-2 pancake lens but scaled up. another canon great 35mm equivalent.

[@NoahStephens]

A modern-day legend

[@drbeardo6960]

Dunno why people dislike such an informative videos for no reason...?🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@cameralabs]

Some people dislike a particular format or system, like Canon, so automatically dislike.

[@drbeardo6960]

fanboyism on fire😀🔥

[@shyguitarist0097]

@@drbeardo6960 Lolz

[@dramitvaghela3989]

@@cameralabs May be some hate you, may be jealous of you😀 Anyways, please compare RF85mm f2 macro vs EF85mm f1.8

[@shyguitarist0097]

@@planetfun85 He reviews Nikon gears too He reviews other brands too He can't review everything available on market, bro

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Fantastic little lens. Best value for money in a lens since the old 50mm F1.4 imo.

[@traceyendres5939]

Yes please definitely want to see more RF lens reviews new to all this have the Rp with the 24-240mm and the 35mm deciding what else I need want a good zoom maybe the 100-500 a proper macro to do bugs ect and a good ultra wide ( current using samyang 14 mm ) so help would be great

[@y0utube5uxx]

Great review as usually! 6:49 - LOL :)

[@fancyobsession1803]

Great walk around lens

[@energieinfo21]

While I am more a tele guy I bought exactly this lens with my RP because it is (1) small, (2) light, (3) very good IQ, (4) f/1.8, (5) image stabilization, (6) 1:2 max reprod. ratio which makes it a true all rounder. Especially f/1.8 + IS + full frame extend the tripod-less range vastly! So I confirm your findings!

[@messylaura]

i prefer long working distance lenses as i have a few ext rings to bring them back in if i need for macro. on my sigma 100-400 c which has quite a big working distance i can get 2mm of ruler on the sensor (M50 crop) by adding ext tubes and converters, at that extreme it is only suitable for studio macro but its a nice to know its available with some outside the box thinking. i'm very happy with the telephoto wildlife i get with M50 at the moment but eventully i can see myself getting an R5, much later when its a year or generation older for the price drop. as always Great review Gordon.

[@ChrisColeman1962]

Excelent review, got mine on Tues, took it around Lincoln yesterday , one thing I was suprised by , I thought it would have a wider view than it does have, I expected to be able to capture the cathedral totally, but it is not that wide ! I am very pleased with the close up bokeh effects as well .

[@cameralabs]

35 is not particularly wide, it's pretty mild and works well as a standard length. If you want to photograph larger views, you'll need something closer to 24 on full-frame.

[@ChrisColeman1962]

@@cameralabs so that would be the stock lens I got with my camera, especially as is it very bright tgoday !

[@Francisfphoto_]

Best RF 35mm review I’ve seen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Now, PLEASE review the RF 85mm f2 vs RF 85mm f1.2 and Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 RF 🙏🏻 I’m a portrait, beach and boudoir photographer... I’m between RF 85mm f2 and Samyang (of course because of budget Hahahah) but want to make sure of my decision!!!!!

[@nigelwest3430]

Great little lens, I use it on my R and R3

[@jodokcello]

Witch variable nd filter would you recommend for this lens?

[@KyleHueymedia]

Nice review! Would love to see a Samyang 85mm 1.4 for RF review. Thanks for all that you do, Gordon!

[@joeblacke99]

Love the RF lens tests. Not a whole lot out there directly comparing the RF to the EF versions. Your 70-200 comparison was helpful, but I’d really love to see a RF/ef comparison of the 50mm, 24-70mm, 24-105mm, and 85mm.

[@cameralabs]

Here's a comparison of the 50s... www.cameralabs.com/canon-rf-50mm-f1-2l-usm-review/

[@prjct72]

Great review (as ever). The rendering of this lens is nice with smooth out of focus details. It would be interesting to see how well it can do against the 45MP sensor. Good idea these 2.0 reviews of the RF catalogue!

[@cameralabs]

I have some images in my R5 review with it I think...

[@melgross]

Canon did say a couple of years ago, or a bit further back, that their new lenses (the L lenses, I presume) were designed for 100mp sensors (and perhaps higher). But I’m wondering about their new non L lenses, and how well they do, stopped down a couple of stops, on the high rez bodies.

[@Photographicelements]

Thanks! I’d watch more RF lens videos.

[@superroadstar]

Indeed, this is my favourite as well. although I am not a huge fan of its look, the image quality is fantastic.

[@DuffTV]

Thanks for the brilliant review. I always enjoy your on the money reviews. I previously had one of these and used it a few times with my Canon C70. I sold it and bought a Sigma 50mm Art, but I'm not really sure if that lens is any better?

[@jerrylags]

I would like to see you review all the current and future (as the become available) RF lenses. You do a nice job. Thank you

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@omenworks]

We want to see more RF lenses reviews :)

[@byronholman9228]

Would love to see those test

[@elliott9052]

Slam Dunk Looking forward to mounting this on my R6. R6 right now please!

[@AnthonyTeasdale]

Great lens. I got mine for £379 after a canon cashback offer. I feel for this price the lens is great. For the full RRP I feel the lens lacks a little. For the full price the lens should have some light weather sealing and a better focusing motor.

[@agustinbenencia]

Dear Gordon, did you try this lens with the r5? I’m wondering how it will handle the 45mp. Love your reviews! Thanks

[@martin_wood]

Nice compact prime. STM will be good for casual youtubers who use hot shoe mics

[@ryanclim]

Thanks for a very informative review. How do you find the vignetting on this lens? Looking forward to your review on RF85 F2.0!

[@cameralabs]

I'm not bothered by vignetting as it's easily corrected if it bothers you. I just left it as it was though.

[@mma171]

I owned the EF f2 for a while and used it on the EOS R before selling it to get this RF f1.8 version. The EF f2 had the advantage of USM focusing, not extended while focusing and a real lens hood. This RF F1.8 has the advantage of not having to use an adapter, a control ring and most of all the shorter minimum focus distance. I do miss that lens hood though!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, nice comparison!

[@GiacomoZonco]

Thank you Gordon! I’m going to go a little bit against the current and ask if you could do a comparison between the RF 85 f2 Macro and the new Samyang RF 85 1.4: both definitely great 85mm lenses, but seeing a true comparison would be cool!

[@dvon0134]

Would love to see this one as well!

[@RumourHasitYT]

Glad I bought it 👍

[@maverdickmwo5236]

I wish you had commented on the contrast and color saturation of the lens compared to the others. Particularly, how well it does against the L lens. Other than that, I enjoy your reviews.

[@ChristosTsitselis]

Thanks for your amazing work!! Maybe a comparison to other EF lenses for us that move to mirrorless setup? Canon 85 1.8, sigma 35 1.4 art etc! cheers from athens greece!

[@lovemycity420]

Just ordered it for video

[@Mauriciovideomaker]

This lens is a beast !

[@DanielCastillo911]

I would like to see reviews of the other rf lenses

[@hiteshchand]

Great Video 👍

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@jamesstudd9776]

Excellent review and wonderful lens, the real surprise for me with this lens was on my EOS-RP while tethered to my computer and controlling it with Canons, Digital Photo Professional 'Remote Shooting'. I obtained the best macro results while controlling each focus step through the software's remote shooting, for each focus movement and stacking the photos afterwards. Using Canons Digital Photo Professional 'Remote Shooting' with the Canon R series would make a great review subject.

[@cameralabs]

I really like Canon's remote control - it's been around for ages, but few mention it. I used to in my earliest Canon reviews

[@jamesstudd9776]

@@cameralabs Thanks for your prompt reply Gordon. I thought you would have been familiar with this software and as you say few seem to talk about or use it that I know of. Thanks for your great videos, I have learnt a lot from your work, and you have influenced my previous lens purchases.

[@ChristianLawrence]

Thanks Gordon, always been tempted by this lens. But I have the RF15-35, so apart from the macro side seems like its not needed. It would have been good to see the comparisons using the 15-35 at 35mm in this video as well. What are your thoughts if you have used both.? Rf35 still a great lens though.

[@cameralabs]

I have used both but not at the same time I'm afraid! I did find the 15-35 very sharp though so i hope it would compare favourably. PS - my 15-35 review is at www.cameralabs.com/canon-rf-15-35mm-f2-8l-is-usm-review/

[@markanderson6639]

Informative review Gordon. Thanks for posting it. To answer your question about whether your viewers would like to see reviews of all the Canon RF lenses, my response is "Yes".

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! I've been trying to review every new RF lens since this time, so hopefully you've found them on my channel.

[@markanderson6639]

@@cameralabs Good to know. I'll start looking through all your videos.

[@sumo482418]

Thanks for a great review. Does the lens seem robust and can you fit a filter on it, it looks like it extends with focusing so I’m not sure.

[@cameralabs]

It's not weather-sealed. The filer is 52mm

[@shankhanilsarkar2161]

A versatile budget lens indeed..! Thanks for the review sir♥️🙂 Will Sigma release R mount lenses in near future?? 🤔

[@cameralabs]

I hope so

[@quite1enough]

I wish Fuji did primes with image stabilization as well...

[@craigcarlson4022]

Gordon, Great view. When you test lenses, could you point them towards bright light sources so we get a sense of how much flare they have. Also, if you can comment on what, if any purple or green fringing you see in the corners, and coma effects. I have Canon APSC cameras and an ancient 6D and am considering upgrading to one of the new R models, so would welcome your reviews of the RF lenses. Best regards, Craig

[@cameralabs]

Yes, I should do more flare tests in my reviews. If you go to cameralabs.com and check out some of the Sony, Nikon, Sigma and Tamron reviews done by Thomas, you'll see he includes them.

[@simonmaduxx6777]

I dont see canon rushing to fill out the lower end of the RF lens market. With the lowest current body going for 3k, going full modern RF modern setup is 4k with taxes (US). That said, these rendering looks FANTASTIC. My 35f2 IS is good but in comparison has rakish, noisy bokeh and can do some ridiculous hazing in some instances. Now whats the chance canon actually makes a cheap 50 thats not an L. They thumbed their nose at users that needed/wanted a modern basic 50mm. Thank goodness my 501.4 hasn't skipped a beat in 8 years. Thanks again for all the info gordon!

[@stevenbagley9858]

Love your work. RF Lens Cap Hack. Just get some bright Red Nail polish and paint it in the notch lens cap. This will make it so much easier to line up the cap to the lens! Why Canon didn't do it I do not know.