Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM for VIDEO! Should you buy it? | EOS R

I picked up the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM lens for my EOS R and made a video on my experience. This video is primarily for using the lens with video, although a lot of the pros and cons work for photo as well.
Leave a comment below on your thoughts on using the 35mm Macro for video!
Link to lens: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...
Video Timeline:
Specs: 1:00
Pros: 5:07
Cons: 7:30
Who is it for: 10:45
Sample Footage: 13:27
GEAR USED:
Camera: Canon EOS R
Lenses: EF 24mm f2.8 IS, RF 35mm F1.8, EF 100mm 2.8L, EF 85mm 1.4L IS
Audio: Rode VideoNTG
Stabilization: Manfrotto BeFree Tripod, Edelkrone SliderOne Pro v2
Music: Epidemicsound.com

[@WesKriesel]

This is my favorite all around lens for the EOS R! It's amazing for video, and I love it for interviews at 1.8 with eye AF.

[@TonyMellinger]

Wes Kriesel Photo ya, the eye AF is incredible!

[@duckwalker3744]

When your cons are actually pros you know that you’ve got a good lens

[@markshirley01]

Ha Ha - yes - I was scratching my head on the weight one.

[@DirtyPawsDiaries]

This is absolutely the lens I keep on my EOS R. I still use my 24-240 and 24-105/L RF lenses when needed, but that 35mm is a rock star! And I'll be using that RF/EF adapter for a long time to come -- too many weird lenses in my world... MP-E 65mm (EF), 100mm/L Macro (EF), 100-400mm/L (EF) and a crazy Celestron 750mm f/6 that uses a buncha weird plumbing (although I may have solved some of that recently!). For the foreseeable future, I'm afraid I'll have both RF's and EF's, until the RF line gets some of the lenses I like from the EF line. Great vid, as always, Tony!

[@Innisfailman]

Thank you for the info, Tony!

[@TonyMellinger]

Glad I could help!

[@noelleperrotta4944]

Great video, Loved the B Roll ending.

[@TonyMellinger]

Thanks! This is a great lens for a great price!

[@willy1927]

thank you Tony for your explanations Im looking for the right lens to use in my canon R, for a traveling material that im prepering and this one looks the right one.

[@TonyMellinger]

Another great lens is the RF24-105mm. Very versatile for travel

[@MrBratius]

I have this lens on my RP. I love it for photography and can not wait to see video from it.

[@TonyMellinger]

Troy G it’s great! Hope you like that RP! Powerful little camera!

[@rafaelm3404]

Great videos you have here man, just subscribed, keep up the Great work

[@TonyMellinger]

Thanks so much! Appreciate it!

[@JaredRibic]

This was my first RF lens and I think it's a great starter lens for the RF system. My second RF lens is the 85mm f/2 MACRO IS. It's also a great starter lens. I do plan to upgrade both the 85mm and 35mm to the RF "L" series lenses in the next couple years, but for now I'm really happy with these.

[@TonyMellinger]

Yea! The 35 and 85 are a powerful combo!! I haven’t picked up an 85mm f2, but I did preorder the 50mm. So many good, small primes in the RF lineup already!

[@bodinian]

An RF 35mm L lens with a wide maximum aperture and image stabilization is an instant buy for me. Canon has to know there's a customer base guaranteed for that. If it didn't have IS, I'd probably stick to the non-L version since IS is so useful for spontaneous video.

[@JaredRibic]

@@bodinian - I'm hoping Canon releases the 35mm f/1.2L this year.

[@StepbyStepPhotographyandVideo]

Cant wait to get my hands on this lens!

[@TonyMellinger]

I’ve really liked it! 35 is such a classic look!

[@StepbyStepPhotographyandVideo]

@@TonyMellinger do you feel this would be a good lens to do close tracking shots with medium-medium closeup shots when shooting 4k at 1.8-2.8?

[@TonyMellinger]

Step by Step Photography and Video ya absolutely! I do that all the time. With 1.8 it should be easier to hold focus than the 1.4 I’ve been using.

[@StepbyStepPhotographyandVideo]

@@TonyMellinger that's GREAT to hear

[@threethroneproductions5498]

Thank you for this deep review, I am definitely buying one for my C70

[@TonyMellinger]

Glad I can help! Thinking of picking up a c70 myself.

[@threethroneproductions5498]

@@TonyMellinger From the specs and videos about it that I saw it’s a great camera to have.

[@contactmagiprod]

I bought this lens and the EOS R at the same time and I love it either for photo or video...I recommend! 😉👍

[@TonyMellinger]

Toto Lehero for some reason I’ve always struggled with the 35 with photo. I always end up with a longer focal length 🤷🏼‍♂️ I need to go on a trip with just this lens forcing me to love it! Ha!

[@contactmagiprod]

@@TonyMellinger I love this focal lens, for me that's the ideal lens for general use and the only one I need on a desert island 😉. I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip!

[@WesKriesel]

I totally agree! I didn't get the kit lens - just the EOS R body and the 35mm RF lens. Couldn't be happier!

[@bodinian]

An image stabilized prime lens, small size, light weight, with a respectably wide maximum aperture, and even half-macro capability for under $500 before tax. I have the f/2.8 L zoom lenses, but I bought this one as my preferred night time street photography lens. It draws less attention and even performs better in low light than the much more expensive lenses.

[@TonyMellinger]

I love it, some of my favorite photos. I’m looking forward to the higher quality RF35 though.

[@JohnAmaro_Official]

wow that last part was really nice:) nice review as well thanks:)

[@TonyMellinger]

Thank you. Thanks for watching!

[@JohnAmaro_Official]

@@TonyMellinger you're welcome...did you use c log for the video..?I am a sony user and just order the eos r ..

[@TonyMellinger]

@@JohnAmaro_Official for this video? Probably. I have a tutorial on how to shoot in CLOG. Check it out if you’re interested!

[@JohnAmaro_Official]

@@TonyMellinger for that last part of the video did you use c log? :) thanks will check out the tutorial now:)

[@TonyMellinger]

@@JohnAmaro_Official yes def clog for the coffee Broll 😎

[@binaryblog]

Nice cinematic footage at the end.

[@TonyMellinger]

Thanks so much!

[@Cviksi]

Insane lens for the price!

[@TonyMellinger]

Agreed! Hard to beat.

[@lebuzz66]

Great video! You must have been reading my mind. I think this will fit better with my Ronin SC setup than the 50 mm 1.2 L I am currently using. Lighter for my arthritic hands lol. Regards from France

[@TonyMellinger]

Thanks for watching! How’s the SC doing with the eos R? Have you had trouble balancing it? Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in France!

[@Kreomedia]

Would love to see some samples, but still, a nice review!

[@TonyMellinger]

Thanks!

[@OutHereHavingAPint]

Great video - Can you state where you got the sound effect on your lower thirds titles?

[@TonyMellinger]

Hmm I’m guessing that’s from the Lens Distortion pack I purchased. It may also be from artlist.io their sfx is great!

[@markshirley01]

Thanks im going to be new to canon moving from Nikon - the 35 and 50 f1.8 rf are my first choice because of size weight and cost.

[@TonyMellinger]

Yea those are two no brainers!

[@StepbyStepPhotographyandVideo]

I plan on putting a battery grip on the camera to add weight so it's more stable

[@Wave_Drop]

@tony mellinger Hi Tony and thanks for your contribution and useful review. The short video at the end is lovely, what program did you use for editing or composition? Thanks

[@TonyMellinger]

Glad i could help! I edit in Adobe Premiere Pro

[@austinmckee5481]

Was that sample footage shot in C-Log? Just curious. Looks incredible :)

[@TonyMellinger]

At the end? yep, sure was!

[@LaBron30]

Hey Tony . Great Video ! The only lens i have for my EOS R is the nifty fifty 50mm 1.8 .I am about to buy the rf35 mm .Do you think i should wait until something else comes out ? Also the 15-35 rf is incredible but very expensive . Will you test this lens ? p.s I am not a professional videographer

[@TonyMellinger]

Hey! The 35mm is a good lens with some capability of macro shots and image stabilization. Something that may be a little more fversatile would be the 24-105. I actually love that lens even though it’s f4. Idk if I’ll do a review.... that lens is just so expensive.

[@LaBron30]

@@TonyMellinger i mostly want it for video and i can combine both with the ronin sc . Also on elast question . I can't manage to balance the EOS r + the 50mm 1.8 + rodeo video mic pro+ , it seams to be very heavy . Have you tried to attach a mic when using your ronin s ?

[@TonyMellinger]

Lyrarakis Lambros I have the ride videomicro and video mic NTG and haven’t had any trouble. I’m guessing because there’s so much weight up top instead of on the lens.

[@maartenjanssen]

I’m thinking of stepping up to full frame mirrorless and getting the Eos R with the 35mm instead of the kit zoomlens as I have budget for 1 lens only right now. So this video has been very helpful. Thanks!

[@TonyMellinger]

Glad it helped! What are you stepping up from? You’d love the EOS R

[@maartenjanssen]

Tony Mellinger M50 :)

[@maartenjanssen]

Tony Mellinger M50. I’m really tempted to just buy the EOS R right now as I sold my bmpcc4k yesterday, but there’s a little voice in my head saying I should wait for the official announcement of the R5 and R6.

[@TonyMellinger]

I think for most people the EOS R is a perfect camera. The R5 with have better specs and will have more features but it will also come with a premium price tag. That m50 is a solid camera! You will enjoy stepping up to the R, R5 or R6 for sure.

[@maartenjanssen]

Tony Mellinger I’m hoping that maybe, just maybe after the R5 and R6 official announcement the R price will drop and that the R6 will come in at the R’s current price. That would be pretty sweet. #wishfulthinking

[@threethroneproductions5498]

This look good 👍🏾 what’s your color grading process?

[@TonyMellinger]

Check out this video for my color grading process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJebfquPhq2ro68

[@threethroneproductions5498]

@@TonyMellinger Thanks 🙏🏾

[@sunnydayz77]

Im keen to go for this lens as my 24-105 is too heavy. This is about 400 grams lighter which is significant. Of course I lose the zoom range but I guess that's ok

[@TonyMellinger]

Yea, the 35mm is a great lens for a lightweight setup. I do miss the zoom on the 24-105 though

[@ThorSkin69]

Hi Tony! Great video. I’m looking to buy a 35 prime, for EOS R, I’m a hybrid shooter (photography and videography), would you choose the Sigma 35mm f1.4 or Canon RF 35mm f1.8? I can get them both for around $650 aud, thoughts? I have stabiliser (Weebill S) Cheers!

[@TonyMellinger]

I’m a big canon glass snob so I’d choose canon haha. Ditching the adaptor and having native glass is a no brainer for me. Also the sigma doesn’t have any image stabilizer right? Or does it?

[@ThorSkin69]

Tony Mellinger I went with the RF thanks Tony 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@NigelAquascaping]

Do you like this lens for youtube talking head videos in a small room? F1.8 shallow enough for nice small dof? Deciding between this RF lens or adapted sigma or tamron 1.4.

[@TonyMellinger]

Yea you can get decent shots with this one. I’ve been actually been using the 50mm f1.8 stm lately for my KZbin setup. The 35mm works really well though too

[@SretloW]

Do you like it on your Ronin or not? Because you don't like the too fast AF and its to light? I have the Sigma 35mm ART on the Ronin-S. Would be nice to compare some 35mm lenses on the Ronin-S and with IS if its better. Maybe I buy the RF next to the 35mm ART.

[@TonyMellinger]

The biggest problem I’ve found with the RF35 on the Ronin is it’s a pretty light setup. I almost prefer the 35mm f1.4 without IS just because it seems to be a little more stable. That 35mm RF is really a hard lens to beat for the price though!

[@hawkboy000]

Do you have any issue with jittery video? I have the canon r and this 35mm lens. At times the stabilization causes a jello effect because it’s trying to stabilize a moving image. I’ve been struggling to make my video less choppy/shaky. I use a rs2 as well

[@TonyMellinger]

Hmm you shouldn’t have any issues with jittery videos, especially if you’re using the RS2. I actually really enjoy the image of the 35, but I use it with the r5/r6 with IBIS now.

[@Soul_Visuals_Photography]

It's a fantastic lens. No brainer.

[@TonyMellinger]

vic placido especially for the price!

[@CoolhandLukeSkywalkr]

It's not a no brainier for me, because I'm getting the RF 35mm f/1.2 which is launching soon.

[@CoolhandLukeSkywalkr]

I'm going to get the RF 35mm f/1.2 instead. Since I'm getting the R5 Canon, I think it's worth it.

[@TonyMellinger]

🤨 there’s only one 35mm RF right now. Do you mean you are going to wait for the L series 35?

[@CoolhandLukeSkywalkr]

@@TonyMellinger Yes, the RF 35mm f/1.2 L series, which is due out sometime this year.

[@StepbyStepPhotographyandVideo]

Keep the adapter on your most used ef lens and keep it in your bag!

[@TonyMellinger]

Step by Step Photography and Video ya, that’s what I’ve been doing. It’s been hanging out on my 85 ha!

[@fearthisredneck]

anther st Louis KZbinr yes

[@TonyMellinger]

Ralph Johnston STL!

[@matt79hz]

Been shooting stills for years. Recently more interested in video for the kids. So I'll need an ND with this for daylight f1.8 - 4ish yeh ? What ND value would you look at for a single filter option, or is there a variable ND option ? Cheers :)

[@TonyMellinger]

This is what I use: it’s variable so you can adjust with your exposure amzn.to/3M1U7y9

[@matt79hz]

@@TonyMellinger thanks !

[@toqeersethi4667]

I have a 24-105 f/4 which I use on my gimbal. Would you recommend the 35mm rf on a gimbal. Will the autofocus be as fast as my 24-105.

[@TonyMellinger]

Both are great lenses actually. I’ve found the 35mm is really really light hindering the stability of my shots on a gimbal. Unless you’re hurting for low light, I honestly like the 24-105 better!

[@Mrskalii]

@@TonyMellinger how so? how is hindering the stability? Maybe with a smaller gimbal is better?

[@damiangorny7740]

Is that lens ok on a gimbal when focus motor is moving back and forth ? I use Ronin SC for EOS R and just worried about the balance

[@TonyMellinger]

Oh, I think you’d be just fine. The biggest problem I have with this lens on a gimbal is it’s so light it’s hard for the ronin to stabilize it. Adding accessories or weights helps with that!

[@memoriesofamoonbird]

If I already have the 24 - 105 f4 L on an EOS R, do you think this lens is worth getting to have the 1.8 f stop range?

[@TonyMellinger]

It is for me. This last trip I took, I took the 24-105, 70-200 and 35mm f1.8 for low light performance. It was a great setup and never felt limited.

[@memoriesofamoonbird]

@@TonyMellinger Awesome. Thank you, Tony! :)

[@TonyMellinger]

Memories of a Moonbird glad I can help!

[@simonrhys]

That comment about the lightweight on a gimbal is interesting because I have just purchased a EOS R and my go to video lens 24-70 Tamron 2.8 is too heavy to balance with the EOS R!! Gutted.

[@TonyMellinger]

Wow, I’ve never had a lens too heavy for the Ronin S. I’ve even stuck a 70-200 on it!

[@simonrhys]

@@TonyMellinger I'm using a moza air. Maybe time for an upgrade!

[@thegoldenmaestro]

just buy an adapter for every EF lens that you have and keep it stuck to the lens, that way the camera is always ready for what ever lens you want put on. adapter cost just as much as a good uv filter so its not a big deal

[@TonyMellinger]

😳😳 that would be very expensive if you had a dozen lenses. I am a huge fan of the RF lens quality and have switched over basically all of my lenses now

[@thegoldenmaestro]

@@TonyMellinger that is one option I have all RF lenses at this stage But am still considering some sigma art prime lenses because am sick of waiting for sigma to release RF Mount lenses and canon only has few prime lenses Ether big and expensive or cheep and not so great ones so yeh If I end up getting couple of primes only then shouldn’t be a problem sticking at adapter and leave it there

[@justinoliver2851]

You saying the name of the lens in the beginning of the video...what a mouth full. Lol

[@TonyMellinger]

Justin Oliver ikr 🤣

[@kingsamvisuals]

But an adapter for each EF lens. Unless u use EF cameras too

[@TonyMellinger]

Ya I use the c100 mkii and the c200 a lot. I’m just having a dedicated kit for the eos R until they start releasing more RF mount cameras.

[@jordancraigmedia]

Can also be used on Komodo, no?

[@TonyMellinger]

I’m not sure what that is

[@jordancraigmedia]

Tony Mellinger The RED Komodo camera has an RF mount

[@TonyMellinger]

Jordan Craig Video & Photo ya it’d work then.

[@billyblack4556]

is it noisy in autofocus for stills

[@TonyMellinger]

Not terribly. There are many other lenses much more noisy AF

[@jdzvids94]

I leave the adapter on my 50mm lens lol

[@TonyMellinger]

Ya that works well if you have only a few ef lenses. makes them all bigger

[@MindYaBizz_Whiz]

@@TonyMellinger yeah, I’ve only gotten the RF35 and an EF85, so I leave the adapter on the 85. As of right now, I’m still learning a lot about photography, so I’m not rushing to buy more lenses, and I’m also waiting to see what sigma does with the RF mount. From there I think I’ll decide on whether to go with more EF or RF glass.

[@slyvillaestiva4299]

all cons you mentioned is not really cons. i mean lighter lens is what i look for. 52mm filter is okay.

[@TonyMellinger]

It’s a good lens!

[@jamescook5931]

This video needed more real-world usage examples. Too much talking.

[@TonyMellinger]

Thanks for the feedback