is the RF 28-70 f/2 the BEST lens Canon has ever made?

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CHAPTERS
0:00 my experience with this lens
1:25 quick and dirty answer
2:04 image quality
3:29 it feels like a prime
5:02 autofocus and focus breathing
6:35 overall versatility
8:10 a few cons
10:30 best lens ever from Canon??
11:19 rent it!
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[@cjm8160]

99% of my work these days is with either the RF28-70 f2 or RF85 f1.2. I initially didn’t expect to own these two lenses, but I fell out of love with my previous EF lenses and the style of photography I was doing before. When I shoot with the 28-70 and the 85mm I feel like a child in a candy store 😂

[@joshrexford]

I have yet to check out the RF 85...I've heard such great things though!!

[@julius4858]

It is just as good as everyone says

[@marquisphotography1618]

This is true I have both lens and get excited to shoot everytime.

[@SmartBeautySecrets]

Which one do you use the most of the time? If you would need to choose what to buy first, which one would you choose??

[@marquisphotography1618]

@@SmartBeautySecretsi would definitely get the RF 28-70 first it’s more versatile of course. I do weddings and portraits. I used the RF 28-70 paired with the EF 85mm 1.8 for a while then got the RF 85mm 1.2.

[@johnneiberger7311]

I have basically all primes, and those RF primes are incredible. However, sometimes I find myself in situations where I'm regularly swapping lenses to get a different look and I feel like it hurts the flow of the session with a model if I'm swapping lenses frequently to try things out. I'm very tempted to try out the RF 28-70 f2. The primes are magical, but a zoom that feels like a prime lens might be a better option for me in a lot of situations.

[@mftran]

This lens lives on my R6II 90% of the time. Sometimes I’ll take the 50 1.2 RF to shoot in impossibly dark lighting when I’m out and about for fun. But the 28-70 gets most of the paid work.

[@shaneturner4630]

It’s a beast I use it for elopements and weddings all the time 😊

[@jahwaynecrossable]

Just bought it the other day. Love it. It’s an interesting lens. Mostly going to use it for video. There is a little focus breathing but most has to do with how you set up the autofocus in the camera. It’s more prominent in darker situations. But I love it. It’s amazing.

[@joshrexford]

Enjoy!! Such a fun lens to work with

[@kenhu6001]

What filter do you use for it?

[@mjjgythrrrf]

I have this lens and it's like having 4 lenses in one it's amazing, save some money and buy it. I used it at weddings and regular sessions. The price is high but worth every dollar.

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

Outstanding video, mate! I did a video a while back touting the 24-70 2.8 as the ‘Goldilocks Lens” for landscape photographers. I’d love to try the 28-70! Greetings from Australia. 👍🦘

[@joshrexford]

Thanks much my man! If I was doing a lot of landscape work, that extra 4mm on the wide end would be so so nice - LOVE that lens on my FX3 for video. But the 28-70 just hits different for events and portraits...it's fantastic.

[@pottermannyc]

Outstanding video. thank you

[@plisskenetic]

I was shocked to find that this lens came out during the advent of the first R system! It's that old already and yet it seems to better compliment the newer bodies like R5 & R6. If canon ever releases a Mark 2 of this we almost expect it to have IS... though that would put the price likely even higher 😅

[@mvp_kryptonite]

Had the pleasure of renting this and the R5. I was blown away with this lens. It’s on my shopping list now

[@joshrexford]

Now THAT’S a great combination 🙌🏼

[@TJ-po9ol]

How much AF noise does yours make? I got it on my R5C recently and its quite a bit louder than a 24-70 2.8. Also, have you noticed corner wobbles in video at the wider mm's? My R5 I had would get ibis wobble at 35mm and below pretty bad.

[@Neanderthal_yardy]

Yep, user error is right. I took my RF 100mm to Eastern Parkway, Labor Day parade and missed focus on some key public participation. Pulled out my RF 15-35mm while standing behind the police barriers, didn’t move around and lost the opportunity to capture masqueraders passing on the other side of the trucks. I bought myself the RF 28-70mm f/2 as a early birthday present. I can’t wait to get out there and take some landscape pictures. To combat the image stabilization, I got the iFootage-cobra 3-monopod for steadiness. I’m using the EOR-R. By the time I get good Canon will work out all the major flaws out of its mirrorless lineup. Thanks for the tidbits of information, it goes a long way.👍🏿🇯🇲

[@Mr.Zen_73]

the RF 28-70 f2 is my workhorse lens it's always in my bag. I know some photographers who switched to Canon R cameras just for this lens

[@joshrexford]

100% - such a quality piece of glass!

[@ericspeltier]

Great review. I have this lens and it actually gives me anxiety. Why? because I'm deeply in love with it and cannot imagine that I could buy it again if I lost it. When I bought it in 2021 (maybe 2020), I got it before inflation, and I got a refurb from Canon. I've never noticed the focus breathing, but I've not used it much for video. I love it because it nails what I want more reliably than any other lens I've ever used. SO many keepers. It is WORTH the $ for that one extra stop, because the look it provides is not at all the same as the 24-70

[@HBadger89]

I rencetly bought this beauti as well and it's glued to my camera. Just curious, did you notice a decrease in battery life when using this thing at all? IDK if my single battery that I have just started to die out at the same time that I bought the lens or if the big glass is actually slightly impacting the battery life? Just curious if anyone else noticed this.

[@mariolopez.photog]

No I haven't noticed this, hmm might be the battery is giving out??

[@Floriskwek]

I have a og EF 24-70 mk1, do you think this is a good upgrade?

[@spinnetti]

I'm just a hobbyist, and not even that serious about it, but I love it. It is heavy AF though. Didn't sound that heavy, but a neck strap is out of the question.

[@julius4858]

As a hobby photographer, this lens is on my camera pretty much 24/7. paired with a sunsniper shoulder strap, it can easily be used as a walk-around lens. Been with on mountains, in cities, forests, the ocean… it does everything, and remarkably well. Pairs incredibly well with the 100-500 for sports and wildlife. Sold my 70-200 EF for that.

[@martyn420]

I had this lens/hernia and prefer the 15-35 and 24-105

[@kimbokinny]

Will it work on R7?

[@ozacar3979]

How would you compare this lens to the RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens?

[@SophiaYatesPhotography]

ughhhhh now I NEED

[@WilliamDower-zk4mg]

I work with the R5C which of course does not have ibis. I’m trying to decide between the 24-70 that has IS and the 28-70 which doesn’t. I already have a prime lens (85mm 1.2 DS), but I’m looking for something that would be great for video to get the full experience of the cinematic quality in my R5C. Thoughts?

[@joshrexford]

If it were ME and it were for video shooting and I already had the 85, I’d go with the 24-70. The 28-70 is SUCH a great lens but if you’re exclusively looking for video shooting, I think the IS will be helpful and since you already have the 85 I think the 28-70 would be too much overlap.

[@Jaxplode]

I never miss the time with heavy Canon cameras and lenses. Yeah it's a nice lens. But I prefer my Leica M11 and 35mm f/2. Light as hell and you not seen as THE PHOTOGRAPHER when you try to catch unique moments on weddings.

[@FlasherCat]

I want to see how it looks on my R body 😆

[@joshrexford]

😆 might be a touch front-heavy but it'd be worth it

[@FlasherCat]

@@joshrexford It's a clear case of putting a camera onto a lens and not the other way around

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

For 3k I cant believe it doesnt have IS

[@mariolopez.photog]

I love this lens!!! I use it for portraiture work and man it is the Best!!! I do not need to change lenses which I truly felt always interrupted the flow of my session!! Before I was constantly saying "yes let's get this shot but let me switch my lens!!" Total Buzz Kill!!! haha - It is a heavy lens but I workout so it doesn't phase me and I always hear from someone during a shoot "Now I see how you are so muscular!!" 😂😂

[@PsychonautTV]

this lens is singlehandedly the only reason why Canon is still being used among pro shooters. but as soon as sigma, tamron, or someone else makes a 28-70 f2 for e mount... it's game over I feel. and this is coming from someone who shoots and loves both Canon and Sony. this lens is unfairly good.

[@dfj555]

The RF 135mm F1.8 is a much more magical lens.

[@TJ-po9ol]

And the 85 1.2 is a much more "magical lens" than that 135

[@prosunsport1]

Over rated optically see Christopher Frost review on R5 , a bit disappointed. Unless u need low light photography and better bokeh, however u Rf35 f1.8 and 24 105 f4 is to be considered

[@Tegneaufreak]

Big, heavy and not very sharp compared to the RF24-70. Useful only for the extra light. You say it is so sharp, but clearly you have no idea. If you actually compare it, to the RF24-70, you will see it is not very sharp. Really, it sucks a little bit.. for L RF glass at least.

[@gavthane]

On top of that, the 28-70 isn’t true to focal range either. At 50mm, it’s closer to 45mm and at 70mm it’s closer to 65mm. And also at 70mm it’s kinda soft.

[@Marcosmatamoros10]

I’ve seen many videos comparing both lenses extensively and idk where you get that this lense is softer than the 24-70.

[@gavthane]

@@Marcosmatamoros10I own the 28-70 and the 24-70 is definitely sharper.

[@B_22_5]

@@gavthaneInteresting, I have both and have the exact opposite thoughts. Maybe you got a bad copy?