Why the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 Is My Favorite Lens | Master Your Craft

Canon's new RF lenses have been recipients of near-universal acclaim for the quality of images they produce. In this video, Pye takes the RF 28-70mm f/2 lens out for a photoshoot and talks about what makes it's his favorite lens of all time.
Intro: 0:00 - 1:15
Scene #1: 1:16 - 4:11
Scene #2: 4:12 - 8:16
Scene #3: 8:17 - 11:29
Scene #4: 11:30 - 14:48
Conclusion: 14:49 - 15:36
Welcome to “Master Your Craft,” a photography educational series by SLR Lounge, exclusively on Adorama TV. From gear advice to in-depth instruction, our goal is to give you practical, real-world advice to help you master the craft of photography. Whether you’re a beginner just learning your camera, an amateur looking to become pro, or a professional seeking inspiration, this is the series you’ve been looking for to help you become a better photographer.
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera:
www.adorama.com/car5.html
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens:
www.adorama.com/car28702.html
✘ PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT USED:
Canon EOS C200 8.85MP PL Mount 4K UHD Digital Cinema Camera Body: www.adorama.com/caec200pl.html
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Zoom Lens:
www.adorama.com/ca2470.html
Benro S8 Tripod:
www.adorama.com/bea673tmbs8.html
Blue Yeti USB Microphone:
www.adorama.com/micbyetibo.html
Adobe Premiere Pro:
www.adorama.com/ab65299421.ht...
#canon2870 #canoneosr5 #adorama
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Model: Kiara
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@aliniazgd]

I have this lens, sold all other lenses in 28-70mm range. After a or two days of usage this lens doesn't not seem heavy, big but instead it grows in you to become get used to become comfortable. It's very sharp and extremely professional lens.

[@jkahn923]

You know what would make this lens better? Being able to buy it

[@guillaumeschirra7699]

@Kathie Clark You are right. I ordered mine on the 17th of July 2021. Still waiting for it to this day...

[@t.s..]

​@@guillaumeschirra7699 😆 haha

[@LuigiL75]

HA! (cries in POOR)

[@iangillan1296]

Are there no installment plans in your country?

[@soemyintmyat875]

Everytime Pye used this lens, he looks genuinely so happy. 😅 Great video as always, Pye. Thanks for taking us into your thought process.

[@randyfox5317]

Thanks again, Pye, for reminding us that we can shoot from different heights (angles) to add interest to the images. I love watching all of Adorama's instructional videos but yours are the only ones that really emphasize the 'shooting low' (or high) as a technique beyond just adjusting the camera settings. Kudos!

[@EdwardBliffin]

Pye is one of those photographers / instructions i can watch all day

[@f0t0b0y]

I'm a wedding and editorial shooter for Biz Journals and this lens is used around 90% of what I shoot. I used to do the prime lens shuffle, 24, 35, 50 and 85. All of that glass is gone, one lens removed four. Laugh about the size and price but add all those numbers up on the primes and trust me you're carrying less and getting a lot more shots way faster. I used to do the S&M leather hipster dual strap camera setup for weddings and those days are a thing of the past. Not saying this is better than whatever you're comfortable shooting, I'm just saying my life is far less complicated and I absolutely love the setup and quality of this beautiful lens.

[@antoniogee2018]

Your comment is exactly what I wanted to hear. Im want to use just one camera too. I want to focus more of creativity, lighting and expression rather than juggling lenses.

[@obsidian00]

When the time comes for me to step up to the Canon mirrorless system, this will be the only lens that I’ll buy! I’ll use the adapter for the rest of the glass I already have!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I love this lens too, I don’t personally mind the weight or size but the price was certainly a big gamble! A gamble that’s absolutely paid off as it’s probably now my favourite lens too. I never enjoyed using a 24-70mm f/2.8 much, it’s a tool but doesn’t have the excitement or artistic look and feel of using a prime lens. I always felt like I was compromising using it and would rather carry a bag of primes. This lens is completely different, f2 and the look it has to the images is incredible, it genuinely is prime like. It definitely is a one lens solution to a lot of situations whilst still being able to achieve 95% of the look of shooting L primes wide open, it’s well worth the (considerable) investment!

[@CarlosCabreraMusic]

Great review, and fascinating to see a talented model in action. Thank you for making this!

[@AnthonyTadle]

I rented this lens today and im blown away.. the hype is real... looking forwards to purchase this one day.... great video as always

[@mxilplict]

Yup - I’ve been hooked on the 28-70 too for more than a year and has converted me from being a prime lens snob. For everything except extreme low light or ultra-high resolution output requirements, this lens stays on my camera.

[@danielkvam]

Nice, do you mind sharing which lenses you are using for extreme low light/ultra-high resolution? Thanks

[@TheTozotube]

@@danielkvam I would love to know this as well. Why is this lens NOT good for ultra high res? Isn't is extremely sharp?

[@guillaumeschirra7699]

This building is beautiful. thanks for the video.

[@ThreeCeeProductions]

I bought this lens after your review. I have the traditional primes but don’t always have two bodies for events. I keep the 28-70 on my R5 almost exclusively and Carry my 135 f2. Seems like the perfect complimentary focal and the look of both are unique enough to stand out. Thanks.

[@leonardsmith82]

I love my RF 28-70 f2.0L.. It was amazing on the R and now on my R5, I don't see a need for primes 😅. The only other lens that competes for attention is the RF 70-200 f2.8L lens. I dont mind the size or weight, its just too good!!

[@slrlounge]

Thanks for watching! Which is your favorite lens and why?

[@zentai5076]

Sigma DC Art 18-35mm f1.8 I use it for everything, real estate, portrait, videos. It pretty much lives on the camera and a nifty fifty in my pocket and I'm ready to go! love these behind the scenes type videos you do, and how you talk about the thoughts and reasons during the process.

[@noenken]

0:01 It's not the Canon 20-70mm f/2 because that doesn't exist.

[@ChristopherGeorge_photography]

My favorite right now and as of the last 2 years is the RF 85mm f/1.2 because.... bokeh.

[@njrivetelite]

Ever since I first saw you use this lens a couple years ago I've been hungry for it.. At the time I didn't have an RF body.. But it looked like such a dope lens.. Now that I have an R5.. that lens is in my crosshairs. I currently use my 24-70mm 2.8 most.. So technically it's my favorite because it's a jack of many trades.. Though I do find myself wishing for another stop of light at times.. or would sometimes think that a prime would be more fitting

[@charismaticrell4206]

I love my 28-70 f2 it never leaves my camera. I want your presets 😃

[@MosesWAPNIK]

Hi I Like very much your's not to do, what to do, how to do. And the way you gide the model👌 Moses, Tel Aviv 👏

[@prasadreddyyerragonda2753]

great video Pye, and ty fr coming up with such great content 😊🙏... could you do a detailed video on how to shoot pics during bright day light (noon) ... once again ty 🙏

[@markwatson5984]

Nice lens, stunning model!

[@thomasherron3703]

Thanks for another great video Pye. I love the changing of angles and distances for different effects. A request I have for a future video is to take some of the concepts and translate them to a larger sized model. Your models are stunning but not every client is that size.

[@salvamando1]

I love this lens too, albeit it was seemingly obscenely huge when I first opened the box. It is fat and stubby! Once you get used the size/weight, it renders beautiful shots and I almost feel guilty saying that my 50 1.2 and 80 1.2 (RF versions) are being neglected!

[@emptyandseephotos7858]

Thanks adorama for Great example shots with lens with good shots with good pie

[@DanielFazzari]

Fantastic lens! I use it for events, portraits, even landscapes. This lens also has character that many newer lenses lack.

[@vladimir-qt5bl]

What kind of character?

[@sentimental89]

What kind of character?

[@americandowninbrazil]

SCREW THE GOLDEN LIGHT, PYE, YOU DID A GREAT JOB SHOWING US HOW TO SHOOT IN MID-DAY LIGHT!!!

[@TEMTECKPHOTOGRAPHY]

Awesome... I really rely alot on my 24/70.

[@johnmbaria7223]

hey thanks this made my job easy will try and buy one soon is it heavy ?

[@Gabe731]

I’m looking at getting the R6 w/ 24-105mm f4, is that a lens you could give tips on how to get the most out of it? Kind of like this video.

[@amaitra]

Great use of light!

[@francisdrelling4060]

Thanks for a really informative video. Where did you take the photos? Thanks, FD

[@CryptoJones]

I subscribed to Adorama because of your videos Tai!

[@PaulDharmaratne]

Just got mine a few days ago. With my R5 definitely my sharpest lens and my first RF lens investment. Heavy, true but very happy with my first results.

[@Patchez91]

Nice man! Think I’m going to pull the trigger for my R5 as well. Currently only have a kit lens.

[@anavictorialozanolopez160]

Do you turn on the Lens aberration correction ? And if so, do you recommend the Digital Lens Optimizer to be ON - Standard? I have the R5 and R6 and use the 28-70mm… I shoot Destinations Weddings at the beach so I have to be extremely fast and sometimes I notice that the lens struggles with the focus when I zoom in or zoom out. I have read and seen many reviews but none mention this option (Digital Lens Optimizer). TÍA

[@frankmanning8787]

Just curious why no one talks about the crop factor if you need more than the 70mm with this camera/ lens combo?

[@chrishuang8763]

Tried this lens when it came out about two years ago. It is just too heavy and big for travel and street photography.. Not cheap too. Maybe its good for you if you are just doing model/wedding photography.

[@forsterl.stewart414]

It's not a portrait lens. At 70mm it's ok for three quarter shots. For head and shoulders portraits 100mm is the most flattering. At 28mm the distortion to the human form is insane. And this halfwit is using for portraits. Bwaaahahaha.

[@ancogbernard]

@@forsterl.stewart414 what?

[@frankfeng2701]

Tamron 35-150 f/2-2.8 would be my next lens.

[@sampathnarayanan1310]

❤❤❤❤

[@deanbrandon3615]

Every time I see a review of this lens, I want it. I love zoom lenses, but want the prime look. I don’t mind the huge size as most zooms are larger anyways. Even 1.8 primes are pretty large. So, yes, a step closer to bankruptcy, but with a smile on my face.

[@martinklacansky3537]

did u clean uv filter before shooting ?:

[@AKAFaRK]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@leelhgfx5546]

Love the lens, would dog the photographer a little tho LOL. The biggest reason she is wearing glasses is the side light reflecting from the ground with the green tint , so the glasses will keep odd shadow lighting off her face from an upward angling side light. He is also maintaining a darker a more symmetrically lit background with the trees and houses vs the full sunlight to the left, which is why he has her turned shooting that direction and not straight on toward the natural bounce. The technique is good over all since he used the glasses, but he isnt' telling you the secret to the shot. This would have been a fail on the face without the glasses, turned at this directly, and a fail on the background if he turned her into the soft bounce light from the right. The pillar shot is spot on, I do do the same thing all the time. Again the secret is ambient light in a direction.... creates a good soft light and not hard shadows. Down side... you often have to have them looking towards the light in all the shots.

[@wayniekim4257]

When you shoot wide open at 28mm does your photo have vingettes?

[@prakashpatankar5839]

Perfect 💕🌹❤️ everything 😭as a model 🌹

[@maklinetv1377]

This channel has now gained a new subscription from an Angolan channel, which loves this subject.

[@antoinernb9398]

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@kennyreyesdjkennyken]

What body are you using?

[@williamc4353]

Love your work been watching you for years... So just bought R5 and have the money to purchase one lens. RF24-70 or RF 28-70. I shoot 95% weddings or Senior pictures. I can't afford both so one and done. What is your thought or which way would you go ?

[@Prabhu_njd]

Get the 28-70 for sure.

[@katasticone]

Pye, I'd love to see you pit the 3 RF 85mm lenses against one another. It's so hard to figure out if the extra cost is worth the 1.2. Or maybe even do a third party lens or two in there. Thanks!

[@mverick160]

The Canon 1.2 is worth it. That and the 50mm f1.2. In quality nothing beats them.

[@Seitenwerk]

The Rf 85 f1.2 is considered one of the best lenses ever made so there you have it. But optical wise there still is one that slightly tops it: the DS version of this lens ;)

[@9rider11]

My favorite lens also. It lived on my R6 until I bought the R5 a week ago. Now the R6 is my backup.

[@angellondian7628]

I’m looking for a bourdior lens. Do you think 2870f2 can work indoors for lingerie photos? Hoped the bokah of this lens compared to the prime?

[@mverick160]

Yes. It would. But nothing will better the primes. I do think people put to much weight on bokeh though. It was never a issue before. The F 1.0 actually stunk and nobody wanted it for anything other then saying they had a F 1.0. Shooting everyone was at F8 to F11.

[@jukeboxjohnnie]

I use that combo i HATE the flip out screen it needs a tilt, I just never move the screen I cant stand the flip. The way it locks on the eye every time helps make up for it

[@gomarky]

Haha you said “zoomable prime lens” and it actually makes sense with this lens.

[@Hubieee]

The bokeh transition, besides all the good sharpness, does not look like that of a f/1.2 prime. At least there is one advantage left of prime lenses. They are more than a stop brighter.

[@royaltykidstv]

Is there a reason why some photographers shoot vertical vs horizontal?

[@joao.goncalves]

Let's say I don't want the reflection on sun glasses,how would I deal with that? Thanks

[@soemyintmyat875]

Easiest thing would be to change the direction of your model's face or move your camera angle until you don't see the reflection. Because removing it in post processing is a painful job.

[@joao.goncalves]

@@soemyintmyat875 thanks for the tip! Yes in post is a real pain..

[@natestain7103]

Cpl filter

[@lovemycity420]

I rented it, for a week. Went to a wedding and did some portraits & a little street photography! It’s an amazingly fast and sharp lense. Was very big and heavy, too heavy on my R5. The price is also very heavy😂😂, but if you look at the price of a prime 35mm & 50mm at f/2, it’s actually a steal.

[@eoslove2022]

For exactly the same reasons you love this lens, we are negotiating the sale of our RF 24-70 f2.8,

[@Antshotme]

Just got mine recently. Man this thing is huuuge. It’s like a 32oz can of tomatoes lol

[@benjamindejonge3624]

Mine too

[@bkpeary]

We are high volume wedding photographers..I do love this lens, but my left arm is so sore from twisting the barrel of this beast lens. I am in pain right now..The size and the resistance of this lens are almost too much..

[@prakashpatankar5839]

So cl an amd gree oslamd with string struckure 🌹🌹🌹🙏

[@ssswich]

wake me up when 16-200mm f1.4 will appear. see yaaa

[@2001sinus]

I have bought it right before the pandemic for 2550$ with warranty. The shop have had 5 pcs and was very glad just get rid of them because no one was buying them for a long time. Now I see this lens is continuously backordered and cost 3500$ on ebay.

[@JjackVideo]

Canon have released some nice cameras since.

[@mxilplict]

Yup - word got out how good the lens is - you got yours for a steal!

[@MrPeng]

True market price is $2700 ish I just got a like new one for that price. Still too bulky and heavy for most average dude

[@chrishuang8763]

No doubt the imsge qualitý is superb but for sheer practical use it is not one to carry around. Definitely not for the travel or street photographer. You would stand out like a sore thumb. In the end, you may not get the shot as you will be noticed. Thus, for a lot of travel and street photography, I still prefer a Micro4/3 camera. However, this lens would be great for a wedding photographer on outdoor location where changing lenses may not be convenient.

[@jishnoo]

04:54 😂😂😂

[@furrukh43]

I prefer rf 24 70 and samyang rf85. Can save 50$ as well

[@mverick160]

I love that lens. But I'd really love a 24-105 F2. One lens that would do it all. 70mm is just not quite enough. And Canon knows it. That's why they don't want a Amazing 24-105mm. LOL And your model is drop dead gorgeous. I'd pop a lil flash on her. Most now use photoshop to do it. I don't want to lose anything by using photoshop. Anything you do in Photoshop diminishes the shot with some noise. And why is it that we get our models at a 11 in looks while the photographer goes out in flip flops, dad shorts, and a T shirt? LOL I do it too but I'm trying to stop that and look A game while shooting myself.

[@nubscrub]

Hey, I’m here a couple years into the future from when you posted, to let you know that they made a 24-104 f/2.8, a first. It is large and heavy. A 24-105 f/2 sounds like a pipe dream because even if they could technologically manage it, who’s to say they’ll recuperate their cost selling a presumably behemoth design.

[@woodengamer]

One day this lens won't always be on backorder.....

[@edwincollins5847]

She is a gorgeous woman. Unless done purposely, you can’t have a bad shot using her as your model.

[@mrdamiansingh]

Apart from the the great lens and great muse the location is meh should have been urban city

[@PanzerIV88]

Many portrait photographers are saying this is the best zoom lens you can get but unless you're making a living out of it, I seriously can't justify spending about 2.5x MORE than the "Tamron 24-70mm F2.8" i've bought for my R6 at only 1500$CAD while just the RF 24-70 was already TWICE the amount for being no more than 10% better, now going another big notch above that just for 1 more stop... This is exaggerated for the difference imo, plus the extra weight handicap.

[@Seitenwerk]

Sounds reasonable. The price and weight is a thing with this lense. On the other Hans-Otto is definitely worth the price difference!

[@thatboypat07]

70-200 rf

[@Burk]

intro says "this is the canon 20-70 f2.

[@siemore]

Absolutely amazing photos, terrible LUT's... Damn, I can't believe it 😂

[@rayb7402]

I hate to be 'that guy' but the shots taken here highlight why i prefer film photography. The white skies and blown out backgrounds just ruin every shot for me. The sky is supposed to be blue.

[@otraguardia]

It’s not wide enough.

[@SinuousGrace]

Step one: get a hot model to pose in your photo That's basically the only step needed.

[@kibbsnowden6893]

I love to have one, but too many drawbacks... first too expensive, I don't make a living in photography any more ,its heavy, I can use my primes, I still use my ef lens with converter snf the work great ! i put so much money into cameras and lens over the years and now these lens are pretty much low value, so cameras and lens are not a good investment like they use to be !!! Its all about taking you money and putting into their pockets !!! its a racket anymore...I have a couple of rf lens but I will not buy anymore, too high a rip off !!!

[@angiemartin7919]

Love you! Marry me, Pye!

[@user-zq9gc9dj8c]

Неплохую модель нашел, дорогую камеру купил, дорогущий объектив купил, а фотографировать не купил.

[@BigAntTVMedia]

What’s the point of a 28-70 f2 when a 24-70 1.8 exist seems like a waste no offense

[@Seitenwerk]

A 24-70 f1.8 doesn’t exist? There’s only 24-70 f2.8 and then there is canons unique 28-70 f2. Which sound like only a small difference, but it’s actually very noticeable. This one has the image quality of a prime. Basically 3-4 primes that is.

[@davidadsfasdf806]

Do you really know about photography?

[@charruaporelmundo]

7 thousand on equipment and in Chancletas. 🙄

[@Max-wg6iu]

I don’t understand, is he supposed to wear rollerblades or something? Perhaps cleats? Use your brain buddy

[@katrinsinyagina3384]

Why is it always man is a photographer and female is a model?

[@happybear5415]

It's huge and heavy. For me, it is nonsense lens of all time.

[@Max-wg6iu]

start working out buddy

[@nadantagaming2276]

I guess you say the same about the 70-200 f/2.8?

[@iustitiaepervenit]

yeah. buying 3000$ lens to do Iphone level photography :D that's what today s photography is about