Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM: two-minute evaluation
Extremely wide-angle zoom lenses are a necessity for panorama, structure, cityscape and journey photographers. Not solely do they will let you seize large vistas and, certainly interiors, however in addition they will let you get in near topics to magnify perspective for extra dramatic outcomes.
The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is an expert extremely wide-angle zoom that gives an extremely versatile focal vary, stable options and nice picture high quality to prime all the things off.
Being an expert Canon L-Collection lens, the 15-35mm is available in at a value that may make the typical fanatic wince. However at $2,400 / £2,400 / AU$3,500, whereas it actually is pricey, it is comparatively priced to competitor’s f/2.8 ultra-wide zooms, so its value is hardly stunning.
There are inexpensive extremely wide-angle zooms within the RF line-up, and for many individuals the RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM will likely be greater than adequate, however it’s not the flagship possibility with the quicker f/2.8 most aperture.
It is a lens that is designed to be used on full-frame cameras to make the most of the marketed focal size, though APS-C Canon customers can nonetheless use the lens with an equal focal vary of 24-56mm. This actually wouldn’t maximise the complete advantages of the lens, however for those who intend to improve to full-frame it might make the 15-35mm a worthwhile funding.
Throw in options comparable to climate sealing, optical picture stabilization and a brief minimal focus distance and this instantly turns into an attention-grabbing lens for those who shoot any topics that can profit from an expert lens providing this wide-angle focal vary.
Picture high quality general is nice, however there is a slight caveat right here, and that is changing into more and more frequent with mirrorless lenses, and that is a heavy reliance on lens corrections. Import your uncooked information into Lightroom and you will see that Lens Corrections are switched on by default for this lens. Flip them off and also you get an thought of simply how robust the changes utilized are.
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM specs
| Sort: | Zoom |
| Sensor: | Full-frame |
| Focal size: | 15-35mm |
| Max aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Minimal focus: | 11in / 28cm |
| Filter dimension: | 82mm |
| Dimensions: | 3.48×4.99in / 88.5×126.8mm |
| Weight: | 29.6oz / 840g |
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM: Design
- Fairly a heavy lens
- Glorious construct high quality
- Quick and silent autofocus
There’s nothing to be enthusiastic about or, certainly, disenchanted by in terms of the design of the 15-35mm. Properly, aside from the heavier than anticipated weight of 29.6oz / 840g, when you think about the scale are just about the typical for this sort of lens at 3.48×4.99in / 88.5×126.8mm. The lens does, nevertheless, steadiness properly with full-frame our bodies when capturing handheld.
I am simply pondering again to the early guarantees that mirrorless cameras and lenses could be smaller and lighter than their DSLR equivalents, and practically choke on my tea as I write since this is not the case.
Weight apart, the 15-35mm is undoubtedly constructed to the excessive normal you’d count on of an L-Collection lens together with climate sealing, which is crucial for a lens that is aimed, partially, at panorama and journey photographers.
The lens is made up of 16 components in 12 teams together with three aspherical and two UD components. Plus, it has an 82mm fluorine-coated entrance aspect. Externally, there’s an AF/MF change, an Picture Stabilization On/Off change, guide focus and zoom rings alongside a lens management ring on the entrance finish of the lens.
The lens management ring may be programmed to regulate sure settings in-camera for those who’d discover this convenient. For me, it isn’t helpful and might be simply knocked, however that is my private opinion relatively than truth.
Picture 1 of 4
The lens has inside focusing so the entrance aspect does not rotate, however the zoom isn’t inside so the entrance of the lens extends as you zoom out from 35mm. An inside zoom could be a lot neater however would add to the already hefty weight, to not point out it’s normal for extremely wide-angle zooms round this focal vary to be designed this fashion.
There is not any guide aperture ring like many fashionable lenses, which might be a helpful characteristic for videographers if current. Many lenses in recent times have provided a standard guide aperture ring for this function, so it’s a disgrace that Canon’s flagship wide-angle zoom has omitted what is a well-liked and helpful characteristic.
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM: Efficiency
- Quick and silent autofocus
- Captures sharp photos
- Fixed f/2.8 most aperture
Being a pro-spec lens, the 15-35mm comes with a handful of options you’d count on in a premium Canon L-Collection providing. First up there’s the fixed f/2.8 most aperture, which paired with the 5-stop Optical Picture Stabilization makes the lens as efficient handheld in low gentle circumstances as it’s tripod mounted, with the latter being the most certainly means for the lens for use for professional panorama and structure photos.
The f/2.8 aperture can be helpful for artistic, differential focus, which is good for journey photographers. And though this aperture isn’t the best choice for astrophotography (bigger is best), it is actually useable and additional extends the potential of the lens.
Then there’s the quick and silent autofocus and the minimal focus distance of 11in / 28cm. With a wide-angle lens, this may be improbable for artistic pictures.
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM: pattern photos
Picture 1 of 6
Picture high quality is nice general with first rate edge sharpness in addition to within the middle of the body. Though, as you’d count on for a lens as large as this, edge sharpness is decrease than the central space.
The 15-35mm depends closely on lens corrections, whether or not in-camera when capturing JPEGs or in software program when capturing in uncooked. Contemplating the worth level and professional L-series standing, I am stunned simply how heavy the lens corrections are. The lens does, nevertheless, produce improbable sunstars round synthetic gentle sources at medium apertures when capturing at night time.
Once you load uncooked information into Lightroom each Take away Chromatic Aberration and Allow Profile Corrections are switched on by default, so this have to be programmed into uncooked information when capturing with the lens.
Swap lens corrections off and even stopped-down pictures exhibit a vignette whereas optical distortion pops again in; slight barrel distortion at 15mm and 24mm, with slight pincushion distortion at 35mm.
Chromatic aberration is minimal however can typically be seen alongside high-contrast edges. Pictures are sharp general and look nice with lens corrections utilized, however for a lens of this value and bearing the coveted L-Collection tag, you would be forgiven for anticipating extra with no corrections utilized.
Do you have to purchase the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
How I examined the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM
- Examined with the Canon EOS R1
- Shot night time and panorama pictures
- Used each handheld and tripod-mounted
The Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM was solely accessible on a brief mortgage with the Canon EOS R1, so the capturing time was tight and poor climate compounded the problem. This meant most of my testing occurred round nightfall to make the most of late blue hour, in addition to some daytime panorama pictures when the climate cleared briefly.
The varied options and features had been examined, whereas pictures had been taken particularly to test for any optical distortions. One of many principal lenses I exploit with my cameras is a premium 16-35mm f/2.8 which offered a basis from which to guage the RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM.
The 2 lenses are made by completely different producers, so that they’re completely different in some ways, however it does present a degree of practical expectation of options and efficiency.
- First reviewed February 2025