We love a superb 24-70mm lens and the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is a shining instance. Versatile, compact, and often fairly gentle, they’re in all probability probably the most important piece of glass you may carry in your digicam bag. Canon’s premium RF model of the usual 24-70mm focal size lens has the power to shoot wider most apertures at as much as f/2.8. We predict it is top-of-the-line lenses for astrophotography you should buy, and when you personal a Canon mirrorless digicam it is a good lens for nearly all conditions. Whereas astro purists will need one thing a little bit wider and a little bit quicker, (possibly a 20mm with f/1.8 and even f/1.4,) this well-rounded lens will carry out most nighttime picture duties completely.
Whereas many 24-70mm lenses throughout producers are of an analogous commonplace when it comes to picture high quality, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM really has a slight edge over direct rivals as a result of it is a contact smaller. It is slimmer than the Nikon equal, for instance, if ever so barely heavier. As for the associated fee, although? Properly, a top quality 24-70mm lens with a max aperture of f/2.8 is at all times going to price you greater than $2000. The Canon at present weighs in at $2300 with most retailers.
For those who’re excited about seeing what else is on the market, we have additionally put collectively a information on the best zoom lenses, the best lenses for astrophotography or if you want to avoid wasting money however nonetheless get nice glass there’s at all times the best used lenses for digital cameras. If you wish to decide up a digicam to go along with it, our guides to the best cameras for photos and videos and best cameras for astrophotography are your greatest wager.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens evaluation
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: Design
- Compact design
- Frequent filter thread dimension
- Comparatively gentle
The Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is pretty commonplace when it comes to format. As soon as snapped into the RF flange on any appropriate Canon physique you may have various issues to be aware of when it comes to design. There is a focusing ring, a focal size ring, and an extra management ring nearest to the tip, which gives management over options like ISO and aperture. So, while you’re utilizing this lens, and you have personalized it, there are few causes to take your hand off it whereas capturing. We desire having a management ring additional away from the physique, because it’s simpler to make use of, so bonus factors to the Canon right here.
Elsewhere on the lens’ black (with a slender crimson spotlight) barrel there are two switches that let you toggle between autofocus and handbook focus or flip picture stabilization on or off. We might have preferred to see an extra perform button on this space of the lens to permit you extra management over extra used options, ideally a customizable one as we see on different premium lenses.
The 24-70mm f/2.8 handles all its zooming throughout the lens case itself, so this does not change dimension telescopically just like the 24-105mm f/4. Whereas a really minor plus level, this implies there is no hazard of over-balancing on a tripod when you’re arrange. You too can use all appropriate filters. The glass is flat on the far finish of the lens, so there is no concern utilizing screw-on filters both.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: Efficiency
- Glorious edge to edge readability
- Good in low gentle
- Silent focusing
We examined the 24-70mm with the Canon EOS R beneath a wide range of situations. Provided that we reviewed this lens within the fall we obtained loads of wind and rain to check in however discovered a couple of clear skies in between.Â
As with all lenses in Canon’s premium vary, you are getting the very best picture high quality right here. There isn’t any noticeable lack of readability from edge to edge in your photographs, the ASC coating means you reduce flare (except you actually need it), and general photographs come out extremely sharp. Clearly, the digicam physique you employ will have an effect on precisely how sharp, however this lens will fortunately pair with any EOS mirrorless, from the RP via to the R3. We pushed it to carry out in low gentle, excessive distinction, and excessive coloration situations, and nothing managed to focus on any weaknesses right here.
In relation to focusing, the lens operates effectively and silently, so when you’re capturing someplace that requires absolute silence, there is no whirring or noise to fret about. At night time, it is nice for capturing wide-aspect astro, due to that 24mm focal width and the f/2.8 max aperture. We shot a couple of night time scenes with it and we’re happy with the general impact. When you will not select completely every part at f/2.8, it is greater than sufficient for spectacular star vistas.
We tried to shoot the moon with this lens, simply to check it out, however you are by no means going to get an honest close-up with solely a 70mm zoom. It manages to select the moon in wider landscapes, however that is the extent of its lunar capabilities. We additionally tried it out with gentle trails and low-light indoor pictures and it produced some good photographs right here too.
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To actually push the picture stabilization we tried a couple of handheld gentle path pictures, to see if we may retain readability across the 1-3 second publicity mark. The outcomes have been excellent, and whereas Canon’s claims that it could stabilize as much as 5-stops will probably solely apply to these with the steadiest of fingers, we have been impressed with what we obtained from the lens beneath these situations.
Primarily, this lens performs precisely as you’d count on for the worth. Whereas it would not do something considerably higher than extra specialised lenses, it is an excellent all-round performer, and a brilliant helpful factor to have in your package bag.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: Performance
- Climate-sealed and dust repellant
- Simple to connect with digicam physique
- Missing in extras
Once more, whereas most lenses of this caliber are pretty related relating to features, there is a guidelines of important options all of them want. Having gotten drenched on a number of shoots we will affirm the lens is properly climate sealed and you could possibly in all probability use it out within the rain for a stable half-hour earlier than actually needing to attempt to dry it off. We would not advocate it however you should not be shy about it getting broken in moist situations.Â
Equally, we examined to see whether or not or not the lens picked up dust simply. After letting it rattle round within the bag and not using a lens or rear finish cap on for some time (naughty, we all know,) we have been happy that there have been only a few spots or imperfections on our pictures, that means it picked up little or no dust. Regardless of being gentle and compact, the 24-70mm f/2.8 is hard sufficient to face up to a couple of bashes and is a sturdy-enough piece of package. It feels rather less strong than the Nikon equal, however definitely extra succesful than the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens, which we examined on the similar time.
As for the remainder of it — we would wish to have seen an extra perform button or two on the lens itself. Whereas we do have the extra management ring right here, it might have been good to have the ability to regulate a couple of different settings whereas holding the lens and capturing by way of the viewfinder. It is hardly a deal-breaker, however really feel it’s good to have.
If we’re nitpicking, we predict the focusing rings really feel a little bit unfastened, which suggests we obtained barely much less management relating to smaller changes. The torque on focusing rings actually is a matter of choice, however these felt a little bit too unfastened for our liking. It is such a minor level, although, and we rapidly acclimatized to capturing with them.
Ought to I purchase the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens?
If in case you have the cash, and also you’re on the lookout for one of the best generalist lens you will get for the Canon system then sure, you should purchase this one. Whereas it is an costly lens, it is a fantastic one, and it will serve you so properly beneath a wide range of situations. It is not a specialist lens for astro however it’s one thing you may use day-to-day and it could undoubtedly deal with itself in low gentle.
We love how small and lightweight it’s – you may haven’t any downside capturing with this lens on all however the flimsiest of tripods (and when you’re spending $2300 on a lens, you possibly should not be capturing with a $40 tripod, proper) – and it is good for journey, particularly with the climate sealing and dust-repellent coating. Whereas it is all concerning the efficiency, we would wish to have seen a couple of little extras for the cash, however they’re removed from important.
For those who’re looking for the right astro lens, this is not it. It is a workhorse zoom that is simply as completely happy in vivid daylight as shimmering starlight. For one thing extra specialised, we advocate the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 lens as an alternative.Â
If the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is not for you
The higher choice for pure astro and panorama shooters on Canon mirrorless cameras is the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8. It is maybe not good, because it ‘solely’ will get as huge as f/2.8, however it’s a finely tuned piece of astro glass. For those who want one thing EF mount for a DSLR although we would go for the Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM which is simply as elegant.
For those who’re trying to spend rather less, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is an effective choice. It is greater than half the worth of the 24-70mm f/2.8, however lacks these essential decrease f-stops. With enhanced zoom, although, you may get much better pictures of the moon with this one.
For those who fancy much more zoom, whereas retaining your width, the Canon RF 24-240mm f4-6.3 IS USM is an distinctive lens. It is not actually appropriate for astro, because the variable aperture vary strikes from f/4 at its widest focal size to f/6.3 at its longest. It is not fairly as sturdy or well-weather sealed because the lens reviewed right here both, however it’s nice for moon photographs and it will deal with landscapes properly too.
