Canon's RF mirrorless lenses have been widely lauded for their stunning optical quality, but they are also quite expensive, and some photographers may not want to pay top dollar for them. Thankfully, as the RF lens library continues to fill out, more affordable options are starting to appear, and this great video review takes a look at one such option, the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM.
Coming to you from Gordon Laing, this excellent video review takes a look at the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM lens. The 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro is a rather versatile and affordable lens that features:
- Super Spectra coating to minimize flares and ghosting and increase contrast
- Optical Image Stabilizer with up to five stops of compensation
- Macro capabilities with up to 1:2 magnification and a minimum focusing distance of 6.7 inches
- STM stepping motor ideal for video work
- Customizable Control Ring with a variety of assignable settings
- Rounded nine-blade diaphragm for smoother bokeh
All things considered, the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM looks to be a very useful and versatile lens, and at a price point of $449, it is quite affordable as well. Check out the video above for Laing's full thoughts.
I find it rather odd that Canon is naming and marketing this as a macro lens, when it is not capable of doing macro photography.
For Canon to play fast and loose with photographic terminology, and to misuse a term, seems dishonest to me.
I am surprised that a company as well established as Canon would be so brash and misleading with a product name.
There is nothing dishonest about it. The same term has been used by many companies for many years for lenses that are not "true" macro. It is universally understood that macro can refer to close-up generally, not just to 1:1 or higher reproduction. Even the dictionary definition of macro acknowledges this broader usage. What is dishonest about it when the specs tell you the EXACT reproduction ratio? Nobody is dopey enough buy a lens based simply on the "name" without checking whether it meets their actual needs.
I have paired this lens to my Canon RP. The RP is just an average camera but maybe a good first try by Canon, More like a Canon Mirrorless Rebel. I originally used the EF 40 lens with adapter. Then I bought this RF35 lens refurbished for about $350 from Canon. This lens works much better on the RP than the adapted 40 lens. Focus is very fast, usually accurate and when I shoot photos for eBay listings I can get good close up shots. Overall no complaints about this lens. For the price, the RP is not bad. I suspect RP 2.0 will be a lot better.