Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 Hands-On Review: Sharpness, Autofocus, and More

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM promises significant upgrades if you're looking to step up from the popular RF 35mm f/1.8. Here's a look at what you can expect.

Coming to you from Shane Long Photography, this detailed video review walks through hands-on comparisons between the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM lens and its smaller sibling, the RF 35mm f/1.8. Side-by-side testing reveals subtle yet meaningful differences in sharpness and detail, especially noticeable when zoomed in. The RF 35mm f/1.4 consistently produces sharper photos, particularly wide open at f/1.4, maintaining impressive detail at the edges of the frame. However, Long points out that most clients wouldn't readily notice these finer distinctions without guidance, which is important to consider if you're justifying the upgrade's cost to your business.

The video also examines how the RF 35mm f/1.4 handles bokeh. At the center of images, both lenses perform similarly, but towards the edges, the RF 35mm f/1.4 demonstrates cleaner, smoother bokeh, avoiding the jittery, messy edges that can appear in shots from the f/1.8 version. Autofocus performance also gets tested thoroughly, including action shots of subjects running toward the camera. The RF 35mm f/1.4 impressively maintains sharp focus under these conditions, performing noticeably faster and quieter than the RF 35mm f/1.8.

Key Specs

• Focal Length: 35mm

• Maximum Aperture: f/1.4

• Minimum Aperture: f/16

• Lens Format Coverage: Full frame

• Minimum Focus Distance: 11.02" / 28 cm

• Magnification: 1:5.56 (0.18x)

• Optical Design: 14 elements in 11 groups

• Aperture Blades: 11, Rounded

• Autofocus: Yes

• Image Stabilization: No

• Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)

• Dimensions: ø: 3 x L: 3.9" / ø: 76.5 x L: 99.3 mm

• Weight: 1.2 lbs / 555 g

One standout difference favoring the RF 35mm f/1.8, though, is its superior macro capability, allowing closer focusing distances. Long shows examples like engagement ring shots and flower close-ups where the f/1.8 lens clearly excels. If macro work or detail shots make up a substantial part of your photography, the RF 35mm f/1.8's closer focus could provide greater practical value. Still, Long emphasizes that the RF 35mm f/1.4 is compact, lightweight, and feels balanced, making it ideal for extended use during events like weddings.

There are also practical considerations like lens flare control and distortion handling. The RF 35mm f/1.4 demonstrates superior flare resistance when shooting directly into sunlight compared to the RF 35mm f/1.8, producing fewer distracting artifacts and retaining more image contrast. However, distortion and vignetting issues exist and require correction in post-processing.

Ultimately, the RF 35mm f/1.4 shows incremental but meaningful improvements over its counterpart. Long clearly illustrates where the differences become apparent and offers practical advice on whether the upgrade makes sense for your photography needs. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Long.