Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 is Macro STM reviews roundup: is it worth the price?
Released in 2018, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 is Macro STM is a lens designed for Canon’s Full frame mirroless cameras, with a fixed aperture of f/1.8 and a versatile focal range.
Specs:
- Mount: Canon RF
- Optical stabilization: Yes
- Weather sealed: No
- Weight: 305g (10.8 oz)
- Min. aperture: f/1.8
- Max. aperture: f/22
- Minimum focus distance: 0.17m
- Filter size: 52mm
- Compact macro Lens with 0.5x Magnification Ratio
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.56 ft. ; 0.17M
- Control Ring for direct setting changes
What do the critics think of the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 is Macro STM?
Overall, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 is Macro STM is an excellent prime lens for the new Canon mirrorless system: it’s lightweight, it offers a superb image quality, its focal range is very versatile and you can even shoot some macro photography.
What’s more important is that it’s sold at an attractive price.
However it’s not perfect, there’s some slight distortion and vignetting, the autofocus is noisy when taking photos (but discreet in video mode), and it’s not weather resistant
That said, I would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a travel lens.
Most reviews like…
- Small and lightweight
- Great build quality
- Pleasant bokeh
- Great sharpness
- Programmable control ring is useful
- Optical stabilization
- Very close focusing distance
- Good value
Most reviews don’t like…
- Noisy autofocus (quiet when shooting videos)
- Some slight distortion and vignetting
- Not weather resistant
For more infos about the positive and negatives sides of the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 is Macro STM, check out the selection of reviews below:
Websites Reviews
Dpreview.com – 86% (‘Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro is a versatile carry-around lens for Canon’s new EOS R system. The only non-‘L’ lens in the initial RF lineup, the 35mm F1.8 provides a lightweight, compact and relatively affordable solution for EOS R and RP shooters. Optical quality is high, and effective optical stabilization makes this lens useful in a wide range of shooting conditions.’)
Digitalcameraworld.com – ★★★★½ (‘The RF 35mm’s STM autofocus system is quiet but audible in operation. It’s quick for stills and gives typically smooth transitions when shooting video. The hybrid stabilizer works well, adding credence to Canon’s decision to stick with optical rather than sensor-shift stabilization in the EOS R. Image quality is superb. It’s super-sharp across the entire image frame, even when shooting wide-open, while bokeh is pleasantly smooth. Vignetting is noticeable at f/1.8 when uncorrected in-camera, but is reduced even at f/2. ‘)
Pcmag.com – 3.5/5 GOOD (‘The Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is a sharp, wide-angle macro lens for the RF mirrorless system. It’s affordable, but doesn’t offer L-series features like weather protection.’)
Photographyblog.com – ★★★★½ Highly recommended (‘The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is the dark horse of the new Canon full-frame mirrorless system. By far the cheapest, lightest and most compact RF lens, it’s also arguably the most versatile too, doubling up as both a great 35mm prime and a 1:2 magnification macro lens. Subsequently it deserves to find a place in the camera bag of every EOS R owner.’)
Photoreview.com.au – 9/10 (‘ Sharpness is more than acceptable at the widest aperture of f/1.8, despite some softness towards the periphery of the frame. However, to minimise possible aberrations we’d recommend engaging the various lens aberration corrections available through the camera’s menu systems. The image stabiliser is effective and delivered usable shots more than 50% of the time with shutter speeds as slow as half a second.’)
Techradar.com – ★★★★½ – (‘A 35mm 0.5x macro lens may be an odd choice for one of the RF line’s first few lenses, but it’s nice to have a compact alternative to the other optics released so far. It’s a shame it’s not a true macro lens, but if you think of it more as a wide-aperture, wide-angle with the advantage of close-focusing capabilities and effective image stabilization, you’ll appreciate just how versatile it can be.’)
Amazon users reviews
- Compact macro Lens with 0.5x Magnification Ratio
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.56 ft. ; 0.17M
- Control Ring for direct setting changes