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 normally fairly mild, they’re in all probability essentially 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 flexibility to shoot wider most apertures at as much as f/2.8. We predict it is among the finest lenses for astrophotography you should buy, and should you personal a Canon mirrorless digicam it is a good lens for nearly all conditions. Whereas astro purists will need one thing a bit wider and a 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 identical customary when it comes to picture high quality, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM truly 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 fee, although? Properly, a top quality 24-70mm lens with a max aperture of f/2.8 is all the time going to price you greater than $2000. The Canon at present weighs in at $2300 with most retailers.
When you’re inquisitive about seeing what else is on the market, we have additionally put collectively a information on one of the best zoom lenses, one of the best lenses for astrophotography or if you should avoid wasting money however nonetheless get nice glass there’s all the time one of the best used lenses for digital cameras. If you wish to decide up a digicam to go along with it, our guides to one of the best cameras for images and movies and greatest cameras for astrophotography are your greatest guess.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens evaluate
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: Design
- Compact design
- Frequent filter thread dimension
- Comparatively mild
The Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is pretty customary when it comes to format. As soon as snapped into the RF flange on any suitable Canon physique you will have plenty of issues to pay attention to when it comes to design. There is a focusing ring, a focal size ring, and an extra management ring nearest to the tip, which presents management over options like ISO and aperture. So, whenever you’re utilizing this lens, and you have personalized it, there are few causes to take your hand off it whereas taking pictures. 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 slim crimson spotlight) barrel there are two switches that let you toggle between autofocus and guide focus or flip picture stabilization on or off. We might have appreciated 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 isn’t any hazard of over-balancing on a tripod when you’re arrange. You can even use all suitable filters. The glass is flat on the far finish of the lens, so there isn’t any challenge utilizing screw-on filters both.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: Efficiency
- Glorious edge to edge readability
- Good in low mild
- Silent focusing
We examined the 24-70mm with the Canon EOS R below quite a lot of circumstances. On condition 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.
As with all lenses in Canon’s premium vary, you are getting the absolute best picture high quality right here. There isn’t any noticeable lack of readability from edge to edge in your pictures, the ASC coating means you decrease flare (except you actually need it), and total images come out extremely sharp. Clearly, the digicam physique you utilize will have an effect on precisely how sharp, however this lens will fortunately pair with any EOS mirrorless, from the RP by way of to the R3. We pushed it to carry out in low mild, excessive distinction, and excessive coloration eventualities, and nothing managed to focus on any weaknesses right here.
On the subject of focusing, the lens operates effectively and silently, so should you’re taking pictures someplace that requires absolute silence, there isn’t any whirring or noise to fret about. At night time, it is nice for taking pictures 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. Whilst you will not select completely the whole lot at f/2.8, it is greater than sufficient for spectacular star vistas.
We tried to shoot the moon with this lens, simply to try it out, however you are by no means going to get an honest close-up with solely a 70mm zoom. It manages to pick the moon in wider landscapes, however that is the extent of its lunar capabilities. We additionally tried it out with mild trails and low-light indoor photographs and it produced some good pictures right here too.
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To actually push the picture stabilization we tried a couple of handheld mild path photographs, to see if we may retain readability across the 1-3 second publicity mark. The outcomes had been superb, and whereas Canon’s claims that it may well stabilize as much as 5-stops will doubtless solely apply to these with the steadiest of fingers, we had been impressed with what we obtained from the lens below these circumstances.
Basically, this lens performs precisely as you’d anticipate for the worth. Whereas it does not do something considerably higher than extra specialised lenses, it is a fantastic all-round performer, and a brilliant helpful factor to have in your equipment bag.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: Performance
- Climate-sealed and dirt repellant
- Simple to hook up with digicam physique
- Missing in extras
Once more, whereas most lenses of this caliber are pretty comparable in the case of 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 nicely climate sealed and you would in all probability use it out within the rain for a stable half-hour earlier than actually needing to try to dry it off. We would not advocate it however you should not be shy about it getting broken in moist circumstances.
Equally, we examined to see whether or not or not the lens picked up mud 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 had been happy that there have been only a few spots or imperfections on our photographs, that means it picked up little or no mud. Regardless of being mild and compact, the 24-70mm f/2.8 is hard sufficient to resist a couple of bashes and is a sturdy-enough piece of equipment. It feels rather less sturdy than the Nikon equal, however actually extra succesful than the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens, which we examined on the identical 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 taking pictures through 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 bit unfastened, which implies we obtained barely much less management in the case of smaller changes. The torque on focusing rings actually is a matter of desire, however these felt a bit too unfastened for our liking. It is such a minor level, although, and we rapidly acclimatized to taking pictures with them.
Ought to I purchase the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens?
When you’ve got the cash, and also you’re searching 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 gorgeous one, and it will serve you so nicely below quite a lot of circumstances. It is not a specialist lens for astro nevertheless it’s one thing you may use day-to-day and it may well positively deal with itself in low mild.
We love how small and light-weight it’s – you may don’t have any drawback taking pictures with this lens on all however the flimsiest of tripods (and should you’re spending $2300 on a lens, you possibly should not be taking pictures 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.
When you’re looking for the proper astro lens, this is not it. It is a workhorse zoom that is simply as completely happy in vibrant daylight as shimmering starlight. For one thing extra specialised, we advocate the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 lens as a substitute.
If the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is not for you
The higher possibility 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 large as f/2.8, nevertheless it’s a finely tuned piece of astro glass. When you 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 stylish.
When you’re seeking to spend rather less, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is an efficient possibility. 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 photographs of the moon with this one.
When you 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, nevertheless it’s nice for moon pictures and it will deal with landscapes properly too.
