We love a very good 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 most likely essentially the most important piece of glass you will 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 the most effective lenses for astrophotography you should buy, and for those who personal a Canon mirrorless digicam it is a sensible lens for nearly all conditions. Whereas astro purists will need one thing just a little wider and just a little 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 the same customary 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 fee, although? Nicely, a high quality 24-70mm lens with a max aperture of f/2.8 is at all times going to value you greater than $2000. The Canon at the moment weighs in at $2300 with most retailers.
Should you’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 should avoid wasting money however nonetheless get nice glass there’s at all times the best used lenses for digital cameras. If you wish to choose 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 finest wager.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens assessment
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: Design
- Compact design
- Widespread filter thread measurement
- Comparatively gentle
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’ve a lot of issues to be aware of when it comes to design. There is a focusing ring, a focal size ring, and a further management ring nearest to the tip, which presents management over options like ISO and aperture. So, if you’re utilizing this lens, and you have personalized it, there are few causes to take your hand off it whereas taking pictures. We favor 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 purple spotlight) barrel there are two switches that mean you can toggle between autofocus and guide focus or flip picture stabilization on or off. We might have appreciated to see a further operate 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 measurement telescopically just like the 24-105mm f/4. Whereas a really minor plus level, this implies there is not any hazard of over-balancing on a tripod when you’re arrange. You may as well use all suitable filters. The glass is flat on the far finish of the lens, so there is not any difficulty utilizing screw-on filters both.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM: Efficiency
- Wonderful edge to edge readability
- Good in low gentle
- Silent focusing
We examined the 24-70mm with the Canon EOS R underneath a wide range of circumstances. Provided that we reviewed this lens within the fall we obtained loads of wind and rain to check in however discovered a number 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 is no noticeable lack of readability from edge to edge in your photographs, the ASC coating means you reduce flare (until you actually need it), and total 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 by way of to the R3. We pushed it to carry out in low gentle, excessive distinction, and excessive coloration situations, and nothing managed to spotlight any weaknesses right here.
Relating to focusing, the lens operates effectively and silently, so for those who’re taking pictures someplace that requires absolute silence, there is not 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 number of night time scenes with it and we’re happy with the general impact. Whilst you will not select completely all the things 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 a good 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 number 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 arms, we have been impressed with what we obtained from the lens underneath these circumstances.
Basically, 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 awesome all-round performer, and an excellent 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 comparable in relation 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 effectively climate sealed and you possibly can most likely 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 circumstances.
Equally, we examined to see whether or not or not the lens picked up dust simply. After letting it rattle round within the bag with no 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 resist a number of bashes and is a sturdy-enough piece of package. It feels rather less strong 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 a further operate 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 number of different settings whereas holding the lens and taking pictures 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 just a little unfastened, which suggests we obtained barely much less management in relation to smaller changes. The torque on focusing rings actually is a matter of desire, however these felt just a little 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 have the cash, and also you’re on the lookout for the very best generalist lens you may get for the Canon system then sure, you should purchase this one. Whereas it is an costly lens, it is an exquisite one, and it will serve you so effectively underneath a wide range of circumstances. It is not a specialist lens for astro but it surely’s one thing you will use day-to-day and it could undoubtedly deal with itself in low gentle.
We love how small and light-weight it’s – you will don’t have any downside taking pictures with this lens on all however the flimsiest of tripods (and for those who’re spending $2300 on a lens, you possibly should not be taking pictures with a $40 tripod, proper) – and it is excellent for journey, particularly with the climate sealing and dust-repellent coating. Whereas it is all in regards to the efficiency, we would wish to have seen a number of little extras for the cash, however they’re removed from important.
Should you’re trying to find the proper astro lens, this is not it. It is a workhorse zoom that is simply as joyful in vibrant daylight as shimmering starlight. For one thing extra specialised, we advocate the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 lens as an alternative.
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 excellent, because it ‘solely’ will get as broad as f/2.8, but it surely’s a finely tuned piece of astro glass. Should 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 elegant.
Should you’re seeking 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 will get much better pictures of the moon with this one.
Should 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 isn’t fairly as sturdy or well-weather sealed because the lens reviewed right here both, but it surely’s nice for moon photographs and it will deal with landscapes properly too.
