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Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM: Quick Review
Ultra wide-angle zoom lenses are essential for photographers focused on landscapes, architecture, cityscapes, and travel. They enable not only broad captures of scenery and interiors but also close proximity to subjects to create a dramatic sense of depth.
The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM stands out as a professional-grade ultra wide-angle zoom, boasting impressive versatility, robust features, and excellent image quality.
As part of Canon’s professional L-Series, the 15-35mm lens comes with a price tag that may give pause to the average enthusiast. Priced at $2,400 / £2,400 / AU$3,500, it is on the expensive side. However, it aligns with the pricing of other f/2.8 ultra-wide zoom options in the market.
There are more budget-friendly ultra wide-angle options in Canon’s RF lineup; for many, the RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM may suffice. However, it lacks the flagship’s faster f/2.8 aperture.
This lens is tailored for full-frame cameras to maximize its intended focal length, though APS-C Canon users can still use it, resulting in an equivalent focal range of 24-56mm. While this doesn’t unlock the entire potential of the lens, it’s a smart buy if you’re planning to transition to a full-frame setup.
With features like weather sealing, optical image stabilization, and a short minimum focus distance, this lens is a compelling choice for anyone wishing to capture subjects that would benefit from a wide-angle professional lens.
Image quality is generally outstanding, but there’s a small catch. Many mirrorless lenses today depend heavily on lens corrections. When you import your raw files into Lightroom, you’ll find that lens corrections are enabled by default. Disabling them reveals how significant the adjustments are.
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM Specifications
| Type: | Zoom |
| Sensor: | Full-frame |
| Focal length: | 15-35mm |
| Max aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Minimum focus: | 11in / 28cm |
| Filter size: | 82mm |
| Dimensions: | 3.48×4.99in / 88.5×126.8mm |
| Weight: | 29.6oz / 840g |
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM: Design
- Relatively heavy lens
- Outstanding build quality
- Quick and Quiet Autofocus
Build Quality
The design of the 15-35mm lens is neither particularly thrilling nor disappointing. The only notable aspect might be its heavier-than-expected weight of 29.6 oz (840 g), especially considering that its size at 3.48 x 4.99 in (88.5 x 126.8 mm) is standard for this type of lens. On the plus side, it balances well with full-frame cameras when shooting without a tripod.
Reflecting on the early claims that mirrorless cameras and lenses would be more compact and lighter than their DSLR counterparts, I find it hard to take a sip of tea without coughing, as that promise hasn’t quite materialized.
Despite the weight, the 15-35mm clearly meets the high expectations associated with L-Series lenses, featuring weather sealing—an essential characteristic for photographers focused on landscapes and travel.
This lens consists of 16 elements arranged in 12 groups, including three aspherical and two UD elements. Additionally, it boasts an 82mm front element coated with fluorine. On the exterior, you’ll find an AF/MF switch, a toggle for Image Stabilization, manual focus, and zoom rings, as well as a control ring positioned at the front.
The lens control ring can be customized to change specific settings in-camera, which might be handy for some users. Personally, I doubt its usefulness and feel it could easily get bumped, but that’s just my perspective.
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This lens features internal focusing, which means the front element won’t rotate. However, because the zoom isn’t internal, the front does extend when zooming out from 35mm. An internal zoom would be more neat but it would increase the weight, which is already on the heavier side; it’s typical for ultra-wide zoom lenses at this range to have this kind of design.
There’s no manual aperture ring, a feature that could be beneficial for videographers. Many recent lenses have embraced a traditional manual aperture…
It’s disappointing that Canon’s top wide-angle zoom lens lacks a common and beneficial feature that many users appreciate.
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM: Performance
- Quick and quiet autofocus
- Produces clear images
- Maintains a consistent f/2.8 maximum aperture
The 15-35mm lens is designed for professionals, featuring several characteristics typical of Canon’s high-end L-Series lineup. Notably, it offers a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture which, combined with a 5-stop Optical Image Stabilization system, ensures effective performance both in dim lighting when handheld and when used with a tripod, the latter being a common setup for landscape and architecture photography.
This f/2.8 aperture is also beneficial for achieving creative, blurred backgrounds, making it a great choice for travel photographers. Although it may not be ideal for astrophotography (a wider aperture is preferable), it certainly remains practical and enhances the lens’s versatility.
Moreover, the lens boasts a fast and silent autofocus system, along with a minimum focus distance of 11 inches / 28 centimeters. This feature is particularly advantageous for tapping into creative perspectives with wide-angle shots.
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM: sample images
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