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The RF IS Macro STM is a great wide-angle lens for portraiture and street photography, capturing detail and sharpness even at low shutter speeds. A fast maximum aperture lets you shoot authentic ambience, even when light levels are low. The RF Macro STM delivers a large macro magnification adding to the versatility of this extraordinary lens. This makes it easy to capture intricate details and textures in your subjects. The RF IS Macro STM employs an advanced optical design, including Super Spectra Coating. The RF Mount lens mount places the lens closer to the sensor for stunning clarity and sharpness.
The RF Macro STM is portable, lightweight and easy to use. Adjust settings with a customizable Lens Control Ring, and see information like focusing distance clearly in the viewfinder when shooting.
The RF Macro STM is portable, lightweight and easy to use. Adjust settings with a customizable Lens Control Ring, and see information like focusing distance clearly in the viewfinder when shooting.
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Canon RF macro lens - 35 mm is rated
4.50 out of
5 by
31.
Rated 5 out of
5 by
disneyislove from
Sharp, lightweight, amazing results at a great price!
This lens is cheap enough anyone can get their hands on it, but still has amazing results. Definitely a lens to buy!
Date published: 2024-05-14T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
jigglygooop from
A superb lens to have
1.5 years ago I wrote a review on this site that I tested two copies of this lens at wide open aperture shooting a tall brick building across the street and found a peculiar result that the center is blur but four corners are sharp. Eventually I bought the EF 35mm f2 IS USM for my R camera, but it becomes 'big' and 'heavy' with the EF-to-R adaptor.
Recently I retested a brand new RF 35mm f1.8 lens with the same conditions, and I found that the problem is gone! I do not know if it is due to hardware or firmware improvements. It is impressively sharp from center to edges; extreme corners are very acceptable. It is a solid A- performer. Now I am very happy to own this RF lens; it is small, light weight for travel and sharp.
Date published: 2020-12-20T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
784 from
Almost perfect
This lens is a fantastic deal for the price. IS + macro + RF + compact size + f/1.8 + great image quality. You can't really beat that. The con? As some have already mentioned, the auto focus. There isn't an option to limit focal range, so in low light, it will hunt for focus all over the place. When I switch to manual to reel it back in, it takes so long and so many rotations of my wrist to get it back. I've missed some crucial shots doing that (this is in video or continuous focus). I really hope Canon offers a firmware update that fixes this or somehow allows you to electronically limit the focal range because it is hard for me to trust a lens that does that. But besides that, it's everything you might imagine.
Date published: 2020-11-10T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
grandpag from
So far, so good!
I got this lens a couple of weeks ago. I have already used it for a gig (group photos. I think it's beautiful, especially for the price. I tested it in low light and didn't have an issue with it hunting for focus. It focused fast. Then again, I also just upgraded my whole camera set-up, so it could just be that I am used to a slower camera & slower focusing lenses. I think the images come out beautifully & look sharp. I am very, very happy! Highly recommend (so far)
Date published: 2020-12-28T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
KentuckyHouse from
Unbelievable value
I honestly bought this initially because I wanted a native RF lens for my EOS R and it's the least expensive option. But after using it for the last couple of weeks, it hasn't left my camera. It's an amazing piece of glass. Sharp, lightning fast autofocus, and the macro(ish capabilities make this a lot of fun to play with. I'd highly recommend this lens to anyone from a beginner to a pro. Excellent value!
Date published: 2020-07-11T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Justaguywithacamerakids from
Great walk around lens!
Great lens for shooting moving objects in confined space with natural light. Works very well paired with RF zoom lenses. Very light. I barely feel the camera when I’ve biked around the city. Bought refurbished. As with my other refurbished Canon products, it came in great condition. Produces very crisp and clear shots. It’s to a point where this is the only lens I’ve used since I bought it and I have begun to rethink the value of zoom lenses vs. primes.
When used out doors during the day it produces some very satisfying photos. At F/2.8 there is very nice background blur and clarity is maintained pretty well even in darker environments. At F/4 the subject is very clear and crisp. It’s a naturally bright lens that seems to enhance the subject. At F/11 the background and subjects come in nice and clear. Below 2.8 and above F/11 the quality starts to drop off. The lens is great for video and though there is noise from the focus, I haven’t noticed it in any of the videos I have shot and I have averaged one a day. Overall a very good lens at a great price.
Date published: 2020-04-15T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Ken R from
Awesome optics in a small and light package!
This is an awesome little lens. It is great for both video and stills.
Date published: 2020-04-21T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Kfed from
Best RF Lens for price!
I bought this a month ago. It’s amazing for the price, I promise you won’t regret. The macro feature was a big selling point for me.
Date published: 2019-04-19T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Daniel from
Essential compact low light lens
Paired with the RP camera, this lens makes for a very small and light kit you can take anywhere. As a matter of fact, this lens on the RP just feels perfect in hand. My experience with the lens is that it's very quick to focus and very accurate in locking onto subjects. The macro is very, very handy, especially when combined with focus stacking. Image stabilization combined with 1.8 aperture makes this a fantastic low-light lens. I've used this as a walk-around lens as well for weddings, and it's been wonderful for its ease of use and results.
Date published: 2019-11-23T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Photodon from
The little lens who could
Fantastic little lens that performs every bit as well as its big brothers ...control ring, IS, macro, f 1.8 and super sharp clarity ... one of my favorite lenses and I have some pretty heavy hitters.
Date published: 2020-05-14T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Joe Pinette from
Best RF lens for the money!
This is a great walk around lens. It’s fast and very sharp. Wide but not too wide. Great for environmental portraits. I love it.
Date published: 2020-05-13T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
pjmartin from
Unbeatable at this price point
Amazing quality wide open, plus the macro capability is really nice. No complaints at this price point.
Date published: 2020-04-12T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
hanumanbob from
Disappointing
I was so excited to get my first native lens for the EOS R which I love. I love the ability to adjust ISO or Aperture or SS with the ring. I attached the lens and did a few shots and thought everything looked rather soft and that the lens focused slowly. I did a few more shots and then attached the 24mm 2.8 EF-S pancake and found that the pancake not only was faster but also sharper. I'm not sure if I got a defective copy but the quality reminds me of the EF-M 22 2.8. I know it it not L glass but still, it should be sharper and react faster.
Date published: 2018-11-18T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
1Moreshot from
Love this Lens!
I have been waiting for this lens since it was announced. It finally came a little before it's rumored release. The lens is fast, sharp, and light weight. I guess the first reviewer got a bad copy? Very happy with it so far.
Date published: 2018-11-26T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
JohnNinSC from
Great native RF mount lens.
Love the close/up feature. It’s a nice bright lens on my EOS RP. It’s also my first RF lens and I like the command ring feature. Last of all it’s light weight.
Date published: 2020-06-05T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Korrze from
Autofocus struggles
The video autofocus is slower than I would like it to be. Also, the lens can’t focus sometimes if you go from macro to further away, focus will lock in macro 50% of the time. It also can’t focus well in extremely high contrast situations. The image quality is fantastic and slower moving video shots are very nice. Just don’t try any fast-paced action.
Date published: 2020-05-11T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
thelastdance from
This is the best 35mm lens for Canons
This lens in phenomenal. The bokeh is so creamy and the macro function works very well. Fantastic walking around lens for a great price.
Date published: 2020-04-27T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Sonoma Bear from
Small, fast, stabilized, amazing image quality
I own both the EF35/1.5L and the RF35/1.8. Even in very low light situations, the IS more than makes up for the ? stop lower aperture.
The balance on the R is perfect. Carry all day for street photography. The EF35f1.4L feel great on the other EOS bodies.
I feel that 1.8 is a great aperture, especially with IS. Autofocus is just instant.
Image Quality: the resolving power amazes me. Somehow the bokeh is as amazing as the EF35/1.4! Even when “pixel peeping”, this lens matches the 1.4L -PLUS- the R will zoom in when manually touching up the focus. I hold the lens in my left hand with index finger on control ring for exposure compensation while I zoom in for focus perfection.
Only complaint: the lens hood and bag should be included!
Date published: 2018-11-26T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Cecil Floyd from
Lens
It does a great job for what it is designed. Sharp, great low light, and I have some excellent flower shots.
Date published: 2020-06-08T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
TonyA_WI from
Canon RF 35mm 1.8 IS
Fast auto focus, fast aperture for low light, image stabilization, great rendering, smallish size, what’s not to like!
Date published: 2020-05-20T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jigglygoop from
Can not focus at infinity
I am a faithful user of Canon for 4 decades. I love the R system. I wanted to buy this lens. I tried two RF 35mm samples on my R shooting at f1.8 and found both could not focus correctly far at 150 feet away building (‘infinity’, sharp only at 30 feet. With identical condition, the EF 35mm f1.4 L mk2 was so sharp corner to corner at wide open.
Date published: 2019-04-21T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Optics Patent from
Noisy but necessary
Pros:
• This is the lightest and most compact RF lens and a great choice for street and family photos. Great pairing for EOS RP. But not a “pancake”
PROS:
• This is the lightest and most compact RF lens and a great choice for street and family photos. Great pairing for EOS RP. But not a “pancake”.
• Fastest RF lens in its price range.
• Very close macro, but short focal length means that the lens will block the light in some situations.
CONS:
• FOCUS MOTOR NOISE. This is not a quiet lens. My other Canons are virtually silent. Besides motor hum it clunks at it reverses which may be more feel than sound. Sounds and feels like a point-and-shoot not a pro lens.
• Keeps focusing when lens capped. Then lens isn’t compact for removal and storage. How to remove this in a compact condition without switching to manual first?
• When focus hunting much of its efforts are at very close focus. This begs for a focus range limitation that would reduce the duration of the focusing noise. I’d use full range only when deliberately shooting macro. If focus speed is from 1.0m to infinity, then this might be fast, but if it’s a cycle hunting to closest and back to infinity, this doesn’t seem fast.
If one has a midrange zoom this is a nice alternative. It’s a fast (and compact alternative to the 24-240, and a compact (and faster) alternative to the 24-70 f2.8, the 28-70 f2, and even 24-105 f4.
Consider the 40mm f2.8 EF on an adapter as a cheaper, lighter, smaller alternative until Canon makes an RF pancake.
Date published: 2019-12-04T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Bill S from
Great way to buy Canon gear.
Can't tell it is not new. Great way to buy Canon gear.
Date published: 2020-05-01T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
MarkT from
Great Lens!
This lens is as sharp or shaper than my two "L" lenses. 24-105 f4 and the 70-200 f4. Very impressive. It's small, light and sharp. maybe I just got a good one, but I'm happy and frankly surprised by its' performance, My only complaint is the lack of weather sealing.
Date published: 2021-10-29T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Mike Shrout from
Great lens
Great lens for the price. I am using as my go to lens over a 50mm lens. Gives a little more viewing options. Images turn out great. Camera R5.
Date published: 2023-03-03T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Adam Z from
Great for low light
Took it to Arizona and Alaska this winter with an EOS RP. Captures a great deal of stars (greater if you amplify whites using Adobe Lightroom). The RP doesn't have IBIS so the 35mm with optical IS really helps, and even allowed me to photograph stars from the plane.
Date published: 2024-01-15T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
cfkaraaslan from
Great Lens with Crazy Focus Problem
it is a fantastic lens for price and size, but the focus is quite a big problem. It should have a focus limiter like the 85, because when you are on a documentary project and it is dark inside the focus starts to hunt and go to macro mode, which takes too much time and you loose some scenes and shots, that is really bad.
I think it would be an easy fix if canon engineers develop a firmware update for cameras where you have a mode which disables the lens to go to macro mode (close focus), Like the button on the 85mm f2, just digital, because now it seems to be too late for a switch haha.
I wish Canon would develop more high quality compact lenses for full frame mirrorless systems, i
Date published: 2023-12-22T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Nugget from
It’s solid
For what you’re paying for this 35mm is quite good and very fun. The fact it also has image stabilization and a half macro feature allowing you to take photos incredibly close to your subject also make this lens so much fun. The sharpness is a little soft wide open but not badly in the center of frame and you can always stop down to F2.2 for a sharper image that’s still really good with a reasonable depth of field. F1.8 isn’t as wide as a F1.4 but it allows this lens to be very light and smaller while still producing moderate bokeh/out of focus backgrounds.
Date published: 2022-05-02T00:00:00-04:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
NikkiG from
The lens I love to hate
Pros - This lens takes great photos that are very sharp and the colors are great. It is lightweight and a good size.
Cons - It is so noisy! And that noise is exacerbated by the fact that it has to hunt for focus way more often than any of my other RF lenses. Also, when it looses focus it retracts all the way back so it takes a maddeningly long time to find it again. I shoot documentary and I don't know how many moments I've been waiting for just the right expression or gesture and the lens just loses focus at the wrong moment and by the time it's finally back I've missed what I was looking for. My RF 28-70 never does this, and also never hunts in low light the way this lens does. I find this lens very frustrating to use and not on par with the rest of the RF lenses.
Date published: 2022-11-23T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
sylvias from
in love
I just love…
Look at this colors, perfect for portrait
Date published: 2022-11-28T00:00:00-05:00
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Indie Photos from
Not as expected
I wanted to love this lens based on the reviews but found it had a really hard time focusing on my subject in low light, whereas my 24-70 f2.8 @ 35mm caught the focus on the same subject matter immediately. I don't know if it was a defect out of the box or just a problem with this particular lens but moving forward it looks like Ill have to break the bank and stick with the L-series.
Date published: 2022-02-22T00:00:00-05:00