Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

2025-05-26T20:00:00

I purchased this lens as a smaller and lighter alternative to my RF 24-70 f/2.8 L and 24-105 f/4 L for street photography. The lens produces sharp and colorful photos but I wouldn't use it for videos. The macro capabilities come in handy when walking around and want to photograph smaller, detailed subjects to expand my range of possibilities. This is something my two zoom lenses cannot do. For the price, size, weight, and capabilities, this little lens does a lot.

jwoodring

Originally posted at

2024-08-23T08:31:44

Fantastic prime for my RP. Love the IS plus big aperture! My favorite for cheap and compact video setup with the RP.

Seth N.

2024-07-11T17:36:13

It's meh. It's fast but the lens is tiny so there's not a lot of surface area for light to come through even with a wide open aperture.

Stacie J.

2024-05-13T20:00:00

This lens is cheap enough anyone can get their hands on it, but still has amazing results. Definitely a lens to buy!

disneyislove

Originally posted at

2024-01-14T19:00:00

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.

Adam Z.

Originally posted at

2023-12-21T19:00:00

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

cfkaraaslan

Originally posted at

2023-12-20T13:39:26

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro lens is a versatile and relatively affordable option for EOS R and RP users. It stands out for its sharpness, especially in the center and mid-frame areas, even when shooting wide open. The lens reaches its peak sharpness at around f/4 to f/5.6, making it suitable for various photography types, including landscape and macro. However, it's important to note a few limitations. The lens experiences some barrel distortion, especially noticeable when shooting architecture. This distortion is manageable and can be corrected in post-processing. Vignetting is present when shooting wide open but improves significantly by stopping down to f/4. The lens also exhibits some chromatic aberration and ghosting, which may require additional editing to correct. In terms of macro photography, the 35mm focal length requires getting quite close to the subject, which might not be ideal for photographing skittish creatures. The lens barrel extends at close focus, which can sometimes cast a shadow on the subject. The bokeh quality is pleasing, with a nice, creamy out-of-focus background, beneficial for portrait and macro photography. The colors rendered by the lens are natural and balanced, with excellent skin tones. One notable downside is the absence of weather sealing and a lens hood in the box, which might be a consideration for some users. Despite these drawbacks, the lens's affordability and performance make it a good entry-level option for those starting with the Canon RF system.

Blain J.

2023-09-20T08:12:54

For the price-really not bad. Focus is not as fast or quiet as an L-series lens, but it's so compact, light, and for weddings, it really helps with my macro shots.

JEREMIAH J.

2023-06-30T12:43:17

Absolutely love and adore this lens! I would recommend the length and clarity to anyone! Especially because it also has Macro!

JENNA S.

2023-03-02T19:00:00

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.

Mike S.

Originally posted at

2022-11-27T19:00:00

I just love? Look at this colors, perfect for portrait

sylvias

Originally posted at

2022-11-22T19:00:00

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.

NikkiG

Originally posted at

2022-10-04T10:49:12

Overall the lens is amazing! The only reason it wasn't rated 5 stars is the noise (slight) from the focusing motor.

TIMOTHY S.

2022-09-07T08:35:52

The macro capability of this lens makes it a hugely versatlle, fast walk around lens. IMage stabilization works well and this lens plus the EOS-RP may be the lightest, fastest, most versatile option in a full frame set up.

Tim H.

2022-08-30T06:09:10

Great lens. Smooth

Stephen S.

2022-05-01T20:00:00

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.

Nugget

Originally posted at

2022-04-22T11:06:04

This was our first RF lens when we migrated to RF bodies. Great little lens. Tremendous value. STM motor not as loud as other reviewers make it out to be.

Thomas S.

2022-04-05T12:55:50

This is a very good lens for the money. Very sharp and very useful.

MARK K.

2022-02-21T19:00:00

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.

Indie P.

Originally posted at

2022-02-04T07:51:31

This is very lovely lens, and fast shipping to me. Thank you!

PINHONG L.

2022-02-04T07:49:35

This is very lovely lens, and fast shipping to me. Thank you!

PINHONG L.

2022-01-14T20:20:30

Good lens for eos r system, fast shipping

ILIA Z.

2021-12-22T08:37:51

Nice, light, sharp lens. The small form factor is a pleasant change from the RF 24-70mm lens that had previously been my go-to. It's a little noisy and a tiny bit slower to focus than my other lenses, but not enough to affect my opinion of it. At least for now, this lens has supplanted any other lens as my favorite.

MICHAEL D.

2021-12-14T18:21:45

I am super excited about this lens. I added it to my R6 kit because it was a great price with good reviews. This will be my go to lens for nature photography on long hikes. It?s compact although not as sharp as my L series lens, it so far is quite nice for the money.

Suzanne S.

2021-12-14T18:14:58

I added this very affordable lens when I saw that not only was it at a great price, but on top of good reviews for the money. While not as sharp as the L series lens, I?m eager to make this a permanent fixture for every day shooting as it is small and light. This will be my go to for long hikes and nature photography.

Suzanne S.

2021-12-14T08:36:52

I love this lens!

ALI A.

2021-12-14T08:33:54

It?s must have lens!

ALI A.

2021-12-10T19:53:04

nice lens, used with my R6 daily

quanqing h.

2021-11-22T07:27:38

Amazing lens and the price

Michael S.

2021-11-22T07:25:34

Great lens and the price is amazing

Michael S.