Canon has a ton of great but expensive RF lenses. If you can’t afford these L lenses or don’t want to spend that much money, you can also opt for more affordable versions. I took three primes on a trip to France to find out how they work in real life.
With Canon mirrorless camera from EOS R series, a new mount has been introduced. The shorter flange distance results in many improvements in image quality. This leads to great lenses, just like great lenses Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USMcompact Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, and many more. There is only one downside to these lenses. They are very expensive.
Not everyone who chooses a Canon EOS R series mirrorless camera can afford these lenses. And if they are, they may not be the best choice. While it may seem like a good idea to invest in these expensive glasses, chances are, you’re not getting the most out of these lenses.
Cheaper RF lenses
Fortunately, Canon offers a more affordable set of lenses for the RF mount. Although the quality of these lenses is not as good as their L-series brothers, the image quality is still very good. Reviews and tests of these cheaper RF lenses show how much you need to compare directly with higher-end lenses to see the difference, often only after scrutinizing the details.
But there are downsides to cheaper RF lenses. The stepper motors used in these lenses produce much louder noise and they are not as fast as the USM system. Lenses are often stretched and the materials used are of poorer quality.
Perhaps it would be more interesting to consider these benefits of the lens. Although not on par with its L-series brothers, the build quality is still very good. The lenses are well designed and beautifully crafted, though that can also come down to personal preference. More importantly, besides the price, the lenses are much smaller and lighter. As a result, it can be much easier to bring an extra lens on a trip.
Three prime numbers RF
I was curious to see how these lenses would perform in a real-life situation. I have asked Canon Netherlands for a set of RF primes, which I will take with me on a scouting trip to the south of France. I choose RF 16mm f/2.8 STMthe RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM macroand RF 85mm f/2 IS STM macrowhich I reviewed a while ago.
There is a reason why I chose three primes. It would be easy to ask for two or three zoom lenses to cover more focal lengths, but I like to carry around a small set of primes because of the maximum aperture. This way, I was also able to use these lenses in less than ideal lighting conditions without the need for a tripod.
With 16mm, 35mm and 85mm, I have a wide angle at my disposal, a standard lens and a mid-telephoto lens. Both the 35mm and 85mm also offer macro photography with 1:2 magnification. Along with my high megapixel count Canon EOS R5I may crop if the 85mm focal length is a bit too short.
Shooting experience
The lens I use the most is 35mm . standard lens. That’s a focal length that works in most situations, no matter if it’s landscapes or cityscapes. The f/1.8 maximum aperture makes the lens perfect for shooting inside the Sainte-Cecile Church in Albi or in the caves we visited.
During hiking through different landscapes, 16mm . wide angle perfect for capturing typical wider field of view landscapes. I found the focal length less than ideal inside the ancient Bastide villages, although it proved its worth during a visit to the ruins of the fortress in the village of Penne.
The 85mm . telephoto lens didn’t leave my bag often. This lens is ideal for some intimate landscape shots, especially when shooting vineyards. The 85mm focal length’s compressed view proved to be perfect for this.
Both the 35mm and 85mm also offer 1:2 macro photography. It’s a great addition that makes shooting the occasional ornamental butterfly very easy, a species quite common in that region of France. It’s also great for photographing flowers against the backdrop of Bastide villages. The ability to shoot macros makes shooting with these lenses very versatile, especially RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM . Lens.
Changing lenses and camera bags
Carrying around three primes means you need to change lenses more often than you would with a zoom lens. Then again, it’s clear that you don’t need a lot of flexibility in the focal range for this type of photography. Most of the time, I choose lenses that I think are appropriate for the occasion and leave the other lenses in my bag.
I made the mistake of packing for this trip. I have a nice and compact one Thinktank 15 flashback backpack, seems perfect for the job. It contains three prime numbers with Canon EOS R5 Easy, with room for lunch and a few bottles of water. There is also space for Gitzo tripod travel without problem.
The only downside to the backpack is that you have to take it off your back when changing lenses. Since you need to change lenses more often when using primes, a backpack isn’t ideal, no matter how convenient it may seem.
I should have brought a small shoulder bag. Since the primes I used are very small and light, it is much more convenient and easy to use.
About image quality
With that said, the image quality of these relatively cheap primes is not as good as its expensive cousins. Of course there’s a reason for it. A simpler lens design cannot correct every optical error. But do I notice those flaws?
If you need perfect sharpness, minimal chromatic aberration and lens distortion, then these lenses won’t be for you. But usually, these errors are only visible if you examine the image under a microscope, so to speak.
I did notice some lack of sharpness near the corners of the 16mm lens, but since I almost always crop to 4:5 aspect ratio, it’s almost non-existent. The worst image can be seen if the lens is used wide open.
For landscapes, that usually doesn’t happen, as an aperture of f/8 or f/11 is preferred. 35mm wide is mainly used in dark interiors of churches and Albi Cathedrals. Any vignette is often lost in the composition. On top of that, this can be prevented by stopping. Image stabilization makes longer shutter speeds possible.
Finally, for photo uses, mainly web pages and prints up to 20×30 cm for an album, the quality is more than perfect.
Conclusion
Using primes during our time in France was fun. Just put one focus on the camera and never bother to zoom in or out. The lenses are very small and light, making them easy to carry on any trip. Cameras with one of these small lenses are also less conspicuous. It makes Canon EOS R series cameras perfect for realistic shots of villages and cities.
Quality, in many cases, perfect for casual and semi-professional use. And more importantly, the lens is affordable. You can buy this lens kit twice for the price of one RF 50mm f/1.2L USM . Lens.
Benefit
- Good price
- Small size and light (easy to carry around)
- Very good image quality (though not perfect)
- Not easy to see
- Macro shooting capability (35mm and 85mm)
Defect
- Not the best picture quality possible
- Lens widens when focusing
- Lack of weather sealing
- The small lens cap is easy to lose or even lose
- These lenses do not include the lens hood
Exhibition room
What do you think about using cheap Canon RF lenses> Are you using these lenses or do you prefer more expensive L series? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
