116 DIGITAL CAMERA^
Verdict
It’s a fabulous lens that really can rival three or
four separate prime lenses. However, the sheer
bulk and weight of the lens make it feel a mismatch
for a mirrorless body, leaving somewhat of an
f/2.8-shaped gap in Canon’s RF lens line-up.4.5 Outstanding
4.5Features5.0Image
quality3.5Valuene of the main attractions of Canon’s EOS R and RP
bodies is their comparatively compact and light build,
compared with full-frame SLRs. By contrast, the RF
28-70mm is a monster, measuring 104 x 140mm
and weighing in at 1,430g. It’s nearly twice the
weight and twice the price of Canon’s top-spec EF 24-70mm
f/2.8 lens, weighing about the same as a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom.
The RF lens’s upscaled build is mainly due to it being a full f/stop
faster than most premium standard zooms. The optical elements
need a larger diameter to let in more light; this lens has an oversized
95mm filter thread, despite its more limited zoom range with
less wide-angle potential. Instead, the design goes all out
for premium image quality, with minimal distortions.
You could argue that with its f/2 aperture and premium optical
design, this zoom lens performs more like four prime lenses with
28mm, 35mm, 50mm and (nearly) 85mm focal lengths. The zoom
lens might therefore represent a saving in size and weight, while
also reducing the need to swap the lens mounted on the camera.
Even so, a prime lens with a similar aperture rating would equate
to a much less bulky shooting package hanging around your neck,
even if it meant popping a couple of extra lenses in your bag.Performance
Autofocus is very fast but not completely silent, based on a ring-
type ultrasonic system, rather than a stepping motor or Nano USM.
Centre sharpness is spectacular throughout the entire zoom range,
even when you shoot wide-open at f/2, although corner sharpness
at the short end is disappointing. Contrast and colour rendition
are superb, while lateral chromatic aberrations and distortions
are minimal. At f/2, bokeh is beautiful with negligible longitudinal
fringing, and wonderfully smooth transitions. Matthew RichardsO
(^1)
A tell-tale sign of
the lens’s extra-large
build is its 95mm
filter thread.
2
You can adjust ISO,
aperture, shutter
speed and exposure
compensation via the
forward control ring.
3
The focus ring operates
smoothly, but the lens
lacks a mechanical
focus distance scale.
4
The lens physically
extends at longer zoom
settings and features
a zoom lock switch.
Canon RF 28-70mm
f/2L USM
£3,049/$2,999
A monster of a standard zoom lens
http://www.canon.co.uk
Full-frame compatible: Ye s
Elements/groups: 19/13
Image stabiliser: No
Minimum focus distance: 0.39m
Max magnification factor: 0.18x
Manual focus override: Ye s
Focus limit switches: No
Internal zoom: No
Internal focus: Ye s
Filter size: 95mm
Iris blades: 9
Weather seals: Ye s
Supplied accessories: Cap, rear cap, hood, case
Dimensions (dia x length): 104 x 140mm
Weight: 1,430g
4.5
Build &
handling
2
1 3 4
Sharpness
Sharpness is mostly scintillating, but images are
soft around the edges at short zoom settings.
Fringing Short 1.67 Long 1.6
There’s very little colour fringing at any focal
length throughout the entire zoom range.
Distortion Short -1.43 Long 1.21
A benefit of the relatively modest zoom range
is that distortions are low throughout.
Centre sharpness
0
500
1 , 000
1 , 500
2,000
2 , 500
3,000
f/2 f/2. 8 f/4 f/5. 6 f/8 f/ 11 f/ 16 f/ 22
Short Medium Long
116 DIGITAL CAMERA^ JUNE 2019 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com
Zoom lens Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM