When Canon first launched the RF 28–70mm f/2L, it felt like a press release piece. A relentless f/2 aperture on a zoom lens? It was daring, quick, and in contrast to the rest in the marketplace. On the time, I used to be impressed by an aperture that huge on a zoom. However in 2025, after years of mirrorless refinement, is that this lens nonetheless price its weight, each actually and figuratively?
There’s no method round this: the RF 28–70mm f/2 is heavy. On an EOS R5, it feels extra like I’m holding a cinema rig than a photograph setup. At simply over 3 kilos, it dwarfs most different lenses in my bag, and it doesn’t even have picture stabilization.
However right here’s the catch: that dimension does include a sure skilled presence. It feels substantial within the hand, and once I’m working within the studio or on industrial initiatives, I don’t thoughts the heft. It really helps me decelerate and shoot extra intentionally. That stated, I do not know that I might wish to haul it round all day for avenue or journey work. One method I’ve began utilizing extra not too long ago is handheld off-camera flash—and when I haven’t got an assistant round, I maintain the digital camera with one hand and the sunshine within the different. Capturing with this beast one-handed in that trend isn’t for the weak, and my wrist was cursing me afterward.
The trade-off you get for the burden is within the picture high quality. When you see the photographs, plenty of that weight turns into simpler to justify.
The sharpness throughout the body is gorgeous, even huge open. Bokeh is easy and clear. Whether or not I used to be capturing at 28 mm or zooming to 70mm, I constantly received pictures that seemed polished straight out of digital camera.
The f/2 aperture provides me extra topic isolation than an f/2.8 zoom, which I did not assume I might lean into as somebody who tends to cease down for many photographs, however once I did go huge open, the isolation was spectacular. On one take a look at shoot, I went for a backlit look with a shallow depth of subject, and the lens nonetheless maintained distinction and colour accuracy. It seems like having three primes in a single, with none noticeable dip in high quality. That stated, for the value level I might anticipate that degree of efficiency from a lens.
The quick aperture isn’t nearly aesthetics. It provides you an actual, tangible low-light benefit—virtually a full cease over most traditional zooms. As somebody who leans extra towards zooms for almost all of my work, this offers me an additional edge with out the necessity to swap to a sooner prime.
Having f/2 throughout the total zoom vary means I can hold my shutter pace the place I would like with out sacrificing publicity. It’s the sort of flexibility that removes friction from the shoot. And whereas I do want the lens had built-in stabilization, the IBIS on the R5 dealt with it effectively sufficient for many handheld photographs.
So far as autofocus goes, I didn’t run into any points. It’s fast, quiet, and correct even in low-light circumstances. Monitoring was sticky, and I may transfer freely with out second-guessing whether or not my topic was sharp.
I do know some individuals would possibly fear that a big zoom may decelerate AF efficiency, however in real-world use, this lens by no means felt sluggish.
In comparison with the 24–70mm f/2.8, I lose stabilization however achieve that further cease, which I discover in each mild and depth. In comparison with a 50mm f/1.2, the rendering is much less dreamy, however the zoom flexibility makes up for it when time or location constraints don’t enable for lens swapping.
Might you construct a primary trio for a similar worth or much less? Certain. For the reason that launch of the f/2, Canon has additionally launched an f/2.8 model—not within the L sequence—with picture stabilization and at a considerably lower cost level, almost a 3rd of the associated fee, the truth is. However switching lenses mid-shoot takes time and might interrupt momentum—particularly in fast-paced industrial or editorial work. With this lens, I get consistency throughout focal lengths and the boldness that no matter I shoot will maintain up underneath scrutiny. As it’s, for almost all of my work I are inclined to rely extra on zooms, which is the place the efficiency is seen most. I additionally do not are inclined to shoot huge open until I’ve to, however in these moments I am pleased to have the additional, almost full cease. Generally I want I may very well be just a bit wider, however that’s whenever you’d attain for a large zoom anyway, and that is extra of a nitpick than something. The opposite factor I do not all the time think about when attempting new gear is that this really turned a pleasure to shoot with—I discovered myself wanting to maintain selecting it up.
In case you’re a portrait, trend, or industrial photographer who works in managed settings or wants to maneuver quick with out switching lenses, this lens may simply change into your go-to instrument. It’s dependable, delivers implausible outcomes, and adapts to many situations with minimal compromise.
However in the event you prioritize portability, shoot plenty of handheld video, or wish to pack mild, this most likely isn’t the lens for you. It’s not one thing I’d tackle a trip or use exterior of my work. This lens is a beast, but when your work calls for a quick, dependable catch-all like this, it may very well be for you.
The query is: Is that this lens price it in 2025—particularly given the value level? For sure shoots, sure. I rented it for just a few days and shall be renting it once more, however I am going to want extra checks with totally different lenses to land on what’s good for me. Sure, it’s heavy. Sure, it’s costly. However what you get in return is one thing uncommon: a zoom that really competes with primes and helps you’re employed sooner with out compromising picture high quality.
And 5 years after launch, there’s nonetheless nothing else fairly prefer it.
