A 20mm full body lens at f/1.4 isn’t one thing you decide up and not using a plan. It’s a specialty device, one which opens up artistic photographs you possibly can’t simply get with different focal lengths. The power to seize dramatic extensive scenes in low gentle with out sacrificing element makes it useful for landscapes, interiors, and astrophotography. You even have the choice to get surprisingly shallow depth of area when you work near your topic.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this detailed video appears on the Canon RF 20mm f/1.4 L VCM lens and why it stands out in Canon’s lineup. It’s constructed for each stills and video work, with a brilliant most aperture, sturdy weather-sealing, and a clean, silent autofocus system powered by a voice coil motor. Whereas it is available in at about $1,800, the optical efficiency and suppleness would possibly justify the fee for many who want this focal size. The aperture ring works in video mode on most RF our bodies, although it solely capabilities for stills on the most recent Canon cameras until the corporate points firmware updates for older fashions. The lens has a compact design for its class, a 67mm entrance filter thread, and a spotlight ring that operates with precision and responsiveness.
On a full body physique just like the 45-megapixel EOS R5, the lens exhibits excellent sharpness and distinction even at f/1.4, with corners practically matching the middle. It maintains this efficiency right down to f/11 earlier than diffraction softens the picture. In comparison with options, it edges out Sony’s 20mm f/1.8 and barely surpasses the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork in sharpness. The trade-off is heavy distortion and powerful vignetting when corrections are turned off, which is widespread in trendy extensive angles. For those who’re capturing uncooked, you’ll want to use profile corrections in publish. Shut focus efficiency is powerful, with sharp outcomes even extensive open.
Key Specs
Focal Size: 20mm
Aperture: Most: f/1.4; Minimal: f/16
Minimal Focus Distance: 7.9 in / 20 cm
Magnification: 0.19x (1:5.26)
Optical Design: 15 parts in 11 teams
Aperture Blades: 11, rounded
Picture Stabilization: None
Filter Measurement: 67mm (entrance), gel filter (rear)
Dimensions: 3 x 3.9 in / 76.2 x 99.1 mm
Weight: 1.1 lbs / 500 g
Efficiency in opposition to brilliant lights is a weak level, with extra flare and glare at f/1.4 than anticipated, particularly in comparison with Canon’s personal RF 24mm f/1.4 L VCM. Stopping right down to f/2.8 helps however doesn’t eradicate it. On the constructive aspect, coma management is great, making it appropriate for astrophotography. Bokeh is unusually clean for such a large lens, although nook highlights present the standard cat’s eye form. Chromatic aberration is gentle and well-controlled by f/2. Take a look at the video above for the total rundown from Frost.
