The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM stands out as a highly compelling offering within Canon's growing RF mirrorless lens lineup. Positioned as a compact, lightweight, and versatile prime lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras, it combines a classic focal length with a bright aperture, impressive image stabilization, and unique half-macro capabilities. This review will delve into its performance, features, and optimal use cases, providing a balanced perspective on its strengths and any considerations.
At its core, the RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is designed around a widely beloved focal length. The 35mm perspective is often lauded for its ability to capture scenes with a natural field of view, making it an excellent choice for a broad spectrum of photographic genres. It's wide enough to incorporate environmental context without significant distortion yet tight enough to isolate subjects, striking a superb balance between a wide-angle and standard perspective.
The lens's bright f/1.8 maximum aperture is a significant asset. This wide aperture allows for excellent performance in low-light conditions, enabling photographers to shoot handheld in dimmer environments without resorting to excessively high ISO settings. Beyond its low-light prowess, the f/1.8 aperture also provides excellent control over depth of field. Users can achieve pleasing background blur, or "bokeh," which helps isolate subjects and create a sense of depth in portraits and close-up shots. The nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth, circular bokeh rendition, enhancing the aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas. Optically, the lens is constructed with 11 elements in 9 groups, a configuration designed to deliver good sharpness and clarity. While prime lenses are often expected to be razor-sharp, the RF 35mm f/1.8 generally performs admirably, offering strong center sharpness even wide open, with corners improving as the aperture is stopped down. Minor optical imperfections such as some vignetting at f/1.8 and slight barrel distortion are typical for lenses in this class but are often easily corrected in-camera or during post-processing.
One of the standout features of this lens is its Optical Image Stabilization (IS). Canon specifies a highly effective 5-stops of correction, which is a considerable advantage, particularly for a prime lens. This integrated stabilization system works in conjunction with in-body image stabilization (IBIS) found in many RF-mount cameras, offering even greater stability for handheld shooting. This proves invaluable for photographers working in challenging light, capturing video, or attempting precise macro shots where camera shake can be detrimental.
The autofocus system employs Canon's Stepping Motor (STM) technology. This type of motor is well-regarded for its smooth, quiet operation, making it suitable for both still photography and video recording. In practice, the STM AF is generally quick and precise for everyday shooting. Its near-silent performance is particularly beneficial for videographers who need to adjust focus without introducing unwanted motor noise into their audio.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature that sets this 35mm prime apart is its half-macro magnification capability, offering a maximum magnification of 0.5x. With a minimum focus distance of just 0.17 meters (approximately 6.7 inches), the lens allows photographers to get remarkably close to their subjects. This transforms the lens from a standard wide-angle prime into a versatile tool for capturing intricate details in flowers, insects, or everyday objects. This half-macro function significantly expands the lens's utility, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy exploring close-up photography without investing in a dedicated macro lens.
In terms of build and handling, the RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM embraces a lightweight and compact design, weighing in at a mere 305 grams. This makes it an ideal lens for travel, street photography, or simply as an everyday carry lens that won't burden the user. Despite its light weight, the lens feels reasonably robust. It features a 52mm filter thread, a common size that allows for easy integration with existing filter sets. A notable modern addition is the customizable Control Ring, a signature feature of RF lenses. This ring can be assigned to control various settings such as aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation, providing intuitive and tactile control without needing to delve into camera menus.
The lens excels in several key use cases:
- Street Photography: Its compact size, unobtrusive design, classic 35mm focal length, and excellent low-light performance make it an ideal companion for capturing candid street scenes.
- Portraits: While not a traditional long portrait lens, the 35mm f/1.8 is superb for environmental portraits, allowing the photographer to capture the subject within their surroundings while still achieving pleasing background separation thanks to the wide aperture.
- Close-up Photography: The 0.5x macro magnification opens up a world of detail photography, making it suitable for capturing intricate textures, small objects, and botanical subjects.
- Everyday Photography: Its versatility across different genres, coupled with its compact form factor and excellent optical performance, makes it a perfect "walk-around" lens for daily shooting.
- Low-Light Conditions: The f/1.8 aperture combined with 5-stop image stabilization provides a powerful combination for handheld shooting in challenging lighting, from dimly lit interiors to nightscapes.
- Video: The quiet STM autofocus and effective image stabilization make it a strong contender for video creators seeking a natural perspective and stable footage.
In conclusion, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is an exceptionally well-rounded and compelling lens for Canon RF mirrorless system users. It delivers a potent combination of a classic, versatile focal length, a bright f/1.8 aperture, highly effective image stabilization, and a surprisingly capable half-macro function, all within a compact and lightweight package. While it may exhibit minor optical characteristics common to non-L series lenses, its overall performance, feature set, and competitive price point position it as an outstanding value. For photographers and videographers seeking a single lens that can tackle a vast array of shooting scenarios – from street and portraits to close-ups and low-light environments – this lens represents a smart and highly effective investment.