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    Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Reviews and Previews

    By 394 Comments Canon Reviews 2 Mins Read

    The internet has been humming with the release of this lens. Suddenly 28-70mm is way too small of a focal range and no one knows what Canon is doing anymore.

    and Oh yes, Canon is doomed. Naturally.

    As I discussed yesterday, I love this lens – while I’d appreciate a 24-70mm “modern standard focal range”, 28-70mm was the norm for decades, and this lens is incredibly compact even when compared to the competition.

    I have approximated the size of the Canon RF 28-70mm in the below diagram by adding to the length of the 24-105mm, but even with that, it’s still incredibly compact.

    The Canon RF 28-70mm size is approximate.

    Get this lens and the equally compact Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM and you have a compact travel package ready to rumble.

    Before we get rolling with the reviews and previews, here are the preorder links. I strongly suggest preordering as this will be a hot-selling lens this year.

    Now for the Reviews

    CameraLabs has its full review out already and summarized it as;

    Canon’s RF 28-70 2.8 delivers a step-up over entry-level kit zooms in build, quality and potential bokeh, without the cost or indeed heft of higher-end L lenses. This makes it an ideal option for smaller mid-range full-frame bodies like the EOS R8. But this mid-range positioning also makes it one of the most expensive non-L lenses in the RF series to date, uncomfortably approaching the price of the 24-105mm f4L which for only a little extra gives you a broader zoom range, L build quality, and a lens hood. The 28-70 2.8 of course counters with its brighter f2.8 aperture, a slightly lower price and a barrel that’s smaller and lighter. Physically this makes it a better match for the smaller bodies, but I’d still say the pricing is a bit on the high side.

    https://www.cameralabs.com/canon-rf-28-70mm-f2-8-is-stm-review

    Now onto the videos

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    Go to discussion...

    394 comments

    2. Wow, what a nice surprise! Has Canon ever had a non-L in this zoom range and 2.8? Certainly not one with IS, right? Would be a great travel lens. I\'ll be up at midnight ready to pre-order. Hopefully it will come at a price ($649) close to the excellent RF 100-400. But my guess is $799.
    3. Wow, what a nice surprise! Has Canon ever had a non-L in this zoom range and 2.8? Certainly not one with IS, right? Would be a great travel lens. I\'ll be up at midnight ready to pre-order. Hopefully it will come at a price ($649) close to the excellent RF 100-400. But my guess is $799.

      Only for EF-S in the 17-55 that I can recall off the top of my head.
    4. A nice surprise for the people looking for an “affordable” constant aperture standard zoom, as Canon will officially be announcing the RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM tonight at midnight EDT. One of the big knocks on the RF lineup is the lack of good and affordable lenses. Here we'll have the first constant aperture non-L

      See full article...
      Wild guess: It will be a kit lens for the R8.
    6. I may jump on this. I love my 24-105L for walk around. But haven't replaced my old (and now AF motor failing) 28-70L from ages ago. If the quality is good on this one, and priced right, it could be a nice add.

      Brian
    9. wow, it\'s only a bit longer than the RF35 f/1.8. This is going to be a huge seller. Expect the uncorrected files to have massive distortions and vignette. This is a lens which NEEDS a lot of in camera hocus pocus to manage this size with IS at a sub 1000 price.
    11. I\'ll take five. I\'ve been wanting something like this forever. The (presumed) lack of weather sealing is a bit of a bummer, but it\'s pretty rare to have that in a Canon lens at the (presumed) price point. A perfect complement to the RF 70-200 or a fast telephoto prime for weddings.
    13. Well, if the thing cost less then the reselling price of my EF 24-70 2.8 L II, and it's at least on pair in optical quality, then it could be a day one purchase for me; I don't mind at all 24vs28, but if they could do it just a tad longer, 80 or 90mm, that would have been amazing.
    16. I’ve been eager for an f/2.8 zoom that wasn’t massive or expensive on this mount. I’m transitioning my travel gear back from Fujifilm mostly and this will pair perfectly as a replacement. Ordering immediately.
    18. From this picture (if it's somewhat real and not a lookalike render) it seems to be "normal", shorter at 28mm

      I think that shows the fully collapsed state.

      I think what happens is that it will extend all the way to maximum length at 28mm from the storage position, and then it gradually retracts somewhat as you zoom in to 70mm.

      It is the same with the RF 24-50 -- the shortest physical length is when the lens is in the collapsed state, and the longest physical length of that lens is at 24mm. That lens retracts somewhat at 35mm and extends a bit again at 50mm (though not to the length when it is at 24mm).
    19. Hopefully it will come at a price ($649) close to the excellent RF 100-400. But my guess is $799.
      I doubt. The Sigma costs $899 and that’s a third party unstabilised lens.
      My guess is $1199 or $1299 for this one, if is uses significant software corrections, or more if it has optical corrections.

      Sounds like a very interesting lens, that can sell very well. I could be wrong, but my guesses are heavy vignetting, lots of barrel distortion on the wide end, a very decent level of sharpness, probably significant focus breathing, small size (possibly another twin to the 24-105 and 15-30mm) super lightweight, cool autofocus.

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