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    Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM MTF Comparison

    By Updated:245 Comments Canon Lens News 2 Mins Read

    After looking around I finally found the MTF charts for the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM, many thanks to TDP.

    I’ll give it a quick comparison to its brother the legendary EF 35mm F1.4L II USM and the RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM.

    The Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM has an excellent MTF chart, better than any 35mm Canon has developed before. Against its legendary parent, the Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM, the RF lens has a much smoother resolution falloff into the corners than the EF lens, and better contrast out to the corners. So if you thought the Canon EF 35mm F1.4L IS USM was a fantastic lens, you won’t be disappointed with the new RF version.

    The center portion of the image will look similar between the two lenses and if your primary target is in the crop APS-C center of the frame, then the resolution and contrast should be exceptional.

    When compared against its little brother the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM, there’s no contest. In terms of resolution and contrast the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L reigns supreme. But we are comparing a $350 lens with the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L, hardly fair.

    The Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM does a few tricks up its sleeve with image stabilization and a closer minimum focus distance. However, when it comes to optical quality, as it should be, the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM outmatches it easily. That being said, for many people, the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is a halo product that they may not be able to afford – and if so, the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM is by any measure a very capable lens and is extremely versatile.

    After reviewing these MTFs and realizing that Canon has certainly optically done something special – it’s amazing to me that we have a far more featured hybrid lens for video and stills and it is cheaper than the EF 35mm F1.4L II USM when it was released ($1799 – or $2379.88 in today’s dollars).

    Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM 360° View

    Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM Preorder Options

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    245 comments

    6. The 35mm F1.4 sounds great:
      - two focusing motors (VCM & nano USM)
      - lower weight with 555 grams
      - 67mm screw on filters and rear gel filters
      - Aperture ring and control ring
      - starting price 1.499 $

      Great job Canon! Now please give us a 20mm, 24mm, 50mm and 85mm with exactly those kind of specs :)
    13. Gordon has his review up already, apparently this lens outperformed the venerable EF 35 1.4L II in his tests, which is saying something.

      www.youtube.com

      Canon RF 35mm f1.4L: FIRST LOOKS vs EF 1.4L II vs RF 1.8 STM

      My initial Canon RF 35mm f1.4L VCM review vs EF 35mm f1.4L II vs RF 35mm f1.8 STMOrder the RF 35mm f1.4L from B&H: https://bhpho.to/3KxCnf6 or WEX UK: https:...
      www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
      Yeah, it beats the hell out of it according to Gordon's tests. Still curious about what Christopher Frost will say.

      Cheaper, lighter, better for video, good weather sealing and build quality (supposedly) --- what's the catch?
    14. I was all ready to order this lens but then realized it doesn't have IS.
      I suppose I just assumed that as a hybrid lens it would have IS...
      The weird thing is that even Rudy didn’t make a comment on how many stops you get with IBIS and the new 35, worrying…
    15. How “L” level should we expect this to be, given that the old EF 35 sells for close to €2.300,-?

      In Gordon't test the new lens is MUCH sharper than the EF version II, especially in the corners. Also, significantly sharper than the RF 35 1.8.
    18. From Gordon’s video, I could see it much sharper than my 35ii, some high contrast shots have no abberation, I am waiting for night test shots to see if there will be astigmatism , then I’ll make my decision.

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