CANON 50MM F/1.2L USM AND 24-70MM F/2.8L IS USM LENSES GE AR RE V I EW.
Specifications 24-70MM
LENS MOUNT Canon RF
APERTURE RANGE F/2.8-22
OPTICAL CONSTRUCTION 21 elements in 15 groups,
three ULD and three aspherical elements
APERTURE BLADES Nine, rounded
AF MOTOR Ring-type Nano Ultrasonic and STM IMAGE STABILISATION Optical
“The ten-bladed aperture gives super-smooth bokeh and pleasing sunstars on brilliant points of light”
CLOSE FOCUS 21cm/8.27in
issue. But on the Red Komodo, for example, it can be a problem when trying to work handheld, as there is zero anti-shake technology. The 24-70mm f/2.8 has a very effective IS system, which is one of its major selling points. Not many lenses of this focal length have image stabilisation, so this RF zoom is a real winner. It might not have the superfast f/2.0 maximum aperture of its 28-70mm brother, but has a wider focal length range and the impressive IS. And it’s significantly cheaper and lighter. Image quality is fantastic, with perfect colour reproduction, high- quality sharpness and impressive bokeh – especially for an f/2.8 lens that can be used for so many subjects and situations. It focuses extremely quickly and quietly, and the IS system is impressively silent. Focus breathing is also electronically minimised. The control ring is not de-clicked but is smooth, so the transition is very well-controlled – certainly lots better than in EF versions. Canon Professional Services will de-click the ring, if you really want it. Both the 50mm and 24-70mm lenses are weather sealed; the only thing that goes against them is their size and weight. These are not small lenses, but that’s because they have a lot of quality glass and high-tech electronics, housed inside rugged bodies.
The optical construction of 15 elements in nine groups means there are a lot of glass surfaces to reflect light around. But flare is controlled very well, and there’s no ghosting. Flare may occur if provoked, but it’s not distracting. And the ten-bladed aperture gives super-smooth bokeh and pleasing sunstars on brilliant points of light. There is little focus breathing, thanks again to technology made possible by the large RF mount. This uses electronic correction to prevent the angle of view changing as you rack focus, and it’s great. Just about the only thing missing from this lens is any sort of image stabilisation. Canon’s pro mirrorless cameras have it in the body, so it’s not much of an
FILTER SIZE 82mm
DIMENSIONS (DXL ) 88.5x125.7mm/3.48x4.95in
WEIGHT 900g/1.98lb
PRICE £2359/$2399
canon.co.uk
KEEPING STILL One of the key features of the 24-70mm lens is an impressive image stabilisation system
Conclusion The sublime 50mm f/1.2L Canon lens boasts sharpness and speed, but lacks image stabilisation, so may not be perfect for handheld shoots unless this is in-body. The 24- 70mm lens is a workhorse AF zoom with great image quality and built-in IS, but it’s not as fast as the f/2 version.
53. FEBRUARY 2022
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