Coming quickly after the expansion of the R Series to include some APS-C cameras, Canon is again here with some new products—a pair of mid-range full-frame wide-angle lenses. The two lenses are the RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM and the RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM. Both of these fill some spaces in the current lineup and bring some more accessible options to everyday shooters.
RF 24mm f/1.8: A Compact, Capable Wide-Angle
Interestingly, one lens that hasn’t come to the RF system is a 24mm—a staple of the wide-angle world. That changes today with the RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. This is a high-quality option that fills a wide-angle gap in Canon’s mid-range lineup where it joins similar options like the RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro and 16mm f/2.8. It is also extremely compact, lightweight, and close focusing.
This lens fits in well with Canon’s growing series of fast-enough primes, including the 50mm f/1.8, 16mm f/2.8, and 85mm f/2. It’s also decently compact and, surprisingly for a wide-angle, has image stabilization. With 5 stops of stabilization and 6.5 stops with Coordinated IS, this lens is going to be ideal for handheld use and video, including use on drones or gimbals.
Another oddity is the lens’s “Macro” designation. It earned this through a 0.5x maximum magnification at the minimum focus distance of 5.5". This should make the lens even more versatile. Plus, the STM motor is fast and quiet for sharp stills and video.
Overall, it's a great lens in a solid package.
RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3: Making the Ultra-Wide Zoom More Accessible
If you are looking for a more versatile ultra-wide optic, Canon offers the RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM. This is now the smaller, lighter, and affordable wide-angle zoom in the RF lineup. Similar to the 24mm, this lightweight zoom is benefited by image stabilization, to make it outstanding for handheld photos and shooting video.
The image stabilizer works up to 5.5 stops or 7 stops with Coordinated IS. Additionally, the lens features a 0.5x maximum magnification. This should make it a reliable choice for all types of shooting.
The lens does shave off some weight and shrinks down, thanks to the use of a more conservative f/4.5-6.3 aperture. While this makes it less ideal for low light, compared to the much more expensive and larger f/2.8 model, it still remains a great, sharp optic for landscapes and architecture.
It is a needed option in the growing RF lineup.
Are either of these wide-angle lenses headed to your camera bag? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
