Reviews of the 35/1.8 Macro RF?

Ricardo O wrote:

check out these pics,

https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?threads/canon-rf-35mm-f-1-8-is-macro-the-ugly-bokeh-king.36469/

and also the youtube videos on page 2

what do you guys think?

No surprises here. This is very consistent with what I have said above about being an evolutionary enhancement of the EF35/2IS. This is not a low cost RF50/1.2L or EF35/1.4LII.  There's a reason the RF50/1.2L weighs and costs so much more.  Even without IS it has 15 elements with several aspherical and/or UD elements along with special coatings compared to the RF35/1.8IS Macro which has 11 elements including IS.

1. No one should think they are getting a newly designed L prime for $500,
2. the user review looks like it was taken using EFCS which can affect bokeh quality (see the chopped off bokeh balls),
3. getting close helps with the bokeh much like with the 35/2IS but this creates it's own challenges since getting too close will induce perspective warping you don't want; using a wide angle lens for bokeh is not easy,
4. this lens makes very interesting compromises for its size and cost which many people will enjoy as long as they pay attention to the above.
5. Not mentioned in the review is the fact that it will not have the level of contrast or saturation delivered by other L lenses either (even though it is a little improved over the EF35/2IS in this regard).

This lens outperforms the Sony/Zeiss 35/2.8 ZA I used to have back when I had an A7R2 and outperforms my RX1R2 which has the Zeiss designed 35/2. All three of these solutions are fine for travel and general use and will take excellent shots. If stopped down, you can create a 3 foot by 2 foot image printed on metal that you would mount on your wall. But, while I may take this lens with me on a trip to save weight, I will usually reach for the RF50/1.2L when people are involved in the shot.