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Canon RF 28-70 at 50mm vs RF 50 f/1.2L at f/2?

Started Sep 5, 2021 | Discussions thread
thunder storm Forum Pro • Posts: 10,139
Re: Canon RF 28-70 at 50mm vs RF 50 f/1.2L at f/2?

MAC wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

M J Valentine wrote:

highdesertmesa wrote:

M J Valentine wrote:

Hi,

Based on real-world use, can the RF 28-70mm f/2L match the RF 50mm f/1.2L in terms of sharpness, contrast, etc, at f/2? A high-quality zoom that can replace primes seems attractive. The RF 24-70mm f/2.8L looks to be a good option, albeit that it's slower and possibly rougher in the corners.

I tend to shoot at f/2 or narrower with my R5, but the f/1.2 performance of my RF 50mm may be missed.

Thanks

Nothing performs as well as the RF 50 f/1.2 at f/2 except the RF 85 f/1.2. The RF 28-70 at 50mm and f/2 is probably 90% of the sharpness and 100% of the color from the RF 50 f/1.2.

Also don't underestimate the weight and size of the 28-70. For the most part, it can replace primes in 28/35/50/70, however, it will feel like you have all four of those lenses on your camera or in your bag at the same time, so the only gain is the convenience of not having to change lenses and/or reacting to conditions with the zoom. If you shoot events, the 28-70 is quite valuable, for landscape maybe not as much when the RF 24-105 at f/5.6 or f/8 will be the same or better.

Thanks for the reply. The weight is a factor as it's unlikely I'll want to carry it around all day on holiday. I have 35mm f/1.4II, RF 50mm f/1.2L, RF 24-70 f/2.8 and RF 70-200 f/2.8L so the plan would be to sell the 24-70 and 50mm to get the 28-70. I love the 35mm f/1.4L II which I'd only replace with an RF L version. I'll rent the 28-70 to see if the weight is tolerable.

I have thought about the f/2.0 L zoom, but the biggest problem for me isn't the price itself alone, but also the fact you need to pay extra for another zoom for walk around purposes. Selling the 24-70 is a bad plan in my opinion, unless you'll get a 24-105mm L in return.

I've bought the 40mm Art recently next to my 50mm Art. I don't find myself needing large apertures at wider focal lengths than 40mm. With 40mm & f/1.4 I can do a lot, so I'm not interested in the f/2.0 L zoom anymore. 40mm is the widest for portraits. Wider becomes scapes territory.

some good thoughts

If I were you, I'd sell my Ef 24-70 F2.8 II and get the RF 24-105L

Not possible at the moment, no good deals due to supply problems.

I'd invest in OCF lighting -- 430 RT to trigger + Canon EL-1 strobist off camera ight on stand

I will stick to bouncing with gary fong.

Mag mod globe and gels and grids

DXO Photolab 4 Elite for NR and processing

You have the primes for stunning shallow DOF photography

-- hide signature --

I love 50mm (equivalence)

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