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Canon Road Trip in BC - Canada Tried the RF 28-70 and love it

Started 10 months ago | Discussions thread
EOSSpeedLite Contributing Member • Posts: 640
Re: Strange...
1

MannyV wrote:

EOSSpeedLite wrote:

MannyV wrote:

EOSSpeedLite wrote:

It makes no sense to buy both RF 24-70L f2.8 and RF 28-70L f2 lenses. The only reason would be to collect them both.

The better of the two is the f2 model, which I have. The f2.8 is a great lens too, but the f2 is more magical and more flexible of the two for its f2 aperture.

I held the f2 during a 2 week Paris trip, averaging 10 miles per day walking, and I did not find the lens too heavy, nor too big. And it balances perfectly on the body if one knows how to hold that kit: from the belly of the lens.

You cannot go wrong with either, however, to own both smacks of hardware collector/vanity sensibilities.

For my use case it does make sense to keep the 24-70 f2.8. The RF 28-70 will be the lens for portraits and events. Otherwise it will be the 24-70 2.8. I am tempted to sell all my primes though as I doubt I will pick up my primes after I get the 28-70.

The RF 28-70L f2 is a great event/wedding lens. However, for portraits, there are far, far better lenses like these:

  1. RF 85L f1.2
  2. RF 50L f1.2
  3. RF 85 f2
  4. EF 135L f2
  5. EF 85L f1.4
  6. EF 100L f2.8

The problem with f2 is that it's not f1.2, nor f1.4, nor f1.8, so it's not going to give you the awesome bokeh, nor separation that those faster primes will give.

So what use-cases would make sense for one to keep both RF 28-70L f2 and RF 24-70L f2.8?

Wider and lighter and hence general purpose walk around is the use case for 24-70. Events and studio and portraits will be 28-70. The primes I have are f1.8 and 2 and hence will sell those most likely when I get the 28-70.

I too thought getting an RF 28-70L f2 would allow me to sell my RF f1.2 primes...because the f2 is a "bag of primes" right? I thought so at first, but then found out it was not. The f2 is a Jack of All Trades, but not a master at portraits.

Over time, I started reaching for my f1.2 primes more and more, until the day came when I only used those L primes for portraiture. This is not a slam of the 28-70L f2...I still have it, but I no longer perceive it as my go-to portrait lens. Still, it's nice to grab a portrait at an event with it.

I'd suggest you keep the primes a bit after getting the f2 so then you can decide if it really is the best way to go for portraits. I suspect you will be like me...you will miss the better bokeh and better wide-open sharpness of the f1.2 primes.

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