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RF 28-70 f2L is really magic ? Your experience ?

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Kumsa

Kumsa

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In one of the latest Chris Nichols videos, he cites the RF 28-70 f2L as one of his favorite photography gear.

I'm thinking about an RF mid-range tele, but hadn't considered this lens. I do favor portraiture, and would like to do more evening street photography, so now I'm thinking about it.

Any personal experience with this lens would be appreciated.
 
Kumsa said:
In one of the latest Chris Nichols videos, he cites the RF 28-70 f2L as one of his favorite photography gear.

I'm thinking about an RF mid-range tele, but hadn't considered this lens. I do favor portraiture, and would like to do more evening street photography, so now I'm thinking about it.

Any personal experience with this lens would be appreciated.
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It's a wonderful lens. It's replaced almost all my uses of 24-70 f/2.8 and my primes such 35mm f/2 and 50mm f/1.8. (Admittedly these others are all EF lenses, so there's the adapter involved.)

It's not appropriate for all use cases. Not sure it's a good "street" lens for instance, just given how bulky it is. The wide angle can be lacking for architecture and real estate.

While it is nicely balanced on the R5, it also felt ridiculously awkward to handle on the very light R50.
 
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I rented it and personally did not find it prime-like enough in rendering. As I shoot a lot in the studio I use the 24-70mm for that work (4mm is useful for me on the wide end) . I use 85mm 1.2 DS and 50mm 1.2 outside (when I can't use the 85mm). Both of primes render a bit better than the 28-70mm; while true it is better than the 24-70mm in rendering. I got spoiled by the DS so it is hard to want to use anything else outside. :)

If I was primarily a wedding or events shooter instead of studio I probably would have bought a 28-70mm.

--
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Kumsa said:
In one of the latest Chris Nichols videos, he cites the RF 28-70 f2L as one of his favorite photography gear.

I'm thinking about an RF mid-range tele, but hadn't considered this lens. I do favor portraiture, and would like to do more evening street photography, so now I'm thinking about it.

Any personal experience with this lens would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Kumsa said:
In one of the latest Chris Nichols videos, he cites the RF 28-70 f2L as one of his favorite photography gear.

I'm thinking about an RF mid-range tele, but hadn't considered this lens. I do favor portraiture, and would like to do more evening street photography, so now I'm thinking about it.

Any personal experience with this lens would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
I owned this lens for four years, but never really gelled with it. The bokeh wasn't pleasing enough for my tastes and I ultimately replaced it with the RF 50mm f/1.2 last fall.
 
The Perfect event lens, bar none. I also love shooting action and sports (up close) with it.

R2
 
mclaren777 said:
I owned this lens for four years, but never really gelled with it. The bokeh wasn't pleasing enough for my tastes and I ultimately replaced it with the RF 50mm f/1.2 last fall.
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I honestly didn't know it had been around for so many years.
 
Ephemeris said:
Kumsa said:
In one of the latest Chris Nichols videos, he cites the RF 28-70 f2L as one of his favorite photography gear.

I'm thinking about an RF mid-range tele, but hadn't considered this lens. I do favor portraiture, and would like to do more evening street photography, so now I'm thinking about it.

Any personal experience with this lens would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Would you be able to link the videos?

We have just bought this lens and so far it's great.

R2D2 - all your fault fella.
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Ha! Just helpin’ to spread the word. :-D

Enjoy your new butt kicking lens!

R2
 
Kumsa said:
In one of the latest Chris Nichols videos, he cites the RF 28-70 f2L as one of his favorite photography gear.

I'm thinking about an RF mid-range tele, but hadn't considered this lens. I do favor portraiture, and would like to do more evening street photography, so now I'm thinking about it.

Any personal experience with this lens would be appreciated.
Click to expand...


It's very complicated. It does have magic for certain uses that seem obvious and some that don't. Strictly for portraits there are better lenses, of course, any photographer would know that right off. But yeah, the big aperture helps even things out a bit. I actually like it for taking pictures of my eBay items, lol. It makes everything look like stock photography. Or, maybe I'm just that good, I don't know anymore. I think it's a great landscape lens!



36f869d220db45c5852f049227753ffc.jpg
 
mclaren777 said:
I owned this lens for four years, but never really gelled with it. The bokeh wasn't pleasing enough for my tastes and I ultimately replaced it with the RF 50mm f/1.2 last fall.
Click to expand...
True about the bokeh at 70mm, but at 50mm the 28-70mm is actually really good. I won't say RF L levels of good as the bokeh is in another league at f/1.2, but it does generate some pop at 50mm.

Here it is at 50mm & f/2.0:

b9248f93705342d2be823e7856a43e58.jpg
 
I think f/2.0 is perfect for that shot, and f/1.2 was not an option imo.
 
thedestoyer said:
mclaren777 said:
I owned this lens for four years, but never really gelled with it. The bokeh wasn't pleasing enough for my tastes and I ultimately replaced it with the RF 50mm f/1.2 last fall.
Click to expand...
True about the bokeh at 70mm, but at 50mm the 28-70mm is actually really good. I won't say RF L levels of good as the bokeh is in another league at f/1.2, but it does generate some pop at 50mm.
Click to expand...
Are you saying that between 50 to 70mm including the bokeh becomes unacceptable af f2?
thedestoyer said:
Here it is at 50mm & f/2.0:

b9248f93705342d2be823e7856a43e58.jpg
Click to expand...
 
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