RF 24-105mm f4-7.1 IS STM quick review

[axlotl]

at 105mm f7.1

I ordered this lens 9 weeks ago and it arrived yesterday. I think supply has been held up in the Covid19 lockdown.

Anyway better late than never.

I have done a first round of tests on an EOS RP and it is coming up well with no serious problems.

Note 1: The camera used must have the latest firmware installed. This is FW 1.6.0 on EOS R and 1.4.0 on EOS RP.

Note 2: If using RAW capture a Raw converter with a good lens profile must be used. I use Adobe Camera Raw which works just fine (as I assume will Lightroom).

Sharpness: This is very good in a large circle including the edges at all focal lengths and apertures.

Corners are slightly soft at 24mm f4 but cleanup well by f8.

My copy is just slightly decentered leading to mild softness top right and top left just in the corners at 70mm and 85mm. This is not really improved by closing the lens aperture but would not be noticed in most photos anyway.

Distortion : There is huge barrel distortion at 24mm which is why a lens correction profile is required. The one in ACR works well.

Peripheral shading: This is considerable at 24mm less so at other focal lengths but easily correctable.

Color fringing: This can occur at high contrast edges but is mild and easily corrected.

Mechanical: zoom, IS and single AF all appear to work well. No problems encountered thus far. Servo AF not yet tested.

Flare: the lens appears quite resistant to flare even when I tried to induce it.

Overall: This is a very good general purpose utility lens.It is good value for money. It would be very good for travel and all general photography, mainly outdoors but it is f4 at the wide end which can be useful indoors.

Andrew

 

[RDM5546]

I like your parrot shot. It is a keeper. The lens is clearly a good value for you. I am happy you are happy.

 

[Marco Nero]

Thanks for posting your thoughts on this lens, Andrew.
.
I'm considering one for future travel after the Pandemic passes and international travel opens up again. I still have the samples that Canon released when this lens was trialed in Hawaii during the R launch. I was surprised more people didn't react as much to the outdoor shots taken with it... Recently some other members here posted some terrific shots that made me appreciate that it was an exceptionally good landscape lens.
.
Your cockatoo shot is great. I expect exactly this amount of pseudo-busy bokeh at f/7.1 and it adds to the 'texture' of the image. I like it. I'm surprised you didn't try f/4 but at the same time it shows what to expect when shooting randomly with this lens on say a vacation.
.
I bought the old EF 24-105L lens for my wife years ago and she would probably welcome the benefits of this new RF lens on her EOS RP. Hence your observations are very useful. I feel that this lens is worth the price. Thanks for the time you took to review this lens. It's very useful information for those considering it.

 

[Rock and Rollei]

Thanks for posting your thoughts on this lens, Andrew.
.
I'm considering one for future travel after the Pandemic passes and international travel opens up again. I still have the samples that Canon released when this lens was trialed in Hawaii during the R launch. I was surprised more people didn't react as much to the outdoor shots taken with it... Recently some other members here posted some terrific shots that made me appreciate that it was an exceptionally good landscape lens.
.
Your cockatoo shot is great. I expect exactly this amount of pseudo-busy bokeh at f/7.1 and it adds to the 'texture' of the image. I like it. I'm surprised you didn't try f/4 but at the same time it shows what to expect when shooting randomly with this lens on say a vacation.

This was shot at 105mm according to the caption. The maximum aperture of this lens is f7.1 at 105mm, so it couldn't be shot at f4.

Are you confusing it with the RF24-105 f4 L?

.
I bought the old EF 24-105L lens for my wife years ago and she would probably welcome the benefits of this new RF lens on her EOS RP. Hence your observations are very useful. I feel that this lens is worth the price. Thanks for the time you took to review this lens. It's very useful information for those considering it.

--
Regards,
Marco Nero.

 

[Marco Nero]

This was shot at 105mm according to the caption. The maximum aperture of this lens is f7.1 at 105mm, so it couldn't be shot at f4.

You are absolutely correct. Even while mistaking the lens, I assume that since the species of parrot is pretty friendly that it could have been approached and shot at f/4 from a closer proximity. Not that it matters for the shooter. I like the shot.

Are you confusing it with the RF24-105 f4 L?

You're right again. It does appear that I've confused the two lenses since I was thinking of the L-lens used in the Hawaiian launch. This is my fault and I apologize. The OP's comments are still quite useful for measuring the lens and I'm still appreciative of the post made.
.
From the other shots I've seen that were taken with this lens, it's reasonably good value and serves well for travel, landscapes and architecture. The Canon webpage shows this lens has a decent closeup ability and appears to have some sample shots taken at a boating location - reminding me a little of the Greek islands. I really think it makes a great travel lens. And at almost a third of the price of the L-version, it's going to be popular.

 

[axlotl]

Hand held close up using AF f7.1 105mm

Here are some more results of tests on the 24-105mm f4-7.1 IS STM.

* After about 500 shots single AF accuracy is close to 100% on the RP.

* I tested servo AF at 4 fps with a person walking towards the EOS RP but quite close so there was quite a large focus change between frames. 96% of frames were tack sharp.

* The close up in the photo above was hand held using AF at 105mm f7.1. That is about as close as I could get using normal lens function.

* The field of view at 24mm is noticeably greater when shooting Raw via Adobe than what I see in the viewfinder.

* On my tests IS gives me sharp pictures at 3 EV steps slower shutter speed than without IS. This is a typical result in my hands with current Canon/Nikon/Panasonic IS/VR.

* Assessment of bokeh is quite subjective but it looks good to me although I am not as fussy as some.

* The lens feels well balanced on the EOS RP and even better with the EG-E1 Extension Grip.

I will get an aftermarket EW-73D lens hood. I wish Canon and Nikon would just put a hood in the box with their consumer lenses. I cannot imagine it would cost them more than $5 to do so.

Andrew

 

[Rock and Rollei]

This was shot at 105mm according to the caption. The maximum aperture of this lens is f7.1 at 105mm, so it couldn't be shot at f4.

You are absolutely correct. Even while mistaking the lens, I assume that since the species of parrot is pretty friendly that it could have been approached and shot at f/4 from a closer proximity. Not that it matters for the shooter. I like the shot.

Are you confusing it with the RF24-105 f4 L?

You're right again. It does appear that I've confused the two lenses since I was thinking of the L-lens used in the Hawaiian launch. This is my fault and I apologize. The OP's comments are still quite useful for measuring the lens and I'm still appreciative of the post made.
.
From the other shots I've seen that were taken with this lens, it's reasonably good value and serves well for travel, landscapes and architecture. The Canon webpage shows this lens has a decent closeup ability and appears to have some sample shots taken at a boating location - reminding me a little of the Greek islands. I really think it makes a great travel lens. And at almost a third of the price of the L-version, it's going to be popular.

I've got the RF L lens, and it's actually really good - I was never completely happy with the EF version, despite having taken more pictures with it than any other lens. But the lens is pretty big and bulky even on an R, so I tend to use Ms for travel and for walks where photography isn't the main purpose, and for enough where it is... using big lenses and cameras for work makes me appreciate smaller ones all the more. So I'm interested in this much lighter lens as an alternative, and also the 24-200 as a possible travel kit. What I've seen of this lens is much more impressive than I had expected, to be honest.

 

[stevvi]

I have the F4 L so this leans isn't for me but thanks for a good, no-nonsense, *real world* review.

 

[Lemming51]

... Note 1: The camera used must have the latest firmware installed. This is FW 1.6.0 on EOS R and 1.4.0 on EOS RP...

While I think keeping firmware current is a good practice, why is this a "must"? Support for a couple other lenses is listed among the fixes in the latest firmware, but not the RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 IS STM.

--
Unapologetic Canon Apologist

 

[NormSchultze]

I must have a very good copy. It is sharp at f9/11. Coupled with the RP it is quick enough to shoot local railroad activity. Is it fast and good enough to stop an Acela on the corridor at 130mph ? Dunno - yet !

You need the latest firmware or the lens will not couple and work on the RP. Not sure why, but that is the reality.

 

[trulandphoto]

... Note 1: The camera used must have the latest firmware installed. This is FW 1.6.0 on EOS R and 1.4.0 on EOS RP...

While I think keeping firmware current is a good practice, why is this a "must"? Support for a couple other lenses is listed among the fixes in the latest firmware, but not the RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 IS STM.

My guess is that the profile for the lens was in the firmware but as the lens hadn't been announced yet it wasn't mentioned.

 

[Terrible Photographer]

F/7.1? Yikes.. that’s basically daylight only.

 

[KHTP]

I just got this lens bundle with the RP for $999 yesterday. I think that is currently the best deal out there. A little slow, but so far I like it for day time. Good little lens to have in the bag for general purpose. You basically get it for free right now.

 

[BlueRay2]

Thanks for posting your thoughts on this lens, Andrew.
.
I'm considering one for future travel after the Pandemic passes and international travel opens up again. I still have the samples that Canon released when this lens was trialed in Hawaii during the R launch. I was surprised more people didn't react as much to the outdoor shots taken with it... Recently some other members here posted some terrific shots that made me appreciate that it was an exceptionally good landscape lens.
.
Your cockatoo shot is great. I expect exactly this amount of pseudo-busy bokeh at f/7.1 and it adds to the 'texture' of the image. I like it. I'm surprised you didn't try f/4 but at the same time it shows what to expect when shooting randomly with this lens on say a vacation.
.
I bought the old EF 24-105L lens for my wife years ago and she would probably welcome the benefits of this new RF lens on her EOS RP. Hence your observations are very useful. I feel that this lens is worth the price. Thanks for the time you took to review this lens. It's very useful information for those considering it.

a 105mm f7.1 won't cut it for me, Marco!

 

[axlotl]

... Note 1: The camera used must have the latest firmware installed. This is FW 1.6.0 on EOS R and 1.4.0 on EOS RP...

While I think keeping firmware current is a good practice, why is this a "must"? Support for a couple other lenses is listed among the fixes in the latest firmware, but not the RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 IS STM.

HI, I got the RP (without the latest FW) and the lens together. When I mounted the lens I got an error mesage on screen prompting me to update the body FW.

I went ahead with the old FW anyway but the lens would not focus correctly. In fact almost all shots were out of focus.

Installing the latest FW for the RP fixed that.

It appears the relationship between lens, sensor and processor is very complex.

Andrew

 

[axlotl]

Thanks for posting your thoughts on this lens, Andrew.
.
I'm considering one for future travel after the Pandemic passes and international travel opens up again. I still have the samples that Canon released when this lens was trialed in Hawaii during the R launch. I was surprised more people didn't react as much to the outdoor shots taken with it... Recently some other members here posted some terrific shots that made me appreciate that it was an exceptionally good landscape lens.
.
Your cockatoo shot is great. I expect exactly this amount of pseudo-busy bokeh at f/7.1 and it adds to the 'texture' of the image. I like it. I'm surprised you didn't try f/4 but at the same time it shows what to expect when shooting randomly with this lens on say a vacation.
.
I bought the old EF 24-105L lens for my wife years ago and she would probably welcome the benefits of this new RF lens on her EOS RP. Hence your observations are very useful. I feel that this lens is worth the price. Thanks for the time you took to review this lens. It's very useful information for those considering it.

a 105mm f7.1 won't cut it for me, Marco!

Fair enough and Canon gives you plenty of choices for lens options with a wider aperture at a higher price/size/mass point.

I think the real significance of the 24-105mm f4-7.1 is that it opens up access to full frame photography at a size/mass/price point which is actually more attractive than several APSC and MFT offerings.

I think that Canon is leveraging the ability of the DPAF system to AF at small apertures into some very appealing entry level full frame products.

Andrew

 

[RLight]

... Note 1: The camera used must have the latest firmware installed. This is FW 1.6.0 on EOS R and 1.4.0 on EOS RP...

While I think keeping firmware current is a good practice, why is this a "must"? Support for a couple other lenses is listed among the fixes in the latest firmware, but not the RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 IS STM.

HI, I got the RP (without the latest FW) and the lens together. When I mounted the lens I got an error mesage on screen prompting me to update the body FW.

I went ahead with the old FW anyway but the lens would not focus correctly. In fact almost all shots were out of focus.

Installing the latest FW for the RP fixed that.

It appears the relationship between lens, sensor and processor is very complex.

Andrew

Intriguing.

I wonder what could possibly be in that body-firmware? Lens-correctional data is now hosted on the lens with the RF mount. Perhaps, the functions that are being provided in the lens-correctional data, have to have support by the R body which in turn needs said update (that makes sense)?

Do you have any samples showing the issue? Be curious to have a peek for analysis purposes. I trust the lens is actually in fact stellar (from what I've seen, and for what it is), more curious to evaluate the relationship as I'd like to know what's going on under the hood and even though an incomplete picture, it's valid data points (the out of focus shots) if you're inclined to share.

You can PM me too with a link somewhere else as you probably don't want to make a public-facing thread on it (tarnishing the reputation of the lens, think the cropped off corners of the 24-240 which is widely overblown as they're cropping off a 21mm with vignette to 24mm without it, what is wrong with that being a 24mm?).

 

[tkbslc]

... Note 1: The camera used must have the latest firmware installed. This is FW 1.6.0 on EOS R and 1.4.0 on EOS RP...

While I think keeping firmware current is a good practice, why is this a "must"? Support for a couple other lenses is listed among the fixes in the latest firmware, but not the RF 24-105 f/4-7.1 IS STM.

HI, I got the RP (without the latest FW) and the lens together. When I mounted the lens I got an error mesage on screen prompting me to update the body FW.

I went ahead with the old FW anyway but the lens would not focus correctly. In fact almost all shots were out of focus.

Installing the latest FW for the RP fixed that.

It appears the relationship between lens, sensor and processor is very complex.

Andrew

Interesting. I got an RP/24-105 kit yesterday. Rp and lens are both on FW 1.3. No issues or errors yet, but only 100 images so far. Was tracking bees in macro pretty well and lens corrections seem to be working.

I will definitely update, though. Rather start out with the latest.

 

[tkbslc]

F/7.1? Yikes.. that’s basically daylight only.

Would you say f4.6 on APS-C or f3.6 on m4/3 is daylight only?

It's a high ISO lens, yes. But EOS R cams still look very usable at ISO 12800. But you'd have to cap the m4/3 at ISO 3200 and APS-C at 6400 for same quality.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/im...26_0=1&normalization=compare&widget=1&x=0&y=0

Imagine it's an f2-3.5 lens on your m4/3 cameras only set the ISO 2 stops higher on the Canon Rp. And you got it for $100 in a kit. F2-3.5 would cost $1200 on m4/3.

 

[tkbslc]

Not the OP, but In case anyone is interested, I just checked the aperture transitions on my 24-105mm f4-7.1 as it zooms

24-26mm F4.0

27-37mm f4.5

38-51mm f5.0

52-62mm f5.6

63-79mm f6.3

80-105mm f7.1

Or at the marked focal lengths on lens

24 f4

35 f4.5

50 f5.0

70 f6.3

85 f7.1

105 f7.1

I'm often looking for this info when I lens shop so hope it helps someone.