functional, not seductive

We picked up this lens in a packaged bundle with the Canon R6 camera. Three of our photographers have used it at a dozen weddings and we've had a chance to view the images from various challenging situations.

This build is super sharp, wide-open from 24-50mm. To my eyes, the images look like they were shot on an EF 24-70L II at ƒ4 setting (and that's a high compliment). Autofocus is quiet, quick, and accurate — plus, works well in low light. Size & weight are ideal for this much functionality. IS works as expected.

The zoom ring is the stiffest in memory and will take some time to get it comfortably smooth. Everyone who shoots with it comments "wow, is that stiff." Portraits shot at 70~105 with this lens are sharp enough, but don't have the contrast and subject isolation most people connect with a portrait lens (faster than ƒ2.8). This prompts my headline, 'functional, not seductive.' Yes, you will get a portrait that's sharp but it might not give you the magic a prime (or faster zoom) would deliver.

It's hard to imagine a better ƒ4 mid zoom if that's what you're after, but I caution most people on getting one. Professionally, it is noticeably better than both of the legacy EF versions that preceded it, but most pros are going to want the ƒ2.8 model(s). Personally, I would never use this lens for travel or life-journaling. I much prefer to see my own life recorded in fast primes. But if is the sort of lens you're after, proceed without hesitation. It's a great achievement for Canon.

So it does what is is suppose to do well - general purpose lens. I doubt anyone buying it is looking for a seductive lens?

Lee, thanks for posting and I have EF version 1 and am getting the RF f/4 when I buy the R5 but I am a landscape shooter and am old (78) and had rather have a zoom lens rather than my feet zooming. I don't do portraits and have primes that I seldom use.

Glad to know the RF f/4 is sharper than the EF's.

Kent

It's very well done — an accomplishment

Plus, with an R6 you can shoot at ƒ4 into a new terriority of low light. Tracking auto focus with lights off isn't as effective as with a prime but it does work — surprisingly well.

I'm almost never shooting retail portraits at wider than f/4. Well...actually never. I reach "seductive" through lighting, not through shallow depth of field.

Then you found your lens

RDKirk wrote:

I'm almost never shooting retail portraits at wider than f/4. Well...actually never. I reach "seductive" through lighting, not through shallow depth of field.