Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM Lens Review
Introduction
Here I’ll share my long-term review and insights on the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM prime lens. I’ve owned this lens since its release and personally purchased it, so all opinions expressed here are entirely my own. I’ve extensively tested this lens in various scenarios, including travel photography, portraiture, and videography.
This lens holds a special place in Canon’s lineup as the first release in their hybrid VCM series, designed specifically for creators who shoot both photos and videos. Its innovative features and versatile performance will surely make it a popular choice among hybrid shooters.
You can check out my review of this lens on YouTube if you prefer to watch rather than read, and you can even download RAW examples.
An ideal travel companion
I’ve found the RF 35mm f1.4 VCM to be an exceptionally versatile lens for travel photography. For a fast f1.4 prime, it’s surprisingly compact and lightweight, making it an excellent companion for on-the-go shooting. However, what truly sets it apart for travel photography is the versatility of the 35mm field of view.
The 35mm focal length offers a natural and true-to-life perspective, allowing you to capture scenes with authenticity and balance. Its adaptability shines across a variety of scenarios, from sweeping landscapes to stunning environmental portraits. This versatility makes it an indispensable tool for capturing memories on your travels.
Below, I’ve included a few examples to showcase the wide range of shots you can achieve with a 35mm prime lens like this during your adventures.
I also thoroughly enjoy using a versatile prime lens like this for travel photography. There’s a unique joy and occasional challenge that comes with relying on a fixed focal length in unpredictable and diverse scenarios while exploring unfamiliar places. This constraint pushes me to think creatively and adapt to the environment, which, for lack of a better term, truly brings out the photographer in me.
If you’re considering a prime lens for travel, the 35mm focal length is an exceptional choice. Its versatility is hard to match, seamlessly adapting to a wide range of shooting scenarios. Rarely did I encounter a situation where 35mm wasn’t wide enough to capture the scene effectively.
While I certainly value the versatility of a zoom lens for travel, a prime lens offers a unique shooting experience that encourages creativity. With a prime lens, you’re compelled to move with your feet, exploring different perspectives and angles to frame your shot. This added effort often sparks greater creativity, at least that’s been my experience.
With a zoom lens, I sometimes find myself guilty of standing in one spot, simply zooming in to compose the frame before moving on. In contrast, a prime lens like this encourages me to slow down and spend a little more time on each shot.
With this lens in particular, the greater challenges come with even greater rewards. Its beautiful character and unique rendering can transform even the most mundane scenes into something captivating and visually engaging.
portraits
I also appreciate the versatility of a 35mm prime for portrait photography, and the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM truly excels in this area, delivering exceptional results.
This lens truly excels at capturing environmental portraits. Its fast f/1.4 aperture creates a stunning three-dimensional effect, rendering subjects with impressively sharp detail while delivering a smooth and beautifully gradual transition into the out-of-focus background.
The 35mm focal length strikes the perfect balance. Wide enough to include your subject along with their surroundings, yet capable of isolating them from the background with the help of the wide aperture. This combination makes it an outstanding choice for storytelling through portraiture.
Image Quality
Portraits provide an excellent opportunity to test the sharpness of a lens like this, and the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM does not disappoint, even wide open at f/1.4.
When shooting at its widest aperture, this lens delivers remarkable detail and clarity, particularly in the center of the frame. It captures intricate textures, such as skin and eyes, with impressive sharpness and precision. This is further enhanced by its smooth focus fall-off, which transitions seamlessly into a beautifully blurred background, adding depth and visual appeal to the image.
Take a closer look at these examples to see the exceptional detail, clarity, and micro-contrast this lens brings to portraits.
Landscape photographers will be equally impressed with the performance of this lens. Even wide open at f/1.4, the edge sharpness is remarkably good, especially considering its fast maximum aperture. However, stopping down beyond f/2.8 elevates its performance further, delivering outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness.
At the traditional apertures commonly used for landscape photography, where maximum detail is critical, this lens truly shines. Its ability to render intricate details across the entire frame makes it an exceptional choice for capturing breathtaking landscapes.
Sharpness
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM stands out as one of the stronger performers on the RF mount when it comes to wide-open sharpness.
In side-by-side comparisons with other premium RF optics, including its closest L-series competitor, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2—this 35mm prime demonstrated superior central sharpness when both lenses were used wide open. While it doesn’t quite reach the exceptional levels of central sharpness achieved by the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 or RF 135mm f/1.8, it comes impressively close, solidifying its position as a top-tier lens in the RF lineup.
The results showcased above were all captured using my high-megapixel Canon R5 Mark II, currently one of the most demanding sensors in the RF mount system. This lens effortlessly keeps pace with the camera’s 45MP resolution, delivering exceptional image quality that takes full advantage of the sensor’s capabilities.
For those considering an upgrade, here’s a direct comparison of this lens with the more affordable RF 35mm f/1.8 prime lens. Is this new Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM worth the upgrade for photographers that already own the f1.8 version?
RF 35mm 1.4
RF 35mm 1.8
When comparing these lenses side by side, the differences may not appear dramatic at first glance. However, closer examination reveals that the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM handles busy, distracting backgrounds with greater finesse thanks to it’s wider maximum aperture. That faster aperture smooths out harsh edges and produces noticeably more pleasing bokeh.
The RF 35mm f/1.4L also creates a distinct three-dimensional quality in its images, whereas the RF 35mm f/1.8 tends to render scenes with a slightly flatter appearance. While this difference is relatively easy to spot in direct comparisons, the RF 35mm f/1.8 performs admirably in isolation. Without nitpicking, the overall image quality between these two lenses is impressively close, making the f/1.8 an excellent option for its price point.
Zooming in on the subject’s face does reveal a noticeable advantage in sharpness with the RF 35mm f/1.4L image, though the difference is not dramatic. The most apparent improvement is in the eyes and eyebrows, which are rendered with exceptional clarity and precision on the f/1.4 prime lens.
This comparison also highlights the impressive performance of the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 prime lens. Despite being a more affordable option, it comes remarkably close to the sharpness of its premium counterpart, demonstrating its value for photographers on a budget.
For a deeper dive, including comparisons of the new Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM against other L-series portrait lenses, check out my YouTube comparison linked below. You’ll also find a link to free RAW files that you can download to evaluate this lens’s performance for yourself.
Character, Colours and Rendering
In recent years, there has been a noticeable push from manufacturers toward creating optically "perfect" lenses. While this can be desirable for some applications, I personally value lenses with character, those that exhibit subtle imperfections and unique rendering. Increasingly, modern prime lenses seem to adopt a clean, clinical look, which can sometimes feel a bit sterile.
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM strikes a balance in this regard. It’s undeniably sharp and clean but retains a pleasing amount of character and distinctive rendering, making it a joy to use.
One of this lens’s standout qualities is its ability to deliver exceptional results straight out of the camera. Images are naturally contrasty, with vibrant colours that pop without feeling oversaturated. When paired with good lighting, this lens produces stunning photos that often require minimal post-processing. In fact, most of the images in this review only had my preset applied, with very little additional tweaking necessary.
One of this lens’s standout strengths, in my opinion, is its bokeh. As you would expect from a fast prime lens, it delivers smooth and pleasing out-of-focus backgrounds when shot wide open. However, under certain conditions, this lens goes a step further by producing bokeh with a beautiful swirling character. Something rarely seen in modern prime lenses.
This unique characteristic reminds me of one of my favourite lenses, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2, which also features a similar swirling bokeh effect. This distinctive quality can transform ordinary scenes into magical, ethereal-looking images. Here’s an example to illustrate this effect.
Flaring and Lens Corrections
One notable characteristic of this lens is its handling of flaring. It tends to be quite prone to flaring and ghosting, particularly in backlit situations. This can result in a slight reduction in contrast and a hazy appearance, and it’s often accompanied by visible flaring artifacts.
Whether this is a drawback or an advantage ultimately comes down to personal preference. For some, these traits might be seen as imperfections; for others, they add character to the image. Personally, I find that some of my favorite lenses, while not technically strong in terms of flaring control, produce a dreamy, ethereal quality that can enhance certain compositions when this effect is desired.
Another characteristic of this lens is its reliance on lens corrections to address significant barrel distortion and vignetting. These optical traits are particularly noticeable in uncorrected images, but the lens correction profile does an excellent job of mitigating them to deliver a polished final result.
Below is an example showcasing an image with its Lightroom lens correction profile applied, followed by the same image without corrections. This side-by-side comparison highlights the extent to which these digital adjustments are working behind the scenes to produce a usable final image.
Lens corrections ON
Lens corrections OFF
Autofocus Performance
I have primarily used this lens for travel photography, events, and portraiture. Admittedly, these scenarios are not the most demanding for a lens of this caliber and do not fully push it to its limits. However, having worked extensively with most of the premium lenses in the RF lineup, I can confidently compare it to what I believe represents the best the RF mount has to offer.
This lens features a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) system, which operates differently from traditional rotary motors. By utilizing magnetic fields to produce direct linear movement, the VCM system delivers blazing-fast autofocus, outstanding accuracy, and virtually silent operation.
In my experience, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM ranks among the top-tier performers in autofocus within the RF mount ecosystem. The only lens I would place ahead of it in this regard is the new Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM Z, which is simply phenomenal in terms of autofocus speed and precision.
During my travels and photoshoots, this lens has consistently produced sharp, in-focus images. When paired with a camera like the R6 Mark II, its subject-tracking performance is exceptionally reliable.
This excellence carries over to video applications as well. The silent autofocus operation is ideal for those using on-camera microphones, minimizing unwanted noise. Additionally, the lens exhibits virtually no focus breathing, a significant advantage for videographers seeking smooth, natural, and professional-looking focus transitions.
Video Performance
As part of Canon’s new hybrid line of lenses, the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM was designed with both professional photographers and videographers in mind.
This intent is immediately evident in the lens’s design, as it is the first RF mount lens to feature a clickless aperture ring. This feature, commonly found on cinema lenses, allows for smooth transitions between aperture values, making it ideal for video work.
In my experience, this lens excels in video applications and has become my go-to choice for capturing talking head videos since its release. In fact, many of the talking head sections in my recent YouTube videos were likely filmed with this lens.
The video quality is outstanding, with a beautifully rendered look and excellent contrast straight out of the camera. The compact size and lightweight design make it a pleasure to use, even on heavier cinema camera rigs, and its dimensions are perfect for gimbal setups as well.
This lens delivers professional-grade results when tracking subjects, thanks to its fast and reliable autofocus and the complete absence of focus breathing. The latter is a feature typically reserved for high-end cinema lenses, but it’s a welcome addition here, elevating its appeal for videographers.
While I’ve been thoroughly impressed with this lens for video, my only critique is the lack of optical stabilization. Including this feature would have made the lens nearly perfect. That said, here are a few still images taken from recent video clips captured with this lens on various cameras.
Build and Handling
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L is expertly crafted from high-quality engineered plastics, providing a durable and robust build while maintaining a relatively compact and lightweight profile at approximately 555g. Canon has achieved an excellent balance between sturdiness and portability with this lens, making it well-suited for a variety of shooting environments.
Additionally, the lens features advanced weather sealing, offering reliable protection against dust and the elements. This makes it a dependable choice for outdoor shoots, even in challenging conditions.
This lens adheres to the familiar RF design language but incorporates a few standout features that set it apart from the rest of the lineup.
The most prominent addition is the aperture ring, a feature typically found on cinema lenses designed for video work. This ring allows for smooth, stepless adjustments to exposure, enabling seamless transitions in brightness without any noticeable jumps. It’s especially useful in scenarios where lighting conditions shift dramatically, such as moving from a dimly lit indoor setting to a brightly lit outdoor environment within a single shot.
However, it’s worth noting that, as of now, the aperture ring does not function in photo mode on most RF camera bodies. The only exception I’ve encountered is the R5 Mark II, where it works seamlessly in photo mode.
Another unique feature is the inclusion of a function button on the barrel of the lens, which adds a layer of customization and convenience. This feature is not commonly found on other RF lenses, making it a welcome addition.
Overall, I am a big fan of the design. The combination of a fast, high-quality lens in a relatively small and lightweight body is a significant advantage for photographers, especially those who plan to use it for travel. It packs easily into most camera bags or slings, and thanks to its lightweight design, you’ll hardly notice it’s there.
This lens is also likely to be a favorite among wedding and event photographers due to its versatile focal length and excellent low-light capabilities. On a long wedding day, having a lightweight lens like this is a true blessing.
One aspect worth mentioning about the build is a slight rattle that can be heard, particularly when the camera is powered off or the lens is not attached to a camera body. The rattle is caused by the VCM focus motors, as the internal elements can move freely when the lens has no power. While this is entirely normal and nothing to be concerned about, it may take some getting used to if you’re unfamiliar with this design.
It’s unclear if this movement will result in any long-term wear to the internals, but in my experience, it hasn’t been an issue. After a few months of regular use, I barely notice the rattle at all anymore.
Overall, this lens feels fantastic when mounted on a camera. It pairs beautifully with larger full-frame bodies like the Canon R6 Mark II or R5, providing a well-balanced and comfortable shooting experience. It also pairs great on the smaller and lighter Canon R8, maintaining excellent ergonomics across different body sizes.
Cons
Despite being a premium and rather expensive L-series lens, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM is not without its flaws. Here are a few drawbacks I’ve noticed during my time with this lens:
For a 35mm prime lens, the level of barrel distortion is unusually high. Prime lenses with this field of view are typically better corrected, but this lens relies heavily on digital corrections to address both distortion and vignetting. The final results look great, but it’s unusual to see this level of corrections required on such a premium lens.
The aperture ring does not function in photo mode on most RF-mount cameras, limiting its usability for photographers. This feature is currently only supported in photo mode on a few select models, such as the Canon R5 Mark II.
The lens produces a noticeable rattle when the camera is powered off or the lens is detached. While this is a result of the VCM focus motor design and doesn’t affect performance, it may be distracting or concerning for some users. Personally, I’ve grown accustomed to it, but it’s worth noting for potential buyers.
Conclusion
Overall, I have been very happy with this lens. The wait for a fast L-series 35mm prime lens was certainly a long one, and its arrival sparked mixed reactions. Many were disappointed that it wasn’t the f/1.2 lens that rumors had suggested, and concerns about its heavy reliance on digital corrections were understandable.
Personally, I have been very satisfied with the results from this lens. It seems that the industry as a whole is moving toward a future where most manufacturers rely increasingly on digital corrections to achieve smaller and optically "perfect" lens designs.
For me, what truly matters is how the final images look after editing, and in that regard, this lens excels. The images it produces are fantastic, with any negative effects from digital corrections being virtually undetectable in my experience.
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM is reasonably priced when compared to the original cost of the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM II. Its compact and lightweight design makes it a pleasure to use, and it delivers exceptional sharpness, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. Additionally, it’s a fantastic choice for video shooters, with its versatile focal length lending itself to a wide range of photography and videography genres.
While this lens is impressive, I’d love to see Canon release an f/1.2 35mm prime in the future, targeted specifically at photographers rather than hybrid shooters.
Overall, I highly recommend this lens to anyone seeking a versatile prime for the RF mount. The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM lens earns a solid 4.5 stars from me.
Example Images
