Canon's new RF 16-28mm F2.8 wide-angle zoom lens impressed me, but I'm less convinced we need it

It is an ultra-wide zoom lens designed for full-frame cameras just like the Canon EOS R8
Virtually similar design to the RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM
A £1,249 checklist value – we’ll verify US and Australia pricing asap

Canon has unveiled its newest ultra-wide angle zoom lens for it is full-frame mirrorless cameras, the RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM, and I received a correct really feel for it throughout a hands-on session hosted by Canon forward of its launch.

It includes a shiny most F2.8 aperture throughout its complete 16-28mm vary, and is a way more compact and reasonably priced possibility for fans than Canon’s professional RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM lens. Take into account the 16-28mm a wise match for Canon’s newbie and mid-range full-frame cameras as an alternative, such because the EOS R8.

Design-wise, the 16-28mm is an ideal match with the RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM lens – the pair share the identical management format and are nearly similar in dimension, even when the 28-70mm lens is round 10 p.c heavier.

The brand new lens is seemingly a part of a transfer by Canon to ship extra accessible quick aperture zooms that match higher with Canon’s smaller mirrorless our bodies – the 16-28mm weighs simply 15.7oz / 445g and prices £1,249 – that is a lot lower than the comparable professional L-series lens.

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Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens attached to a Canon EOS R8 on a wooden table — Alongside the RF 28-70mm F2.8 lens – the 2 lenses are clearly designed to pair up.(Picture credit score: Tim Coleman)

The suitable match for fans

Regardless of its cheaper price tag, the 16-28mm nonetheless feels reassuringly stable – the rugged lens is made in Japan and includes a safe steel lens mount. You get a customizable management ring, autofocus / guide focus swap plus an optical stabilizer swap, and that is the extent of the exterior controls.

When paired with a Canon digital camera that options in-body picture stabilization, such because the EOS R6 Mark II, you rise up to eight stops of stabilization, though the cheaper EOS R8 is not blessed with that function, and for which the lens gives 5.5 stops of stabilization alone.

I examined the 16-28mm lens with an EOS R8 and the pair is an ideal match, as is the EOS R6 Mark II which is just just a little bit larger.

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Rear mount of the Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens — It is official – the 16-28mm is made in Japan.(Picture credit score: Tim Coleman)

I did not get too many alternatives to take photos with the brand new lens throughout my temporary hands-on, however I’ve taken sufficient pattern photos captured in uncooked and JPEG format to get a ok thought of the lens’ optical qualities and deficiencies.

For instance, on the excessive huge angle 16mm setting and with the lens aperture huge open at F2.8, uncooked information reveal extreme curvilinear distortion and vignetting. Have a look at the corresponding JPEG, which was captured concurrently, and you may see simply how a lot lens correction is being utilized to get you clear JPEGs out of the digital camera (try the gallery of pattern photos under).

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A man in a green beanie and shacket's selfie, outdoors in gray urban area — An unprocessed uncooked file with the lens set to 16mm and F2.8. You possibly can see extreme vignetting within the corners and barrel distortion(Picture credit score: Tim Coleman)

These lens distortions actually are fairly extreme, however if you take a look at the JPEG output, all is forgiven – even with such heavy processing happening to appropriate curvilinear distortion and vignetting, element is persistently sharp from the middle to the very edges and corners of the body, whereas gentle fall off within the corners is usually handled.

I will exit on a limb and counsel the target market for this lens might be much less involved with these lens distortions, as long as it is doable to get the tip outcomes you want, and my first impressions are you can actually do this – I’ve grabbed some sharp selfies and concrete landscapes, with respectable management over depth of discipline, plus loved the additional huge perspective that makes vlogging an entire lot simpler.

Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens attached to the Canon EOS R8, resting on a wooden table.

(Picture credit score: Tim Coleman)

A worthy addition to the Canon RF-mount household?

I count on most photographers and filmmakers will principally use the 16-28mm lens’ excessive ends of its zoom vary; 16mm and 28mm. The previous is especially useful for video work due to its extremely huge perspective, whereas it is a versatile vary for panorama and structure images.

That zoom vary is hardly in depth, nonetheless, and I am undecided if it is a lens that significantly excites me, even when it does make a wise pairing with the RF 28-70mm F2.8 for fans.

It’s less expensive than a comparable L-series lens, however I would hardly name a £1,249 lens low cost. Additionally, why not simply choose up the RF 16mm F2.8 STM and the RF 28mm F2.8 prime lenses as an alternative? These are Canon’s smallest lenses for full-frame cameras and the pair mixed prices half the worth of the 16-28mm F2.8.

As succesful because the 16-28mm seems to be on my first impressions – it is a tremendous sharp lens with versatile most aperture – I am merely not satisfied how a lot additional it brings to the RF-mount desk, and if there’s sufficient of a case for it for most individuals.