SUPERTEST
Here’s our pick of the finest Canon prime lenses for EOS R System cameras, along with a few best buys for DSLRs, all fully tested and rated
There’s been a lot of talk of trinity wide-angle, standard and telephoto zoom lenses. Indeed, we recently ran a Super Test of these RF lenses and more budget-friendly alternatives in issue 210. Naturally, zoom lenses have a lot going for them in terms of convenience, enabling you to change perspective with your wrist instead of your feet. But we know plenty of photographers who prefer the relatively compact and lightweight build of prime lenses, as well as their faster aperture ratings in most cases. And we often count ourselves in that group.
This month, we’re focusing on Canon EOS R System prime lenses. They’re not necessarily expensive to buy, and some of them are great value for money. We’re kicking off with the ultra-wide-angle Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM and working our way through to the supertelephoto Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM. There’s plenty on our hit list for everything from architectural, landscape and astrophotography, through walkabout shooting, portraiture and still life, to action, sports and wildlife photography. Buckle up!
And to make sure nobody’s left out, we’re also highlighting the best-buy prime lenses for DSLRs. Again, there are superb bargains to be had, so much so that they’re viable options for harnessing to an EOS R System camera via a mount adapter. So, let’s get started…
CANON RF 16mm F2.8 STM
£299/$299
Great for a night out as well as a day out, this lens is ideal for landscapes and even astrophotography
Cameras such as the EOS RP and R8 are wonderfully compact and lightweight for full-frame bodies. The same can’t be said of many RF lenses, but the RF 16mm redresses the balance, with its featherweight 69x40mm, 165g construction. That’s astonishing, given its ultrawide-angle 16mm focal length and nippy f/2.8 aperture for a lens with such an expansive field of view.
Stepping motor-based autofocus is near-silent and combines rapid performance for stills with smooth transitions for movie capture. With a minimum focus distance of just 0.13m, you can get in really close and exaggerate perspective effects, making full use of the short focal length. To infinity and beyond, so to speak, the lens is also great for astrophotography.
There’s no separate customizable control ring, but the manual focus ring can take on alternative duties in autofocus mode. Build quality feels good but there are no weather seals. Typical of non-L-series Canon lenses, the hood is sold separately, but is well worth having to reduce ghosting and flare.
Performance
Sharpness across most of the frame is very good when shooting wide open but it pays to stop down to between f/
