The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro Lens is an incredibly versatile and compact lens, perfect for photographers and filmmakers seeking a high-quality prime lens for street, travel, macro, portraits, and landscape photography. Its outstanding image quality, effective 5-stop image stabilization, and close-up macro capabilities make it a strong performer in various scenarios, though its fixed focal length means it may not be suitable for those requiring zoom flexibility.
Versatile 35mm Focal Length: Offers a natural perspective, ideal for a wide range of photography styles including street, travel, landscapes, and environmental portraits.
Fast f/1.8 Aperture: Allows for excellent low-light performance and the creation of beautiful, soft background bokeh, helping subjects stand out.
5-Stop Optical Image Stabilizer: Minimizes camera shake, enabling sharper handheld shots and smoother video recording, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
1:2 Macro Magnification: Provides close-up focusing capabilities, allowing photographers to capture intricate details of small subjects, like flowers or insects, at half their actual size.
STM (Stepping Motor) Autofocus: Delivers smooth, quiet, and fast autofocus performance, which is particularly beneficial for video recording as it reduces distracting focus noise.
Super Spectra Coating: Reduces ghosting and flare when shooting into strong light sources, ensuring clear, high-contrast images.
Compact and Lightweight Design: Makes the lens highly portable and comfortable to use for extended periods, complementing the compact nature of mirrorless camera systems.
Excellent image quality and sharpness across the frame
Effective 5-stop image stabilization for handheld shooting
Bright f/1.8 aperture for low light and shallow depth of field
Versatile focal length for diverse photography genres
Useful 1:2 macro capability for close-up details
Compact and lightweight for easy portability
Fixed focal length, no zoom capability
1:2 macro is not true 1:1 life-size magnification
May not feature advanced weather sealing (Info needed: specific sealing information)
Limited to Canon RF mount mirrorless cameras
Excellent image quality and sharpness across the frame
Effective 5-stop image stabilization for handheld shooting
Bright f/1.8 aperture for low light and shallow depth of field
Versatile focal length for diverse photography genres
Useful 1:2 macro capability for close-up details
Compact and lightweight for easy portability
Fixed focal length, no zoom capability
1:2 macro is not true 1:1 life-size magnification
May not feature advanced weather sealing (Info needed: specific sealing information)
Limited to Canon RF mount mirrorless cameras
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM Macro Lens is a workhorse for many photographers due to its superb all-around performance. For street photographers, its compact size and natural perspective allow for discreet shooting, capturing candid moments with sharp detail and excellent low-light capability. When traveling, its lightweight design makes it an ideal single-lens solution for capturing wide landscapes, local architecture, and intimate close-ups of food or textures with its macro function.
Macro enthusiasts will appreciate the 1:2 magnification, which allows for compelling close-up shots of flowers, small products, or intricate textures, revealing details often missed by the naked eye. The f/1.8 aperture excels in portraiture, providing a pleasing background blur that effectively separates the subject from the surroundings, while the 35mm focal length offers a more environmental perspective than longer portrait lenses.
Filmmakers will find the STM autofocus motor incredibly beneficial, providing quiet and smooth focus transitions that won't disrupt audio recordings. Coupled with the 5-stop image stabilization, handheld video footage remains impressively steady, even when on the move. The lens maintains high sharpness from edge to edge, and the Super Spectra Coating effectively manages lens flare, even when shooting directly into bright light sources.
Attach the Lens: Align the red dot on the lens barrel with the red dot on your Canon RF-mount mirrorless camera body. Gently twist the lens clockwise until you hear a click, indicating it is securely locked in place.
Remove the Lens: Press and hold the lens release button on your camera body, then twist the lens counter-clockwise until it detaches.
Lens Caps: Always use the front and rear lens caps when the lens is not in use or when being stored to protect the optical elements.
This lens is exclusively designed for Canon RF-mount mirrorless cameras (e.g., Canon EOS R, RP, R5, R6, R7, R10, etc.). It is not compatible with Canon EF or EF-S mount DSLR cameras without a specialized adapter.
Cleaning the Lens: Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth specifically designed for optics. For stubborn smudges or dust, use a lens cleaning solution applied to the cloth, not directly to the lens. Gently wipe the lens in a circular motion from the center outwards.
Cleaning the Body: Wipe the lens barrel with a dry or slightly damp soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals.
Storage: Store the lens in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Use a dehumidifier if storing in a humid environment to prevent mold growth. Ensure lens caps are always on.
Avoid Impact: Protect the lens from drops and impacts, as these can cause damage to the optical elements or internal mechanisms.