Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

The Canon RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM is an ultra-wide zoom for full-frame RF cameras. Canon announced it on 29 June 2021 as a compact L-series lens that covers the range from 14 mm to 35 mm at a constant f/4. It targets landscape, architecture, interiors and travel, and it takes conventional screw-in filters, which is not the case for every ultra-wide lens in the RF range.

Optical design

According to Canon, the lens has 16 elements in 12 groups. It uses three UD elements and three aspherical elements, one of which is a UD aspherical element. The aperture is f/4 over the entire zoom range, with a minimum aperture of f/22 and a 9-blade circular diaphragm. Canon names Super Spectra Coating, Sub-wavelength Structure Coating (SWC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) and a fluorine coating on the front element.

Autofocus and handling

Autofocus uses a Nano USM with a rear focusing system. The optical stabilizer provides up to 5.5 stops of correction on EOS R and RP bodies, and up to 7 stops in coordinated control with an EOS R5 or R6, according to Canon. The minimum focus distance is 0.20 m at all focal lengths, with a maximum magnification of 0.38x at 35 mm. A control ring with 60 click stops per revolution gives direct access to settings; Canon says the clicks can be removed by a service facility.

Build and size

The lens weighs 540 g, with a diameter of 84.1 mm and a length of 99.8 mm. The filter thread is 77 mm. Weather-resistant seals sit at the mount, switches, zoom ring, focus ring and control ring.

Where it fits

The RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM in our database is faster but weighs 840 g and takes 82 mm filters. The RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM is wider but has no filter thread. The RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM weighs 390 g and is the light everyday option. The new RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is a different approach with a faster aperture but a shorter wide end.

Pros and cons

Pros

• 14 mm wide end with constant f/4
• Optical stabilizer with up to 5.5 stops
• 77 mm screw-in filter thread
• Close focusing to 0.20 m at all focal lengths
• Weather-resistant L-series build, 540 g

Cons

• Only f/4, which is slower than the f/2.8 ultra-wide zooms
• 540 g is heavier than the RF 15-30mm
• Zoom range ends at 35 mm
• Control ring clicks cannot be switched off by the user

Verdict

The RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM is a practical ultra-wide for photographers who want 14 mm, an L-series build and standard filters. It gives up some brightness compared with an f/2.8 zoom but is lighter and easier to use with filters.