Morning Walk at ShipiesShipwrecks Beach, Kauai A Morning Walk at Shippies, Poipu, Kauai. Handheld with Canon R3, RF 28-70 f/2 @ 28mm f5.6, 1/320 second

To begin a review on the Canon RF 28-70 F/2.0 L lens I thought I would start with a picture of the lens because it is just so massive. I mean, this lens is huge, and heavy. It is also a little uncomfortable to hold and to spin through the focal lengths. And this is coming from a photographer who routinely carries an RF 600mm f4.

But after thinking about it for awhile, I decided to lead with a picture instead. Because that's what the Canon RF 28-70 f/2 does so well. It helps you take  compelling images. And that's why we choose the lenses we do. Not for weight. Not for size. But for the magic they produce and the desire stirred in us to produce the magic.

So yes, it is big. Yes, it is heavy. Yes, it can be unwieldy. But all of that also says that it is a lens without compromise. 

Waimea Canyon, Kauai. Handheld with Canon R5, RF 28-70 f/2 @ 55mm f6.3, 1/500 second

The first real lens I ever had was a 28-135. And I just loved that focal length. I thought it was the perfect walk around lens and have been looking for something that could take me back to the early days of my photography. I have become a little tired of always setting up camera and tripod and waiting for the good light of the golden hour. I understand the importance of shooting the edges of the day, but sometimes I just want to go out and photograph the things in the middle. To document the places on that we visit along the way. The things that interest and inspire us as we wait for the good light. And I think this lens helps me do that. It has a simpleness about it. The focal length is not too wide nor too long. It is perfect for vistas and viewpoints. It is tack sharp, and it renders colors beautifully.  The images it creates all have a certain look to them. They have a character that I didn't feel in the images created by other lenses-- lenses which I sold to make room in the quiver for this one.

Waimea Canyon, Kauai. Handheld with Canon R5, RF 28-70 f/2 @ 70mm f6.3, 1/500 second

Kekaha Beach, Kauai. Handheld with Canon R5, RF 28-70 f/2 @ 28mm f2.5, 1/2000 second

When researching this lens on the web and on Youtube I saw a lot of reviews and nearly all were focused on either wedding photography or portrait photography. Reviewers praised the lens for its speed and for the possibility of it replacing various primes, namely-- 35mm, 50mm and 85mm. As a nature photographer I couldn't care less about this. What I was interested in knowing was how would this lens work in the field, handheld, photographing a landscape or an outdoor scene? Well, the answer quite simply is, it does just fine. 

Waimea Canyon, Kauai. Handheld with Canon R5, RF 28-70 f/2 @ 50mm f2.8, 1/640 second

Poipu, Kauai. Handheld with Canon R3, RF 28-70 f/2 @ 28mm f3.5, 1/13 second

Koke'e State Park, Kauai. Handheld with Canon R5, RF 28-70 f/2 @ 70mm f2.8, 1/1000 second

While not a dedicated macro lens the RF 28-70 can take reasonably nice photos of flowers and other small things. I wouldn't recommend it over a true macro lens, but you can have some fun with it for sure, photographing dew drops, flowers, grass and other creepy crawlies. 

Kekaha, Kauai. Handheld with Canon R5, RF 28-70 f/2 @ 70mm f6.3, 1/2000 second

In conclusion the Canon RF 28-70 f/2.0 lens is an outstanding lens for landscape photography. Ideal for vistas and viewpoints and for photographing the places in between. It is super sharp and renders colors exceptionally well. The images it makes have a certain feel to them, a certain style if you will. It is a lens without compromise. But it is heavy. It is large. And it is expensive. So while the lens makes no compromises, the photography who chooses it may. Or perhaps they will be just as uncompromising as this magnificent lens.

Aloha,

Lee