Lens Logic Verdict
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is a powerful, all-in-one lens. It covers a wide zoom range, making it perfect for almost any situation, from landscapes to portraits. The image stabilization ensures sharp shots even in low light, and the autofocus is fast and quiet. It’s built tough with weather sealing, so you don’t have to worry about the elements. The price is a bit high, but the quality and convenience make it worth the investment for serious photographers.
Pros
- Wide 24-105mm zoom range.
- Built-in image stabilization for sharp photos.
- Fast, quiet autofocus.
- Weather-sealed for durability.
- Excellent for travel and everyday photography.
Cons
- Expensive for some budgets.
- Heavier than other lenses.
- f/4 aperture limits low-light performance.
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The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is a lens that delivers consistent performance across a variety of shooting scenarios. Perfect for photographers who crave versatility, this lens combines wide-angle and short telephoto capabilities in one package. Canon enthusiasts, travel photographers, and vloggers alike will appreciate its ability to adapt to both photo and video applications with ease. Offering a constant f/4 aperture, excellent image stabilization, and a customizable Control Ring, it provides professional-grade results without sacrificing usability or portability.
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens Overview
Build and Design
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM strikes a balance between robust construction and ease of handling. Designed for full-frame Canon RF-mount mirrorless cameras, this lens features a weather-resistant build that can handle dust and moisture, making it ideal for shooting in unpredictable outdoor conditions. Despite its sturdy construction, the lens remains lightweight and compact, perfect for photographers on the move.
Performance Overview
This lens offers a consistent f/4 maximum aperture across its zoom range, ensuring reliable exposure in both wide-angle and telephoto shots. Equipped with a five-stop-effective Optical Image Stabilizer, it minimizes camera shake, making handheld shooting more stable even in low light. Its Nano USM autofocus motor combines the precision of a ring-type USM with the smoothness of an STM, delivering fast, silent, and accurate focusing for both photos and videos.
Compatibility
The RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is designed specifically for Canon RF-mount cameras, including popular models like the EOS R5, R6, and R7. Its wide compatibility ensures you can use it across Canon’s mirrorless ecosystem without any issues.
Key Features in Details
Focal Length (24-105mm)
The 24-105mm focal length offers impressive versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of photography styles. Whether you’re shooting sweeping landscapes at 24mm or zooming in for portraits at 105mm, this lens delivers sharp results across the entire range.
Aperture Range (f/4 Constant)
The constant f/4 aperture provides consistent illumination throughout the zoom range. While it may not offer the same shallow depth of field as an f/2.8 lens, it strikes a balance between brightness and affordability, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and professionals.
Image Stabilization (IS)
The five-stop-effective Optical Image Stabilizer is a game changer, allowing photographers to shoot at slower shutter speeds without sacrificing sharpness. Whether you’re capturing handheld shots in low light or filming steady video footage, the IS ensures your images remain crisp and clear.
Nano USM Autofocus
The Nano USM system blends the best of both worlds: the speed of a USM motor and the smoothness of STM technology. This combination results in quick, precise, and nearly silent autofocus, making it ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects or recording video without disruptive focusing noise.
Customizable Control Ring
A standout feature of this lens is its customizable Control Ring, which can be programmed to adjust key settings like aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation. This adds a layer of convenience, allowing photographers to make on-the-fly adjustments without taking their eyes off the scene.
Build Quality and Portability
As part of Canon’s prestigious L-series, this lens is built to last. The weather-sealed design protects against dust and moisture, while the compact size and manageable weight make it a reliable travel companion for photographers who need performance without bulk.
Performance in Real-World Use
Image Quality
The RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM shines in various lighting conditions. Its Super Spectra Coating minimizes ghosting and flare, ensuring high contrast and vibrant color accuracy, even when shooting in bright or backlit environments.
Autofocus and Speed
In both still photography and video applications, the Nano USM motor provides fast, accurate autofocus. Even in challenging low-light conditions, the lens performs well, maintaining focus on subjects with minimal hunting.
Bokeh and Depth of Field
While the f/4 aperture doesn’t offer extreme background blur, the lens’s nine-blade diaphragm produces pleasing, smooth bokeh, especially at longer focal lengths, making it a solid choice for portrait and nature photography.
Sharpness and Distortion
The lens retains impressive sharpness across the zoom range, with minimal distortion even at the wide end. Chromatic aberration is well-controlled, ensuring clean, high-quality images from edge to edge.
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM vs Similar Lenses
| Feature | Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM | Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-105mm | 24-70mm | 28-75mm |
| Aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Image Stabilization (IS) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Autofocus | USM (Ultra Sonic Motor) | USM (Ultra Sonic Motor) | RXD (Stepping Motor) |
| Build Quality | L-series (weather-sealed) | L-series (weather-sealed) | Plastic (no sealing) |
| Weight | 700g | 900g | 550g |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.45m | 0.21m | 0.19m |
| Price | High | Higher | Lower |
| Best For | Travel, versatile shots | Professionals, low light, portraits | Budget-friendly, portraits, events |
Quick Verdict:
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is great for general photography and travel, with a flexible zoom range and image stabilization.
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM shines in low light, offering a wider aperture, faster shutter speed, and superb image quality. Perfect for pros.
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD is the most affordable option, still great for portraits and events, but lacks image stabilization.
Alternatives
If the Canon RF 24-105mm isn’t quite what you’re looking for, here are some excellent alternatives tailored for different needs:
Best Budget Option: Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
If affordability and low-light performance are your top priorities, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a fantastic choice. This compact prime lens features a bright f/1.8 aperture, allowing you to capture sharp images even in dim conditions. It excels in portrait photography, delivering pleasing background blur with its 7-blade rounded diaphragm. The STM autofocus motor ensures smooth and quiet focusing, making it a good option for both photos and casual video. However, unlike the versatile 24-105mm, it lacks zoom capabilities, which may limit its flexibility for travel or everyday shooting.
Best for Vloggers: Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
Vloggers and content creators will appreciate the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM for its ultra-wide focal range and fast f/2.8 aperture. This lens is designed for full-frame cameras, offering excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, even in challenging lighting. The Nano USM autofocus system ensures smooth, silent focusing, while the Optical Image Stabilizer helps produce steady handheld video. Compared to the RF 24-105mm, it offers a wider field of view but sacrifices the telephoto range, making it ideal for indoor vlogging, landscapes, and architecture rather than all-purpose shooting.
These alternatives provide targeted advantages depending on your photography style, budget, and specific needs.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is an excellent all-around lens for photographers seeking versatility, portability, and reliable performance. It’s perfect for travel, everyday photography, and even video, offering a balance of features that make it a valuable addition to any camera bag.
This lens is ideal for amateur photographers, hobbyists, and professionals who need a versatile zoom lens that performs well in most situations.
FAQs about Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
- Is Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM weather-sealed?
Yes, it features a weather-resistant design that protects against dust and moisture.
- How does the autofocus perform for video recording?
The Nano USM autofocus motor delivers fast, smooth, and nearly silent performance, making it ideal for video.
- Can I use this lens for landscape photography?
Absolutely! The 24mm wide-angle is perfect for capturing expansive landscapes.
- How does this lens compare to other zoom lenses in the Canon RF range?
It offers a great balance of performance, portability, and price, making it a versatile choice compared to more specialized zoom lenses.