The Canon RF24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is a versatile addition to Canon’s RF lineup, designed for photographers and videographers who demand quality, portability, and creative flexibility. With its fast aperture, macro capabilities, and advanced stabilization, this wide-angle lens is ideal for a wide range of uses, including landscapes, architecture, street photography, and close-up shots. Here’s an in-depth look at this lens and how it performs in real-world scenarios.
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Key Features of Canon RF24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM:
- Ultra-Wide-Angle Perspective: A 24mm focal length ideal for landscapes, street, and architectural photography.
- Bright Aperture: F1.8 maximum aperture for low-light performance and beautiful background blur.
- Macro Capabilities: 0.5x magnification with a 14cm minimum focusing distance for detailed close-ups.
- Image Stabilization: 5 Stops Optical Image Stabilization 6.5 Stops with Compatible Cameras.
- STM Motor: Smooth and quiet focus ideal for video and photography
- Compact & Light: It can weigh up to 270 grams. Therefore, this product can be brought when going for traveling purposes.
- High-quality optics: Coating with optics allows very clear image shooting without distortions in any picture taken from it.
Design & Construction
The Canon RF24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is very light, weighing in at 270g, which makes it the perfect travel companion and outdoor shooter. The polycarbonate construction of the lens barrel provides a matte finish that feels both premium and light. It has compact dimensions – around 2.5 inches in length – so it does not protrude forward even from the smallest of Canon mirrorless cameras, like the EOS R8 or R50.
The lens has a front programmable control ring, ideal for customising aperture, ISO, or even exposure compensation adjustments. The focus ring is extremely smooth and easy to use; this makes precise manual focusing almost a breeze.
The front element is very slightly recessed, which would provide some element of protection, though not a lot; it takes standard 52mm threads for taking ND or polarizing filters, though.
Performance
1. Image Quality
For such a slim lens, the Canon RF24mm F1.8 delivers outstanding sharpness across the frame- even wide open at F1.8. The center sharpness is outright phenomenal, while edges impressively retain detail. Chromatic aberrations and ghosting have been well controlled thanks to Canon’s high-end coatings and optical design. It’s a highly reliable performer for both high-resolution stills as well as detailed 4K videos.
2. Aperture and Depth of Field
The wide F1.8 aperture makes it a standout in terms of stunning subject separation and creamy bokeh, making it ideal for low-light photography, shallow depth-of-field portraits, and artistic compositions. The rounded 9-blade aperture enhances the smoothness of the out-of-focus areas.
3. Macro Capability
One of the features that make this lens special is its macro functionality. With a 0.5x magnification and a minimum focusing distance of just 14cm, it captures fine details of small subjects like flowers, insects, or textures. The close-up performance adds versatility, making it more than just a wide-angle lens.
4. Image Stabilization
The built-in Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) offers up to 5 stops of compensation and is further extended to 6.5 stops when used in conjunction with cameras that use In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). This makes handheld shooting in low light a total game-changer, putting sharp images and smooth video well within your reach without the use of a tripod.
5. Autofocus
The STM (Stepping Motor) ensures fast, accurate, and silent autofocus, making it suitable for both stills and video. The quiet operation is particularly valuable for videographers, as it eliminates focus noise during recording. The focus transitions are smooth and reliable, even when tracking moving subjects.
Real-World Applications
1. Landscape Photography
The 24mm focal length is ideal for capturing expansive landscapes and dramatic vistas. Paired with the F1.8 aperture, it has good flexibility to handle a wide range of lighting conditions, including golden-hour glow and low-light sunsets.
2. Street Photography
Compact, inconspicuous, and quick, this lens is perfect for street photography. It has a wide field of view and fast autofocus, which helps capture candid moments. A bright aperture is also very creative in using depth of field.
3. Macro and Close-Ups
With its macro capabilities, the lens is great at capturing fine details, such as flower petals, textures, and small objects. The ability to get as close as 14cm to the subject makes it a versatile choice for creative compositions.
4. Travel and Everyday Use
Thanks to its lightweight design and versatile focal length, the RF24mm F1.8 is an excellent travel companion. It’s suitable for a wide range of scenes, from cityscapes to food photography, making it an all-in-one solution for casual outings.
5. Videography
The STM motor, Optical Image Stabilization, and bright aperture combine to make this lens a good choice for video creators. It offers smooth focus transitions, stable handheld footage, and great performance in dimly lit environments.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Compact, lightweight, and travel-friendly design.
- Fast F1.8 aperture for low-light and creative bokeh.
- Excellent macro performance with 0.5x magnification.
- Sharp and lively image quality across the frame.
- Exceptional image stabilization for handheld shooting.
- Fast and silent autofocus for stills and video.
- Programmable control ring for customizable operation.
Cons:
- Slightly noticeable barrel distortion in few images (can be post-processing corrected).
- Plastic build is well-built, though it doesn’t have a feel of upper class lenses in the comparison.
- Weather sealing is missing and therefore not good for harsh environments.
Comparison with other Lenses
The RF24mm F1.8 competes with other RF lenses from Canon and third parties but finds its niche. Compared to the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, the 24mm has a wider field of view, which makes this more ideal for landscape shots and shots with groups. As much as the RF 16mm F2.8 STM is cheaper and wider in view, it lacks macro capability and stabilisation found in the RF24mm.
For professionals aiming for the very best image quality, the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is a more expensive but more suitable option. For budget-conscious creatives who value portability and versatility, however, the RF24mm F1.8 stands out.
Conclusion
The Canon RF24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is a stellar wide-angle lens that punches above its weight in performance and versatility. Its bright F1.8 aperture, macro capabilities, and optical stabilization make this lens a gift for photographers and videographers alike. Whether shooting landscapes, close-ups, or creative bokeh shots, this lens delivers exceptional results in a compact and lightweight package.
For creators who need a budget-friendly, high-quality lens that does a great job in a wide variety of scenarios, the Canon RF24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is an absolute must-have. Even though it’s not weather-sealed or has L-series build quality, the impressive optical performance and feature set make this a valuable addition to any kit in the RF system.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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