u/scotthunter1

I just acquired another prime lens for my R8: the RF 50 f1.4 VCM, as I didn’t have a 50mm prime in my collection. It’s the fastest lens I own and seemed a bit extravagant, but I need it for low light event work when even 1.8 struggles and I don’t like raising the ISO too high. It seemed like a good opportunity to test all of my RF lenses on a tripod to compare sharpness in Lightroom.

My current lens collection includes a mix of non-L and L glass: RF 24 1.8 Macro, RF 35 1.8 Macro, RF 50 1.4 L VCM, RF 85 f2 Macro, RF 100 2.8 L Macro, and RF 70-200 f4 L.

What surprised me is just how sharp all of this glass is, even the budget primes. I could not tell a difference between the 35 1.8 and 50 1.4 when compensated for distance to subject due to different focal lengths, at least when stopped down to 2.8. They are both tack sharp and the difference is imperceptible. The same could be said for the 70-200 f4 at 70mm compared to the 50 VCM. And the 85 f2 vs. the 100 f2.8.

I honestly think there’s no justification of buying L lenses for image quality alone. If you are shooting in low light, or shooting moving subjects, and have a particular need for f1.4 or f1.2, or need specialist features for a particular purpose like weather sealing or macro, then obviously you need the right tool for the job. The extra stops of light gathering of faster primes will be useful for low light as you will have less noise and cleaner photos, and they might be a tiny bit sharper when wide open, but stopped down there is no difference. And that’s pixel peeping on a MacBook screen at 100%.

I was tempted to get the RF 35 F1.4 VCM as well but I don’t think I’ll bother. The 1.8 is that good.

Just my thoughts.

I need some buying advice please.

Stills photographer here and shoot a range of landscape, event photography, macro and portrait.

I’m in the market for a new 50mm lens as I am missing that gap in my focal length range, but also open to upgrading one of the lenses I have to something a bit sharper and faster. I should say I shoot with a Canon R8 (doesn’t have IBIS).

My current lens collection includes the RF 24 & 35 f1.8 Macro, RF 85 f2 Macro, RF 100 f2.8 L Macro and RF 70-200 f4 L. I generally prefer primes as I need minimum f1.8 for festivals and events.

I there’s some great deals on new RF 35 and 50 1.4 VCM lenses at the moment in the UK, so my choice is probably between one of these two.

I have no complaints about my 35 f1.8 Macro - it’s a really sharp lens and has IS. But the 1.4 version would be great for event photography in low light and is probably even sharper. However, I would loose the IS (I would have to sell it).

The other option is the 50 VCM, which would fill the gap between my 35mm prime and the 70-200. I feel like an expensive prime at the classic portrait focal length would be quite special, whereas with the 35, if I’m shooting landscapes I’m probably stopping down to f8-f11 anyway and f1.8 is still pretty nice for environmental portraits. 35mm is also probably better for video - although I’m more a stills photographer.

Would appreciate any advice.

I’m going to a festival soon and want to do some videography. I’m mostly a stills photographer but getting more into event photography and videography. I need a gimbal to smooth things out as my previous experience of shooting concerts handheld at 4K 60 FPS ends up looking very juddery.

I’ll be shooting with my R8 and RF 35 1.4 VCM. Will the DJI RS 3 Mini handle that combination?

Just ordered a 35 1.4 VCM as I managed to pick one up new for less than for £1300. I have been using the excellent 1.8 STM version for my R8 and it’s my most used focal length, along with my beloved RF 85 f2.

Has anyone used this lens for astrophotography? I know 24mm is the preferred focal length for astrophotography, but I would get a lot more use out of the 35mm for general video and stills, so couldn’t justify the 24 VCM. I have been using the 24 1.8 STM for Astro until now, but that lens suffers from bad coma.

Also, will lack of IBIS be an issue for me for general photography when not using a tripod?

Thinking of buying this lens. I kinda need it for low light event photography but I’m a bit reluctant as it lacks IS, and I’ll be using it on an R8 (no IBIS).

I already have 24, 35 f1.8 and 85 f2 STM primes, and can’t complain about the quality although sometimes I’m using very high ISO (1600-3200) in low light when wide open to keep shutter speed above 1/40 sec.

Would you recommend the RF 50 1.4 VCM as well or will lack of IBIS on my camera be an issue in low light situations? I can get by with lack of IBIS with my existing primes as they all have built in IS.

That said I would also be using the 50 1.4 for daytime portraits and some landscapes as well in which case the lack of IS wouldn’t be so much of an issue.

The only zoom I own is the RF 70-200 f4 L so at the moment I’m covered for 70mm but nothing between 35mm and 70mm.

I’d also be keen to get more into videography in which case I’d be buying a gimbal.

Looking for a wireless (dongle not Bluetooth) keyboard that’s similar in feel to the new MacBook Air keyboard for my PC to help me with my touch typing at work as I keep kitting the wrong keys when switching computers.

Considering the Logitech Signature Slim K950. Is there anything better I should consider that has similar short travel keys?

Why does the 11” iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard cost £200 more than the base spec M5 MacBook Air?

I own both of them and honestly think the iPad Pro is overpriced for what it is when you factor the cost of the keyboard. Not to mention the reduced functionality of macOS.

The MacBook Air has more RAM and double the storage. Build quality seems the same. The only difference I can think of is the extra cost of the OLED display, but the 13.6” display on the Air is much larger than the 11” iPad Pro. Design wise they are remarkably similar in terms of thickness.

I honestly don’t get it unless you really must have a really small laptop or you have a niche use that makes use of the touchscreen, like drawing or Photoshop. But even then you are still using really basic iPad software.

I’d be interested to know sales figures.

I know I’m probably in the 0.1% of the population who do this, but is it safe to regularly run with the MacBook Air in a backpack? I run commute to work and back, 5 miles each way, so that’s a lot of bumping up and down. The MacBook is protected in my backpack inside a CushCase padded sleeve. I guess it’s ok as there’s no moving parts and an SSD, so it’s like a big iPad in that respect, but just wanted to check.

Being able to do this was a big selling point for me over the Pro, which is a lot heavier.