After looking around I finally found the MTF charts for the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM, many thanks to TDP.
I'll give it a quick comparison to its brother the legendary EF 35mm F1.4L II USM and the RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM.
The Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM has an excellent MTF chart, better than any 35mm Canon has developed before. Against its legendary parent, the Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM, the RF lens has a much smoother resolution falloff into the corners than the EF lens, and better contrast out to the corners. So if you thought the Canon EF 35mm F1.4L IS USM was a fantastic lens, you won't be disappointed with the new RF version.
The center portion of the image will look similar between the two lenses and if your primary target is in the crop APS-C center of the frame, then the resolution and contrast should be exceptional.
When compared against its little brother the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM, there's no contest. In terms of resolution and contrast the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L reigns supreme. But we are comparing a $350 lens with the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L, hardly fair.
The Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM does a few tricks up its sleeve with image stabilization and a closer minimum focus distance. However, when it comes to optical quality, as it should be, the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM outmatches it easily. That being said, for many people, the Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM is a halo product that they may not be able to afford – and if so, the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM is by any measure a very capable lens and is extremely versatile.
After reviewing these MTFs and realizing that Canon has certainly optically done something special – it's amazing to me that we have a far more featured hybrid lens for video and stills and it is cheaper than the EF 35mm F1.4L II USM when it was released ($1799 – or $2379.88 in today's dollars).
Vanessa Joy Photographs with the Canon RF35mm F1.4 L VCM Lens
- two focusing motors (VCM & nano USM)
- lower weight with 555 grams
- 67mm screw on filters and rear gel filters
- Aperture ring and control ring
- starting price 1.499 $
Great job Canon! Now please give us a 20mm, 24mm, 50mm and 85mm with exactly those kind of specs :)
From Canon's website: "A Nano USM is used for floating focus and a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) for rear focus which allows for quiet independant or synchronized actuation at high speed, great for video.", see also https://i0.wp.com/asobinet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RF35mm-F1.4-L-VCM-8.jpg?ssl=1
Canon RF 35mm f1.4L: FIRST LOOKS vs EF 1.4L II vs RF 1.8 STM
I suppose I just assumed that as a hybrid lens it would have IS...
Cheaper, lighter, better for video, good weather sealing and build quality (supposedly) --- what's the catch?
In Gordon't test the new lens is MUCH sharper than the EF version II, especially in the corners. Also, significantly sharper than the RF 35 1.8.
Because ?