Review: Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z

Friday 12 April 2024, 16:32 by Nando Harmsen | 5,429 views | 9 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Wouldn't it be great if there were a 24-105mm zoom lens with an aperture of f/2.8? You get a little more zoom range than with a 24-70mm, while still having that desirable wide aperture. Canon now has the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM. It is a very different lens from what you might expect.

A 24-105mm offers the most versatile focal range. You get wide angle and a little telephoto in a single lens. It is not without reason that this is almost always the standard zoom lens. The top models of this type of lens have a maximum aperture of 'only' f/4.

The RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z in all its glory.
Canon has now changed that with the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z. This lens lets in twice as much light as the standard versions we know so well. However, it is no longer a compact lens. Let me give you some specifications.

• Aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range
  
• Length of 199mm and diameter of 88.5mm
  
• Weight of 1.43 kilograms
  
• 23 lens elements in 18 groups, including 4 US, 2 GMo aspherical and 1 replica aspherical lens
  
• Aperture ring for video with lock in A position
  
• Two programmable lens buttons
  
• Minimum focusing distance of 45cm, with 0.08x magnification and 0.29x magnification at focal lengths of 24mm and 105mm respectively
  
• Up to 5.5 stops of image stabilisation, and 8 stops in combination with IBIS
  
• Dual Nano USM autofocus motor
  
• Removable tripod foot
  
• Connections for Power Zoom adaptors and lens holder
  

First impression

It is already clear that this is not a small lens. It is larger and heavier than an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. In terms of size and weight, you can compare it more closely with an RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM.

The f/2.8 version next to the f/4 version, both extended and retracted.
Compared to the f/4 version, this f/2.8 lens is simply twice as large and heavy. This means it is not a lens you can leave on your camera for convenience. It is too large and heavy for that.

The RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z has a very smooth zoom mechanism that rotates through 90 degrees. The focus ring turns evenly and is perfect for precise focusing. Of course, there is the control ring, but it is the aperture ring that stands out. You can change the aperture continuously.

The familiar switches for focusing and image stabilisation.
There are also the familiar switches for focusing and image stabilisation. The lens also has two programmable lens buttons. Because of its size and weight, there is a tripod collar, whose foot can be removed.

The tripod collar. The foot can be removed.

Image quality

Of course, f/2.8 is not only useful for letting in more light. It also allows you to achieve a shallow depth of field. This is less spectacular at 24mm, but at a focal length of 105mm, f/2.8 can separate the subject nicely from the background.

The blur at the maximum aperture at 24mm and 105mm. The bokeh looks good, with clear cat-eye distortion in the corners at 105mm. This distortion has disappeared at f/5.6.
There is an extreme amount of distortion at 24mm. The image has pincushion distortion with black corners. At 105mm, this changes to barrel distortion, but it is less extreme. Lens correction is essential for this lens.

The effects of lens distortion when lens correction is disabled. For comparison, the image with lens correction enabled is shown next to it.
The lens shows a small amount of focus breathing, where the subject changes size when it comes into or out of focus. On the other hand, the focus does not change while zooming with this lens.

There is hardly any focus breathing, but it is not completely absent. In practice, it will hardly be noticeable.

In use

The lens is large and heavy, but if you are used to the old EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II, this is not much of a problem. The zoom mechanism works wonderfully smoothly. The fact that the lens does not change size while zooming naturally gives it perfect balance.

The RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is clearly aimed at video.
Unfortunately, the aperture ring does not work for photography. At least, not with the cameras I have. From what I hear, the EOS-R models from 2024 onwards will be able to use the aperture ring. It only works for video on pre-2024 models.

The extreme image distortion at 24mm causes no problems thanks to image correction. There is still some light fall-off at f/2.8, but it is hardly distracting. Especially for video, when a 16:9 aspect ratio is used, the weak points of every lens fall outside the image. The same applies to the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z.

Unfortunately, the continuous aperture ring only works when the camera's video function is enabled.
It is obvious that this lens is aimed at video. This is clear not only from the aperture ring, but also from the smooth zoom mechanism and the precise manual focus ring. Its parfocal behaviour, where the focus does not change while zooming, is perfect for video.

Flare at 24mm and the star shape of a point light source at an aperture of f/18

The Power Zoom adaptors

Another sign that this lens is aimed at video is the connection options for the Power Zoom adaptors. Hence the letter Z in the name of the lens.

The screw holes and connections are intended for the Power Zoom adaptors.
These adaptors, the PZ-E2 and PZ-E2B, provide a smooth zoom at an adjustable speed. These adaptors are powered via USB-PD or through the camera. They can be operated remotely with the EOS Utility app.

The lens also has an LH-E1 lens holder connection that provides extra support when using a video rig setup. Given the weight and size of the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z, that is no unnecessary luxury.

Conclusion

Anyone who thinks that an f/2.8 aperture is ideal for a 24-105mm zoom lens should think about the consequences. You no longer have a compact lens, but a large and heavy one.

The lens works as you would expect from a 24-105mm zoom lens. There is a wider aperture, which is not always necessary. But the lens is heavy and anything but inconspicuous.
Despite that, it is pleasant to work with, including for photography. The zoom ring in particular is a joy to use. Still, this lens offers little extra for photographers apart from the wide aperture. It also relies heavily on in-camera lens correction for a good image.

Videographers get more benefits, such as a continuous aperture ring and the option to use Power Zoom adaptors. Focus breathing is minimal, and focus does not change while zooming.

The autofocus works silently and very quickly. Combined with the subject recognition and tracking of the EOS R cameras, keeping your subject in focus is no problem.
With the RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z, videographers get a lens that comes close to a real Cine lens in terms of usability, at a somewhat lower cost. The lens is clearly aimed at the professional market.

For photography only, the high cost of this lens is harder to justify. Although f/2.8 is attractive, I think the f/4 version of the 24-105mm zoom lens is the most sensible choice for most photographers.

Pros

• f/2.8 throughout the zoom range
  
• Smooth zoom ring
  
• Focus ring works very precisely
  
• Focus does not change while zooming
  
• Nice bokeh at f/2.8 and 105mm
  
• Lens buttons included
  
• Aperture ring
  
• Image sharpness is good
  
• Power Zoom adaptors can be used
  
• Image stabilisation of 5.5 stops and 8 stops in combination with IBIS
  
• Removable tripod foot
  

Cons

• Large and heavy
  
• Aperture ring does not work for photography
  
• There is a small amount of focus breathing
  
• Image distortion is extreme, although corrected with lens correction
  
• Strong chromatic aberration at 105mm
  
• Tripod foot has a completely different design
  
• Price is high if it is intended exclusively for photography
  

Many thanks to Canon Nederland for providing this lens.

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