Is the Canon RF 35mm f1.4 L VCM Lens Worth It for Filmmakers?
Navigating the world of camera lenses can feel like a quest for the holy grail, especially when you're a filmmaker trying to balance pristine image quality with practical functionality. You've likely encountered the frustration of "focus breathing" ruining a perfect shot or the immersion-breaking hum of a loud autofocus motor. Perhaps you've yearned for that cinematic separation of your subject from the background, or struggled to capture usable footage in challenging low-light conditions.
If these struggles resonate with you, and you're curious about a lens that promises to tackle these very issues, then you're in the right place.
Today, we're diving deep into the Canon RF 35mm L VCM lens, a hybrid lens designed to meet the demanding needs of both photographers and, crucially, filmmakers.
I'm Bruno Pozo, a commercial filmmaker in Bend, Oregon, and I've put this lens through its paces on various client shoots and scenarios over the past week and a half. Everything I'll share comes from my direct experience. So, let's explore what makes this lens different and whether it can be the game-changer you've been looking for.
The Filmmaker's Frustration: Why Traditional Photography Lenses Fall Short
As filmmakers, we love our photography lenses for their optical quality, but they often come with significant drawbacks when adapted for video.
Focus Breathing: One of the most common issues is focus breathing, where the focal length appears to change slightly as you adjust focus. This can be incredibly distracting in video, pulling the viewer out of the moment.
Loud Autofocus Motors: Another major concern is the noise generated by autofocus motors. Your camera's audio can easily pick up these sounds, making your footage unusable for professional projects without extensive post-production work.
Canon's Solution: The RF 35mm L VCM Lens
Canon specifically addressed these issues in the design of the RF 35mm L VCM lens.
Dual Motors for Silent, Responsive Autofocus: This lens utilizes two motors simultaneously for autofocusing, resulting in minimal to non-existent focus breathing. It also boasts ultra-quiet operation while remaining incredibly responsive. This means smoother, more professional-looking focus pulls and clean audio, even when using on-camera microphones.
Rear Filter Holder: A surprising and welcome feature is the rear filter holder. While most filters attach to the front of the lens, a rear filter holder offers the benefit of using a single filter across multiple lenses. While I haven't personally used this feature due to not owning a compatible filter, it's a valuable option to have.
Click-less Aperture Ring: Canon has included a click-less aperture ring on the lens body. This allows for smooth, manual adjustments to the aperture, a crucial feature for filmmakers who need to make seamless exposure changes during a shot.
These thoughtful design choices result in "amazing, clean and very professional video performance".
The L-Series Difference: Elevating Image Quality
Beyond the video-specific enhancements, the Canon RF 35mm L VCM lens is Canon's first 35mm L-series prime lens. What does "L-series" mean for you?
Highest Quality Design: L-series lenses represent Canon's highest quality lens designs. This translates to superior optical performance.
Improved Image Quality over Non-L Series: Previously, Canon offered an f/1.8 35mm prime, but it was a non-L series lens with a loud STM motor and issues like chromatic aberration, vignetting, and focus breathing. The L-series version addresses these shortcomings.
Weather Resistance: The L-series designation also means weather-resistant sealing, allowing you to shoot in light rain or dusty environments without concern for internal damage.
Special Lens Coating: L-series lenses feature a special coating to reduce ghosting and flaring. In my tests, pointing a light directly at the lens resulted in minimal flaring that didn't wash out the image or ruin its contrast.
Sharper Images and Flattering Skin Tones: The higher quality lens elements in L-series lenses lead to sharper images, reduced chromatic aberration, and greater detail. I've also personally observed that L-series lenses tend to render skin tones more flatteringly.
The Power of f/1.4
One of the standout features of this lens is its f/1.4 aperture. This wide aperture provides two significant benefits:
Stunning Bokeh and Subject Separation: You get amazing bokeh (the aesthetic quality of the blur in out-of-focus areas) and excellent separation of your subject from the background. This shallow depth of field delivers a highly cinematic look to your footage.
Exceptional Low-Light Performance: The f/1.4 aperture allows the lens to capture more light, making it ideal for low-light situations. This is a huge advantage for event shooters and documentary filmmakers who often work in uncontrolled lighting environments.
Practical Features and Considerations
The lens also offers practical features for filmmakers:
Customizable Button: A custom button on the side of the lens can be assigned to a specific feature.
Manual Focus and Control Rings: It includes a manual focus dial, the click-less aperture control ring, and a customizable control ring. I personally set my control ring to adjust white balance.
Minimum Focusing Distance: With a minimum focusing distance of approximately 11 inches, you can achieve impressive macro shots.
During my time with this lens, I was consistently impressed by the image quality, whether shooting people, products, or food. Everything looked clean and natural.
However, no lens is perfect. Here are a couple of points to consider:
No Image Stabilization: The lens does not have built-in image stabilization. This was a conscious design choice to keep the lens size and weight reasonable, especially given its f/1.4 aperture. For smooth handheld footage, you'll want to pair this lens with a camera that has in-body image stabilization (IBIS). My Canon R5 Mark II with IBIS produced excellent handheld results. If you're shooting on a tripod, gimbal, or other stabilization, this isn't an issue.
Floating Elements: Due to its unique motor design (VCM and USM), this lens has floating elements internally. When the lens is not connected to a power source (your camera), you might hear the motor sliding around if you shake the lens. It's important not to shake the lens, as this could cause wear and tear over time. This is not an issue once the lens is powered on and attached to your camera.
The Versatility of the 35mm Focal Length
The 35mm focal length itself offers incredible versatility.
Storytelling Lens: It's wide enough to show more of the environment with your subject, making it a great storytelling lens.
Proximity to Subject: However, you'll need to be comfortable getting closer to your subjects. At this focal length, distance is palpable in the shot. It encourages movement and getting into the scene. If you're socially anxious or unable to get close to your subjects (e.g., at an event where they are far away on a stage), a 35mm might be too wide, and a telephoto lens would be more suitable.
Who is This Lens For?
Because it's a hybrid lens, the Canon RF 35mm L VCM is excellent for both photographers and videographers. However, as a video-first shooter, I believe it particularly benefits:
Documentary Shooters: The 35mm focal length places the viewer directly in the scene, fostering a sense of immersion. It encourages you to be in the action, though comfort with movement is key. It's also fantastic for interview segments, offering a flattering perspective without being too close and allowing enough background to establish the setting.
Event Shooters (e.g., Weddings): The f/1.4 aperture is a game-changer for events, letting in ample light even in dark venues or after sunset. The dreamy look it produces is also perfect for weddings and other commercial projects.
Social Media Content Creators: I frequently use the 35mm for vertical videos because it feels natural and provides a classic distance from the camera. It avoids the distortion of wider lenses when close-up and the separation of longer lenses, placing you right in front of your audience for a strong connection. In fact, most of my YouTube videos are shot at 35mm58.
Conclusion
Despite a few minor considerations, the Canon RF 35mm L VCM lens is an exceptional video lens59. Its updated features significantly enhance the filmmaking experience, making it a strong contender for anyone seeking a 35mm prime. Just remember, if you often find yourself in situations where you can't freely move around, a zoom lens like the Canon RF 24-105mm might be a more versatile all-around option.
What are your thoughts on the Canon RF 35mm L VCM? Let me know in the comments below!
