Love it or hate it, content creators are heavily influencing the photography world. As more hybrid photographers get in front of their cameras, wide lenses are in high demand. Canon is known for its beautiful prime lenses and hefty price tags. Its mirrorless lens lineup needs more inexpensive options. That’s where the Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens enters the room.
It’s a versatile lens that satisfies both content creators and image makers. The lens strikes a beautiful balance with its wide-angle and macro capabilities. It is a rockstar performer at an entry-level price. Will photographers like it? Yes, it’s a great little lens. Keep reading to find out more.
The Big Picture
The Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens packs a big performance on a budget. Its versatile focal length will please both the selfie generation and image makers looking for an excellent prime lens. The lens performs superbly in most photographing conditions. It is quick to focus in a variety of lighting conditions.
There is little to nitpick with this lens. It isn’t fully weather-sealed, which is to be expected at this price point. The lens can also be slower to focus in heavily backlit environments during selfie mode.
Canon’s RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens is a very capable lens. It produces beautifully sharp images with bountiful bokeh and vibrant hues.
The lens is an excellent all-around lens for portraits, landscapes, urbanscapes, photojournalism, architectural, macro, and street photography.
We are giving the Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens five stars. Want one? You can pick one up for $595 or rent it from Lensrentals.
Pros
- Affordable prime lens
- Beautiful colors
- Sharp
- Lightweight and compact
- Versatile focal length
Cons
- Not fully weather-resistant
- Slower to focus in heavily backlit environments
Gear Used
We received a Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens and a Canon r5 gear loan from Lensrentals.
Innovations
The Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro lens isn’t edgy or groundbreaking. It’s a versatile little lens with an affordable price tag.
Ergonomics
Canon’s RF 24mm f1.8 Marco IS STM lens is lightweight and compact. It weighs slightly more than half a pound and measures less than three inches. It is a lens that you can leave on your camera and photograph with comfortably all day.
Its features a very basic design. The grooved focus ring sits near the middle of the lens. Next is a textured control ring.
You will find an AF/MF switch and Image Stabilizer switch on the left side of the lens.
It has a 52mm filter size.
Build Quality
The Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens is not fully weather-sealed. I took it out in -20 degree weather with slight snow and it performed without a hiccup. The control ring and focus ring twist well. It feels plasticky, but it also feels solid.
Autofocus
Canon’s RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens is fast to focus in various lighting conditions. It is excellent for subjects that are far away. The lens was slower to achieve focus with my two cats and keep up with them in various AF-modes. There were only a few misses.
The lens is also a bit more lethargic to focus for a selfie with human AF enabled. Although, it does get there. I had the best results with a single focus point.
I never found it necessary to switch to manual focus. However, achieving manual focus is fairly simple with Canon’s magnification and focus peaking.
Ease Of Use
Both seasoned and novice photographers will find this lens easy to use. Choose your desired settings, focus on the subject, and press the shutter button. Be intentional with your autofocus settings and subject matter, and you will rarely miss a frame. The IBIS is a nice touch for slower shutter speeds.
It is a lens you can attach to your Canon mirrorless body and take it with you everywhere. On the rare occasions you want or need a different lens, pack it into your camera bag. The lens is so lightweight and compact that you might forget it’s there.
The 24mm focal length is versatile for a variety of applications. It’s ideal for portraits, street photography, architectural details, landscapes, cityscapes, travel, photojournalism, and macro photography.
Image Quality
The Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro STM lens produces sharp images with wonderful colors and plenty of contrast. It makes lovely monochrome pictures. Imperfections are minimal and easily corrected with a little editing.
Bokeh
The 24mm f1.8 lens yields creamy bokeh that is excellent for portraits and macro photography. The round visual elements often take the shape of a football instead of a sphere. It adds interest and is visually pleasing.
Color Rendition
Canon’s RF 24mm f1.8 Macro STM lens produces vibrant hues and accurate skin tones. I appreciate the depth of the blues. Montana is known as the Big Sky state, and this lens is excellent for showing it off.
Sharpness
The Canon 24mm f1.8 Macro creates sharp images throughout most of the frame when focused at infinity. The edges and corners are a bit soft at f1.8. Stop down to extend the sharpness throughout more of the frame
Lens Character
The RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens produces vibrant images with plenty of detail. Lens flares are easily achieved with this lens. A slight barrel distortion is evident when your subject is closest to the lens. Embrace it for some fun angles or easily correct unwanted imperfections in post.
Extra Image Samples
From day one, The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, lots of folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the lens can do. So we have a section in our Extra Image Samples area to show edited and unedited photos. From this, you can make a decision for yourself.
Unedited
Edited
Who Should Buy The Canon RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Lens?
Any Canon photographer looking for a versatile prime should buy this lens. It is quick to achieve focus, produces excellent images, and is the perfect size to take everywhere. It packs a lot of punches for such a low price point. I would buy this lens.
The low price means that Canon made some compromises. It is made of plastic and feels cheap in comparison to other lenses. The 24mm f1.8 also lacks the weather-sealing found in more expensive options. However, it performed flawlessly in a dusting of snow and a -54 degree windchill. I wouldn’t be too concerned if I got caught in torrential rain. The lens is so short that the rubber gasket at the mount is more than enough.
Canon has created a crowd-pleaser among hybrid content creators and working professionals with the RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens. This versatile lens is an excellent option for street photography, photojournalism, landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, portrait, and macro photography. It’s the perfect size and price to put on your camera and take it everywhere.
You can rent the Canon RF 24mm f1.8 Macro IS STM lens from Lensrentals or pick one up for $599.
Tech Specs
Tech specs are from the Lensrentals listing.
- Angle of View: 84°
- Autofocus: Autofocus
- Brand: Canon
- Compatibility: Full Frame
- Filter Size: 52.0mm
- Focal Length: 24mm
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Item Type: Lens
- Lens Type: Macro
- Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:2
- Max Aperture: 1.8
- Maximum Magnification: 0.5x
- Mfr. Model Number: 5668C002
- Minimum Aperture: 22.0
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.5feet
- Mount: Canon RF
- Groups/Elements: 9/11
- Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements: 1
- Aspherical Elements: 1
- Aperture Blades: 9, Rounded
- Dimensions (ø x L): 2.9 × 2.5″
- Weight: 0.6 lb.
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