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Lenses

Canon RF 35mm F1.4 VCM Review: A Must for Your Camera Bag?

Alberto Lima
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Last updated on 02/28/2025
02/22/2025
11 Mins read
Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM lens on Canon R5 body.
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Last Updated on 02/28/2025 by Lara Carretero

Photographers have been waiting for the RF successor to the beloved Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L lens. Their 35mm f2 was also quite a beauty! While it wasn’t quite what we got, the Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM hopes to fill that gap with a fast wide-angle lens with low-light performance, sharp images, and weather-sealing in a first-party lens. Is this the L lens you need in your kit?

The Big Picture: Canon RF 35mm f1.4 L VCM Review Conclusions

Canon RF35mm f1.4L VCM. Image credit: Alberto Lima
A shot of the Canon RF 35mm f1.4 L VCM

If you’re using Canon’s RF system, this lens should make your gear list – at least, your wish list. The RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM is everything you’d expect from a Canon L lens – it’s quick to grab focus, renders beautifully sharp images, and the colors are pleasing without much post-processing. It’s not a perfect lens; the limitations of the Iris Control with several bodies might make photographers feel they weren’t considered in developing the lens. Overall, this is a solid lens with few compromises.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

We’re giving the Canon RF 35mm f1.4 L VCM four out of five stars. Want one? Check it out on Amazon.

The new Canon RF 35mm f1.4 mounted to the Canon EOS R5

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Fast Autofocusing speeds
  • Tack-sharp image quality
  • Weather-sealed

Cons

  • Iris Control is mostly limited to video applications
  • Expensive

Gear Used

Innovations of the Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM

Until the release of this lens, Canon had a very large hole in its RF L lens lineup—specifically, the lack of a fast 35mm prime beyond the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS Macro. The RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM is an important release for both Canon and photographers who have been pining for a replacement for the EF 35mm F1.4. What really sets this lens apart is just how small it is compared to other 35mm f1.4 lenses available.

Hardware

The new Canon RF 35mm f1.4 compared to the 35mm f1.8 Macro

When this lens was first announced, one of our biggest concerns was just how large the lens would physically be. We’re happy Canon found the right balance with the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM. It’s lightweight, not too long, and still manages to be a fast prime with weather-sealing. This lens became a go-to when walking around the streets and on jobs. The Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM is a pleasure to hold; it’s a lightweight lens that doesn’t add bulk to your gear bag and can easily be handled without taking your eyes off your shot.

The Canon EOS R5 is a great choice to use with the new RF 35mm f1.4 L

In our review of the RF 35mm Macro, we found the lens to punch well above its weight but was hindered by the lack of weather-sealing. Right off the bat, the RF 35mm F1.4 VCM fixes this. Yes, this 35mm lens is weather-sealed and during our review period, we did get to spend some time in light snow and wet conditions to put it through its paces. It held up well, and the images we captured further support our stance that all lenses should incorporate some protection from the elements. The RF 35mm F.14 L was a great companion for shooting in the streets and in a gym, even when attached to the larger R1 body – allowing me to walk around for hours without being weighed down by the lens and camera’s combined heft. Trudging through the snow with a Canon R1 attached to this lens felt like a breeze, which you’ll appreciate the longer you’re out in the elements or on longer assignments.

The Canon RF 35mm F1.4 produces two-thirds of a stop more light than the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro STM while retaining a small footprint. Like the RF 35mm Macro, the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM lens is also largely digital— by that, we mean that there still isn’t a focus distancing scale. The rubberized focus ring is standard fare for an L lens, and the barrel itself feels substantial without being heavy. It’s a welcome difference from its Macro cousin and overly plastic build. The lens has a manual Iris Control ring (more on this in a bit) and has the right amount of resistance when making adjustments.

Protect Your Camera Gear

For years, here at The Phoblographer we’ve done tests on cameras, lenses, bags, computers, lights, and more. And we know that your warranty doesn’t always cover the damage. Plus, accidents can happen on set.

This is why we’ve created a Photography Care Program in partnership with Full-Frame Insurance. Now, photographers across the United States looking for extra security can get various protections to cover their craft. The Photography Care Program provides peace of mind; now you’ll know you can bounce back from a photoshoot gone awry, on-site or inside. We’re making it super easy to get it done, too! Better yet, there is coverage outside of the US and Canada when the photographer is traveling for short periods of time for business.

Focusing

People buying snacks at a street food cart in the city at night.
Sample image from the Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM

During our review period, we had the opportunity to test the Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM on cameras of varying technical capabilities. From the top of the lineup in the R1 to the much more consumer-friendly R8, the RF35mm F1.4 L VCM consistently was able to lock focus and deliver useable images – even in challenging lighting conditions.

At the higher end (when testing with the R1 and R5), autofocus was able to quickly lock onto faces with ease. As someone who prefers using spot focus (I have control issues), I was able to nail the shot above even while it was in motion. For the most part, once you’ve set your desired autofocusing settings, you just point and get the shot. Being that this is an L lens, I’m comfortable saying that this is the kind of performance we expect, especially when paired with a professional body. On the Canon R8, the lens ended up helping the camera out a lot. While I didn’t find things as snappy as the R5, the R8 paired with the RF35mm F1.4 L VCM performed solidly, though it would struggle in a low-light scene like the one above.

Here are a few things to note:

  • We did not use exposure preview mode with the cameras. So our autofocus testing is basically giving the camera the fullest advantage that it could possibly get. Canon and other brands have stated numerous times that using exposure previews will affect autofocus performance.
  • The lens performed well with autofocus on people of color in low light on the R1 and the R5; but not so much with the R8. These can be seen in our volleyball photos shot with the R5. The images shot in the snow were with the R1. Our keeper rate with this lens paired to the cameras was around 85-90%. Of course, it’s also an issue of the fact that this is a wider lens; and wider lenses are easier to autofocus with.
  • The lens made the cameras perform better and that’s partially because of this new motor technology. When using the older L lenses, the cameras couldn’t keep up with people of color in low light as well.

Ease of Use

As alluded to earlier, this is a very straightforward affair—a digital-first prime lens that can quickly catch focus when set to autofocus. The Iris Control is a nice touch but is limited to certain camera bodies – keep this in mind when deciding if this lens is for you.

Image Quality

In our review of the RF 35mm Macro, we found the lens to punch well above its weight but was hindered by the lack of weather-sealing. Right off the bat, the RF 35mm F1.4 VCM fixes this. Yes, this 35mm lens is weather-sealed and during our review period, we did get to spend some time in light snow and wet conditions to put it through its paces. It held up well, and the images we captured further support our stance that all lenses should incorporate some protection from the elements.

A group of women in sports uniforms huddle with hands in the center, showing teamwork and unity. Black and white photo.
Sample image from the Canon RF 35mm f1.4 L VCM

The technical capabilities really shined through when shooting a recent church-league volleyball game. I was impressed with how the focus locked almost instantly, allowing me to move in and out of player huddles without being too obtrusive and compact enough not to distract the team. The image above was shot in AF Servo set to People Priority on the Canon R5 and it was able to keep up with the action.

Close-up of a pine branch with green needles and a dusting of snow.
Sample image from the Canon RF 35mm f1.4 L VCM

This lens produces a pleasing bokeh that be emphasized further thanks to the two-thirds stops you get over the f1.8 version. Even up close, the camera is able to focus quickly and produce a good separation between your subject and the background. For portraitist and documentary photography, this opens up possibilities for environmental portraits and capturing a wider scene but still allowing your subject to stand out.

The Problem With Iris Control

Earlier I mentioned the manual Iris Control ring on this lens. When I first got a hold of it, I was excited – having shot Fujifilm for several years, I’ve come to enjoy, nay, expect a manual aperture ring. I love the tactile feel of the click of an aperture ring, and since I don’t shoot video, I’m quite happy with the clicky sound. You’re not going to get this here as the Iris Control is very much a videocentric feature. It’s silent and requires an intentional twist, though I accidentally adjusted it when working with thick gloves. But this isn’t my biggest gripe with the Iris Control. The biggest issue is that it’s not available on several camera bodies when shooting stills. On the Canon R5 and even the Canon R8, the lens felt like a perfect companion to these camera bodies. Still, they can’t take advantage of the manual aperture control in stills mode (you can use Iris Control in video). The R1 takes full advantage of Iris Control in stills and video, but I hope that would be true in a flagship camera.

Who Should Buy This?

At $1500 MSRP, the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM is not for everyone. This is a lens that is unapologetically aimed at pro photographers and deep-pocketed enthusiasts. That being said, it absolutely ticks off the boxes it needs to in terms of image quality and durability. While it’s not perfect, it will be right at home in the gear bag of a photojournalist, event photographer, or studio.

Extra Image Samples

The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience since day one. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, many 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 decide for yourself.

Unedited

Two people clear snow on a city street near a Starbucks and other shops. Snow covers the ground and steps.
Corner building with I ❤️ GB sign and striped awning. Text includes Coffee, Homemade Falafel, and more.
People buying snacks at a street food cart in the city at night.
A dimly lit fruit and vegetable market stall with silhouetted figures walking by at night.
Corner view of Juniors restaurant with a tall vertical sign, red neon letters, and striped awning. High-rise in background.
A plastic cup filled with ice cubes on a dark surface, illuminated from below.
Black dog wearing a green jacket on a leash in the snow, with another dog in the background.
Person in winter clothes gives treat to a sitting black dog in snowy park.
A black and white dog wearing a harness sits and looks up at a person in jeans and boots on a snowy day in a park.
Spotted dog wearing a pink harness sits in a snowy park, with trees and people in the background.
Person in winter clothes bends down to pet a small black dog in snowy park. Other dogs and people in the background.
White husky with blue eyes standing in snowy park, with bare trees and distant buildings in the background.
A small brown dog with a yellow leash stands on snowy ground, looking to the side.
Man in a red shirt sitting, with festive decorations and a plate with text on a white wall behind him.
Brown dog stands in a snowy park, wearing an orange collar. Person walks in background near a tree.
White husky with blue eyes stands in snow near a tree in an urban park setting.
Two dogs running in snow near a fenced hill, with people in the background.
A dog runs across a snowy field with a stick in its mouth; people and trees are in the background.
Small brown dog with a yellow rope on an icy path in a snowy landscape.
Person sledding down a snowy hill with trees and buildings in the background.
Basketball player in blue jersey jumping to catch the ball, with teammates watching in a gym.
Volleyball player in blue jersey jumps to spike the ball as the referee observes from an elevated stand.
Two people talking in a crowded gymnasium; a volleyball is visible on the floor.
Potted snake plant on a wooden shelf, with metal frame and window in the background.
A shelf with potted plants is illuminated by sunlight near a window, next to a white armchair.
Newborn baby sleeping in a crib, wrapped in a soft blanket with bear patterns.
A crowd watches a volleyball game in a gym with banners and a referee on a stand. The gym features a Kingsmen sign.
Womens volleyball team posing with medals and a trophy, standing on a stage with a sports ministry banner.
Womens volleyball game in a gym, spectators seated in the background, players in action near the net.
Womens team in teal and black jerseys sitting and standing in a gymnasium.
Night street market with a variety of fruits and vegetables displayed, and a person walking by.

Edited

Person in a red jacket stands in a snowy plaza, facing a building with Cookies sign and Starbucks logos.
Snow-covered pine tree branch in a snowy park, with blurred trees in the background.
A dimly lit black door with the number 33 above it, surrounded by scaffolding and illuminated by red light.
Row of blue Citi Bikes covered in snow on a snowy urban street with tall buildings in the background.
Black and white photo of a corner restaurant with a vertical Juniors sign and a clock beneath it.
Small black and white dog looking up near person sitting on wooden floor.
Close-up of a snow-dusted pine branch with blurred forest background.
White dog peeking from behind a tree in a snowy park, with buildings and trees in the background.
A schnauzer wearing a gray coat stands on a snowy path.
Black vehicle at an urban intersection with brick buildings and a scooter on a sunny day.
A snake plant in a white pot sits on a wooden shelf, with sunlight streaming in from a nearby window.
Group photo of a sports team on stage with medals and trophies, standing under NEC Sports Ministry banner.
A sports team poses with a trophy, wearing matching jerseys and medals, seated and standing together indoors.
A womens sports team poses with trophies and medals in front of a NEC Sports Ministry banner.
Coach motivating basketball players in a huddle, wearing team jerseys, in a gym with a hoop in the background.
A group of women in team jerseys huddling, hands in the center, sharing a motivational moment.
A womens sports team in striped jerseys huddled together, discussing strategy on a court.
A high school volleyball team prepares to serve during a game in a gymnasium filled with spectators.
People buying snacks at a well-lit street food stand at night.

Tech Specs

The following tech specs are provided to us by Canon.

  • Focal Length: 35mm
  • Maximum and Minimum Aperture: f/1.4 – f/16
  • Lens Mount Type: RF Mount
  • Compatible Cameras: Canon EOS R-series, APS-C and full-frame
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.28m (11.0in)
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.18x
  • Field of View, at Minimum Focus Distance: Approx. 195mm × 130mm (7.7″ x 5.1″)
  • Angle of View (Diagonal): Approx. 63º

Declaration of Journalistic Intent

The Phoblographer is one of the last standing dedicated photography publications that speaks to both art and tech in our articles. We put declarations up front in our reviews to adhere to journalistic standards that several publications abide by. These help you understand a lot more about what we do:

  • At the time of publishing this review, Canon is not an advertiser with the Phoblographer. In fact, since we brought all advertising efforts in-house in 2020, they haven’t advertised with us.
  • Our reviews are constantly updated when new firmware comes out. So please expect updates from us in the future if Canon ever gets us a loaner unit. As it is, most of our product request emails to Canon were met with silence.
  • The Phoblographer was not part of the initial all-expenses paid trip to test the Canon EOS R5 II that you saw so many YouTubers, influencers, and very few journalists on. As of a few years ago, The Phoblographer has turned down all press trips as a matter of ethics. As a result, Canon has paid for no part of this review of the Canon EOS R5 II. The exception to this is the long-term loaner units that we’ve had in our offices.
  • I’ve been working with Canon for over 15 years. Typically, we get treated a specific way when they don’t like what we’re saying. And we often find it to be a mark against transparent journalism. We’ve called several brands out for this before: a big one that does this is Sigma. Peak Design and WANDRD have also done this in the past to the Phoblographer.
  • None of the reviews on the Phoblographer are sponsored. That’s against FTC laws and we adhere to them just the same way that newspapers, magazines, and corporate publications do. Others don’t always make declarations.
  • Canon did not loan the product to us. Instead, it was loaned to us free of charge by the editorial program over at Lensrentals. There was no money exchange between Lensrentals and the Phoblographer for this to happen. Manufacturers trust the Phoblographer’s reviews, as they are incredibly blunt.
  • Canon knows that they cannot influence the site’s reviews. If we don’t like something or if we have issues with it, we’ll let folks know. We were the first publication to inform about several issues that we’ve seen from Canon before.
  • Lensrentals sent the product to Phoblographer in NYC to loan the camera to us. Our home office is based in New York. We’ve long since returned it.
  • The Phoblographer’s standards for reviewing products have become much stricter. After having the world’s largest database of real-world lens reviews, we choose not to review anything we don’t find innovative or unique, and in many cases, products that lack weather resistance. We’ve also steered away from Micro Four Thirds and APS-C as they’re dying formats. This is a conclusion that even the other members of TIPA agree on. Unless something is very unique, we probably won’t touch it.
  • In recent years, brands have withheld NDA information from us or stopped working with us because they feel they cannot control our coverage. These days, many brands will not give products to the press unless they get favorable coverage. In other situations, we’ve stopped working with several brands for ethical issues. Either way, we report as honestly and rawly as humanity allows.
  • At the time of publishing, the Phoblographer is the only photography publication that is a member of Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative. We champion human-made art and are frank with our audience. We are also the only photography publication that labels when an image is edited or not.

More can be found on our Disclaimers page.

Canon RF 35mm F1.4 VCM Review: A Must for Your Camera Bag?
If you’re using Canon’s RF system, this lens should make your gear list – at least, your wish list. The RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM is everything you’d expect from a Canon L lens – it’s quick to grab focus, renders beautifully sharp images, and the colors are pleasing without much post-processing. It’s not a perfect lens; the limitations of the Iris Control with several bodies might make photographers feel they weren’t considered in developing the lens. Overall, this is a solid lens with few compromises.
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