Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM
Announced June 28, 2021
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM is a compact, ultra-wide zoom that offers sharp image quality and effective stabilization for travel and landscape photography. While it relies heavily on software corrections to manage distortion and vignetting, its lightweight build and versatile focal range make it a practical alternative to heavier f/2.8 lenses.
Weighted from 20 reviewer scores
Pros
- Sharp optics with effective image stabilization
- Close minimum focusing distance
- Versatile 14-35mm ultra-wide focal range
- Lightweight and compact build
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Significant barrel distortion and vignetting at the wide end
- Maximum f/4 aperture limitations
- High price point
- Reliance on software correction profiles
- Extending lens barrel design
- Launch price $1,699 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 14-35mm f/4
- Mount & coverage Canon RF Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus 20.1 cm (0.38x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor Nano USM
- Weight & size 544.3g · 84 x 99 mm (3.31 x 3.90 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 20 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 9/10
[T]he RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM is a great choice that I would recommend to any Canon shooter looking for an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens.
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The Canon RF 14-35mm f4L is a flexible, high quality ultra-wide zoom that provides a compelling alternative to the RF 15-35 f2.8.
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[T]he Canon RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM Lens is the ultra-wide to wide member of what could be considered the trinity of essential RF f/4 zoom lenses, a set of high-performing, lightweight, compact, moderately priced, professional-grade lenses [...]
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The Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM is a welcome addition to the RF lineup…warts and all.
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By the end of my time testing it, I was eventually convinced to forgive it for its huge price, and so I can safely say that it does come highly recommended.
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Some lenses just gel and just get on with the job, performing flawlessly and smoothly and not getting in the way of image-making. This is such a lens; what a beauty it is and what lovely results it delivers.
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The Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM proved to be a great partner for the Canon EOS R5 camera, forming a compact, well-built, weather-proof system that delivers excellent image quality.
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The fact that you have 14 to 35, it's light, it doesn't take up as much space in the bag, you can go 14, you can go to 35, it's a great photojournalistic lens.
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Super wide, super sharp and light as the proverbial feather, the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM is possibly the best full-frame lens for travel and architecture photography.
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The Canon RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM's lightweight build makes it an ideal lens for travelers and hikers. Raw format photographers will need to take some care processing photos to get distortion-free results, however.
- Photo Review 9.0/10
While the RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM lens is a stop slower than its main rival, it’s also considerably smaller, lighter, more affordable and covers a wider angle of view.
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The 14-35mm f/4L is a surprisingly compact and lightweight lens, being even lighter and smaller than the already fairly compact RF 24-105mm f/4L.
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This lens is fantastically sharp, lightweight, compact, and extremely versatile. It’s also relatively affordable compared to the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8, making it a no-brainer for many photographers.
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With the addition of lenses in its lineup like the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM, despite having the cons, this lens really does crush it. [...] It really has proved to be a valuable addition to my kit and really it turned into one of my favorite lenses to use.
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This is the world's best ultrawide zoom, unless you really, really need the f/2.8 aperture of the larger RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM or prefer the tiny price and lighter weight of the RF 15-30mm IS STM.
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Everything about the Canon RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM fits better into my workflow than my F2.8 lens.
- KelbyOne Insider 90%
The new Canon RF 14-35mm solves that size and weight problem, and it lets me add a wide-angle to the kit.
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This lens is a perfect companion for travel video blocks, landscape photography, and spectacular scenery, as you could see, also for portraits.
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[T]he excellent vignette performance, the expanded focal length range to 14 millimeters, and the superior detail and sharpness of this lens on newer Canon cameras like the R5 and the R6 is worth paying extra for compared to picking up an older EF lens [...]
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[T]his lens is going to live in my kit for a really long time, and especially now with the RF mount being adopted by companies like RED, I can see this lens going really really well with something like a RED Komodo or even a Raptor or something like that.
