Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM

OpticalLimits rates it the best fast standard zoom it has tested. The broad centre is very sharp at f/2.8 at every focal length and the borders are very good; the corners are a little soft wide open except around 50mm and catch up by f/5.6. Raw files show strong vignetting at 24mm f/2.8 that is still visible at f/8, complex barrel distortion at 24mm and pincushion at 70mm, all of which auto-correction handles at a small cost in corner detail. Lateral colour is low, and bokeh fringing is clear at f/2.8 but fades by f/5.6.

Autofocus is very fast and silent, and the stabiliser is reliable. Build quality and weather sealing are top class, though the extending barrel draws comment. Background blur is smooth and highlights stay round, but out-of-focus highlights show an onion-ring texture. The recurring criticisms are size and weight on smaller R bodies and a price well above the EF version, with the RF 24-105mm F4L named as the more sensible choice for many buyers.

Owners, many moving over from EF, describe it as a dependable workhorse for portraits and paid work: sharp to the edges, smooth bokeh, neutral colour, fast AF and effective IS. Several say it sees off the RF 24-105mm F4L whenever image quality comes first.

The constant complaints are the 900g weight, the size and the price, and some leave it at home for private use. Individual gripes include an optical design that depends on correction, a rear cap that fits only one way, flare into the light and a 70mm end that feels short. One owner went through three copies and still found results soft with flat colour, but most are very satisfied.