CANON RF 24-105MM F/2.8L IS USM Z

A standard lens is reborn

Is there a more unexciting lens than a standard zoom? For years, we’ve been limited to a 24-105mm f/4 or 24-70mm f/2.8, but with only marginal improvements to each new generation it’s hard to get too excited. Canon promised much when it launched the RF mount, with its RF 28-70mm f/2L USM being one of the few revolutionary standard zooms. Things then went quiet, but now we have the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 IS USM Z…

Key features

This is a 24-105mm lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture, which has been the dream of many photographers. There’s more to this lens, though; instead of being a photography lens that’s also good for video, Canon has made a true hybrid lens. The company says it’s intended to be the first in a new line of hybrid lenses, but also says these shouldn’t be referred to as Z-line or Z lenses. The Z in the name stands for ‘zoom’, or rather ‘power zoom’, but isn’t to be confused with other PZ or PTZ cameras. The lens doesn’t have power zoom built in, however, and requires a Power Zoom Adapter for any assisted zooming functions – and Canon has you covered here, also announcing the PZ-E2 (with USB-C input) and the PZ-E2B, with an extra 20-pin connector for additional accessories. It seems that this lens is trying to offer a lot, then– but is it a jack of all trades and master of none?

1 The focus ring has been moved up front, with a wider texture.

2 There’s a switch for selecting static, panning or general OIS.

3 The Z stands for ‘zoom’ but there’s no built-in power zoom.