Canon’s new 28mm f/2.8 is a tiny, lightweight RF mount pancake lens
May 24, 2023
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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Along with today’s announcement of the Canon EOS R100 (buy here), Canon has also announced a new lens. Unlike the camera, though, this one’s full frame. It’s the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM (buy here), and it’s a tiny pancake-style lens. The wide-angle lens is targeted towards travel and street photography but should also make for a great value walkabout lens.
Unlike some pancake lenses, this one isn’t a fixed aperture. Its bright f/2.8 aperture is able to stop down to f/22, providing a lot of depth of field control, particularly with close subjects. And with a minimum focus distance of only 23cm, you can get pretty close.
For travel, street photography and vlogging
The Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM offers a 75° field of view, making for a nice wide scene for documenting your travels. The bright f/2.8 aperture means it should also do quite well for street photography in fairly low light levels, too. It has a 55mm front thread, which is a little uncommon. But, if you have larger filters, step-up rings are pretty inexpensive. Not included with the lens is a lens hood, although there is an EW-55 threaded lens hood available as an optional extra.
The STM stepping motor provides fast, smooth and quiet autofocus for both stills and video, and offers a minimum focus distance of only 23cm. With such close focusing abilities, it would also make for a great, lightweight vlogging lens – if you own any EOS R camera besides the newly announced EOS R100.
On the side of the lens is a switch that lets you quickly flip between autofocus and manual focus. The control ring on the front can also be configured to adjust either aperture, ISO or exposure compensation. The seven-blade diaphragm, Canon says, provides pleasing bokeh, and three aspherical elements help to control distortion, with Super Spectra coatings that minimise flare and ghosting.
Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Specs
| Focal Length | 28mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF |
| Format Compatibility | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 75° |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.17x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 23cm |
| Optical Design | 8 Elements in 6 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Filter Size | 55 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 69.2 x 24.7mm |
| Weight | 120g |
Price and Availability
The Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is available to pre-order now for $299. Shipping is expected to begin in July 2023.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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One response to “Canon’s new 28mm f/2.8 is a tiny, lightweight RF mount pancake lens”
The best news is the fact that its full frame! Not bad as a street photography lens