RF 14-35 L distortion correction

[Terrycanon]

I thought this little experiment might interest anyone worried about the distortion on such a wide angle as the RF 14-35 L. These are before and after images, showing a photo taken at 14mm straight from the R5 and without correction. As I expected, the distortion is, errr, rather noticeable - so bad that if the motorway bridge was really like that, I'd would have to report it to the highway authorities.

The second image is after using the auto transform tool in Lightroom Classic. Just one click and the difference is massive. No vignetting, btw.

I really like this lens. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Rick G]

I just got the RF14-35 f/4 L IS USM lens. I have taken it out once so far. I like it too. Yes the Lightroom auto transform tool does a good job squaring things up, doesn't it?
Here is one pic that I liked from when I had the lens out a week ago.

 

[marcial4]

Capture one also does a good job working with the mechanical vignetting this lens have at 14mm. In the end is the perfect replacement for those who doesn't want to use an EF EWA lens with the adapter and wants something more compact, my only gripe is the zoom mechanism retracting between 20-24mm.

 

[Lubos-PM]

I don't want to start a new thread. I bought a used RF 14-35/4 and today I compared the width of the frame with the EF16-35/4 I have been using until now. Sure, I knew the 14-35 was wider than the 16-35, that's why I bought it (and to get rid of the adapter), but I was surprised to see how noticeable it was. The photos are from RAW with the profile correction turned off, no other adjustments, just in Photoshop reduced to 1920 px wide. I did level the camera on the tripod according to the electronic level in the viewfinder, but I didn't have it completely perpendicular to the wall, which was about 2 meters away, and it shows in the photos, but it can be corrected quite well in further processing.

EF 16-35/4


RF 14-35/4

 

[Dillan_K]

How sharp is it compared to the EF 16-35mm f/4L IS? I've been kicking the idea of buying this lens around in my mind. I don't have either, but they'd be the options if I were to go for a wide angle zoom.

 

[Terrycanon]

How sharp is it compared to the EF 16-35mm f/4L IS? I've been kicking the idea of buying this lens around in my mind. I don't have either, but they'd be the options if I were to go for a wide angle zoom.

About the same sharpness, I think. Remember, if you get the EF lens, you’ll need the adapter, and that makes it considerably heavier, as I remember. I use the 14-35 a lot for street photography, and it makes a light and fairly compact combination with the R5. Go for it!

 

[marcial4]

How sharp is it compared to the EF 16-35mm f/4L IS? I've been kicking the idea of buying this lens around in my mind. I don't have either, but they'd be the options if I were to go for a wide angle zoom.

pretty similar sharpness to me maybe a little bit better at the corners but as Terrycanon said, it's lighter and smaller so you get better balance with a R body. Also 14 mm is a plus even with corrections made by profiles of LR or C1.

 

[Terrycanon]

Another example of this great lens at 14mm, with NO distortion correction applied in Lightroom. I really like the wide look, but some may not.

 

[Terrycanon]

Slight distortion correction used on this one.

 

[Terrycanon]

Upright shot with the RF14-35L at 14mm.

 

[Terrycanon]

Same lens but in landscape orientation at 14mm. Not much distortion correction needed.

 

[Terrycanon]

Shot at 14mm. No distortion correction needed,

 

[Tronhard]

Like most wide angle lenses, getting the camera perfectly aligned to the horizon and perpendicular to that will make a huge difference to how much work one has to do in post, unless distortion is part of the intent. In the following case it didn't take long to get that alignment, but if I had not done so the result would have been very distracting.

Making Light of the Commute Home - Evening traffic flow on a weeday evening in downtown Auckland, New Zealand.

 

[Terrycanon]

 

[Terrycanon]

I like the slight distortion I got at 14mm with this one.

 

[Terrycanon]

No distortion correction applied in Lightroom Classic for this one. I quite like the effect.