RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Infrared hotspots

[thetoycamera]

I’m wondering if anyone has experience using the RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens on an infrared-converted camera. Is this lens suitable for infrared photography, and does it produce hotspots?

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

I suggest you contact Canon Sales for more information about the capabilities of this lens.  

[Stephen]

Good morning, Rick (and everyone else)!

I just wanted to pop in to let you know that our team can only comment on how Canon products are designed to perform when they're being used as intended.

It is not supported to use a product that Canon USA did not modify (e.g., to change a cinema mount).

[ebiggs1]

Was the conversion Canon approved? If it was not, I don't expect Canon to offer much advice on using their lenses on a unauthorized camera.

[shadowsports]

Good morning Stephen,

Thanks for clarifying this.  

@theytoycamera. It looks like you will need to do your own experimentation and determine whether or not a lens like the RF 15-30 can be used on a camera converted for infrared photography without hotspots.  

Canon doesn't comment or support using their  products on equipment not intended for use or modified by them. 

Thanks again Stephen for providing this information.  

[justadude]

I just looked at Kolari Vision's lens hotspot database, and it is not listed.  

Longtime infrared photographer here (I started with IR film back in the 1980's).  I have found many lenses that are listed as bad but they still have a sweet spot where images are missing the hot spot at certain apertures.  It's a gamble though - some have hotspots no matter the settings.

Are you open to a similar and slightly less expensive alternative than the RF 15-30mm F/4.5-6.3... and the bonus is that it is also an L lens?  My all time favorite Canon lens on my DSLRs and mirrorless bodies is the EF 17-40mm F/4 L.  I've used this lens for regular photography AND infrared on the following cameras... 60D, 80D, 6D, RP, R8 and R6 Mk ll.  Four of those cameras are not converted to infrared, but using the 17-40mm with a 720nm or 850nm lens filter, I've never seen a hot spot.  

The 60D and R8 have both been converted to full spectrum.  I have literally taken thousands of infrared shots with these two cameras under just about every lighting condition that you can imagine over the past 15 years, and the EF 17-40mm F/4 L and have never had even a hint of a hotspot.  

I've used a lot of lenses for my infrared photography, including a handful of RF lenses.  This has been the best performer for infrared photography.  

[justadude]

I forgot to add, you can find these used quite often for $350 - $400.  Currently B&H has one listed with a rating of 9 and it's selling for $406.

[thetoycamera]

Thanks Gary… I have been shooting with the 17-40 L and the 24-105L and the pair is great. I was hoping to go native and a bit wider. Will see if I can rent the lens and test. 

[justadude]

I understand the going native part.  As for wider... the extra 2mm isn't much, but might add more distortion.  Curious to what you find out after renting one.  Good luck!