Question about RF 24-105 F4 L USM and softness

[Grep]

I’m planning to buy the Canon R8 and have watched several video reviews and read many articles. However, I’m now feeling confused due to the mixed feedback on the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4. I’m not a professional photographer and don’t earn money from photography. My main goal is to capture high-quality family and vacation photos and videos. 

That said, I’ve come across multiple reports mentioning that the lens can be soft. Even some professional photographers have shared that they rented this lens and found it lacking in sharpness. I’m not sure if this issue indicates that the lens wears out over time or if it’s an inherent flaw.

While I’m not planning to engage in pixel peeping, I do want to ensure I'm investing wisely, since I’ll be spending over a thousand dollars and expect good image quality. An alternative I’m considering is the RF 28-70mm f/2.8 STM.

What do you think, will 24-105 be good for video and photos? 

[p4pictures]

I've owned and used an RF 24-105mm F4L and I didn't find it lacking at all. The only reason I no longer have it is that I swapped to the RF 28-70mm F2L which is a whole different kind of beast. While there may be sharper lenses, none of the RF lenses appears soft in my view. It's a great value lens worthy of the L series designation. It will serve you well with the EOS R8 for the pictures and videos you want to make. 

[Tronhard]

Hi Grep and welcome:

I can only offer my own experience with having owned 3 of these RF 24-105L f/4 lenses that they have all been absolutely fine for shooting stills with the R5, and both R6 variants.  I got two of these with camera kits, and the third was to replace one of those I totaled when I face-planted on an assignment. 🙄 The have all consistently been good lenses.  They will likely not be as sharp as a prime lens, or even something like a RF 24-70L f/2, but again we are dealing with different focal ranges and costs, so it's an apples and oranges situations.

As to the negative reports...  First, it is common that those who find that any piece of equipment works as expected are not going to make a big deal out of it: if it does what we pay for that is expected.   So, it is quite common for those who have had a bad experience to form a disproportionate percentage of reviews.   The 24-105 range has been a pretty standard, and the most popular lens for higher-end ILCs for decades, for a good reason.

In that context, you need to consider what subjects you are going to shoot under what conditions. Look at the reviews and see what they were doing with their gear at the time and see how that compares to your intentions.  Also, take into account what you are going to produce.  You say you are not a pixel peeper, but I bet the vast majority of reviewers are!  Things that will impact the quality are the aperture, shutter speed, how the camera is held, and the files are recorded and processed. 

A lot of people taking stills mistakenly hold a camera like a cell phone: that is at arms' length, viewing the LCD at the back.  That is not a good way to use a dedicated camera with a fairly heavy lens attached.  Cell phones are small, super light,  and have tiny focal lengths - all the opposite of a dedicated camera.  Camera shake can sabotage the results from the sharpest lenses, so technique is critical:

For video, it is worth noting that any 24-105 is a heavy lens to wield without stabilization from a gimbal or other supportive device, so how are you intending to use it.

I am not a videographer, so I cannot comment on the specific performance of the RF 24-105L f/4 in that application.  If you are not sure, I would recommend renting or borrowing an example and test it for yourself, under the conditions and with the subjects you will be shooting.

[ebiggs1]

"...  I’ve come across multiple reports mentioning that the lens can be soft"

I would stop reading those reviewers. I, personally don't read reviews so I have no idea what they are saying. I do my own testing and solely rely on that. Albeit not many RF lenses at this point but hundreds of previous lenses form all the various manufacturers. I found out in that 20 year span that reviews are worth exactly what you paid for them . Nothing! There are some bad ones for sure but there are some really bad ones too. I know a few of the guys here on this forum read or watch everything possible on the ole inner web but nothing beats doing it for yourself.

[Robegul]

Hi,

I have an RF24 - 105L lens and absolutely love it.   I bought it when the RP came out as a package, and recently upgraded to an R6.  I have no sharpness issues at all,  Beautifully sharp images.  I would highly recommend this lens as a general purpose lens based on my own experience.  It has been noted that it is a bit on the heavy side for an RP/R8 style camera that is fairly light and smaller.  When I had the RP, I bought the grip extension (which I believe also fits on the R8), and I found that combination to be perfect.  

Good luck.