A guide to Canon 35mm prime lenses

While zoom lenses dazzle with their versatility and convenience, prime lenses hold a different kind of magic – a purity of vision realised by the simplicity of the design. Prime lenses offer a fixed focal length, encouraging photographers to embrace precision.

Canon’s range of 35mm prime lenses are designed to offer unique benefits depending on whether you are shooting video, hybrid, macro or portraiture. Read on to discover which lens is best suited to your creative vision.

The Nano USM unit, in combination with the VCM (Voice Coil Motor) unit, result in a quiet, high-speed Autofocus which is near-silent – perfect when filming interviews or skittish wildlife.

On top of this, the lens also features an ultra-low refractive index layer on the lens called Air Sphere Coating and anti-reflective Super Spectra Coating, minimising any ghosting and flaring.

The f/1.4 wide aperture allows users to achieve a shallow depth of field and for shooting in low-light conditions, while producing an artistic, creamy bokeh effect. Its other features include a weather-sealed construction, ensuring durability and reliability in harsh shooting conditions. This means that in whatever situation you use it in – whether it’s a night-time wedding video, an interview with mood lighting or a night-time landscape – you can rely on the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM to produce the footage and shots you need.

With a minimum focusing distance of just 0.17m and a maximum magnification of 0.5x, this lens enables photographers to capture intricate details and textures with astonishing sharpness. Its quiet, smooth STM autofocus (AF) motor ensures fast and accurate focusing, rendering this lens equally well-suited for both photography and videography.

The Canon RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM also features Canon's innovative Optical Image Stabilization (IS) technology, which provides up to 5 stops of stabilisation correction, and 7 stops when used on EOS R System cameras equipped with IBIS.

Another of the defining characteristics of the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens is its remarkable optical quality, which sets a high standard for excellence in portraiture. With its advanced optical design, including two aspherical elements and one UD element, this lens delivers edge-to-edge sharpness, minimal distortion, and superior colour rendition, capturing every nuance and detail with breath-taking fidelity.

The right lens for portrait photography should capture the essence of the human spirit with authenticity and depth, and it’s clear to see that this lens has been around for some time due to its impressive features and ability to capture high quality stills. Such features make this lens ideal for someone shooting stills alone, however if you’re looking to shoot both stills and video, the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM might be a better investment over time, as you get the luxury of both with just one lens. In particular, its combined Nano USM and VCM provide a much smoother and quieter video recording capability, allowing you to capture sensitive moments without interruption.

As an example, the CN-E35mm T1.5 L features industry-standard 0.8mm pitch gears for precise mechanical control with accessories such as follow focus units. The range has a consistent front diameter size and length amongst the entire prime series from 14mm to 135mm, which allows for seamless switching between lenses on set, making it the perfect choice for filmmakers who demand reliability, performance, and versatility in any shooting environment.

This is important as often the calibre of work will mean that people are working in large teams as opposed to from one camera or lens (focus is therefore controlled by a focus puller and using a Steadicam or gimbal for stabilisation). For native RF mount support, you can also consider the Canon CN-R 35mm L F, which boasts capabilities designed for larger scale video productions.

In video production, the lenses used in a production will impact the overall look of the film so choosing correctly is important. The CN-R 35mm T1.5 L F’s sophisticated coatings, consistent with Canon’s other cinema lenses, produce warmer colours in general and pleasing skin tones when recording scenes of people. Furthermore, with its precision-engineered optics, including multiple high-precision glass elements and advanced coatings, this lens delivers pristine image quality with unparalleled sharpness, contrast, and colour reproduction, capturing every detail and nuance.

Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM

• A great hybrid option, shooting both stills and video at high quality
• Its f/1,4 aperture makes for superb lowlight photography
• The silent auto-focus, optical design and dedicated iris ring allow seamless video shooting
• The weather-sealed construction makes this lens very durable

• Compact and lightweight, always a plus for shooting on the go
• The excellent zoom capability and precision makes this lens ideal for macro shooting
• Manoeuvrability is another bonus allowing for extra ease of use
• Most affordable in this lineup

• A tried and tested lens, this model is one you can rely on for quality stills
• Its optical quality makes it perfect for portrait photography
• Works perfectly well on RF mount cameras using the EF to RF Mount Adapter

• Exceptional image quality is a key benefit
• Best used therefore for filmmaking and large-scale production, and for those wanting a more cinematic look
• Works best in professional set-ups, including additional rockers and dials