Canon RF 28 to 70mm f2
Why it became my favourite wedding photography lens this year
If you want the quick takeaway, here it is.
TLDR
The Canon RF 28 to 70mm f2 has turned into my do everything wedding lens. It lives on my A cam, saves me loads of lens swaps, lets me move faster through the day, and it has even helped me slim down my kit enough to bring extra video gear without upgrading to a bigger bag.
The video this blog is based on
I made a quick end of year video talking about why I genuinely think the 28 to 70mm f2 might be the best wedding photography lens I will ever use.
It is not a specs nerd review. It is more real world. How it feels on a wedding day, how it changed my workflow, and why it basically never leaves my camera now.
If you want to watch it first, do that, then come back here. If you prefer reading, this post is the full idea in blog form.
This lens basically moved in and never left
I bought the 28 to 70mm this year and I did not realise how much I was relying on it until I reviewed footage from my last weddings. Clip after clip, there it is. Same camera. Same lens. All day.
Getting ready. Ceremony. Speeches. Couple photos. Candid moments. Even a chunk of the party.
Over the last 5 or 6 weddings it has stayed on my A cam right up until after the first dance. That is the biggest compliment I can give any lens. It just works.
Before this lens, I was the classic lens swapper
I used to take a heavy bag to weddings. Multiple primes, plus wider glass, plus extra options because I always felt like I did not have quite the right focal length for the moment.
I love the prime look. So I was constantly bouncing between focal lengths trying to keep that style. The downside is obvious.
More swapping. More weight. More decision making. More missed moments.
The 28 to 70mm f2 solved that for me.
Why f2 across the whole range matters on a wedding day
A lot of zooms are great, but you end up leaning back into primes because you miss that depth and separation.
With this lens, I get the flexibility of a zoom and the look I love without constantly reaching for another lens.
On a wedding day, that means I can stay in the moment. I can move. I can react. I can grab the shot when it happens, not after I have changed my setup.
That is the real value for me. It is a workflow lens.
My two camera setup is now built around it
This is the biggest change.
The 28 to 70mm stays on the A cam.
The B cam becomes the support camera depending on the part of the day.
In the morning, the 35mm tends to live on the B cam.
If I want details, that 35 gets me close enough that I no longer feel the need to carry a dedicated macro lens most of the time. If I need extra close up, I will use macro rings.
For portraits, I still love my 50mm f1.2. It is a monster in the best way, but I am honest about where it fits now. It is mainly for intentional portrait moments, not my default all day lens.
The difference is I am not fighting my kit anymore. It is purposeful.
A little bonus trick, but do not try this mid wedding
I mentioned this in the video because it is fun, but also because it shows how flexible your kit can be if you actually play with it.
You can take the lens hood off, hold a lens to the front of your camera backwards, and get some really interesting macro style shots. It can look amazing, especially for video.
But a serious warning here. Do not practice this for the first time on a wedding day.
You also need your camera settings to allow shooting without a lens attached, and there are other little complications.
Try it at home. Have a play. Learn it properly.
The unexpected win: it helped me shoot more hybrid work
This part surprised me.
By cutting down how many lenses I felt I needed to bring, I created space in my bag. Real space. Not just theoretical space.
That space has meant I can now bring a third camera for tripod video, plus audio gear, plus bits like mics and accessories, and still keep my bag manageable.
That shift is a big reason I have been able to start offering simple wedding films alongside photo work. Nothing fancy, just solid coverage, practical editing, and a nice highlight approach while I level up.
So yes, it is a lens, but it also changed what I can physically carry and therefore what I can deliver.
Is it worth the money
This lens is expensive. No point pretending otherwise.
My honest take is this.
If you are regularly paid to shoot weddings and you can afford it without stress, it is worth it. It is a time saver and a stress reducer. That alone can pay you back.
If you are not making proper money yet, do not get into debt for it. That is not the move. Build up first. Get paid work. Reinvent your kit later.
But if you asked me, if I could only shoot a wedding with one lens, which would I pick.
It is this one. Every time.
If you are considering it, here is the practical advice
A few things I would tell anyone thinking about this lens.
Rent it first if you can
Even one wedding or one full day of shooting will tell you if it suits your style.Be honest about your shooting style
If you want maximum flexibility and you shoot fast, you will love it.
If you are strictly prime only and love the slower approach, you might not care.Think workflow, not hype
This lens is not about internet hype. It is about how much it simplifies your day.Use it properly
Do not buy it and then treat it like a 50mm. Learn the full range. The real magic is how quickly you can adapt without swapping lenses.
Watch the video
If you want the full chat version with my real wedding day perspective, the video is live on my YouTube channel.
If you have questions, drop a comment on the video. I read them and I reply, and it helps me know what to make next.
Thanks for being here, and if you are a fellow wedding photographer trying to make your kit work smarter, not harder, I have got more coming.
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