Full Frame Can someone explain the RF 28 f2.8 lens to me?

[JCBigler]

What’s the appeal of this lens? Other than its super tiny form factor?

Is there some special look you get from one of these types of lenses that you don’t get from the 24mm f1.8?

The 24 has a faster aperture and image stabilization, why not just get it instead of the 28? And other than the size and weight, the 28mm focal length at f2.8 is already covered by the 24-70mm f2.8.

It just seems like an oddly placed product to me.

 

[miuzi]

I think form factor is #1. I absolutely love this lens, use it on my R8 all the time. The combo of the 28mm pancake with the R8 body is less than 600g total, and is super tiny and comfortable, perfect for a hangout with friends or a day out and about with my kids.

One other aspect you didn't mention is price. In Canadian dollars, the 28 pancake is a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the 24mm f/1.8, and can be had for about 1/5th the preorder price of the new 28-70 f/2.8, not to mention near as makes no difference 1/10th the price of the 28-70 f/2.8 L.

 

[Dean Wilson]

Cost.

You don't have to pay extra for IS, Macro, or the extra stop, and it weights a LOT less.