Canon RF 35mm vs 24mm f/1.8 Macro: Which Wide Prime First?
By The Camera Gear Shop | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Buying Guides
Compare the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM and RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM by field of view, close-focus use, and handling. Decide which wide RF prime to buy first.
Quick answer
Buy the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM first if you want one wide prime that handles everyday scenes and close-ups with a more natural angle. Choose the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM first only if your work regularly needs a wider view for landscapes, interiors, or dramatic close-focus frames.
Field of view: the real difference between 35mm and 24mm
The 35mm focal length gives a moderately wide view that keeps scenes recognizable without stretching the edges. It is easier to fill the frame with a subject and still show context, which makes it a safer first prime for portraits, street scenes, and tabletop work. The 24mm focal length pulls in much more of the scene. That extra width helps in tight interiors or when you want a sweeping landscape, but it also pushes background elements smaller and makes foreground objects loom larger. If you are unsure, 35mm is the more forgiving starting point; 24mm rewards deliberate positioning.
Close-focus ability: both are macro primes, but the working distance differs
Both lenses are described as macro optics, so close-up capability is part of their appeal rather than an afterthought. The practical difference is how close you need to be. A 24mm macro lens lets you include more background around a small subject, which can create environmental close-ups with a sense of place. A 35mm macro lens gives a slightly tighter framing at the same working distance, which often feels more controlled for product shots or flowers. Neither lens is a substitute for a longer macro lens when you need maximum working distance from skittish subjects, and the catalog does not supply magnification ratios, so check that specification if 1:1 reproduction is essential.
Aperture and handling: similar speed, different weight priorities
Both lenses share an f/1.8 maximum aperture, so low-light ability and depth-of-field control are broadly comparable on paper. The real handling difference comes from the focal length and design. The 35mm is described as compact and lightweight, which suits a walk-around kit where you want one lens to stay mounted. The 24mm is also described as portable and lightweight, but its wider view encourages a different shooting style: you step closer to subjects and use the foreground deliberately. If you value a small, unobtrusive setup, the 35mm has the edge for everyday carry; if you shoot architecture or tight interiors, the 24mm's wider view may justify the change in approach.
Optical coatings and flare control
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM uses a Super Spectra coating, which the catalog notes helps control flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color accuracy in bright or backlit conditions. That is useful when you shoot toward windows or the sun. The catalog does not list a comparable coating detail for the 24mm, so do not assume identical flare performance. If backlit shooting is a large part of your work, the 35mm's stated coating is a concrete point in its favor.
Decision rules for buying your first wide RF prime
- If you want one lens for daily carry and mixed subjects: Choose the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM. Its moderately wide view is easier to compose with for people, street, and tabletop details, and the compact build makes it a natural stay-on lens.
- If your work is dominated by landscapes, interiors, or wide environmental close-ups: Choose the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. The wider field of view lets you include more scene around a subject, which is useful when space is tight or you want a dramatic foreground-to-background relationship.
- If you often shoot toward bright windows or the sun: Favor the 35mm, which the catalog states uses a Super Spectra coating to help control flare and ghosting. The 24mm's coating is not specified, so treat flare performance as unconfirmed for that lens.
- If maximum close-up magnification is the priority: Check the magnification ratio before buying either lens. The catalog describes both as macro-capable but does not state their maximum reproduction ratios, so confirm that detail if you need true 1:1. Do not assume 'macro' in the name means 1:1; verify the ratio for your subject size.
- If you plan to add a second wide prime later: Start with the 35mm for general use, then add the 24mm only when you repeatedly find yourself backing into walls or wanting a wider environmental close-up. Buying both at once often leaves one unused.
Product facts
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM Lens: Compact, lightweight wide-angle prime with 1:2 macro capability and Super Spectra coating. A single lens can cover everyday wide scenes and close-ups while resisting flare in bright or backlit conditions.
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM Lens - Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens: 24mm wide-angle focal length with exceptional close-up abilities and an f/1.8 maximum aperture. You get a wider view for landscapes and interiors plus shallow depth-of-field control, but you must manage a more dramatic perspective.
Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens
Who should choose which
Best for
- Photographers who want one compact wide prime for everyday scenes and close-up details
- Shooters who often work in bright or backlit conditions and value the 35mm's stated flare-control coating
- Buyers who prefer a more natural perspective for people and street photography
Not for
- Photographers who mainly shoot tight interiors or sweeping landscapes and need the wider 24mm view
- Anyone who needs a confirmed 1:1 macro lens; check magnification ratios first
- Buyers who want a single lens to cover both wide and tight close-up work without compromise
