The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens is a high performance, water-resistant, and ultra wide-angle L-series lens. The optical design has been improved to offer better edge-to-edge image quality. In addition, it features 3 high-precision aspherical lens elements, each of a different type: ground, replica and GMo. Improved AF algorithms will help the lens to focus faster and quieter.
All of the "L" lenses deliver optical performance equal to similar fixed focal lengths lenses, and the USM lenses do this with silent, high-speed focusing. Distortions and aberrations are remarkably small for a lens of such amazing capabilities.
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 16 - 35 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 108° - 63° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 11.2" (28 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.22x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:4.5 |
| Groups/Elements | 12/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 82 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.5 x 4.4" (8.89 x 11.18 cm) |
| Weight | 1.4 lb (635 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Most Liked Positive Review
Fantastic Wide Angle Lens
Fantastic wide angle lens that really shines on a full frame body such as the Canon 5D Mark II.I originally had the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM which produced good images with high ...Read complete review
Fantastic wide angle lens that really shines on a full frame body such as the Canon 5D Mark II.I originally had the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM which produced good images with high contrast and good colour reproduction, but sharpness was poor. In comparison, the 16-35mm II is ultra-sharp in the middle and more than acceptable in the corners (even when pixel peeping), with fantastic contrast and colours. The AF is fast and the build is solid.Some sample photos on different bodies:5D II: http://www.flickr.com/photos/filipmakowski/6157757391/in/photostream5D II: http://www.flickr.com/photos/filipmakowski/6157760781/in/photostream5D II: http://www.flickr.com/photos/filipmakowski/6157758417/in/photostream7D: http://www.flickr.com/photos/filipmakowski/6157759497/in/photostream7D: http://www.flickr.com/photos/filipmakowski/6158293534/in/photostream20D: http://www.flickr.com/photos/filipmakowski/6157752733/in/photostream
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Most Liked Negative Review
Somewhat disappointed.
At the moment I'm very disappointed in the 16mm setting. Unless I don't know how to use it properly, it's useless at that setting unless you want to be doing some sort of distortion ...Read complete review
At the moment I'm very disappointed in the 16mm setting. Unless I don't know how to use it properly, it's useless at that setting unless you want to be doing some sort of distortion photography for pop art. Lots of vignetting at that setting and lots of distortion that I can't even fix in Photoshop. I wanted it for indoor real estate photography, don't really need to be at 16mm, so it can pass. I love the 35mm setting. It's gorgeous! Photos don't even need any editing at all. But I guess I'm thinking in that case, I should just buy a 35mm, if the wide angle settings aren't any good anyway. Not sure at this point what my final feelings will be. Need more practice with it.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
As a sports photographer I've primarily used this lens to shoot basketball. I plan to move into action sports with it, but it's fantastic for closeup sports shots. The extreme angles allow you to fit everything into one picture that's crisp and clean. The focus isn't as fast as my 70-200 2.8 II IS but still very very fast. Overall I would say it's worth it.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
It is expensive, but a great lens on a full frame for landscapes and indoor photos. Not as heavy as my 24-70L and faster autofocus. Very flat and very little distortion.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
I am a professional wedding photographer. I use this lens at every wedding. It is fast and sharp and gives a great unique point of view!
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
it gets a little crazy on the edges in 16mm but all in all a great lens!
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
I was dreaming about buying this lens 4 years. Recently I read review at photozone.de and they didn't recommend this lens because of only moderate sharpness, chromatic aberration and vignetting. However this is 16mm!!! And I don't know about any other lens for Canon which is giving us zoom option and is so flexible and sharp in the same time. My tests in field photographing landscapes proved photozone.de wrong. Yes maybe the numbers they provide are true but in real life this lens can produce images which can compete with any 35mm format wide angle in range of 16 - 20mm.
I also bought Carl Zeiss 18mm for Canon in the same time and photozone.de is not recommending that one at all. My tests proved otherwise same like with 16-35mm mark II. and in fact Canon has same sharpness like 18mm Zeiss even if Canon is Zoom lens.
My dreams came true and now I will focus only on traveling and taking best pictures.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
When I bought this lens i tested lots of shots. It is really good for low light and it gets a crystal clear images. I shot the my entries studio at nigt and I dont even used any flash. The colors are vivid.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
Nice ultra wide angle lens. Perfect compliment to the rest of the "L" series lens. Nice lens if you want really wide with none of the exaggeration you get from a fisheye. This thing really gathers a lot of light. See my uploaded comparisons between a 24-70 L (at 24mm f/8), the 16-35"L" (f/8 at 16mm).
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
I photograh a lot of families in their homes so this is a great wide lens!!
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
This lens lives up to its legend. Excellent fit and finish and great feel on the focus and zoom rings lets you know this is a high end professional lens. The wide angle is great for tight indoor spaces as well as scenic panoramas. All this combined with sharp images and amazing background blur gives me the tools to create standout images. The online ordering process with B&H was fast and easy and my lens arrived in just a few days.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
This is the lens if you're looking for an ultra-wide angle zoom for your full-frame canon DSLR. Autofocus is fast and accurate and details are tack-sharp. At 16mm, cornes are a bit soft at f2.8 but improve between f4 and f8. Distortion is minimal and easily corrected in post-editing software. Sometimes the distortion is even fun to play with, letting you exaggerate the size of something in the foreground creating interesting compositions.
This lens is great for landscapes and performs very well in low light situations such as indoor wedding receptions. Just be sure to keep your subject's head out of the corner or you'll smear their faces.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
Still learning how to shoot with this wide of an angle. Have not had much practice with it yet. But so far, a good lens.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
I also own the amazing 24 TSE II. While the 16-35 can't quite match the optical perfection of the TSE, it is very sharp at the wide end and great throughout the range. It is also much more versatile and easy to use which makes it preferable when traveling.
I sold my 17-40 for this lens. I enjoy having 2.8 as a walk around lens, with closer subjects you still get some dof control. And at f4 the 16-35 is way ahead. For landscapes stopped down, the 17-40 is also very good but my 16-35 is much more consistent across the entire frame. You can get great shots with either lens, in reality.
A wide zoom, weather sealed, with f2.8, fast AF, excellent performance, AND it takes filters. Sure it's not perfect, but unless you're printing HUGE, the versatility of this lens will get you more keepers than some incremental improvement in image quality (i.e. the ZE 21 or Nikon 14-24).
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
The incorporated flash in 600D cannot be used with this lens from 16mm to about 23mm because there is a shadow projected by the top of the lens.
Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
I like the photos very much
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
My first L lens. Great build quality, sharp pictures, fast aperture and wide angle (even on my 1.6 crop factor body). Movement is solid (focusing / zoom rings) I have nothing negative to say about this lens other than the price! But thats to be expected with L builds. Im really glad I bought it. Worth every penny.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
I tried 2 copies of this lens, I really wanted to be impressed. Unfortunately neither exceeded my experience with my 17-40mm.
Of course it is built like an "L" lens, but for the price differential in the 2 lenses - there should be a noticeable IQ or some tangible improvement.
I am sticking with the 17-40mm
Since I am using a 1.6x crop camera - maybe those with FF would have a different experience.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
2nd lens i bought, the first being a 70-200mm F2.8L II USM lens which i read is pretty much the staple lens to get for general purposes. First thing i had to learn was to not put subjects on the edges of the frame due to the barrel distortion (Is that correct?). I took an engagement party for fun and some of the pictures the bridge to be was 2 times wider haha, anyways lesson learned :p. Honestly the first L lens i bought was so much more impressive over the standard kit lens and this lens is no less. Extremely fast and quiet focus even on the 5D MII (which has problems focusing). Seems like the closer you get to 35mm of zoom it will have less distortion as well.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
A must have lens for any professional to have in the kit bag.
Im on a Canon 60 D so crop factor is 1.6x which is not ideal but none the less its a beautiful sharp lens and it does the job fine for what I need it for.
Just read the reviews about this lens and you will be sold.
Not the smallest of lenses but who cares once you see your shots from it.
On a full frame camera the lens would defo come into its own and show all its glory on the wide as well at the tight field of view.
The fixed apature all the way through is worth every penny at the end of the day.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
Great lens! Everything I was hoping for, particularly for landscapes. Still going through my own testing process, but so far excellent results. Sharp from corner to corner in all f-stops.
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Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:
This product fulfills my arsenal of lenses. This lens is great for wide landscapes and perspectives.
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