Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens USA

  • Price: $1,614.00
  • Instant Savings: -$110.00
  • Offer ends MAR 3 '12
  • You Pay: $1,504.00
  • B&H # CA163528LEF2
  • Mfr# 1910B002

Product Highlights

  • Ultra Wide Angle
  • Internal Focusing
  • Close Focusing to 0.9' (0.23m)
  • Quiet Autofocusing
  • Water-Resistant
  • 3 High-Precision Aspherical Elements
  • Circular Aperture
  • 82mm Filter Size

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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.

Entirely internal focusing and zooming movement
Ring-type USM provides ultra-quiet, super-fast, precision auto focusing and predictive tracking
Full-time manual focus override (even in AF mode)
Circular aperture diaphragm produces brilliant out-of-focus characteristics
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®

by PowerReviews
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens
 
4.8

(based on 605 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (517)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (81)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (6)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (1)

99%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Fast / accurate auto-focus (592)
  • Strong construction (422)
  • Durable (386)
  • Consistent output (377)
  • Easily interchangeable (279)

Cons

  • Heavy (90)
  • Pricey / poor value (13)
  • 82mm filter size (7)
  • Pricey but worth it (7)
  • Pricey (6)

Best Uses

  • Landscape/scenery (361)
  • Low light (252)
  • Night photography (233)
  • Weddings (207)
  • General purpose (104)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Semi-pro photographer (144), Photo enthusiast (124), Pro photographer (110), Enthusiast (65), Semi-professional (59)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (288), Yes (17)

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

VS

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.

Reviewed by 605 customers

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5.0

Solid lens, for what I've done so far

By DHoller

from Bend, OR

About Me Semi-pro Photographer

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Consistent Output
  • Great angles
  • Strong Construction
  • Versatile lens

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Indoors/Low Light
    • Landscape/Scenery
    • Night Photography
    • Sports/Action
    • Video
    • Weddings/Events

    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.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    Great lens on a full frame

    By Chuck

    from Atlanta, Ga

    About Me Semi-pro Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Consistent Output
    • Durable
    • Fast / accurate auto-focus
    • Lightweight
    • Strong Construction

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Indoors/Low Light
      • Landscape/Scenery

      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.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Share this review

       
      5.0

      Perfect for Weddings

      By Aborozinski

      from New England

      About Me Pro Photographer

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Consistent Output

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Weddings/Events

        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!

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Share this review

         
        4.0

        Love this lens

        By Alx

        from Los Angeles

        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Consistent Output
        • Durable
        • Easily Interchangeable
        • Fast / accurate auto-focus
        • Lightweight

        Cons

          Best Uses

            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!

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Share this review

             
            5.0

            16-35 Mark II amazing lens!

            By Flynn99

            from Vancouver, Canada

            About Me Pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Consistent Output
            • Durable
            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Fast / accurate auto-focus

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Landscape/Scenery

              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.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

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              4.0

              Crytal Clear Images

              By gigi

              from MN, USA

              About Me Photography Student

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Easily Interchangeable
              • Fast accurate auto-focus
              • Strong constructions

              Cons

              • Heavy
              • Heavy but manageable

              Best Uses

              • Indoor Low Light
              • Landscape/Scenery
              • Night Photography

              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.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Share this review

              (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Very Nice Lens

              By Todd T

              from Columbus

              About Me Semi-pro Photographer

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Consistent Output
              • Durable
              • Easily Interchangeable
              • Fast / accurate auto-focus
              • Lightweight
              • Nice Bokeh
              • Strong Construction

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Indoors/Low Light
                • Landscape/Scenery
                • Night Photography
                • Sports/Action
                • Video
                • Weddings/Events
                • Wildlife Photos

                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).

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                 
                5.0

                LOve this lens!

                By saraphotographer

                from altanta, ga

                About Me Pro Photographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Consistent Output
                • Durable
                • Easily Interchangeable
                • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                • Lightweight
                • Strong Construction

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Indoors/Low Light
                  • Video

                  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!!

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Share this review

                   
                  5.0

                  Fantastic Lens

                  By Tom C

                  from Los Angeles, CA

                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Fast
                  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                  • Nice Bokeh
                  • Rugged
                  • Strong Construction

                  Cons

                  • NONE

                  Best Uses

                  • Indoors/Low Light
                  • Landscape/Scenery
                  • Night Photography
                  • Weddings/Events

                  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.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Share this review

                   
                  5.0

                  Wonderfully Wide and Sharp!

                  By Lovetrolux

                  from Louisiana

                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Consistent Output
                  • Durable
                  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                  • Rugged
                  • Strong Construction

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Indoors/Low Light
                    • Landscape/Scenery
                    • Night Photography
                    • Weddings/Events

                    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.

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

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                    5.0

                    Excellent Lens

                    By Cynderella

                    from Medford, Oregon

                    About Me Photography Student

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Consistent Output
                    • Durable
                    • Easily Interchangeable
                    • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                    • Lightweight
                    • Nice Bokeh
                    • Strong Construction

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • Landscape/Scenery
                      • Weddings/Events

                      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.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

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                      5.0

                      Extremely versatile

                      By juicer

                      from Oregon

                      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Consistent Output
                      • Durable
                      • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                      • Lightweight
                      • Rugged

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                          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).

                          Share this review

                          (0 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

                           
                          3.0

                          Very important for 600d users

                          By João

                          from Portugal

                          About Me Photo Enthusiast

                          Verified Reviewer

                          Pros

                          • Strong Construction

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • Video

                            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.

                            • Was this a gift?:
                            • No

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                            5.0

                            One of my best lense

                            By yayamama

                            from Ottawa, ON, CA

                            Verified Buyer

                            Comments about Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Autofocus Lens:

                            I like the photos very much

                            Share this review

                             
                            5.0

                            Great quality product.

                            By Pete

                            from Vancouver, BC, Canada

                            About Me Photo Enthusiast

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Consistent Output
                            • Durable
                            • Easily Interchangeable
                            • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                            • Rugged
                            • Strong Construction

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • Indoors/Low Light
                              • Landscape/Scenery
                              • Night Photography
                              • Weddings/Events

                              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.

                              • Was this a gift?:
                              • No

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                              3.0

                              16-35mm disappoints

                              By Canonclix

                              from Midwest, USA

                              About Me Photo Enthusiast

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Consistent Output
                              • Durable
                              • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                              • Rugged

                              Cons

                              • 82mm Filter Size
                              • Poor IQ

                              Best Uses

                              • Landscape/Scenery

                              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.

                              • Was this a gift?:
                              • No

                              Share this review

                              (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                               
                              5.0

                              Love it

                              By Driftingnumja

                              from Redlands, CA

                              About Me Photo Enthusiast

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Consistent Output
                              • Durable
                              • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                              • Rugged
                              • Strong Construction

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                • Landscape/Scenery
                                • Weddings/Events

                                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.

                                • Was this a gift?:
                                • No

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                                5.0

                                BAM !!!!

                                By nzgreenroom

                                from New Zealand

                                About Me Pro Photographer

                                Verified Buyer

                                Pros

                                • Consistent Output
                                • Durable
                                • Easily Interchangeable
                                • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                                • Lightweight

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                  • Indoors/Low Light
                                  • Landscape/Scenery
                                  • Macro Photography
                                  • Night Photography
                                  • Sports/Action
                                  • Video
                                  • Weddings/Events

                                  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.

                                  • Was this a gift?:
                                  • No

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                                  5.0

                                  Great lens

                                  By dakota tim

                                  from California

                                  About Me Pro Photographer

                                  Verified Buyer

                                  Pros

                                  • Consistent Output
                                  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                                  • Lightweight
                                  • Rugged

                                  Cons

                                    Best Uses

                                    • Landscape/Scenery

                                    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.

                                    • Was this a gift?:
                                    • No

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                                    5.0

                                    Great lens would recommend it to anyone

                                    By ovp

                                    from Wilmington NC

                                    About Me Pro Photographer

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    Pros

                                    • Consistent Output
                                    • Durable
                                    • Easily Interchangeable
                                    • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                                    • Lightweight
                                    • Nice Bokeh
                                    • Rugged
                                    • Strong Construction

                                    Cons

                                      Best Uses

                                      • Indoors/Low Light
                                      • Landscape/Scenery
                                      • Night Photography
                                      • Weddings/Events

                                      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.

                                      • Was this a gift?:
                                      • No

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