By request, a 'Master' thread for discussing the new EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, announced today.
Carry on,
Jeff
FM.com Moderator
On Feb 21, 2007 at 10:03 PM, Hammerli wrote:
The Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM is a wide-angle zoom lens covering focal lengths
from 16mm upwards that has enjoyed strong support from many professional and highend amateur users. Many photographers renowned for the technical and aesthetic excellence of their work name this lens as their favorite, the one they would take on a job or journey if they could have just one lens. Some photographers carry two of them on an extended project because it is the one lens they cannot afford to lose. At the same time, there has been strong demand from the market for an improvement in the peripheral image quality in wide-angle shots. In response to this demand, Canon has developed the EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM as the successor to the EF16–35mm f/2.8L USM. This is a high-performance L-series lens, specifically designed for improved peripheral image quality in wide-angle shots that will meet the strict requirements of professional and high-end amateur users more successfully than its predecessor.
Its features include:
• L-type wide-angle zoom lens covering the ultra-wide-angle 16–35mm range
• 3 high-precision aspherical lens elements, each of a different type: ground in G1, replica in G2, and GMo in G16, 16 elements in 12 groups, total, giving it even better image quality than its predecessor
• 2 UD lens elements (G12 and G15) minimize lateral chromatic aberration (a wide angle lens design problem) to produce superb image quality with excellent resolution and contrast and little or no color bleed around the outline of the subject
• Lens disposition and coatings optimized to minimize the ghosting and flare that tend to occur when the lens is used with a digital camera
• High resistance to dust and water droplets
• Circular aperture produces beautiful out-of-focus images
• Internal focusing (some elements of the second group, G5 to G7, move for focusing),
ring USM, high-speed CPU and new AF algorithms for fast and quiet autofocusing
• Front element does not rotate during focusing and zooming (convenient with polarizer use)
• Manual focusing enabled even during the AF mode (full-time mechanical manual focus)
• Optical system constructed using only lead-free glass
• Uses new EW-88 petal-shaped lens hood
• Slightly larger than previous lens: filter diameter 82mm, was 77mm; length 111.6mm, was 103mm; weight 635g, was 600g
i find it intersting that the new 16-35 is now an 82mm thread, does that mean the imaging circle is bigger which would give us more of a sweet spot...hence sharper on the edges?
I'm glad I waited, one of my co-workers was telling me how nice the 16-35 f/2.8L mkI is on his 5D. After my trip to the Cascades this past weekend I had the itch to run out and buy one for myself... Luckily the store was closed on Sunday.
i have a huge gap between my 14mm & 28-70mm, i was going to get the old 16-35mm but i was put off by the softness on the sides, damn im glad i waited, im really hoping this new on is noticably sharper across the board.
p.1 #14 · 'Master' EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM Thread
With such price differences, it makes sense to order from USA (B&H, Adorama or someone else shipping to Europe and accepting credit card payments), even if you order just one product. Legitimate costs - tested again this week:
- 1450 USD + about 100 USD for UPS freight = 1550 USD; /1.3 => 1192 EUR
+ customs about 5% (in Finland) => 1252 EUR
+ VAT 22% (in Finland) => 1527 EUR
+ UPS costs for customs handling 3%, min 11 EUR (in Finland) => 1538 EUR
at your front door in 2 days after shipped from New York. World wide Canon warranty.
p.1 #16 · 'Master' EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM Thread
Koivulehto wrote:
at your front door in 2 days after shipped from New York. World wide Canon warranty.
Unfortunately, there's no Canon Worldwide warranty, and you should know that any canon lens purchased outside EU won't be repaired for free in the E.U by any Canon Service during the warranty period. You have to send it back to the store where you purchased it, not convenient at all..
p.1 #17 · 'Master' EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM Thread
Well, the papers I have for all my lenses don't say world wide warranty. Instead, they say Canon International Warranty. The US vendors claim that they are warrantied abroad, and the word "international" seems to hint so. The same companies sell Canon lenses ca. $50 cheaper as well, but then they admit you have to send them back to their store if you need the warranty.
I don't really know what is true here since I haven't ever needed any Canon warranty.
For camera bodies and flashes I agree - they have only national Canon warranties.
p.1 #18 · 'Master' EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM Thread
I've always been interested in this lens but avoided it because of the soft edges for architectural work. It sounds as if the new lens will be the answer for a lot of photographers looking for a sharp ultra-wide for full frame camers like the 5D.
I hop they can keep the barrel distortion under control.
p.1 #19 · 'Master' EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM Thread
nicklamor wrote:
Unfortunately, there's no Canon Worldwide warranty, and you should know that any canon lens purchased outside EU won't be repaired for free in the E.U by any Canon Service during the warranty period. You have to send it back to the store where you purchased it, not convenient at all..
Actually, this is untrue. If you purchase lenses with international warranty (marked as "USA" rather than "imported" at B&H) then they will be serviced under warranty all around the world. Unfortunately, that's not the case for cameras, but for lenses it is fine.
p.1 #20 · 'Master' EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM Thread
RonR wrote:
I've always been interested in this lens but avoided it because of the soft edges for architectural work. It sounds as if the new lens will be the answer for a lot of photographers looking for a sharp ultra-wide for full frame camers like the 5D.
I hop they can keep the barrel distortion under control.
From the MTF's is doesn't look to be that much better. A little perhaps. Contrast seems to hold up a little better in the corners at the wide end.
