Canon EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

• Specifications
• Reviews
• Sample Images
• Initial launch information.

Canon's 2nd version of the 16-35mm wide angle zoom marks a considerable update to the lens design. The larger front element moves the filter size up to 82mm. The design is aimed to perform appreciably better with the aperture fully open, improving vignetting and edge sharpness over the previous version.

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Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	16-35mm f/2.8
Lens Construction	16 elements in 12 groups
Diagonal Angle of View	108°10'-63°
Focus Adjustment	AF with full-time manual
Closest Focusing Distance	0.92 ft./0.28m
Filter Size	82mm, P=0.75mm/1 filter
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	3.5 in. x 4.4 in./88.5mm x 111.6mm, 640g

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts) Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture. Blue lines show the performance at f/8 Thick lines indicate lens contrast Thin lines indicate lens resolution Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines. Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas. Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM reviews and articles

• Canon UK | US info page
• Amazon
• Northlight Images
• Canon CPN article
• Fred Miranda
• Lens Tip
• Digital Picture
• PhotoZone
• SLR Gear
• Lens Review
• ePhotozine

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Sample images

Product launch

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 22 February, 2007: Canon today releases its latest L-series EF lens along with several accessories optimised for its new professional SLR, the EOS-1D Mark III.

The EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is set to become the ultra wide-angle zoom of choice for professionals. With vastly improved peripheral sharpness, it replaces the popular EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM as Canon’s leading wide-angle zoom. A constant f/2.8 aperture ensures exceptional low light performance and depth-of-field control throughout the zoom range.

EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM – Superior image quality

Canon’s engineers have completely redesigned the optics on the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM to deliver higher contrast levels and improved resolving power. To ensure corner-to-corner sharpness and contrast throughout the focal range, the lens includes three types of aspherical lens elements (ground, replicated and glass moulded). Two UD lens elements virtually eliminate chromatic aberration, while Super Spectra lens coatings suppress flare and ghosting.

Rapid auto focus is driven by a virtually silent Ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) incorporating Canon’s latest auto focus algorithms. Full-time mechanical manual focus override is also provided. As with all L-series lenses, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is weather sealed to protect against dust and moisture.

A new 82mm Protect filter for the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM has been released to coincide with today’s launch.