1. EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Development objectives
Developed as the successor to the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM, which was first released in 2001, to an even higher standard of performance, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM (Photo 1) is a large aperture (f/2.8) ultra-wide-angle zoom lens.
The following sections highlight some of the aims of the lens's development.
Feature 1: 16-35mm ultra-wide-angle zoom range
The lens's zoom assembly consists of four lens groups, all of which move, and employs a new type of inner-focusing system, in which some of the elements in the second group act as the focusing group. The zoom assembly was completely redesigned to deliver improved image quality over the previous model while covering the same zoom range, from 16mm, at the ultra-wide-angle end, to 35mm (Figure 1).
Feature 2: Pursuit of image quality improvements over previous models
The lens consist of 16 lens elements in 12 groups. The design is notable because it features three types of precision aspherical lens elements (one ground, GMo (molded glass), and replica aspherical element each) that provide excellent aberration correction, which gives the lens image quality fitting for an L-series lens at all zoom focal lengths. In particular, the new lens offers improved peripheral image quality at wide angles over the previous lens.
The lens also includes two UD elements that greatly minimize the inherent lateral chromatic aberration found in wide-angle lenses, achieving superb image quality with excellent resolution and contrast with virtually no color fringing at subject boundaries (Figure 2).
Bold lines: 10 lp/mm, fine lines: 30 lp/mm. Black lines are the MTF at full aperture; the blue lines at f/8. Solid lines represent sagittal (radial) MTF and the broken lines represent meridional (tangential) MTF.
Feature 3: Superior waterproof and dustproof construction
Waterproof and dustproof construction (Figure 3) at the mount, switch and switch panel, zoom ring, and focusing ring prevents dust and moisture from getting into the lens, making it suitable for use in harsh conditions.
*Be sure to use the lens with a weatherproof/dustproof body. A Canon filter must be attached to the front of the lens for full protection.
Feature 4: Optimal optics for digital SLRs
The lens configuration and coating have been designed to minimize the flare and ghosting found in digital SLRs due to surface reflections from the imaging sensor. The configuration and coating also ensure excellent color balance.
Other features
• Manual focusing in AF mode
After the one-shot AF operation, the full-time mechanical manual focus construction allows the user to continue to focus manually without leaving the AF mode.
• Fast, silent autofocusing
The ring USM, high-speed CPU, and optimized AF algorithms enable fast, silent autofocusing.
• Minimum focusing range of 0.28m
The minimum focusing range is 0.28m at all focal lengths. The maximum magnification is 0.22 (at 35mm).
• Circular aperture produces beautiful bokeh
The lens features an electro-magnetic diaphragm with a circular aperture that provides attractive bokeh (blurring effects).
• Redesigned switch shape prevents accidental mode changes
The focus mode switch has been reshaped to prevent the switch from being moved accidentally while carrying or shooting.
• Enlarged, petal-shaped hood provides more effective light blocking
Flocking on the inner surface of the enlarged, petal-shaped EW-88 hood gives much better anti-reflective performance, greatly cutting harmful reflections (Photo 3).
• Two new filters
Canon has designed two new 82mm filters - PROTECT and the PL-CB circular polarizer. Attaching either filter to the front of the lens adds additional water and dust protection (Photo 4).
• Environmentally friendly design
The lens optics use only lead-free glass in consideration of our natural environment. Furthermore, the lens design meets the environmental requirements of the European Union's RoHS Directive (Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment).
2. EF14mm f/2.8L II USM
Development objectives
The EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM lens (Photo 2) is a newly designed L-series ultra-wide-angle lens intended as the successor to the EF 14mm f/2.8L USM. The EF 14mm f/2.8L USM, which has been sold since 1991, has been well regarded by professional and advanced amateur photographers for many years. The EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM has been redesigned from the ground up to offer even greater performance and image quality.
The following sections provide some of the main development aims for this lens.
Feature 1: Ultra-wide 114º diagonal angle of view
This lens features a completely redesigned 14-element, 11-group lens configuration. It covers a diagonal angle of view of 114º, the largest of all our non-fisheye EF lenses. This construction also gives the lens its edge in image quality over the previous lens. The design also employs a rear-focusing system, in which the rear lens groups function as the focusing lens group (Figure 4).
Feature 2: Pursuit of image quality improvements over previous models
The lens provides excellent correction of field curvature, distortion, and other aberrations that wide angle lenses are prone to by using two precision GMo aspherical elements. Minimizing these aberrations results in better image quality than previous models over the entire image field, particularly around the edges. The lens also makes use of two UD elements to keep lateral chromatic aberration to a minimum.
This vast reduction in lateral chromatic aberration achieves superb image quality with excellent resolution and contrast with virtually no color fringing at subject boundaries (Figure 5).
Feature 3: Superior waterproof and dustproof construction
Waterproof and dustproof construction (Figure 6) at the mount, switch and switch panel, and focusing ring prevents dust and moisture from getting into the lens, making it suitable for use in harsh conditions.
*Be sure to use the lens with a weatherproof/dustproof body.
Feature 4: Optimal optics for digital SLRs
The lens configuration and coating have been designed to minimize the flare and ghosting found in digital SLRs due to surface reflections from the imaging sensor. The configuration and coating also ensure excellent color balance.
Other features
• Fast, silent autofocusing
• Manual focusing in AF mode
• Minimum focusing range of 0.2m
• Rear-mounted gelatin filter holder
• Redesigned switch shape prevents accidental mode changes
• Circular aperture produces beautiful bokeh (blurring effects)
• Newly designed lens cap
• Environmentally friendly design
The lens optics use only lead-free glass in consideration of our natural environment. Furthermore, the lens design meets the environmental requirements of the RoHS Directive.
This concludes this month's look at our two new L-series wide-angle lenses. Tables 1 and 2 list the main specifications and the extension tube data* for the two lenses.
*Extension tubes cannot be used with the EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
| EF16-35mm F2.8L II USM | EF14mm F2.8L II USM | ||
| Focal length/aperture ratio | 16-35 mm, f/2.8 | 14 mm f/2.8 | |
| Lens construction | 16 elements in 12 groups | 14 elements in 11 groups | |
| Angle of view | Diagonal | 108°10' - 63° | 114° |
| Vertical | 74°10' - 38° | 81° | |
| Horizontal | 98° - 54° | 104° | |
| Minimum focusing range | 0.28 m (at all zoom focal lengths) |
0.2m | |
| Maximum magnification/ field of view |
0.22x/109 x 162 mm (at 35 mm) |
0.15x/162 x 250 mm | |
| Aperture blades | 7 (circular) | 6 (circular) | |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | F16 | |
| Filter size | 82 mm | - | |
| Maximum diameter x length | 88.5 x 111.6 mm | 80 x 94mm | |
| Weight | 640g | 645g | |
| Hood | EW-88 | Built-in | |
| Case | LP1319 | LP1016 | |
| Price | ¥230,000 (with case and hood, taxes separate) |
¥307,000 (with case, taxes separate) |
|
| Setting | Focusing distance (mm) | Working distance (mm) | Magnification (x) | ||||
| Near | Far | Near | Far | Near | Far | ||
| EF12 II | 16mm | 167 | 172 | 11 | 17 | 0.90 | 0.75 |
| 35mm | 202 | 248 | 47 | 92 | 0.62 | 0.36 | |
| EF25 II | 16mm | Incompatible | |||||
| 35mm | 195 | 211 | 40 | 56 | 1.11 | 0.80 | |