Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II Lens in excellent condition. Lens is in excellent shape, both mechanically and optically. Zoom and focus rings turn smoothly, and AF is fast and quiet.
The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is a high-performance, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for professional and serious amateur photographers. As part of Canon's prestigious L-series, it boasts superior build quality, advanced optics, and robust weather sealing, making it a reliable choice for various shooting conditions.
Key Features and Specifications
Optics and Image Quality
- Focal Length: The lens covers a versatile focal range of 16-35mm, ideal for landscapes, architecture, and event photography.
- Aperture: With a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8, it excels in low-light conditions and provides excellent depth-of-field control for creative effects.
- Lens Construction: The optical design includes 16 elements in 12 groups, featuring three aspherical lens elements to minimize distortion and spherical aberrations, ensuring sharp and clear images across the frame.
- Coatings: Canon's Super Spectra coatings are applied to reduce ghosting and flare, enhancing contrast and color fidelity.
Autofocus and Handling
- USM Motor: The lens is equipped with a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for fast, precise, and near-silent autofocus. Full-time manual focus override is available, allowing fine-tuning without switching modes.
- Focus Distance: The minimum focusing distance is 0.28 meters (11 inches), enabling close-up shots with a maximum magnification of 0.22x.
- Focus and Zoom Rings: Both rings are well-positioned and smoothly operated, providing a tactile and responsive experience.
Build and Design
- Dimensions and Weight: The lens measures approximately 88.5mm in diameter and 111.6mm in length, weighing around 640 grams (1.4 pounds). This balance of size and weight ensures comfortable handling during extended shooting sessions.
- Filter Size: It accepts 82mm filters, a relatively large size that may require investment in high-quality filters to maintain image quality.
- Weather Sealing: The lens is fully weather-sealed when used with a protective filter, safeguarding against dust and moisture. This makes it suitable for challenging environments.
Performance
- Sharpness: The lens delivers exceptional sharpness, particularly in the center of the frame, with only minor softening at the edges, which is common in ultra-wide-angle lenses.
- Bokeh: The 7-blade diaphragm produces a pleasing bokeh effect, though not as smooth as lenses with more blades.
- Distortion and Vignetting: Distortion is well-controlled, especially at the wider end, and vignetting is minimal, particularly when stopped down.
Practical Applications
The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is a versatile lens suitable for a wide range of photographic applications:
- Landscape Photography: Its wide-angle view captures expansive scenes with stunning detail.
- Architecture: The lens handles the straight lines of buildings well, with minimal distortion.
- Event Photography: The fast aperture and wide focal range make it ideal for capturing dynamic scenes in various lighting conditions.
- Astrophotography: The wide aperture and focal length are perfect for capturing the night sky.
Conclusion
Overall, the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM is a robust, high-quality lens that offers excellent performance for photographers who demand the best from their equipment. Its combination of wide-angle versatility, fast aperture, and professional-grade construction makes it a valuable addition to any Canon user's kit.