The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD and the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM is the longer of the two lenses at 112mm. The Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD with a length of 87mm, is 25mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM also has a larger diameter of 89mm compared to the Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD's 83mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD weighs 440g, which means it is 195g (30%) lighter than the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM which has a weight of 635g.
Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Wideangle Zoom Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.
Ultra-Wideangle Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Filter Threads
The Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD has a filter size of 77mm whereas the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM has a 82mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 77mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD:
And these are the 82mm filters that we recommend for the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM:
Lens Mounts
Both the Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD and the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD is also available in Nikon F (FX) mount.
Focal Range
Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 LD has a focal range of 17-35mm and
2.1X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
27.2 - 56mm.
On the other hand, the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L II USM has a focal range of 16-35mm and 2.2X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 25.6 - 56mm.