Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Ultra-Wideangle Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
EF Mount cameras.Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM was replaced with Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L II USM. Follow the link to read our comparison of these lenses:
Compare Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM vs Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L II USM
What type of photography is the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM lens good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:
Lenses in Canon EF Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM is a member of Canon's EF L series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.
EF L Series Lenses in Canon EF Mount
Reasons to Buy Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.
| Weather-sealed |
| Autofocus |
| Distance Scale |
| DoF(Depth of Field) Scale |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Internal Focusing |
| Fast Aperture at Wide end |
| Fast Aperture at Tele end |
| Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| Extreme Wide-angle capability |
| Minimum focus distance of 0.28m / 11.0 inch |
Report a correction
Buy Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO
We couldn't find any significant Cons for the Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM
Lens Mount
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM is compatible with cameras that have a 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.
Check Our latest Video Lens Review - Don't forget to Subscribe!
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM has a maximum diameter of 84mm and total length of 103mm. It weighs 600g / 21.2 oz.
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM has a Drop-in type filter holder with a filter thread of 77mm.
Focal Range
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L 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 an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 25.6 - 56mm.
Weather Sealings
The Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Optical Image Stabilization
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Alternatively, you can check the Canon 16-35mm f4L IS USM in Canon EF mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.
Lenses Similar to Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM With Optical Image Stabilization
Zoom Method
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM features Rotary (internal) zoom method where the length of the lens doesn't change while you are zooming in or out. Even though this design has a size disadvantage in general compared to extending designs, it has the benefits of better sealing against dust and moisture, no zoom creep and no weight balance shift while zooming.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.22x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.28m.
Below are the 3 Ultra-Wideangle Zoom type Canon12 mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 16mm all the way to the 35mm .
| Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
|
16mm
|
F2.8 |
F22 |
|
35mm
|
F2.8 |
F22 |
Optical Formula
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM's optical formula consists of 14 elements in 10 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:
- 3 types of aspherical elements (ground
- replicated
- Gmo [glass molded])
Body Colour
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM is available in Black color.
Popular Comparisons of Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM
Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Canon 16-35mm f2.8L USM Lens
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.