Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Lens Review

While its large diameter, high-precision Aspherical and UD elements, optimized lens element positioning, and flare and ghost-reducing lens coating ensure that this lens delivers the top optical performance in its professional class, Canon has added other features photographers have been asking for – improved dust and water resistance incorporated around the mount, switch panel and focusing ring, and a round aperture that creates a nice background blur and makes it easier to recognize an out-of-focus scene in less than brightly lit conditions.

Furthermore, Canon has created a new lens cap specifically for the EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM that is held to the lens by a stopper. The Canon EF14mm f/2.8L II USM lens is scheduled to begin shipping to stores in October at an estimated selling price of $2,199.

Specification

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture: 14mm f/2.8

Lens Construction: 14 elements in 11 groups

Diagonal Angle of View: 114° (on full-frame cameras)

Focus Adjustment: AF with full-time manual

Closest Focusing Distance: 7.9 in. / 0.2m

Filter Size: Gel filter holder at rear of lens

Max. Diameter x Length, Weight: 3.2 in. x 3.7 in. / 80mm x 94mm, 22.8 oz./645g (lens only)

Reviews

The Digital Pictures quoted the following:

“Full-frame corners are impressively sharp for a lens this wide. The biggest noticeable difference in image quality generated by stopping down the aperture is from the decreased amount of corner shading. The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens delivers a smoothly changing but somewhat strong amount of shading in full frame corners when shot wide open. This is not unusual for a wide lens – and is mostly gone by f/5.6. Users of 1.6x FOVCF bodies will notice little or no vignetting.”

Popular Photography and Imaging concluded that:

“With its improved close-focusing, this lens offers new possibilities for exploring differences in scale and depth. Architectural shooters will be impressed by its visibly improved sharpness. While its price is still high, clearly so is its value.”

S Zozgornik, a user from FredMiranda.com commented that:

“It′s one of the sharpest Wideangle lenses I have ever seen. Comparable with the 1.4/35L!
Classes better than the old one (which was not as bad as often told).
Expensive but worth any penny!!!”

He also mentioned that the lens is sharp in the corners at f2.8, excellent flare control, well build, good new cap but there are some little, and easy removable CA at contrasty edges.

This lens is great when used with full frame camera such as the new 1Ds Mark III, 1Ds Mark II and 5D. Canon replaced Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L USM introduced in 1991 with the lens.

Full reviews and sample photos:


Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review by The Digital Pictures



Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review by Popular Photography and Imaging



FredMiranda’s Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM User Reviews



Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM information

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