Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L USM

[aLFaDaRK]

I was looking at the lens sample archives and I noticed there is no archive for the 14mm f/2.8L, mark I or II. So let's see some samples! :)

[aLFaDaRK]

I guess nobody has this lens? O_o

[chabooky386]

lol... cricket cricket....

[aLFaDaRK]

Seriously? Not a single one owned by anyone on the forum? :P

[In2Photos]

Surely somone has to own this lens. ???

I have added it to the archive BTW so hopefully we will eventually get some shots.

[Photodawg1]

Didn't it just come out not too long ago and it costs like $17-$1800. I would like to see shot comparing it with the 15...which is what I am planning on getting soooooooon!

[aLFaDaRK]

The Mark II came out not too long ago, as far as I know the Mark I has been out for quite some time..

[canonpink]

Keep in mind it isn't a fisheye like the 15mm; also the 15 isn't an L, like the 14 is.

[MDJAK]

Here's a couple of shots with the 14mm.
http://www.pbase.com/mdjak/image/85584881.jpg

[MDJAK]

and another with the 14mm.
http://www.pbase.com/mdjak/image/85590684.jpg

[MDJAK]

last one for now, handheld. 1/100 f2.8, 14mm. Georgetown:
http://www.pbase.com/mdjak/image/84237986.jpg

[MDJAK]

oops, found another. WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C.
http://www.pbase.com/mdjak/image/84237988.jpg

[MDJAK]

there are at least a few owners here, including Belmondo. But his hasn't seen the light of day in a long time.

I believe Josh a/k/a Aerosmith owns one as well.
mark

[MDJAK]

It is a fantastic lens. These were taken with the Mark I. It is very expensive though.

[MDJAK]

sorry, I just found another. Tomb of the Unknown, Arlington Cemetery, Va.
http://www.pbase.com/mdjak/image/85550559.jpg

[Photodawg1]

Mark,
Do you still have it? You don't list it in your sig.

[khall]

MDJAK.
I know it not the post to comment about pictures. But that night picture Georgetown is great.

[MDJAK]

Mark,
Do you still have it? You don't list it in your sig.

My old days in the Boy Scouts do not allow me to tell a lie.
This lens has always intrigued me. But for $1800, it will remain a desire for a long time to come. I rented it for the week when I was going on vacation. I had it for 8 days and it cost me $130.

MDJAK.
I know it not the post to comment about pictures. But that night picture Georgetown is great.

Thank you. And believe it or not, other than very minor Raw adjustments and usual sharpening, that's exactly the way the scene looked.

Thank you. I give you express permission to comment on any picture I post, whether off topic or not. ;) :)
mark

[cwphoto]

EOS-1D Mark II N, 14/2.8, ISO 500, 1/80s @ f/4.5:
http://www.photo.net.au/members/d/5386-1/OQ0J2642.JPG

[cwphoto]

EOS-1Ds, 14/2.8, ISO 320, 1/60s @ f/13:
http://www.photo.net.au/members/d/6466-1/WI02.JPG

[S.Horton]

Anyone evaluating the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II?

[MDJAK]

wish I were. :(

[S.Horton]

Tricky toss-up, IMO -- 14mm prime vs. 16-35.

[Bubble]

Anyone evaluating the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II?

it is not out yet.

[Bubble]

But for $1800, it will remain a desire for a long time to come. I rented it for the week when I was going on vacation. I had it for 8 days and it cost me $130.


with the mk II comes out soon, price for mkI around 1K now.

[Michael]

I am seriously considering getting this lens for my 5D(or upgrade) when I get it. Looks like an awesome lens.

[aero145]

Mike, the 14/2.8 mk 1 wasn't really popular, people said there were too few good copies. Nothing really that says the 14/2.8 mk 2 will be much better. :-P

[S.Horton]

it is not out yet.

Right; figured someone on POTN might just be connected enough to have seen one for evaluation/comment.

[echo]

I've seen some eBay shops offering the new mk II version, and for reasonable money, kind of! I'm tempted to get one if the reviews are good and sell both my 16-35L and 24-70L to get this and the 24L.

Has anyone used one yet?

[flawlessly]

I really want to see it on FF.

[Lord_Malone]

I'd love to have this lens. Hard to justify spending that much on the lens when the more versatile 16-35L I and II can be had for less, and we still don't know if it'll perform better. I'm going to wait a bit.

[Dilly]

For what its worth I bought the MK1 a few days ago and tried it out on my 5D with my GF using a 24-105L on her XT. Long story short, we exchanged it for the 16-36 II. Many of my pictures weren't in focus and colors were washed out. Might have been inexperience with the lens but the 16-35 in my eyes is much better. This is with the older 14 2.8 though, not sure how much improvement there is with the mark II.

[GGordon]

On one site a fellow said he saw the lens (mkII) in Singapore the other day. Maybe, maybe not. It is not due in the states till the middle of November. The 16-35 has an agle of view of 108 degrees v the 14mm 114 degrees on a FF. Not that much difference as I already have a 16-35, but I am waiting to see some pics taken with the new lens because it may be better on the edges/corners, sharper and have better color/contrast then the 16-35. (Bets are, it will)

[photobitz]

I'm surprised at how little distortion there is in those shots, especially the FF ones.
Have to add this one to my wish list ;)

[lowcrust]

Anyone have any updates on the MKII? I'm considering this lens but it has to be sharper in the edges than the MKI for me to cough up all that money.

[buckwheat]

OK guys and girls...I bought a 14mm II on the weekend and it is awesum. You really have to watch the tilt when shooting unless you want severe keystoning/distortion. I do a lot of kneeling and stretching to parallel the sides. The colour, sharpness are superb and noticeable CA etc. is very hard to notice. Canon has a real winner here...but it is insanely pricey!!!!

[lowcrust]

Buckwhneat; have you used it underwater? I take it you are an underwater photographer by the look of your avatar. I'm an avid diver but have yet to buy an underwater housing for my camera. I've used someone else's though and I remember wishing I had a really wide lens to go with it. Not sure if this would work at all for that purpose?

[buckwheat]

Buckwhneat; have you used it underwater? I take it you are an underwater photographer by the look of your avatar. I'm an avid diver but have yet to buy an underwater housing for my camera. I've used someone else's though and I remember wishing I had a really wide lens to go with it. Not sure if this would work at all for that purpose?

Yes I am a diver. But no...I don't do underwater photography so I can't advise...sorry. But on land this lens rocks! My son is also a very active photographer and I am not sure I am keeping this lens since I also have a much loved 16-35L and it is driving him nuts since he loves the 14mm. I have another 10 days to shoot before the crucial decision to 'hold on to'/return the lens. PS...Those are real wild 5-8 foot Carribean Reef sharks (about 30 of em) circling us and occasionally banging into us...talk about your heart pumping at supersonic speed!!!! The support team had beautiful and expensive gear and sold us the photos and an awesum video. My wife hardly spoke to me for a week since I took my 17 year old son down with me...talk about father and son BONDING! Our next trip will be to photograph grizzlies in Alaska...and my son can't wait!
Good luck.

[lowcrust]

OK, will you adopt me?

=)

[echo]

No one with any mkII pics? This lens sounds very interesting but I'd have to sell my 16-35. I'm wondering if it is *that* much better?

[photobitz]

16-35 MKII instead?

[timnosenzo]

Here's a couple of shots with the 14mm.
http://www.pbase.com/mdjak/image/85584881.jpg

Like this shot, the wide angle really worked well here!

EOS-1D Mark II N, 14/2.8, ISO 500, 1/80s @ f/4.5:
http://www.photo.net.au/members/d/5386-1/OQ0J2642.JPG

LOVE the light on this! Well done.

Surprised there are so few samples in here. I toss around idea of selling my 16-35 to pick up one of these, but I still here mixed review about the IQ. :confused:

[Double Negative]

Okay, enough chit chat. We need samples here, people!

So here's a few quickies from yesterday's lunch hour at one of my local stomping grounds... Click for larger/info:

http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2619.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1556&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,0) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/ffc__1D_2612.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1557&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,1) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2598.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1558&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,2) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2588.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1559&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,3) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2572.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1560&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,4)

[Double Negative]

Three more...

http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2569.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1561&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,5) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2568.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1562&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,6) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2551.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1563&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,7)

[lowcrust]

The reviews I've read for the mkII have been quite favorable, actually. It's not very sharp at the corners but I don't think anyone expects that. It's at least as good as the competition, I'd say better actually, in this regard. Vignetting seems to be very much under control. The only thing people seem to complain about is the price.

It cannot be a very common lens though, pbase only have 25 photos from it and at least 20 of those are just "test shots";
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_14__28_l_ii_usm

I guess for most people it's not worth the cost and loss of flexibility over the 16-35.

[lowcrust]

Oh thatnks DN! Finally some real pictures! Nice!

Here's a few other links I had saved for this baby BTW;
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-14mm-f-2.8-L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/4906/lens-test-canon-14mm-f28l-ii-usm-af.html

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=334

Still waiting for the photozone review...

[Double Negative]

Surprised there are so few samples in here. I toss around idea of selling my 16-35 to pick up one of these, but I still here mixed review about the IQ. :confused:

I believe the "mixed reviews" come from a distinct lack of understanding about the field curvature/DoF with this lens. Now granted, it's not a stellar performer in the corners, certainly wide open. But this lens is rarely used wide open - more like f/8-16, depending on needs and body. At these apertures the corners clean up very nicely. The Mark II can only be better, but the Mark I does not disappoint.

It's better than the 16-35mm f/2.8L Mark I at 16mm and practically NO distortion. That latter part is key, as it makes this lens quite suitable for example, for architectural, real estate type interior shots (if you don't have the room to use a T&S lens, which maxes out at 24mm on the wide end).

I'm still in the process of running mine through the ringer, so to speak - but so far, I'm pretty happy. I may have a Mark II to compare the Mark I against, we'll see... But expect a lot more samples in this thread...

[Double Negative]

Two more from the same shoot... Click for larger/info:

http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/022__1D_2614.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1564&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,1) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2596.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1565&exhibition=31&ee_lang=eng&u=962,4)

[photobitz]

I believe the "mixed reviews" come from a distinct lack of understanding about the field curvature/DoF with this lens.

I would have to agree with you on this point. I use a 17-35L and find the same thing at shorter focal lengths. Some of the reviews I read stated that corner sharpness was terrible but I find the corners sharp if that is where I have the focused areas. I have to attribute such comments to people not understanding the curvature of the focus field. I mean, if you take a picture of a brick wall head-on with a UWA, you can't expect to have the whole thing in sharp focus (unless of course you stop down a considerable amount).

[Double Negative]

It's too quiet in here... Click for larger/info:

http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_2955.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1576&exhibition=1&ee_lang=eng&u=1249,0)

[franklinn]

^awesome. keep the thread alive.

I would love to play around with this lens.

[Double Negative]

If you're going to shoot brick walls with a lens, at least make it artistic... :D

This is a series from a recent outing at the Welwyn Preserve, NY. Click for larger/info:

http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_4739.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1627&exhibition=35&ee_lang=eng&u=1760,0)http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/492__1D_4737.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1628&exhibition=35&ee_lang=eng&u=1760,1) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_4735.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1629&exhibition=35&ee_lang=eng&u=1760,2) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_4725.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1632&exhibition=35&ee_lang=eng&u=1760,5) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/892__1D_4684.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1645&exhibition=35&ee_lang=eng&u=1760,18) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_4671.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1647&exhibition=35&ee_lang=eng&u=1760,20) http://litpixel.com/ee/images/thumb/_1D_4689.jpg (http://litpixel.com/ee/photo.php?photo=1643&exhibition=35&ee_lang=eng&u=1760,16)

[Shuko]

Since there are landscape and other stopped down examples here already, heres wide open bokeh of Mark II.

1Ds2, 14L II, f2.8, almost MinFD, 50% 0,3 USM

http://derfel.org/kuvia/temp/14L/UZ3J4161.jpg

[Shuko]

One from yesterday at f5.6

http://derfel.org/kuvia/2008/syys/UZ3J4260.jpg

[Keegan]

Beautiful shot Shuko!

[lowcrust]

Very cool indeed!

More!!! =)

[S.Horton]

Shuko nice work there.......

[Roy Webber]

^ Beautiful, chmod! And I like the sun in the third pic!
Me too...:)

[Shuko]

http://derfel.org/kuvia/2008/syys/UZ3J4612.jpg

[Double Negative]

^ Now THAT is a cool shot.

[chmod]

Agree. Very nice work.

chmod

[James M]

I want this lens!

[jasonleehl]

More pictures please! I been into UWA, like my 17-40 on a 5D and has been amazed by it. Now I'm astonished by the 14 2.8

[timnosenzo]

After being interested in this lens for quite some time, I finally broke down and bought one. My initial reaction is very positive so far, the lens is built very well, nice size, etc. I only had an hour or so to try it out last night before the sun went down, but so far I'm very impressed with the overall IQ and the lack of distortion.

Here's one of the pictures I took yesterday--nothing special but I am looking forward to using this lens more!

http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/379372469_NpF2L-L.jpg

[Double Negative]

Congrats, Tim! Amazing little lens, isn't it? :)

[timnosenzo]

Congrats, Tim! Amazing little lens, isn't it? :)

Thanks! :D Yeah, I'm really pretty surprised by it so far, definitely excited to give it a workout this coming fall & winter.

It's also the newest lens I've ever received. The date code on it is UW09! How they got it produced in Japan, shipped to NYC then shipped off to me in a few weeks is beyond me...

[BlueTsunami]

I'm actually very surprised at the creative Super Wide shots you can get with this lens and yet isolate a subject somewhat with DoF... its a very unique look.

[bestbyte]

So if I have a senior class picture to take the length of a basketball court and the depth of the bleaches, about 700 kids, which lens would work better the 16-35mmL II or the 14mm 2.8L II. It seems that my 16-35 is very sharp around 25mm to 29mm but at 16mm to 20mm its extremely soft on a 1dsm3. Thoughts?

[S.Horton]

^^ Prime for sure -- for corner/edge sharpness alone at that width.

[Hong Kong Canon]

MDJAK - your Georgetown photo and
Shuko - your butterfly in the woods photo
have convinced me to buy the 14D MK II.
Thanks guys and well done - both photos are fantastic and inspirational.

[timnosenzo]

Here's a couple from this lens

On my 50D
http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/394646651_2RJj5-L.jpg

On my 5D
http://www.timnosenzo.com/photos/380025018_YP3d6-L.jpg

[gixxer_kidd]

Just picked up this lens and was wondering if anyone here uses any gel nd filters with it. If so which brand are you using and does the use of a gel filter degrade the overall IQ?

Thanks.

[TheHoff]

Here's a couple from this lens

On my 5D


I like this, Tim. Well seen.

[timnosenzo]

I like this, Tim. Well seen.

Thanks Hoff, much appreciated!

[Hong Kong Canon]

Well done Tim - good photos. The saturation on the 50D photo is great! Did you have to do any post processing or are they straight out from the camera?

[b.d.bop]

Here's a few I did yesterday with the 14mm f/2.8 UWA and a 1DsIII.
See what you think.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/b_d_bop/LakePostsBWfltd.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/b_d_bop/RVFrozenBrushfltd.jpg

[kheops]

i love the 2nd b.d.bop
bump for a great thread :)

[b.d.bop]

i love the 2nd b.d.bop
bump for a great thread :)

Thanks, kheops! :D

[davidinjp]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/3134676095_32e5dfc252_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/3135496366_a0c687351d_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/3070543231_7a04dd8716_o.jpg

[macroshot]

^^ Dave - really like the shots and just finished looking through your website. Very nice work. I wish this lens wasn't so expensive...really nice work from everyone that has posted!