Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L

Proctorr · 6th of June 2008 (Fri)

I haven't seen one in the sticky of the lens archives, so will this be the start of it?

I have one waiting for me to use, but I haven't used it yet. The Canon rep said it was a true hidden gem.

SeattleSpeedster · 6th of June 2008 (Fri)

yeah i would love to see some examples...

photobitz · 6th of June 2008 (Fri)

It was supposed to be pretty good except it uses the old style AFD autofocus motor so noisy, slow and no FTM

jacobsen1 · 23rd of June 2009 (Tue)

I had this lens for a few months while contemplating a 2.8 UWA zoom. Basically it was cheap enough I could keep it AND the 17-40 -vs- a 16-35I. It's a great lens, rock solid and nice and compact (but not light). I loved it, but ultimately I needed both wide (for lanscapes) and fast (for inside baby shots) so I had to upgrade. but if 20mm is wide enough for you and the AF noise doesn't bug you it's one hell of a lens....

and a size comparison:

photobitz · 23rd of June 2009 (Tue)

Great colours! Seems quite sharp too compared to the 17-35L that (kind of) replaced it.

bazz8 · 25th of April 2010 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by photobitz

Great colours! Seems quite sharp too compared to the 17-35L that (kind of) replaced it.

Old old thread but having only today tested the difference between my 20-35 2.8L and the new for me 17-40 f4.0 L while doing some hospital waiting, I was parked near a clmn anD decided to check the difference between the 2 lenses. the 20-35 is sharper colour etc not sure checK for yourself I was also shooting through a dirty windscreen s and both shots are available light on my 1DMK3 hand held.
1668 :20-35 f2.8L
1669: 17-40 f4L
My solution keep both paid $1200 for the 20-35 over 10 yrs ago and as a carry round lens it,s great

cinemafia · 27th of May 2010 (Thu)

I've rented the 16-35L II for gigs several times and I love it, but like many, I couldn't afford to own it just yet. So, I bought the cheapest alternative, the 20-35L. I would say the color and sharpness are equal. Of course, with the 16-35L II you get 4mm wider view, USM, FTM, weather-sealing and a much closer MFD (that's the only thing that really bugs me!).

And, just to add to the thread, here's a couple random examples from very different settings (both were shot on my 1D MkII):

20mm, iso 160, f3.2:

35mm, iso 500, f7.1:

Morani · 1st of August 2010 (Sun)

I bought this lens last week...
I think that this 20 years old lens is still quite good in terms of sharpness and overall IQ

5d+ 20-35 @ 20mm, iso 400 f8

zacmac2112 · 16th of August 2010 (Mon)

On Film (Rebel 2000 - provia 160 iso & drugstore negative scan)

Blacktail path by TheMcDowell's, on Flickr

Mammoth! by TheMcDowell's, on Flickr

And on a 30D

another creek brownie by TheMcDowell's, on Flickr

Paradise Valley Grill by TheMcDowell's, on Flickr

niwooe · 21st of August 2010 (Sat)

got myself a deal on the ancient Canon EF20-35mm f2.8L today, pretty sharp albeit the old age!

I know I'm late haha

niwooe · 28th of August 2010 (Sat)

looks like I'll be the only one updating this thread

cinemafia · 31st of August 2010 (Tue)

I ended up selling mine because I didn't like how long the MFD was, bought a 20mm f2.8 USM instead (which has half the MFD).

photobitz · 6th of September 2010 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinemafia

I ended up selling mine because I didn't like how long the MFD was, bought a 20mm f2.8 USM instead (which has half the MFD).

Yeah, the 20/2.8USM is so underrated. I don't think it has the great colour reproduction that the 20-35 seems to have though.

cinemafia · 6th of September 2010 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by photobitz

Yeah, the 20/2.8USM is so underrated. I don't think it has the great colour reproduction that the 20-35 seems to have though.

I dunno, so far I can't really tell the difference. Heck, even if I could, I'd still stick with the 20mm USM.

niwooe · 7th of September 2010 (Tue)

the MFD of this lens may be long but it's one heck of a lens!

6th of June 2008 (Fri)	#1
Proctorr Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 185	Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L I haven't seen one in the sticky of the lens archives, so will this be the start of it? I have one waiting for me to use, but I haven't used it yet. The Canon rep said it was a true hidden gem. __________________ 1D Mark II \| 70-200mm F2.8L \| 17-40mm F4.0L

6th of June 2008 (Fri)	#2
SeattleSpeedster Goldmember Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,076 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 20-35 F2.8L Archive yeah i would love to see some examples... __________________ 5D mkII \| Zeiss 100mm f2 MP \| Zeiss 28mm f2.8 \| Zeiss 50mm f1.4 \| Minolta 58mm f1.2 \| Zeiss 21mm f2.8 \| www.mikereidphotography.com

6th of June 2008 (Fri)	#3
photobitz PlatinumMeasurebaiter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia Posts: 6,499 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: 20-35 F2.8L Archive It was supposed to be pretty good except it uses the old style AFD autofocus motor so noisy, slow and no FTM __________________ Dan My gear \| Me on Flickr

23rd of June 2009 (Tue)	#4
jacobsen1 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mt View, RI Posts: 9,364	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L I had this lens for a few months while contemplating a 2.8 UWA zoom. Basically it was cheap enough I could keep it AND the 17-40 -vs- a 16-35I. It's a great lens, rock solid and nice and compact (but not light). I loved it, but ultimately I needed both wide (for lanscapes) and fast (for inside baby shots) so I had to upgrade. but if 20mm is wide enough for you and the AF noise doesn't bug you it's one hell of a lens.... and a size comparison: __________________ My Gear List my sites: benjacobsenphoto.com \| newschoolofphotography.com GND buyers FAQ

23rd of June 2009 (Tue)	#5
photobitz PlatinumMeasurebaiter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia Posts: 6,499 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L Great colours! Seems quite sharp too compared to the 17-35L that (kind of) replaced it. __________________ Dan My gear \| Me on Flickr

27th of May 2010 (Thu)	#7
cinemafia Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 160	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L I've rented the 16-35L II for gigs several times and I love it, but like many, I couldn't afford to own it just yet. So, I bought the cheapest alternative, the 20-35L. I would say the color and sharpness are equal. Of course, with the 16-35L II you get 4mm wider view, USM, FTM, weather-sealing and a much closer MFD (that's the only thing that really bugs me!). And, just to add to the thread, here's a couple random examples from very different settings (both were shot on my 1D MkII): 20mm, iso 160, f3.2: 35mm, iso 500, f7.1: __________________ 1D MkII / 20:2.8 / 24-105L / 50:1.4 portfolio / flickr

1st of August 2010 (Sun)	#8
Morani Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 8	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L I bought this lens last week... I think that this 20 years old lens is still quite good in terms of sharpness and overall IQ 5d+ 20-35 @ 20mm, iso 400 f8

16th of August 2010 (Mon)	#9
zacmac2112 Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 45	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L On Film (Rebel 2000 - provia 160 iso & drugstore negative scan) Blacktail path by TheMcDowell's, on Flickr Mammoth! by TheMcDowell's, on Flickr And on a 30D another creek brownie by TheMcDowell's, on Flickr Paradise Valley Grill by TheMcDowell's, on Flickr

21st of August 2010 (Sat)	#10
niwooe Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 362	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L got myself a deal on the ancient Canon EF20-35mm f2.8L today, pretty sharp albeit the old age! I know I'm late haha __________________ Canon 5D \| 24L \| 50L \| 85L \| 135L My Flickr My webpage

28th of August 2010 (Sat)	#11
niwooe Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 362	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L looks like I'll be the only one updating this thread __________________ Canon 5D \| 24L \| 50L \| 85L \| 135L My Flickr My webpage

31st of August 2010 (Tue)	#12
cinemafia Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 160	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L I ended up selling mine because I didn't like how long the MFD was, bought a 20mm f2.8 USM instead (which has half the MFD). __________________ 1D MkII / 20:2.8 / 24-105L / 50:1.4 portfolio / flickr

7th of September 2010 (Tue)	#15
niwooe Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 362	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L the MFD of this lens may be long but it's one heck of a lens! __________________ Canon 5D \| 24L \| 50L \| 85L \| 135L My Flickr My webpage

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