Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

bauerman · 13th of June 2009 (Sat)

I was surprised to see that there was not an archive for this great little lens. An older lens that was released in the 90's, but with great optical performance and a nice feature set. One of Canon's initial attempts at an UWA lens and the little brother to an L lens with the same focal range.

Not as wide as many of its EF cousins (nor as long) but above average build quality, metal lens mount, distance scale, internal focusing and full time manual focusing through the inclusion of a fast and silent ring USM focusing motor. Also a slightly faster aperture offering than many less expensive wide angle lenses with f/3.5 on the wide end and f/4.5 on the long.

Hopefully starting this thread will prove that there are a few people still out there using this hidden gem of a lens. I will post some recent samples that I have taken to kick things off.

From a recent car show here in my town.....

Canon EOS-1D, f/4 @ 25 mm, 1/1250, ISO 200

Canon EOS-1D, f/4.5 @ 20 mm, 1/400, ISO 200

Canon EOS-1D, f/3.5 @ 20 mm, 1/1600, ISO 200

Canon EOS-1D, f/4 @ 28 mm, 1/800, ISO 200

bauerman · 23rd of June 2009 (Tue)

Another sample from my recent trip to the Oregon Coast. This one at 20mm and f/8.

jacobsen1 · 23rd of June 2009 (Tue)

nothing to see here..... move along....

bauerman · 23rd of June 2009 (Tue)

Ben,

You actually had the "L" version of this lens - this archive thread is for the non-L version that has the ring USM focusing motor and the variable aperture. What tipped me off initially - even before viewing your comparison photo - was the fact that you mentioned focusing noise as this less expensive version has none of that with the USM motor. They did not give the L the same USM motor.

Nice shots though!

The "L" version has an archive thread here that is in desperate need of samples as well.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...ighlight=20-35

This is what the non-L version looks like - and it is also built very well in my opinion and it actually is quite light.

jacobsen1 · 23rd of June 2009 (Tue)

fixed!

DDWD10 · 2nd of August 2009 (Sun)

I just picked up this lens on craigslist for the pittance of $80, and I am so impressed with it that I'm considering selling my 18-55mm IS. The sharpness wide open is surprisingly crisp, even the corners are decent on my 30D. The USM is great and I love the fully-internal zoom mechanism.

bauerman · 2nd of August 2009 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDWD10

I just picked up this lens on craigslist for the pittance of $80, and I am so impressed with it that I'm considering selling my 18-55mm IS. The sharpness wide open is surprisingly crisp, even the corners are decent on my 30D. The USM is great and I love the fully-internal zoom mechanism.

Finally! another regular poster with this lens to add to this thread! I too am a big fan of this lens and think its another hidden gem from Canon's past - similar to the 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5. Looking forward to seeing some of your shots with the lens.

You got a great deal on it too......my local craigslist never has photographic gems like that.

DDWD10 · 2nd of August 2009 (Sun)

Funny story... It was listed for $50, I called the guy and agreed to meet him. About 5 minutes down the road he calls and tells me that he's received ten emails in the past half hour and he thinks he might have undercharged. I ask him what he wanted for it and he said "I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I think I'll have to ask $80." Of course that was fine by me!

I bought this lens thinking I would not be too impressed with it and ultimately sell it for a healthy profit, but it just keeps churning out consistently-great, sharp images! I will have samples soon. I am currently without an internet connection (using my BlackBerry).

bauerman · 6th of August 2009 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDWD10

Funny story... It was listed for $50, I called the guy and agreed to meet him. About 5 minutes down the road he calls and tells me that he's received ten emails in the past half hour and he thinks he might have undercharged. I ask him what he wanted for it and he said "I don't want to sound like a jerk, but I think I'll have to ask $80." Of course that was fine by me!

I bought this lens thinking I would not be too impressed with it and ultimately sell it for a healthy profit, but it just keeps churning out consistently-great, sharp images! I will have samples soon. I am currently without an internet connection (using my BlackBerry).

That is the kind of seller I NEVER see on my local craigslist! You did get a smokin' deal on it as they can sell for close to $200 in good condition. (And they are worth that amount.)

Still looking for some samples from your lens!

DDWD10 · 7th of August 2009 (Fri)

Indoor shot, handheld:

Outdoor, wide open:

Decent corners. It seems to be on par with my 18-55mm IS wide open and stopped down (this is a complement). I'd love to see some FF samples with this lens!

DDWD10 · 7th of August 2009 (Fri)

This shot at 20mm, f/3.5 with 100% crop:

hz536n · 9th of August 2009 (Sun)

Canon EOS 5 and Fuji Sensia slide film

bauerman · 9th of August 2009 (Sun)

VERY nice stuff posted guys - great to see some shots as well using film and this lens....thanks for posting those. Would love to see more slide film examples if you have them.

Looks like you got a nice $80 copy DDWD!

I need to re-attach this lens today and get some more for this thread......had my 70-210mm glued to my 1D for a week now. Time for a switch.

bauerman · 11th of August 2009 (Tue)

More cars samples since I have not been able to get outside to take any shots recently......

bauerman · 11th of August 2009 (Tue)

A few more from the Oregon Coast this summer.............with the Canon 20-35....

Pardon my dirty sensor - it has since been cleaned!!

13th of June 2009 (Sat)	#1
bauerman discount on value meals Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Idaho! Posts: 3,356	Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM I was surprised to see that there was not an archive for this great little lens. An older lens that was released in the 90's, but with great optical performance and a nice feature set. One of Canon's initial attempts at an UWA lens and the little brother to an L lens with the same focal range. Not as wide as many of its EF cousins (nor as long) but above average build quality, metal lens mount, distance scale, internal focusing and full time manual focusing through the inclusion of a fast and silent ring USM focusing motor. Also a slightly faster aperture offering than many less expensive wide angle lenses with f/3.5 on the wide end and f/4.5 on the long. Hopefully starting this thread will prove that there are a few people still out there using this hidden gem of a lens. I will post some recent samples that I have taken to kick things off. From a recent car show here in my town..... Canon EOS-1D, f/4 @ 25 mm, 1/1250, ISO 200 Canon EOS-1D, f/4.5 @ 20 mm, 1/400, ISO 200 Canon EOS-1D, f/3.5 @ 20 mm, 1/1600, ISO 200 Canon EOS-1D, f/4 @ 28 mm, 1/800, ISO 200

23rd of June 2009 (Tue)	#2
bauerman discount on value meals Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Idaho! Posts: 3,356	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Another sample from my recent trip to the Oregon Coast. This one at 20mm and f/8.

23rd of June 2009 (Tue)	#3
jacobsen1 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mt View, RI Posts: 9,361	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM nothing to see here..... move along.... __________________ My Gear List my sites: benjacobsenphoto.com \| newschoolofphotography.com GND buyers FAQ Last edited by jacobsen1 : 23rd of June 2009 (Tue) at 12:10.

23rd of June 2009 (Tue)	#5
jacobsen1 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mt View, RI Posts: 9,361	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM fixed! __________________ My Gear List my sites: benjacobsenphoto.com \| newschoolofphotography.com GND buyers FAQ

2nd of August 2009 (Sun)	#6
DDWD10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 1,676 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM I just picked up this lens on craigslist for the pittance of $80, and I am so impressed with it that I'm considering selling my 18-55mm IS. The sharpness wide open is surprisingly crisp, even the corners are decent on my 30D. The USM is great and I love the fully-internal zoom mechanism. __________________ **30D \| X-Pro1** \| X10 \| Q EF-S 18-55mm IS \| XF 35mm f/1.4 R \| Q 5-15mm f/2.8-4.5

7th of August 2009 (Fri)	#10
DDWD10 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 1,676 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Indoor shot, handheld: Outdoor, wide open: Decent corners. It seems to be on par with my 18-55mm IS wide open and stopped down (this is a complement). I'd love to see some FF samples with this lens! __________________ **30D \| X-Pro1** \| X10 \| Q EF-S 18-55mm IS \| XF 35mm f/1.4 R \| Q 5-15mm f/2.8-4.5

9th of August 2009 (Sun)	#12
hz536n Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 142	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Canon EOS 5 and Fuji Sensia slide film __________________ 1993 Canon EOS 5 w/ VG-10 Grip & E1 Strap 2007 Canon 30D w/ BG-E2N Battery Grip & E1 Strap 2008 Canon 5D w/ BG-E4 Battery Grip & E1 Strap Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS, EF 15mm f/2.8 USM, EF 70-200mm f/4L, EF 300mm f/4L IS, Canon Powershot 700 IS

11th of August 2009 (Tue)	#14
bauerman discount on value meals Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Idaho! Posts: 3,356	Re: Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM More cars samples since I have not been able to get outside to take any shots recently......

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