16-35 mkii edge distortion question

Sorry if this has been mentioned, but I tried searching and didnt come up with answers to my specific question.

Thinking of purchasing the above mentioned lens.

I love the images that are in the lens sample section, and it gives me the impression that the edge/barrel distortion is very minimal compared to say my 24-70.

My 24-70 on 5dmkii finds the edges will show vertical distortion quite dramatically. So wondering if the 16-35mkii can handle this any better, then this would be a good reason to purchase this lens for me.

Or would these image already be photoshopped, I dont know.

Try this as a starting point:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …l-ii-usm-lens-review.aspx
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …&FLI=0&API=0&Le​nsComp=101

Thanks for your input Windpig.

I have read these reviews before, and although they have alot of technical background, I was hoping to get some more personal experiences that people have found.

I have had this lens for about 1 year now. It's on my 50d and I have hardly used anything else since. I can't figure out why some people act like it's an inferior lens, compared to 24-70 for instance. It is expensive, and uses 82mm filters. I have almost forgot how much it cost to buy now. Imoo the IQ is very good and I don't notice distortion of any kind. I don't care to use flashes and f/2.8 indoors is just the ticket for me. 16mm on the 50d gives a wide field of veiw and the 35mm end of it works well for work inside where you might want to fill the frame more. I have no complaints about this lens at all.

Canonymous wrote in post #11098324
My 24-70 on 5dmkii finds the edges will show vertical distortion quite dramatically. So wondering if the 16-35mkii can handle this any better, then this would be a good reason to purchase this lens for me.

I do believe you are confusing distortion with perspective.

When a photographer is using a very short focal length lens (such as 24mm or less on a 35mm film format camera like your 5D), there is a tendency to get far too close to many subjects as well as a tendency to shoot building exteriors with the camera aimed up at the building from a fairly close distance. These practises will "distort" the images even though the lens being used may have very little barrel or pincushion distortion when tested in a laboratory situation (camera perfectly parallel to a flat target).

For more information on perspective and how to creatively control it, please read our "sticky" tutorial titled Perspective Control in Images - Focal Length or Distance?. The "sticky" thread can be found at the top of the General Photography Talk forum.