How do I know if it's version I or II??

I bought a used Canon 35mm f1.4L lens. It didn't come with a box and I don't know if it's version I or II. Is there a way to check on the lens to see what it is?

Version 1 has knurled focus ring back a bit from the lens front, with the distance scale at the very front.
Version 2 has knurled focus ring near the front edge, and the distance scale is closer to the body.

Version 1 is not IS, Version 2 has IS.

Version 1 takes 52mm filters, Version 2 takes 67mm filters

Version 1 Canon specifies 2.7" (67.4mm) diameter by 1.7 " (42.5mm) long., Version 2 Canon specifies 3.1" (77.9mm) diameter by 2.5" (62.6mm) long.

Picture of both courtesy of Ken Rockwell

http://www.kenrockwell​.com …-ii/810_6119-compared.jpg

Old is shorter and has lettering on the outside element, new one only has a red ring.

anitaw2 wrote in post #18584664
I bought a used Canon 35mm f1.4L lens. It didn't come with a box and I don't know if it's version I or II. Is there a way to check on the lens to see what it is?

Probably the easiest way is simply read how the lens is labelled:

If it says "Canon Lens EF 35mm 1:1.4 L II USM" it's the II version. On this version, the lens designation is printed around the finishing ring surrounding the front lens element.

If it just says "Canon Lens EF 35mm 1:1.4 L USM" it's the I version. On this version the labeling is printed on the outer barrel.

Wilt wrote in post #18584678
Version 1 has knurled focus ring back a bit from the lens front, with the distance scale at the very front.
Version 2 has knurled focus ring near the front edge, and the distance scale is closer to the body.

Version 1 is not IS, Version 2 has IS.

Version 1 takes 52mm filters, Version 2 takes 67mm filters

Version 1 Canon specifies 2.7" (67.4mm) diameter by 1.7 " (42.5mm) long., Version 2 Canon specifies 3.1" (77.9mm) diameter by 2.5" (62.6mm) long.

Wilt, you may want to read the question again. Neither lens has IS. I'm pretty sure both take 72mm filters.

Wilt wrote in post #18584678
Version 1 has knurled focus ring back a bit from the lens front, with the distance scale at the very front.
Version 2 has knurled focus ring near the front edge, and the distance scale is closer to the body.

Version 1 is not IS, Version 2 has IS.

Version 1 takes 52mm filters, Version 2 takes 67mm filters

Version 1 Canon specifies 2.7" (67.4mm) diameter by 1.7 " (42.5mm) long., Version 2 Canon specifies 3.1" (77.9mm) diameter by 2.5" (62.6mm) long.

You are describing the EF 35mm f/2 and EF 35mm f/2 IS, not the EF 35mm f/1.4 and EF 35mm f/1.4 II as asked by the OP.

Also, there is no version II of the EF 35mm f/2 because the addition of IS makes it an entirely new lens.

Probably the easiest is simply to look at it and compare it to the picture provided. They are very distinctly different from each other, and just a casual glance at one or the another makes it very obvious which is which.

Thanks everyone. I have version I.

Just an FYI, the 35mm f/1.4 USM was announced in 12/1998 and the 35mm f/1.4 USM II was announced 8/2015.

Next to the red ring after 35mm L 1.4 it will have a II (for version two). Also the version one doesn't have the weatherproof gasket at the lens mount (version two does).

cristphoto wrote in post #18586058
Next to the red ring after 35mm L 1.4 it will have a II (for version two). Also the version one doesn't have the weatherproof gasket at the lens mount (version two does).

so version I is not weather sealed?

It’s well made and pretty much sealed around the focus ring and af switch, but unfortunately not sealed at the lens mount.

cristphoto wrote in post #18586076
I...unfortunately not sealed at the lens mount.

Not really a very big deal....

1. Those rubber seals on the bayonet mount eventually wear, no longer seal and need to be replaced.

2. I don't fully trust the sealing and would use some sort of protection for camera and lens(es) in inclement weather anyway. (I keep plastic bags, gaffer tape, rubber bands and cheap, plastic poncho in my camera bag.... Been caught in heavy rain without them and really don't want to do that again!)

Regarding the two versions of the lens....

Some previous responses are correct:

Neither of the 35mm f/1.4L lenses has IS (Note: the EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is stabilized. The older, discontinued EF 35mm f/2 is not and doesn't have USM focus drive either).

Both the 35mm f/1.4L versions use 72mm filters.

The "II" is noticeably longer than the original version... a little over 3/4" in fact (II: 4.2" long, I: 3.6" long). It's also about 30% heavier. They are almost identical diameter (the 35mm f/2 IS USM is smaller diameter and a lot lighter weight.)

A couple other things....

The "II" uses the improved type of lens hood bayonet attachment that Canon has been putting on their new releases for the last few years. It's still a bayonet same as before, but now has a more secure "latch" with a release button. Older lenses' bayonet-mount hoods simply "clicked" on and off, which made them a tighter & more difficult fit at times, didn't lock the hood on as securely, and was prone to wear over time. The new hoods are an improvement, though they are also more expensive... roughly double the price of the older style (but hoods included with L-series lenses, so it's a moot point with them... unless you need to replace a lost or broken hood).

The more recent lenses also use Canon's new "center pinch" lens caps. That might seem a pretty minor thing, but can be nice with a lot of lenses in that you can more easily install or remove the cap with the lens hoods still in place.

More info and comparison between the two (as well as other lenses) can be seen here: https://www.the-digital-picture.com …-f-1.4-L-II-USM-Lens.aspx

The original 35mm f/1.4L was in production for 17 years and remains a very highly regarded lens. The "II" is even better (but, of course, costs a lot more)!