What is the difference in the 16-35L I & II

Excuse my ignorance but what is the differences in the 16-35L I & II other than the II being newer? Thanks, Len

cartha wrote in post #8086020
Excuse my ignorance but what is the differences in the 16-35L I & II other than the II being newer? Thanks, Len

From The Digital Picture review: http://the-digital-picture.com …L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

" "Canon's engineers have completely redesigned the optics on the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM to deliver higher contrast levels and improved resolving power." [Canon's Press Release] Of course, they are referring to a redesigning of the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM Lens - a very good and very popular lens itself. The biggest physical appearance change is in the II's wider lens barrel at the objective end - going from 77mm to 82mm in filter size. The 16-35 L II is .2" (5mm) wider (for the just-noted reason), .3" (8.6mm) longer and weighs the same as the original 16-35 L. They feel identical out to and including the focus ring. The II's zoom ring is more firm (I like this better). Minimum focus distance remains the same - Maximum magnification remains the same as well."

This article has the comparison in it.

http://photo.net/equip​ment/canon/16-35

My experience with both lenses - the Mk II has improved corner sharpness over my copy of the Mk I. It has considerably less flare as well (the Mk I can be coaxed into some nasty flare if the sun is just outside of the picture frame but within the coverage of the hood). Distortion is a bit lower and chromatic abberation is better controlled on the Mk II as well.

I note that in the previous post, the corner sharpness comparison showed similar performance at 16 mm, f/2.8. Mine experience was different, but that could be due to lens variation.

On a full-frame camera, I would choose the Mk II. On a crop camera, I'd probably go with the 17-55/2.8 IS EF-S lens instead.

thanks, I appreciate it. I wanted to see if the differences in them justified the price differences.

The filter size is different as well MK1=77mm. MK2=82mm.