Looking to find more information regarding the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM? Read our latest review to learn more about the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, its specifications, and if it’s a good camera lens for you.
Table of Contents
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Overview
The EF 35mm f-1.4L II USM from Canon is an L-series wide-angle lens with Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics and a maximum aperture of f/1.4, making it ideal for low-light shooting and controlling depth of field. To reduce clarity and sharpness, two aspherical lenses, one Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) lens, and the BR element work together to minimize chromatic aberration and color fringing.
To improve color accuracy and contrast, a Subwavelength Coating was also applied. The Ultrasonic autofocus motor (USM) provides fast and near-silent AF operation. Full time manual focus override allows for accurate manual focusing even when in AF mode.
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Specifications
The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM was first announced on 08/27/2015 with a Canon EF mount type. Below is a summary of this lens’s specifications:
| Indicative Price: $1800 | Zoom Type: N/A | |
| Release Date: 08/27/2015 | Mount Type: Canon EF | |
| Focal Range: 35mm | Tripod Mount: No | |
| Aperture: F/1.4 | Colors Available: Black | |
| Filter Diameter (millimeters): 72 | Full-Time Manual Focus: Yes | |
| Maximum Diameter (millimeters): 80.4 | Number Of Lenses: 14 | |
| AF Motor: USM | Length (millimeters): 105.5 | |
| Stabilization: No | Weight (grams): 760 |
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Performance
In terms of performance, the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is an excellent camera lens. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4, which is great for low-light shooting and controlling depth of field. The lens also features Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics, which help to reduce chromatic aberration and color fringing. Additionally, the Ultrasonic autofocus motor (USM) provides fast and near-silent AF operation.
Build and Handling Quality
The build and handling quality of the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is excellent. The lens is made of high-quality materials and feels very solid and well-built. The autofocus is fast and accurate, and the manual focus override allows for precise manual focusing even when in AF mode.
Autofocus Performance
Like we mentioned before, the Autofocus is fast and accurate. The USM motor is very quiet, making it great for video recording.
Sharpness
The sharpness on this lens is outstanding. Even at f/1.4, the images are very sharp and detailed.
Color Rendering
The color rendering on this lens is excellent. The colors are accurate and vibrant, with good contrast.
Bokeh
The bokeh on this lens is absolutely beautiful. The circular aperture produces smooth and creamy bokeh that is perfect for portraiture and other types of photography where you want to isolate your subject from the background.
Distortions / Aberrations
There is very little distortion or aberration on this lens. We did notice some slight barrel distortion at 35mm, but it was not noticeable in most images.
Vignetting / Color Fringing
There is some slight vignetting at f/1.4, but it is not noticeable in most images. We did notice some minor color fringing in high-contrast scenes, but it was not excessive and was easily corrected in post-processing.
Image Quality
The image quality of the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is excellent. The lens produces sharp, detailed images with accurate colors and good contrast. There is some slight vignetting at wider apertures, but this is to be expected with a wide-angle lens. Overall, the image quality is very good.
How Does The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Score?
Below are the lens metric scores we’ve measured for this specific lens:
- Performance and Image Quality: 9/10
- Features: 8/10
- Bokeh: 9/10
- Build Quality: 8/10
- AutoFocus Quality: 8/10
- Handling: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM Pros and Cons
Below are some of the pros and cons regarding this lens.
Pros:
- Beautiful images
- Wide angle lens
- Very sharp
- Fast autofocus
- Lightweight
- Great bokeh
Cons:
- Lack of weather sealing
- Aberrations at 1.4f
- Some barrel distortion
- High price
Other Comparable Lenses
Below are other comparable lenses to the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM:
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
A classic wide-angle lens with a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4. The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM is a great option for those looking for a fast, wide-angle prime lens.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM is another great option for those looking for a fast, wide-angle prime lens. It features excellent build quality and image quality, and is a fraction of the price of the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
A versatile zoom lens with a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8. The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a great option for those who need a versatile zoom lens for general photography, landscape, portraits, and more.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G ED
A similar lens from Nikon with a slightly slower maximum aperture of f/1.4G. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G ED is a great option for those who are looking for a fast, wide-angle prime lens from a different brand.
Conclusion
Overall, the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is a great camera lens for those looking for a fast, wide-angle option. It’s well-built, produces great image quality, and is versatile enough to be used in a variety of shooting situations. If you’re looking for a Canon EF-mount lens with these capabilities, the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is a great option.
