Quick answer
The Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L is a ultra-wide to wide-angle wide zoom lens covering 20-35mm at f/2.8 for the Canon EF mount. Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
About this lens
Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L: a fast wide-angle zoom lens with a 20-35mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, made for Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series. It covers wide angles for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 20-35mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.8
- Lens type
- Wide Zoom
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1989
- Optical construction
- 15 elements in 12 groups
- Aperture blades
- 6
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.5 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.09x
- Filter thread
- 72 mm
- Weight
- 570 g
- Length
- 79.2 mm
- Diameter
- 89 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L?
At 20-35mm this is a ultra-wide to wide-angle wide zoom, which typically suits:
- Landscapes and big skies
- Architecture and interiors
- Astrophotography and night skies
- Landscapes and cityscapes
- Street and travel photography
Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 20–35mm | 54.4–84° | 63.4–94.5° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 32–56mm | 35.6–58.7° | 42.2–68.1° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L use?
It uses the Canon EF mount, so it fits Canon EF cameras directly.
What is the focal length of the Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L?
It zooms across 20-35mm with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. That makes it a ultra-wide to wide-angle lens.
Is the Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a zoom lens covering 20-35mm, so you can reframe without moving. Its maximum aperture is f/2.8.
What is the Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.6x crop) it frames like 32–56mm on full frame, with a 35.6–58.7° horizontal and 42.2–68.1° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Which cameras does the Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L fit?
Any Canon EF-mount camera, including Canon EOS 1D X, Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EOS 5D Mark III, and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and 7 more.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
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