Quick answer
The first EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, released in 2001 with a 77mm filter thread. The Mark II (2007) and Mark III (2016) replaced it.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- L-series build
- Takes standard 77mm filters
- Ring USM focusing
Cons
- Corners are soft at wide apertures
- Noticeable distortion at 16mm
- Superseded by the sharper II and III
Verdict
A workable wide zoom for film and early digital EOS bodies. The II and III are noticeably better at the edges.
About this lens
This 16-35mm f/2.8 fast wide-angle zoom lens from Canon fits Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. An L-series wide-angle zoom aimed at landscape, architecture and interior photography.
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 16-35mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/16.0
- Lens type
- Wide Zoom
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2001
- Optical construction
- 14 elements in 10 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.28 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.22x
- Filter thread
- 77 mm
- Weight
- 600 g
- Length
- 103 mm
- Diameter
- 83.5 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM?
- Landscapes
- Architecture
- Photojournalism on full frame
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
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 | 16–35mm | 54.4–96.7° | 63.4–107° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 26–56mm | 35.6–70.2° | 42.2–80.4° |
Frequently asked questions
Is the original Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L good on full frame?
It does well in the centre, but corners at 16mm and f/2.8 are weak. Stop down to f/8 for the best edges.
What filter size does the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM take?
77mm, the same as many other Canon L zooms, so polarizers can be shared.
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L or EF 17-40mm f/4L?
The 17-40 is lighter, while the f/2.8 gives a stop more light for indoor and astro work.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
Tokina
AF 16-28mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro SD FX
16-28mm · f/16.0 · Canon EF
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AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD (Model A16)
17-50mm · f/17.0 · Canon EF
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SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical (IF)
17-35mm · f/17.0 · Canon EF
Tamron
SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)
17-50mm · f/17.0 · Canon EF
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