Quick answer
A compact 1993 wide-angle zoom for full-frame EOS bodies, with ring USM and a 77mm thread. Image quality is modest by modern standards.
Pros
- Wide 20mm start
- Light at about 340g
- Ring USM with manual override
Cons
- Slow variable aperture
- Soft at the edges
Verdict
A light wide zoom for full frame. Newer 16-35mm and 17-40mm L lenses are better corrected.
About this lens
A 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 wide-angle zoom lens, the Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is designed for Canon EF mount bodies, with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. It covers wide angles for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 20-35mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/20.0
- Lens type
- Wide Zoom
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1993
- Optical construction
- 12 elements in 11 groups
- Aperture blades
- 5
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.34 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.13x
- Filter thread
- 77 mm
- Weight
- 340 g
- Length
- 68.9 mm
- Diameter
- 83.5 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM?
- Casual wide-angle shooting
- Travel on a small kit
- Film-era EOS bodies
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 | 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
Is the Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM full frame?
Yes, it is designed for 35mm film and full-frame sensors. On APS-C it frames like a 32-56mm zoom.
What filter size does the EF 20-35mm take?
77mm, the same thread as Canon's 17-40mm and 16-35mm L zooms.
Is the EF 20-35mm sharp?
It is acceptable in the centre but soft toward the edges, particularly at 20mm. Newer wide zooms are better corrected.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
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