Quick answer
The 1997 original of Canon's 24mm f/1.4L, a fast wide prime for full frame. The Mark II replaced it in 2008.
Pros
- f/1.4 aperture
- L-series build
- Compact for its speed
- Close focus of 0.25m
Cons
- Soft corners wide open
- Noticeable vignetting
- Replaced by a sharper Mark II
Verdict
A fast wide prime for full frame. Stop down for the edges, or step up to the better-corrected Mark II.
About this lens
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM: a fast wide-angle prime lens with a 24mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.4, made for Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A fast L-series wide-angle prime for landscapes, astrophotography and reportage.
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 24mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/24.0
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1997
- Optical construction
- 11 elements in 9 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.25 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.16x
- Filter thread
- 77 mm
- Weight
- 550 g
- Length
- 77.4 mm
- Diameter
- 83.5 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM?
- Low-light wide shooting
- Photojournalism
- Night landscapes
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 | 24mm | 73.7° | 84.1° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 38mm | 50.2° | 58.8° |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM good for astrophotography?
It gathers plenty of light, but coma and corner softness at f/1.4 show up. The Mark II handles this better.
How does the EF 24mm f/1.4L differ from the Mark II?
The Mark II has better corner sharpness and aberration control. The original remains a competent lens in the centre.
What filter size does the EF 24mm f/1.4L USM use?
It uses 77mm filters, the same size as the Mark II. Existing 77mm polarizers and ND filters from other L lenses will fit.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
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