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amazon Canon 16-35mm f2.8L III USM reviews
Canon EF 16-35mm f / 2.8L III USM, the third member of the ultra-wide-angle zoom lens club, is also the latest in the 16-35mm focal realm from Canon so far. A red L-series lens, this one is designed for professional users with the broadest corners and the biggest aperture, embracing an entirely new design in exterior and interior technologies.
The new lens is designed above the bar set by the 2 version, particularly for people with professional needs.
Unlike its predecessors, the first generation of the lens, the 16-35mm f/2.8L, some seven years later, graduated to a higher grade, in 2006, with the start of its production and sale, replaced by the successor 16-35mm f/2.8L II. Canon produced in 2014 another third-generation lens, but not also an upgraded 16 35mm f 2.8, rather included advanced features, modern technology, and improved image quality in the 16-35mm f/4 IS USM, which saw the light of day this year. Thus began a line of fabulous lenses, new 16-35 f/2.8L III USM lenses only became available somewhere on the tail end with the release of a new camera, the Canon 5D Mark IV.
Construction:
The lens 16-35mm f / 2.8L III USM has been subject, with an exceptional one-time trial, to a very enterprising combination of sophisticated quality and design appeal.
Impressions; The super-quick look from the outside of this Lens series 3 and other Canon L lenses, this 16-35 is painted using very superior glossy black but perfect gloss, beautiful and sharp, very durable and hard to scratch. As for the design of the lens, it seems to have retained the overall superhero character of 16-35 model 3, with almost unblemished construction, weighty, and that lovely matte-black paint finish-an exquisite point for any Lens. The overall weight feels pretty solid in the hand, comfortable with familiar feelings almost constant since back in the day of the L 1.2, but longer than the old 24-70 but less in weight than the L 1.2 with a forbidding yet functional beauty case-like shape. There is a kind of design that repels fingerprints, giving great grace to the lens in action.
The 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens, being newer and with advances from a technological standpoint than the f/2.8L II and the f/4, benefited from the IS shake correction function, just right for lower light shooting.
Like the new L lens recently, the focus ring is located closer to the end of the lens and rotates smoothly with just the right speed, whereas resistance is really low, a feature of any good lens. Focus control on the lens is extremely smooth thanks to the motor focus in the USM (Ultrasonic Motor) except for a little noise, for which if there are no quiet moments, the user would probably be able to hear: AF_FTM (Full-Time Manual) for manual override, plus AF Microadjustment (front) for fine-tuning while in autofocus mode. It holds focus well with remarkable focus accuracy, quite an improvement to its predecessor, the 16-35 f/2.8 II, which at times jiggles several times to re-acquire focus especially under low light conditions.
where can you get a Canon 16-35mm f2.8L III USM online
Canon 16-35mm f2.8L III USM: Buy it now
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The 16-35mm f / 2.8L III USM has been split, in terms of optical construction, among 16 lenses collected in 11 glass groups including a molded front lens having a dielectric component double sided and one aspheric lens at the bottom. There are nine rounded octaves, more than two leaves compared to the second one with just seven leaves that produce an image with a great smooth bokeh when opened wide and produce 18 beautiful beams yet even when taken straight to strong light sources. such as the sun or light bulbs-the sharpest beam as the aperture closes.
Also important about this lens is equipped with three new Fluorine coatings-SWC (Sub-Wavelength) and Air-Sphere coatings (ASC), wherein the Fluorine coating On-Front and Back of the lens, reduces fingerprints, dirt and water, easier to clean if it gets hung, Airsphere, and Subwavelength, reduce the occurrence of flare and ghosting image. Within such construction argues 16-35, making it able to create images that are higher than the edge of it in much greater detail and sharpness, newest coatings being better for making image capture larger while limiting the threat of flare and ghost as such phenomena but can never be completely eliminated.
So far as the ultra-wide ranges stand, this angle covers a focal length from 16mm to 35mm, this angle becomes a great all-purpose focal length for many kinds of photography: a wedding, landscape, event, especially with an open aperture of f / 2.8. More sensors to capture most of the action, even when light conditions are rather low, and speed has to go down, while it can also blur the background with a nice smooth bokeh, particularly when moving to change focus to 35mm.
In fact, this is a pipe worth the investment to replace the gen 2 or gen 1 was born from 2007, while many are still confused between 16-35mm f / 2.8L III USM vs. 16 -35mm f / 4L IS USM; you have the choice of being able to have aperture an f / 2.8 compared to one that’s f / 4; obviously priced about two times over a f / 4: lacking its brightness, speed with a maximum aperture of f2.8, will see this lens worth.
Key Features
Wide Aperture
The constant f/2.8 maximum aperture of the lens is one of its most significant advantages. This wide aperture provides a number of benefits:
Low-Light Performance: The f/2.8 aperture permits the entry of greater amounts of light, which results in improved performance in low-light conditions. This is very useful indoors or at twilight.
Depth of Field Control: A wide aperture allows creative depth of field control and can achieve a very shallow depth of field so as to isolate subjects from the background.
Constant Aperture: The f/2.8 aperture is constant throughout the zoom range, thus maintaining consistent exposure and depth of field control at any focal length, unlike some zoom lenses that have a variable aperture.
Wide Ultra Focal Length
This range includes the 16-35mm focal length, which provides a pretty comprehensive wide-angle perspective, which would suit a wide range of photographic styles:
Landscape Photography: Wide coverage that permits capture of great big sweeping landscapes.
Architecture Photography: One lens can be used to get photographs of buildings and interiors where a large area requires to be captured in a wide-angle shot.
Interior Photography: The broad field of view is helpful in taking the complete area of interiors, thus becoming a great tool in real estate and interior photography.
Optical Design
The Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is based on an advanced optical design whereby 16 elements are organized into 11 groups. That design carries several high-end lens elements for which one can bank on fantastic picture quality:
Aspherical Elements: The lens has aspherical elements that help correct all types of optical aberration like spherical aberrations, distortion, and so on. With it, images become much sharper and free from aberrations.
UD Elements: Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) elements are used for the correction of chromatic aberration and color fringing, which will result in much better color accuracy and contrast in images.
Super Spectra Coating: This is a lens coating developed by Canon through Super Spectra Coatings and applied to all lenses to minimize lens flare as well as ghosting and improve color contrast and clarity.
Autofocus System
The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is outfitted with an Ultrasonic Motor (USM) that makes auto-focusing fast, accurate, and virtually silent. Also, the lens has a full-time manual focus override for fine adjustment of the focus even while the lens operates in autofocus mode.
Image Stabilization
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM does not offer image stabilization (IS), unlike some other wide angles. This isn’t really needed because the qualities of a wide-angle eliminate the intrinsic places IS is highly effective, especially in telephoto and low light images. Many times, photographers who prefer shooting with wide-angle lenses take pictures using a faster shutter speed, thereby totally mitigating their need for IS.
Performance
Image Quality
The Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM stands out in its capacity to yield first-class sharpness. The camera propagates highly sharpened, clear, and detailed images. The remarkably high optical design attracts trained effectiveness to lessen optical aberration across the zoom range.
Sharpness: The lens retains sharpness from corner to corner with slight softness at the periphery. The image quality is impressive whether wide open at f/2.8 or stopped down.
Distortion and Chromatic Aberillation: Distortion and chromatic aberrillation are insignificant with this lens and the aspherical and UD elements play their part in correcting them, giving corrected aberration and practically true-to-life coloring.
Flare and Ghosting: Ghosting and lens flare are duly taken care of by the Super Spectra Coating along with enhanced contrast and color accuracy in those situations where light composition creates a challenge-mainly in backlighting.
Autofocus Performance
Focusing provided by the USM autofocus system is remarkably fast and reliable with the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM under various conditions, including challenging low-light scenarios and fast-moving subjects.
Speed: The focus is fast and reliable, capable of catching fast-moving scenes and candid moments.
Accuracy: Accuracy of the AF allows subjects to be in crisp focus, where fine adjustments can be accomplished via full-time manual focus override.
Bokeh Quality
Wide-angle work is where the lens shines; however, its aperture design now comes into play for bokeh quality. Nine blades help create a pleasing bokeh quality, with creamy and round highlights in the out-of-focus areas. This assists with isolating subjects in the wide-angle compositions or creating special effects.
Build and Handling
The Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM was developed with professional photographers as the primary target. The lens is solidly built and engineered so that it fits comfortably in the hands of the photographer and stands up to rigors of reliable operation.
Handling: Good balance and comfort even in extended shooting sessions. Smooth and responsive focus and zoom rings allow precise control over composition and focus.
Size and Weight: Lighter than pro lenses, the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is heftier than some wide-angle zoom lenses. It feels worth carrying, given its top-notch performance and superior build quality.
Real-World Applications and Examples
Landscape Photography
With wide-angle view and utmost sharpness across the frame, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM acts as a wonder for landscape photography. Such wide-angle lenses ensure that the photographer captures sweeping visual angles showing dynamic landscapes with minimum distortion. Furthermore, the lens ensures the sharpness of every detail because of the high-grade optical quality.
Example: A panoramic shot from a mountain range, where the wide perspective accounts for the imposing nature of the landscape. The sharpness of the lens helps realize fine details, such as the textures of the rocks and the soft hues of the sky.
Architecture and Interior Photography
With the recent developments in architecture and interior photography, the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM excels by being able to cover a wide vista of large buildings and interior spaces. This great wide-angle lens captures completely the view of buildings and interiors, while the advanced optical design minimizes distortion and offers excellent image quality.
Example: Interior photo of a historical building; the wide angle allows covering the room in one shot without any change of camera position. The lens’s resolution and color accuracy are superb qualities that allow showcasing architectural details and design elements.
Night Photography
Night photography is another type of photography where the f/2.8 aperture of the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM comes in handy. The wide aperture allows higher shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible. This ensures that the lens would perform well enough to take bright, clear pictures of cityscapes, star trails, and other topics seen at night.
Example: A nighttime cityscape, at instances highlighted by the lights, with long exposures. The lens performs well in low-light situations and minimizes flare and ghosting; hence, all the city lights are picked up with full vigor in color and sharpness.
Action and Event Photography
The Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is not the first choice for fast-moving subjects, but one can still capture action at events. The wide angle covers large swathes of action scenes, while the fast aperture helps maintain sharpness in poor light.
Example: Sports events or concerts are captured in one wide-angle shot; the lens captures action, people, energy, and ambience with fervor. The wide-angle view and ability to work in low light document with extreme detail.
What’s Good and Bad
Pros
Wide Aperture: The constant f/2.8 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and gives creative control over depth of field.
Sharpness: The lens gives such great viewing quality with sharpness across the field that it can be used for professional work.
Weather Sealing: The water-resistant housing makes the lens able to be used in a wide variety of environmental conditions, creating an added durability factor.
Constructed: Built to last with ease of use when handling; therefore, making it highly reliable with extended usage.
Versatility: The lens’s focal length range from 16-35 affords versatility for almost any kind of photographic application, from landscapes to architecture.
Cons
Price: Looking at the price tag, it is definitely not on the cheap side; this may be an issue for those with a tighter budget.
Size and Weight: Larger and heavier than some other wide-angle zoom lenses, this can be cumbersome to some.
No Image Stabilization: No image stabilization, which for handheld shooting in lower light can be a problem, although this frustration is alleviated somewhat thanks to the fast aperture.
No Touchscreen or Advanced Features: The 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM has no advanced features such as touchscreen controls or integrated filters, which are included in some newer lenses.
Summary
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM really is a crown jewel in wide-open zoom: It is top-of-the-line in performance, construction, and capability. This lens’ max f/2.8 constant aperture, big focal length range, and sophisticated optical design give it many purposes because it is an effective tool for most light-and-scenery photography.
From a robustness and quality perspective, therefore, the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is a great buy, whether a serious photographer or one that shoots professionally. Its wide aperture allows for low-light and creative shooting, while its sharpness and color accuracy render images with a lot of clarity and detail.
Yes, this lens is in the upper price category and may be a bit bigger and heavier than its alternative contenders; however, it is an excellent performer and very robust so its value is clear. There is extra weather sealing for those challenging shooting conditions.
In a nutshell, this is the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM; a master among high-end wide-angle zoom lenses. It cries out quality inside and outside of the glass, hence making any photographer feel blessed to have its focal versatility under the cap.