Canon EF 35mm f2

amazon Canon EF 35mm f2 reviews

Canon EF 35mm f2 is one of the few lenses to have been produced since 1990 but so far no alternative version.

Users love Canon cameras are often heard of the legendary Canon EF 35mm f1.4L USM lens, but not many people know the standard lens with a focal length of 35mm, f2 open but cheap. This is one of the few lenses produced since 1990 but so far no alternative version.

The EF 35mm f2 has some disadvantages, such as the lack of a supersonic focusing motor, aberrative handling and color, but with the advantages of a compact design, versatile focal length, price Cheap and good image quality compared to the price (about 350 USD), probably unprofessional users will choose this lens for the needs of shooting instead of expensive EF 35mm f1.4L USM (about $ 1400 USD).

where can you get a Canon EF 35mm f2 online

Canon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (OLD MODEL): Buy it now

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Wide-Angle Lens: Buy it now

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens with UV Filter + Hood + Cap Keeper + Cleaning Kit for EOS 6D, 70D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i, T5, T5i, SL1 DSLR Cameras: Buy it now

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens with Sling Backpack + 3 UV/ND8/CPL Filters + Hood + Cleaning Kit for EOS 6D, 70D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i, T5, T5i, SL1 DSLR Cameras: Buy it now

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM Lens with 3 UV/ND8/CPL Filters + Hood + Tripod + Cleaning Kit for EOS 6D, 70D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i, T5, T5i, SL1 DSLR Cameras: Buy it now

Design and Build Quality

Dimensions and Weight

The Canon EF 35mm f/2 is a compact and lightweight lens, making it an excellent choice for both casual photographers and professionals who need a versatile prime lens without adding significant bulk to their camera setup.

• Dimensions: The lens measures approximately 68 x 56 mm (2.7 x 2.2 inches), making it relatively small compared to other lenses in its focal length range.
• Weight: At around 270 grams (9.5 ounces), it is lightweight and easy to carry, fitting comfortably in a camera bag or even in a larger pocket.

Build Quality

The build quality of the EF 35mm f/2 reflects Canon’s commitment to delivering durable and reliable lenses. While not constructed from premium materials like some high-end lenses, it is well-made for its class and price range.

• Materials: The lens features a predominantly plastic construction with a metal lens mount. The plastic body helps keep the weight down, while the metal mount ensures durability and a solid connection to the camera.
• Finish: The lens has a matte black finish that is resistant to fingerprints and scratches. The design is functional and straightforward, prioritizing performance over aesthetics.

Handling and Ergonomics

The lens offers good handling and ergonomics, with a design that is well-suited for both manual and autofocus use.

• Focus Ring: The focus ring is smooth and precise, allowing for accurate manual focusing. Its moderate size and placement make it easy to grip and operate.
• Autofocus Motor: The lens employs a traditional autofocus motor that provides reliable and relatively quiet focusing performance. It does not feature Canon’s more advanced focusing technologies like USM (Ultrasonic Motor), but it delivers acceptable performance for its intended use.

Optical Performance

Image Quality

The Canon EF 35mm f/2 is known for its sharpness and clarity, making it a popular choice for a wide range of photographic applications.

• Sharpness: The lens provides excellent sharpness across the frame, particularly when stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6. At f/2, the lens is sharp in the center, though corner sharpness improves as you close down the aperture.
• Contrast and Color: The lens delivers good contrast and vibrant colors, contributing to images that have a pleasing look and feel. The color rendition is true-to-life, making it suitable for various types of photography.

Distortion and Chromatic Aberration

• Distortion: The EF 35mm f/2 exhibits minimal distortion, which is generally not noticeable in everyday shooting. This characteristic makes it a reliable choice for architectural and landscape photography.
• Chromatic Aberration: Chromatic aberration is well-controlled in this lens, with minimal fringing noticeable in high-contrast scenes. However, some slight purple fringing may be visible at wide apertures, especially in high-contrast situations.

Bokeh and Depth of Field

• Bokeh: The lens produces pleasant bokeh with a smooth and creamy quality, particularly when used wide open. The seven-blade aperture contributes to a rounded bokeh shape, enhancing the aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas.
• Depth of Field: The 35mm focal length combined with the f/2 aperture offers a shallow depth of field, allowing for effective subject isolation and creative control over the background.

Low-Light Performance

The f/2 aperture of the Canon EF 35mm provides good low-light performance, making it suitable for indoor and evening photography.

• Aperture: The wide aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, which helps in maintaining faster shutter speeds and reducing the need for higher ISO settings. This feature is particularly useful in low-light conditions where maintaining image quality is crucial.
• Performance: The lens performs well in low light, though it’s important to note that as with any lens, performance is also influenced by the camera body’s sensor and image processing capabilities.

Practical Applications

Street Photography

The Canon EF 35mm f/2 is an excellent choice for street photography due to its versatile focal length and compact size.

• Focal Length: The 35mm focal length provides a natural perspective that is neither too wide nor too telephoto, making it ideal for capturing candid moments and scenes in urban environments.
• Portability: Its lightweight and compact design make it easy to carry around, allowing photographers to blend into the environment and capture spontaneous shots without drawing too much attention.

Portrait Photography

While not a traditional portrait lens, the EF 35mm f/2 can still be used effectively for environmental portraits and close-up shots.

• Aperture: The f/2 aperture allows for good subject isolation and background blur, which can enhance the overall look of portraits. The lens’s ability to create a shallow depth of field helps in emphasizing the subject against a blurred background.
• Versatility: The 35mm focal length offers a wider field of view compared to longer portrait lenses, providing a unique perspective that can add context to the subject’s environment.

Landscape and Architecture Photography

The Canon EF 35mm f/2 performs well in landscape and architecture photography, thanks to its sharpness and minimal distortion.

• Sharpness: The lens’s sharpness across the frame, especially when stopped down, makes it suitable for capturing detailed landscape scenes and architectural structures.
• Distortion: The minimal distortion exhibited by the lens helps in producing straight lines and accurate representations of architectural elements.

Travel Photography

For travel photographers, the Canon EF 35mm f/2 offers a good balance of image quality and portability.

• Compact Size: Its small and lightweight design makes it easy to carry during travels, ensuring that photographers have a high-quality lens without being burdened by heavy gear.
• Versatility: The 35mm focal length is versatile enough to handle a variety of shooting scenarios, from landscapes to street scenes, making it a practical choice for travel photography.

Comparison with Modern Alternatives

When comparing the Canon EF 35mm f/2 with modern alternatives, several advancements in lens technology and design become evident.

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM

• Aperture: The EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM offers a wider maximum aperture of f/1.4, providing even better low-light performance and greater control over depth of field.
• Optical Performance: The L-series lens includes advanced optical elements that significantly reduce chromatic aberration, distortion, and other optical imperfections, resulting in superior image quality.
• Build Quality: The EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is constructed with weather-sealing and high-quality materials, making it more robust and durable than the EF 35mm f/2.

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM

• Mount Type: The RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is designed for Canon’s mirrorless cameras with the RF mount. It offers similar focal length and aperture but is optimized for the mirrorless system.
• Macro Capability: The RF 35mm f/1.8 includes macro capabilities, allowing for close-up photography with a 1:2 magnification ratio.
• Image Stabilization: The RF 35mm f/1.8 features built-in image stabilization, which helps to reduce camera shake and improve handheld shooting performance.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

• Aperture: The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens features a wider f/1.4 aperture, offering even better low-light performance and creative control over depth of field.
• Optical Quality: The Art series lens is renowned for its exceptional optical quality, providing sharpness, contrast, and color rendition that rival many high-end lenses.
• Build Quality: The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is built with premium materials and advanced optical design, making it a robust and high-performing alternative to the Canon EF 35mm f/2.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Image Quality: The EF 35mm f/2 delivers sharp images with good color rendition and contrast, making it a reliable choice for various photographic applications.
• Compact and Lightweight: Its small size and lightweight design make it highly portable and easy to handle, ideal for everyday use and travel.
• Versatility: The 35mm focal length is versatile enough for a range of photography styles, from street to landscape and portrait photography.

Weaknesses

• Autofocus Performance: The lens lacks advanced autofocus technologies such as USM, which may result in slower and noisier focusing compared to modern lenses.
• Build Quality: The plastic construction, while functional, may not match the durability and premium feel of higher-end lenses.
• No Image Stabilization: The absence of image stabilization means that users must rely on faster shutter speeds or external stabilization solutions to avoid camera shake, particularly in low-light situations.

Conclusion

In summary, the Canon EF 35mm f/2 is a lens that has earned its place in the hearts of many photographers due to its blend of performance, size, and affordability. It may not have all the bells and whistles of modern lenses, but it delivers quality results in a user-friendly package. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or an enthusiast looking for a dependable prime lens, the EF 35mm f/2 offers a solid choice with a proven track record.

As photography technology continues to advance, the EF 35mm f/2 serves as a reminder of the craftsmanship and design principles that have shaped the industry. Its legacy endures as a testament to the value of simplicity and effectiveness in photographic equipment. For those who appreciate the fundamentals of photography and seek a reliable lens that performs well without unnecessary complexity, the Canon EF 35mm f/2 remains a worthy option.