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A great value when speed is not essential.

Started May 28, 2019 | User reviews thread
Dale Garman Senior Member • Posts: 1,025
Re: A great value when speed is not essential.
1

I guess we all have different reference points when evaluating how well a lens works. I find it no surprise that it doesn't act like a tilt shift lens since it wasn't designed to be one, so that is not part of my evaluation at all.

So yes the f4 is not a 2.8 lens, but in my experience it is extremely sharp wide open at f4. If you look at a detailed review of the f 2.8 lens it is given very high marks

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-16-35mm-f-2.8L-III-USM-Lens.aspx

But, the f2.8 is bigger and heavier and 2x the price of the f4 and doesn't have IS. So for most subjects, I find the f4 a more useful lens since the IS gives at least 3 stops benefit IMHO and according to controlled tests I have seen. I tend to use telephotos for action, but rarely use a 16-35 for action, so the IS turns out to be very useful in my use.

So for me the 16-35 f4 IS is a 5 star lens that is hard to beat, especially consider price, weight, and IS help. I continue to be amazed at this lens.

One last thought, when you say in review when speed is not essential I assume you are not referring to AF speed but rather to aperture?  With IS, I actually find the f4 highly preferable for how much useful light it lets in.

 Dale Garman's gear list:Dale Garman's gear list
Canon EOS 70D Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM +9 more
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