DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

A great value when speed is not essential.

Started May 28, 2019 | User reviews thread
JerryriggedTECH
JerryriggedTECH Senior Member • Posts: 1,098
Re: A great value when speed is not essential.

Dale Garman wrote:

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.

Yep... this is the only lens I own that is slower than f/4. Indeed very nice lens and a real bargain!

 JerryriggedTECH's gear list:JerryriggedTECH's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon EOS R Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L II USM +5 more
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum PPrevious NNext WNext unread UUpvote SSubscribe RReply QQuote BBookmark MMy threads
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow