Some more 16-35 f/4L IS shots, including a sunburst and the world's largest word search!

So I got this lens about 3 weeks ago, and am so far pretty happy with it.  Wanted to try sunbursts.  My conclusion: Sunbursts on this lens are massively better than they were on the 10-22, which this lens replaced (also going from a 60D to a 5D3).

As an aside, any general C&C here?  I just kind of shot it quickly because I liked the sun right next to the bus, and was walking by quickly.  The people in the picture were unintentional bystanders.  I think they add a lot to the picture, but I wonder if they are recognizable enough that I need to be careful with it?  Not that I intend to sell it.  I like the shot myself but wanted to get other peoples' takes.

Then there is the world's largest word search, which happens to be in my office building.  Well, OK it was the biggest at one time, and we have a certification by Guiness.  However, I understand the record has been beaten since then.

My observations: You can definitely notice a bit of CA in the corners, but it's not particularly bothersome.  Also it's maybe a *little* short of pixel perfect tack sharp, but again, not really a huge deal.  This was shot a few feet away from the puzzle on a nearby escalator.  I was actually surprised that 16mm did not encompass all of it.  Using the 8mm fisheye on the 60D I did get almost all.

Finally, for kicks and jollies, here is an obligatory shot of a kitten sitting in a crockpot.  You can kind of tell the bokeh this lens can produce.

These are the JPEGs straight from the camera, no processing. (I do still have the RAWs but don't generally mess with them unless I really feel the need.)  Thanks for looking!

Really? Any samples of the "old" lens sunburst?

salamander1 wrote:

i don't want to disappoint you, but i think this sunburst is pretty generic. the 16-35 f/4L IS appears to have a number of other very fine qualities, though.

in my opinion the "old" 16-35 f/2.8L II produces phenomenal sunburst, probably best in the business.

I agree. I've got a couple buried somewhere, will look tomorrow, but I think they're up home.

I had no idea Utah was so amazing!

first off, thanks for posting.

I like your sun burst picture, and I like the people in it.

I own both lenses right now (16-35II and f4IS). the f4 lens has more rays in its sunburst due to its 9 aperture blades, same as 24-70II. is it better or worse, is I suppose a matter of taste. I think its worse than 16-35II, which I agree has the best sun burst effect, but its a matter of taste.   here is 16-35II I think just the perfect number of rays.

And here is the samyang 14, for a comparison, not enough number of rays if you ask me.

and of course your sample.  too many rays for my taste.

Your word puzzle is a lens testers dream. we should have DPR rent space in your building. You also seem to have and very sharp and very well centered copy of the lens, which is great. you should set up a tripod and do a full test at 16, 21, 24 and 35, from f4 to f11 on that wall.  it would probably be one of the most useful sharpness tests

I don't have the f/4 version but I got this with my 16-35 f/2.8L.

I believe the look of sunbursts largely depend on the conditions that the picture was shot in. In my experience, if you shoot through leaves, or the corners of walls, you'll get longer and better defined sunbursts than shooting directly toward the sun.

EF 16-35 f/2.8L II @ f/20

I also noticed that my 24mm TS-E gives me these interesting split rays:

TS-E 24mm @ f/10

> In my experience, if you shoot through leaves, or the corners of walls, you'll get longer and better defined sunbursts than shooting directly toward the sun.

Thanks, I will have to try that.  Nice shots BTW.

I'm tempted now to do sunburst tests on all my lenses.

> too many rays for my taste.

Thanks for the samples. I still like the rays of the f/4.

> Your word puzzle is a lens testers dream.

Yep!  Guess I need to do more with that wall, though it's hard to get a straight shot at it from very far away because of an escalator next to it.