20-35mm F2.8L CANON EF (72) AUTO FOCUS WIDE ANGLE ZOOM LENS

Very rarely seen around L lens, alot of photographers who started photography in recent times probably would not even know the existence of this lens. Truth is this lens is actually the great grandfather of the current 16-35F2.8L II being sold in the market right not. This was the first ultra wide angle Canon EF mount L lens, it was followed by the 17-35F2.8L, the 16-35F2.8L, then the current 16-35F2.8L II.

Despite being an old model, the optics of this lens is definitely... kickass!! Perhaps because it was made in a time when an L lens was really something.. More effort by master craftsmen were placed in to ensure the quality of the product, since machineries were less advanced in the past and demand for L lenses were much lower. Expect very sharp high resolution shots even taken wide open at F2.8, and L lens standard contrast and colour saturation. Some of our own test shot that images on a 21MP 5D mark2 compared to using the 16-35F2.8L II, are comparable viewed at 100% zoom.

Disadvantages of this older model, would simply be the lack of a USM motor, and the widest of it at 20mm, instead of 17 or 16mm, but that aside, its size is absolutely lovable for carrying around. It uses 72mm filters, compared to the 16-35F2.8L II which uses 82mm filters. Not forgetting of course the 16-35F2.8L II easily cost $2.4K new now, this set is going for only 1/4 the price, definitely value for money.

Image taken with lens by LENS.sg staff:

High contrast, vibrant colours, the large F2.8 aperture allows shooting at night without tripod, the image above proves it.