One of the perks of using Canon’s 15-35mm f/2.8L IS is its broad zoom range. However, its expensive $2,299 price tag made it a hard bargain for many Canon users. Now, just shy of two years since the 15-35mm’s release, Canon has just announced a more affordable (and portable) version of the lens: the 14-35mm f/4L IS.
While the aperture is smaller than the original, the 14-35mm f/4L IS slashes the original price tag down to $1,699. While the price isn’t cheap, it’s more affordable to Canon users who aren’t willing to shell out for the lens’ predecessor. Aside from the cost, Canon has made a few adjustments to the 15-35mm f/2.8L IS successor. Let’s take a look at what those are:
Canon gave the 14-35mm zoom lens a lighter, more compact build
Canon created a lighter, more compact construction for the 14-35mm. Now, the lens weighs just 1.2 pounds. For comparison, the original 15-35mm f/2.8L IS weighs 1.85 pounds. Inside, the 14-35mm contains 16 elements in 12 groups with nine rounded aperture blades and a 77mm front filter thread. The lens cuts down the original’s weight with a thinner diameter (3.3”) and a shorter overall length (3.9 “compared to 4.99”).
Canon’s redesign makes lens the slower but provides more stabilization
One initial drawback to the Canon 14-35mm lens is that it has a smaller aperture — meaning the lens is slower than the original. However, users will now have slightly more stabilization than they did before. The lens now supports up to 5.5-stops of stabilization, up .5 stops from the original’s 5-stops maximum.
It features a broad range of angles
The main highlight of the Canon 14-35mm f/4L IS lens is its broad zoom range. It is one of Canon’s broadest lenses and is made for full-frame AF cameras — lending itself to various situations. This includes street and landscape photography.
Availability
Though the 14-35mm f/4L IS has a few drawbacks (specifically its smaller aperture), it looks like a solid option for Canon users wanting a broad zoom range for a more reasonable price. You can expect the 14-35mm f/4L IS to release this August for $1,699. It will be available for RF-mount.
