What's your favorite Canon lens and why?

[Axilrod]

Ooh tough call.  I would say overall, the 16-35MK II.  It works flawlessly, silently, instantly, and is extremely sharp wide open.  The wide end for landscapes and fun portraits and the long end (35mm) for normalish shots.    It just has a ton of uses.

I agree about the versatility of the 16-35, but you may have a freak copy if it's "extremely sharp wide open."  Mine is pretty sharp at f/4-f/8, but at f/2.8 it definitely softens up a bit.  It could just be that I've gotten used to the outstanding sharpness of the 14L II and maybe that's diminished my perceived quality of the 16-35.  And I'm sure the fact that all my other lenses are primes doesn't help. 

My 50L/85L are probably my favorites, but I love them all.

[Boppe]

EF 600 L f4 IS for the reach and tack sharp results.
EF 70-200 L IS II f 2.8 as it is really good all round lens.

[jasonsim]

Easily for me, my Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens is my favorite.  Because it is very versatile and one that I've used to take some of my most enjoyable shots.  I use it for wildlife and so, when armed with it, it puts me in touch with nature.

Others that I enjoy using are 35mm f/1.4L, 50mm f/1.2L, 85mm f/1.2L and 135mm f/2L.  I also like the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L.

[FOB2009]

I've had (or have) the 24--105, 35/1.4, 85/1.2, and 135/2 for the 5DII. My favorite of the Canons is the 35/1.4 for versatility, sharpness, and low light capabilities, followed by the 135/2 for sharpness, fast AF, and ease of use.

My favorite lens is the Zeiss 100/2.0 macro, followed by the 21/2.8.

[telephonic]

My favourite Canon lens is EF 200mm 1:2.8L USM. I can't explain why, but the look of the images it produced has captivated me from the start.
(I feel it's quite a weight to carry, but probably I need to gain some weight after some starvation for the lens )

Next in line is nifty fifty, which opened my eyes on how a decent lens should be.

I have to state that I only own three lenses (2 Canons, 1 old Sig), but at least I have tried some others. Up until now, I can't say I have another favourite lens.

[kbmelb]

I, like most here, have a few favorites. It is tough call for me between the 35 1.4L and the 50 1.2L but I'll say the 50 is my favorite. When I'm on, the images are amazing. The bokeh is amazing. I like the 50 over the 85 1.2II also because of the versatility the shorter MFD allows. Getting close to a subject and shooting 1.2 can result in some stunning shots.

Unfortunately my work calls for me to use a zoom for speed and I use my 24-70 most of the time and that happens to be my least favorite. I like it but it is the next to last lens I want to grab.

In reference to the 16-35II; It ranks in my top 5. The wide angle perspective is a lot of fun. I find it to be really sharp and very impressive at 16mm but 24 is a little soft and 35 is moderately sharp (based on f/2. but a bit pin cushioned.

I think if I could only have 3 lenses I would probably go with 16-35, 50 1.2 and 135 2.0.

[skoobey]

70-200 is II 2.8L - Absolutely!

I'd like to own a 85mm 1.2 L, but at that price, it ain't happening any time soon.

[AdamJ]

My favourite lenses are those that exceed my expectations. I expect my 24-105 and 70-200 f4 IS to perform well and on the whole, they do. But the two lenses that exceed my expectations are the 85 f1.8 (such good images for so little money) and the Sigma 12-24 II (simply extraordinary images).

The lens I feel the greatest need for is a 24 f1.4, while the lens I most lust after is a TS-E 17.

[Rexepic]

Gotta love the 85 1.2, but then again I really enjoy shallow depth of field, portraits, street photography and such. Would love to learn to use a tilt-shift for architecture, but those lenses are even more expensive than the 85 1.2!

[aldvan]

I can easily say 100-400L without thinking. Easily more than half of my lifetime shots on any camera are with that lens. Great optical quality, great handling and a flexible range.

If you asked me what my 2nd fave lens was, I couldn't answer that easily!

I fully agree! My 2nd one? Let me say 100L f/2.8 macro IS...

[pwp]

I have or have had more than my fair share of Canon lenses ( over 50 by last count ). If I had to pick 1 it would depend on the subject, and my mood. A top 10 in no particular order would be

EF 135/2L
EF 14 2.8 II L
EF 400 2.8 L IS
EF 300 2.8 L IS
FD 800 5.6 L made EF by EdMika adapter
FD 300 2.8 L made EF by EdMika adapter
FL 55 1.2 made EF by EdMika kit
TS 35 2.8 made EF by EdMika kit
EF 70-200 2.8 L IS II
EF 100 2.8 L HIS

Honorable mention
EF 85mm 1.2 L II

Nice list. It's almost impossible to nominate a favourite. All my Canon glass is fabulous for the job at hand.
Though I have to say I use my 70-200 f/2.8is II more than any other lens by a long way.

That's interesting that you have included a number of EdMika adapted lenses. I've been given a FL 55 1.2 by a relative. May as well set it to work! Where do you purchase the EdMika adapters?

Paul Wright

[Goshdern]

it´s hard to say what is my favourite lens.

from the number of pictures it´s the 70-200mm f2.8.

but then i shoot 95% of all portraits in my home studio with the 85mm f1.2.
 
and for the landscape shootings i never leave home without the 16-35mm.

Ha!  These are the 3 lenses in my wife's bag and we use the 85mm 90% in studio, because its perfect.  If there is a bad shot... It's most likely your fault, not this lens (don't forget to micro adjust it in camera, they seem to back focus from the copies I've used).  we use the 16-35 @ 35mm for shots on a step ladder in the studio.  Outside it's 70-200 due to IS, range, and focus speed.

[wickidwombat]

Ooh tough call.  I would say overall, the 16-35MK II.  It works flawlessly, silently, instantly, and is extremely sharp wide open.  The wide end for landscapes and fun portraits and the long end (35mm) for normalish shots.    It just has a ton of uses.

I agree about the versatility of the 16-35, but you may have a freak copy if it's "extremely sharp wide open."  Mine is pretty sharp at f/4-f/8, but at f/2.8 it definitely softens up a bit.  It could just be that I've gotten used to the outstanding sharpness of the 14L II and maybe that's diminished my perceived quality of the 16-35.  And I'm sure the fact that all my other lenses are primes doesn't help. 

My 50L/85L are probably my favorites, but I love them all.

Mine might be a freak too, it's probably only a year or so old, perhaps they made some stealth mods in later models that mean they are better similar to the 24-70 where later models are sharper?

[jwong]

35L, for taking pictures of kids being active indoor w/o great light.

[Canon Rumors]

The EF 24 f/1.4L II

I use 2 crops, the APS-H and full frame... I think it works perfectly on both for my shooting style.

It's sharp, fringe resistent, has a pleasing vignette wide open on full frame and has been super reliable.


cr