35mm f/1.4L II rumors?

[DPMphotog]

I have been thinking about getting the current 35L recently, but have seen inklings of a replacement coming soon... 

Any timeframe/rumored specs out there?  Or should I just not worry about it and purchase an already great lens?

[neuroanatomist]

There have been rumors for some time.  Personally, I think it's due for a replacement and has been for a while.  Between 2006 and 2011, every Canon L-series prime lens of 100mm or shorter, except the 35L, was either updated or newly-released. 

Having said that, even if they announce one tomorrow, it could be many months and multiple delays before it's actually available - so, I'll give my usual advice: if you want/need it now, buy it now.   If history is a guide, recent updates (70-200 II, 24-70 II) the price of the updated lens will be significantly higher than the original, which means that after the MkII release retailers raise their prices on the MkI while they still have stock, and used prices go up accordingly.  That happened with the 70-200 II, and I'm already seeing used prices of the 24-70 trending up.  So if you get the 35L now, and do decide to upgrade, you'll likely at least break even.

Personally, I thought the 35L was due for replacement over a year ago...that didn't stop me from buying the current version 15 months ago, and I would have missed out on a lot of great shots if I had waited for a still-just-a-rumor replacement.

[prestonpalmer]

I am waiting for the replacement as well. Till then, I am using the 24 II.

[Daniel Flather]

neuro, what could be improved on the current 35L? I love mine and I use it wide open 99.9% of the time.

[Random Orbits]

neuro, what could be improved on the current 35L? I love mine and I use it wide open 99.9% of the time.

The 35L is pretty good -- I got mine at the beginning of the year, but it is outclassed by the new Zeiss -- slightly in the center and more at the edges.  See review at TDP for the Zeiss for comparisons with the 35L.  It also doesn't have weather sealing.

[neuroanatomist]

Bingo - a little more corner sharpness (quite feasible with current coatings, I think), and weather sealing.

[prestonpalmer]

Corner sharpness is the only reason I'm waiting. I saw a significant difference between my 24 v1 and my new 24 1.4 II. I assume we will see the same improvement in the 35. Let's just hope it won't take much longer! That is a oooooooold lens!  I could really use it for wedding photography. 

[Random Orbits]

Corner sharpness is the only reason I'm waiting. I saw a significant difference between my 24 v1 and my new 24 1.4 II. I assume we will see the same improvement in the 35. Let's just hope it won't take much longer! That is a oooooooold lens!  I could really use it for wedding photography.

An old lens design, but a good lens.  The light fall off is less than the 24L II, and I find the 35L to be a little sharper than the 24L II wide open.  It's also the least expensive fast L prime. 

The 35L should be an improvement though, although I do wonder whether or not they'll increase the lens diameter to accept 77mm filters.  It seems like all the newer lenses have increased diameters to improve FF edge performance (16-35, 24-70, 100-400).

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Nothing beyond the previous Rumor on March 7.
 
http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/03/whats-next-a-general-breakdown/
 
Lenses are tougher to get inside information for.  Many expect a new version this fall.  Its going to cost a lit more for a very small improvement.

[Daniel Flather]

Well, as far as corner sharpness, I always fly wide open, so no biggie for me.  Wearher sealing is always a bonus, even just for dust. 

[sethlowephoto]

There have been rumors for some time.  Personally, I think it's due for a replacement and has been for a while.  Between 2006 and 2011, every Canon L-series prime lens of 100mm or shorter, except the 35L, was either updated or newly-released. 

Having said that, even if they announce one tomorrow, it could be many months and multiple delays before it's actually available - so, I'll give my usual advice: if you want/need it now, buy it now.   If history is a guide, recent updates (70-200 II, 24-70 II) the price of the updated lens will be significantly higher than the original, which means that after the MkII release retailers raise their prices on the MkI while they still have stock, and used prices go up accordingly.  That happened with the 70-200 II, and I'm already seeing used prices of the 24-70 trending up.  So if you get the 35L now, and do decide to upgrade, you'll likely at least break even.

Personally, I thought the 35L was due for replacement over a year ago...that didn't stop me from buying the current version 15 months ago, and I would have missed out on a lot of great shots if I had waited for a still-just-a-rumor replacement.

Totally agree... I have had this experience myself with lenses and the 'break even' experience when existing models go up in price.  I just purchased the current 35L a few months ago and couldn't be happier.  Ive had to turn the sharpness down to 1 on my 5D mkII!  If youve got the the money, and need the lens you wont be disappointed at all.

[RLPhoto]

I don't see why the 35mm L gets so much praise on sharpness. I received a CPS evaluation loan and it was never sharp wide open and I was completely underwhelmed by it considering the applause it receives. Heck the cheapo 50mm 1.4 was twice as sharp wide open and half as much. 

Now the 24mm 1.4L II really impressed me! Great color and very sharp wide open! I prefer it much over the soft 35mm I received to evaluate and is great on crop cameras & full frame.

That lens was disappointing and hope canon revamps it soon. I might reconsider it then but not likely.

[prestonpalmer]

If they wait too much longer I might have to pickup the Zeiss for my weddings!

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Here is a severe crop when I ended up using my 35mm L to photograph a friend and his monster truck in low light.  I was amazed at the resolution with my 1D MK III.  The car was over half the length of the arena from me.
 
35mm L / F/2.8 ISO 3200 1/1000 sec
 

 
 
 

[Daniel Flather]

I don't see why the 35mm L gets so much praise on sharpness. I received a CPS evaluation loan and it was never sharp wide open and I was completely underwhelmed by it considering the applause it receives. Heck the cheapo 50mm 1.4 was twice as sharp wide open and half as much. 

Now the 24mm 1.4L II really impressed me! Great color and very sharp wide open! I prefer it much over the soft 35mm I received to evaluate and is great on crop cameras & full frame.

That lens was disappointing and hope canon revamps it soon. I might reconsider it then but not likely.

Maybe it was dropped on its head one time too many?