Canon EF 35 f/1.4L II to Finally Arrive? [CR1]

[Canon Rumors]

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<p><strong>Canon EF 35 f/1.4L II

</strong>We received a a hands-on claim about a prototype Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II. We’re told that the lens is in the hands of select photographers and could be announced in the first half of 2014.</p>
<p>It’s said that the lens is slightly wider than the current version but weighs a bit less. The lens has a new type of coating on at least one of the elements. The version that was tested had a 77mm filter thread.</p>
<p>This lens has been long rumoured for replacement and a few patents (<a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/2013/10/patent-canon-35mm-f1-4l-ii/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/07/patent-canon-ef-35-f1-4l/" target="_blank">here</a>) have shown up over the years. However, it’s sounding like we may finally get to see one in 2014.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[Eldar]

That will be an interesting lens to try out!

 

[MARKOE PHOTOE]

Yes, this would be great to see if Canon can compete with Sigma's 35mm f1.4, especially with a competitive price. I have the Sigma and it is extremely sharp in all respects but I'm not a big fan of the bokeh from this lens when compared to other Canon lenses.

Lets see what Canon can do.

 

[Ellen Schmidtee]

Yes, this would be great to see if Canon can compete with Sigma's 35mm f1.4, especially with a competitive price.

The current 35mm f/1.4L mkI is ~$500 more expensive than the Sigma, and the mkII's price will fall below that of the mkI in the foreseeable future, so I don't see the two competing on price.

 

[Loswr]

We received a a hands-on claim about a prototype Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II.

As long as that claim didn't come from M.ST… :

This lens has been long rumoured for replacement...

Looking forward to it! I'd almost certainly purchase one...

 

[crasher8]

Sigma 35 owners all yawn in unison!

 

[Loswr]

Sigma 35 owners all yawn in unison!

Just don't stand there like a turkey, yawning in the rain until you drown. (In other words, does the Sigma 35/1.4 have weather-sealing, as the Canon 35/1.4L II is almost certain to have?)

 

[privatebydesign]

I'd look at one, though the 35 f2 IS has me intrigued and at this point I, personally, like the idea of IS in an f2 wide angle more than twice the weight and size and cost, probably four times the cost, in an f1.4 wide angle.

If the 35 f2 IS was a 2.8, like the 28 and 24 then it would be less appealing, two stops is too much loss of dof control, but at only one stop slower the f2 IS is very interesting, and a deal at $550ish at the moment, (shame about the $50 hood! )

 

[privatebydesign]

Weather sealing isn't that big a deal to me, I used non weather sealed stuff enough to just not worry about it too much, though it was one reason I got the 100 IS macro over the non IS version (IS was the main reason).

But Sigma will never overcome the bad feeling from their earlier lens issues in my mind, sure we have a younger newer generation who were not affected and really like them now, and all power to you, but for me bad feelings like that basically last a lifetime and although the Canon 35L is showing its age, it isn't like you can't take decent images with it.

 

[Ricku]

Thanks to my razor sharp Sigma 35, I'm not even interested in the 35L II. Not any longer.. The 35L II will probably match the Sigma 35 in terms of IQ. Maybe even outperform it a little bit.. But the price tag will be totally Canon.

If Canon wants to sell something new in this FL, they should release a tack sharp 16-35L III. (sharp corner to corner). I'd buy that!

 

[dolina]

Gave up waiting for this lens and decided on the 40mm pancake.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

Thanks to my razor sharp Sigma 35, I'm not even interested in the 35L II. Not any longer.. The 35L II will probably match the Sigma 35 in terms of IQ. Maybe even outperform it a little bit.. But the price tag will be totally Canon.

If Canon wants to sell something new in this FL, they should release a tack sharp 16-35L III. (sharp corner to corner). I'd buy that!

Yes. The S35 does outperform the 35L optically. Even so, the 35L is no slouch with regard to IQ. Taking it one step further, I think people still need to bear in mind that sheer optical performance doesn't necessarily translate into great images that are keepers. AF is still an issue for Sigma and their new line of lenses as documented all over the net. I can also vouch for this as my experience with 2 copies of the s35 on the 5d3 were horrid and ultimately returned. Yes, I am aware that some people find them to have perfectly sufficient AF. I didn't, and neither do plenty of other people. The facts are the facts (backwards engineering is backwards engineering). One day, sigma might get their hands on the actual AF protocols.

 

[infared]

Sigma 35 owners all yawn in unison!

Small yawn.... The Sigma is so sharp that it scares me sometimes...so (Like the Canon 24-70mm or the 70-200 f/2.8 IS etc),...the bokeh is not all that soft...but I don't care because of the price and the quality all around of the Sigma....I am thinking that the bokeh could be better on the Canon like Markoe hopes above...but you are talking at least twice the price with the current "L" lens pricing...so that is a big no for me... the weather sealing is not a deal-breaker for me either....That is "if" it is weather-sealed...I am guessing it will be.

 

[johnhenry]

The problem with Canon is they are still lagging behind in bringing lenses and cameras through the development cycle into the real world. This is a common problem when companies become huge and think they can either do no wrong or believe that people will wait for whatever they eventually come up with. Many companies have done this like Nikon and we know the story.


Take the 200-400f/4. It was pre-announced, marketed and hyped to death for what, 2 years?, before it became widely available. By then, I had tired of the relentless push and actually looked at what I needed, and got a 200 f/1.8 instead and relied on the smaller sensor size to gain added reach.

 

[JohnDizzo15]

"Lagging behind" is a very broad/vague generalized statement. If we want to get technical about lag, we should take a look at the development of different brands. Yes, there are other companies (i.e. Sony, Olympus, Fuji) who have been doing a lot of innovative things which I am all for. However, it doesn't change the fact that Canon by far, has the largest, most fully developed ecosystem of all the imaging companies.

So in reality, the argument could be made that it is all of the other companies who are "lagging behind" since Canon has offered so many things that these other companies have either taken longer to develop or are still not offering at all.

Are there holes that we all wish Canon would fill? Absolutely. But let's look at some of the gaping holes that most other companies have as well before we deem Canon as "lagging behind."

People need to bear in mind that there are billions of consumers out there. You can't be upset with a company because they haven't answered each and every person's specific need at the drop of a hat.

I have looked into other systems and have already purchased my first Fuji recently. I am very happy with my purchase (x100s) and would love to explore further with interchangeable lens models. But the main thing stopping me is the lack of development as a whole. One could theoretically say they are quite innovative. But one could also argue that they are simultaneously "lagging behind." The same could be said for Sony and their new product lines.

The point is, if Canon is truly "lagging behind" so badly that your ability to make the images you desire is restricted by that, then you should be taking a hard look at your needs and switching and/or buying into other systems if there is a better one out there for you.

 

[Random Orbits]

Yay, finally! The 35L was my gateway drug into the world of fast primes. Used it when we visited a live nativity recently. I had brought a flash, but it was inappropriate to use, so it stayed off. ISO 10000 at f/1.4 at around 1/15-1/30s for the dimmest condition, and the pictures came out pretty good.

I'd expect it to be better than the S35 (otherwise, it's DOA), but by how much?

 

[crasher8]

Sigma 35 owners all yawn in unison!

Just don't stand there like a turkey, yawning in the rain until you drown. (In other words, does the Sigma 35/1.4 have weather-sealing, as the Canon 35/1.4L II is almost certain to have?)

I wanted to go turkey yawn shooting but I heard Greg Lemond's brother in law is still out there!

 

[mrsfotografie]

Sigma 35 owners all yawn in unison!

The Sigma is very good! Very happy with it

 

[tron]

Let's don't get too excited. How many 35mm 1.4L II rumors have been proven wrong up to now? :

In addition, this is CR1 after all. But, I admit that the rumors rating is a good thing. It keeps our expectancies reasonable and at the same time keeps saves the credibility of this site.

 

[tron]

As long as that claim didn't come from M.ST… :

Oh please! I am sure he has already tested it ;D