Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM vs Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM

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EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM compared with EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM

	CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM	CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM
Overview
Released
Released	2007	October 2016
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	16–35 mm	16–35 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	Sixteen elements in twelve groups	Sixteen elements in eleven groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three aspherical elements of different types and two UD elements	Two large-diameter glass-moulded aspherical elements, one ground aspherical element and two UD elements
Coatings
Coatings	Super Spectra coating	Air Sphere Coating and Subwavelength Structure Coating; front and rear fluorine coatings according to The Digital Picture
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven circular blades	Nine circular blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	Horizontal 98°–54°; vertical 74°10′–38°; diagonal 108°10′–63°	Horizontal 98°–54°; vertical 74°10′–38°; diagonal 108°10′–63°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors	Full-frame and APS-C Canon EF DSLRs
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Canon EF1.4× II and EF2× II are incompatible; the manual also excludes 250D and 500D close-up lenses	Extenders cannot be used; the manual also states that no compatible close-up lenses are available
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	–	Canon UK lists EOS M use with the EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.28 m	0.28 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.22×	0.25×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring USM with mechanical full-time manual focusing; after One Shot AF, keep the shutter half-pressed while turning the focus ring	Ring USM with full-time manual override; keep the shutter half-pressed after autofocus when adjusting focus manually
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	At 35 mm, EF12 II gives 0.62×–0.36× and EF25 II gives 1.11×–0.80×; both tubes are incompatible at 16 mm	At 35 mm, EF12 II gives 0.65×–0.36× and EF25 II gives 1.14×–0.80×; both tubes are incompatible at 16 mm
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	82 mm	82 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.5 mm	88.5 mm
Length
Length	111.6 mm	127.5 mm
Weight
Weight	640 g (better)	790 g
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF switch and distance window	Separate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF switch and distance window
Zoom design
Zoom design	Constant exterior length with movement of the inner front tube according to both reviews	Constant outer length with inner front-tube movement according to both reviews; the manual advises zooming before focusing
Filter detail
Filter detail	82 mm front thread; the manual permits one filter and specifies an 82 mm Canon circular polarising filter	One front filter may be fitted; the manual specifies the 82 mm Canon PL-C B polariser and removing the hood for adjustment
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	The manual requires a separately sold Canon PROTECT filter for dust and water resistance because the front element moves during zooming; without it the lens is not dust or water resistant. Rubber mount seal	Sealed construction and rubber mount ring; the manual recommends an 82 mm Canon PROTECT filter for best dust and water resistance
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Length measured from the mount to the front; caps add 21.5 mm with E-82U or 24 mm with E-82 II	Length measured from the mount surface to the front; front and rear caps add 24 mm
Weight detail
Weight detail	UK specifications and Camera Museum publish 640 g; Canon's version 1.2 instruction manual publishes 635 g for the lens alone, without explaining the difference	Approximately 790 g for the lens alone, excluding accessories, in Canon's instruction manual
Lens hood
Lens hood	Reversible EW-88 hood	Reversible EW-88D hood with release button
In the box
In the box	Lens, hood and soft case according to Canon UK	Lens, EW-88D hood, LP1222 case, E-82 II front cap, rear cap E and user manual
Release detail
Release detail	Camera Museum's exact-model table records April 2007 marketing, whereas its III-generation history calls the II a March 2007 release; neither identifies a regional distinction, so the headline retains the year	Canon Camera Museum records October 2016 marketing; no first-sale day is stated