Home Lenses Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM Canon · EF
Released 2007
A full-frame EF ultra-wide zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture, ring USM autofocus and an 82 mm filter thread.
Compare with another lens Compare with… EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM (2018) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM (2018) EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (2017) EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM (2017) EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2017) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM (2016) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2016) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM (2016) EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM (2015) EF 50mm f/1.8 STM (2015) EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM (2014) EF-S 10–18mm f/4.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM (2012) EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (2012) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM (2012) EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2012) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS II (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II (2011) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (2010) EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (2009) EF-S 15–85mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2009) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2009) EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM (2008) EF-S 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2008) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS (2007) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2007) EF 50mm f/1.2L USM (2007) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM (2006) EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM (2006) EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM (2006) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II (2005) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II USM (2005) EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2005) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM (2005) EF-S 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 USM (2004) EF-S 17–85mm f/4–5.6 IS USM (2004) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM (2003) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM (2002) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM (2001) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM (2001) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2000) EF 70–200mm f/4L USM (1999) EF 35mm f/1.4L USM (1998) EF 24mm f/1.4L USM (1997) EF 135mm f/2L USM (1996) EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM (1996) EF 28mm f/1.8 USM (1995) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM (1995) EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (1993) EF 85mm f/1.8 USM (1992) EF 200mm f/2.8L USM (1991) EF 50mm f/1.8 II (1990) EF 35mm f/2 (1990) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (1990) EF 80–200mm f/2.8L (1989) EF 85mm f/1.2L USM (1989) EF 24mm f/2.8 (1988) EF 28mm f/2.8 (1987) EF 50mm f/1.8 (1987) RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ (2026) RF 14mm F1.4L VCM (2026) RF 7-14mm F2.8-3.5L FISHEYE STM (2026) RF 45mm F1.2 STM (2025) RF 85mm F1.4L VCM (2025) RF 75–300mm F4–5.6 (2025) RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM (2025) RF-S 14–30mm F4–6.3 IS STM PZ (2025) RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM (2025) RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z (2024) RF 28–70mm F2.8 IS STM (2024) RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 200–800mm F6.3–9 IS USM (2023) RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z (2023) RF-S 10–18mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF 10–20mm F4 L IS STM (2023) RF 28mm F2.8 STM (2023) RF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM (2023) RF 24–50mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM (2023) RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM (2023) RF 15–30mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–150mm F3.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 1200mm F8L IS USM (2022) RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM (2022) RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM (2021) RF 16mm F2.8 STM (2021) RF 14–35mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM (2021) RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM (2021) RF 600mm F4L IS USM (2021) RF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 50mm F1.8 STM (2020) RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM (2020) RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM (2020) RF 600mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 800mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 24–105mm F4–7.1 IS STM (2020) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS (2019) RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 24–240mm F4–6.3 IS USM (2019) RF 24–70mm F2.8L IS USM (2019) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM (2019) RF 28–70mm F2 L USM (2018) RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2018) RF 24–105mm F4L IS USM (2018) RF 50mm F1.2 L USM (2018) NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II (2026) NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 (2026) NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR (2025) NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 (2025) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II (2025) NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ (2025) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S (2025) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (2024) NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S (2023) NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S (2021) NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2021) NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (2021) NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 (2020) NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (2020) NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct (2019) NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED (2017) AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.8G ED (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 16–35mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G (2009) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G (2008) AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED (2007) FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS (2026) FE 8–14mm F3.5 Fisheye G (2026) FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS (2026) FE 100–400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2026) FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS (2025) FE 50–150mm F2 GM (2025) FE 16mm F1.8 G (2025) FE 400–800mm F6.3–8 G OSS (2025) FE 28–70mm F2 GM (2024) FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (2024) E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2024) FE 16-25mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 24-50mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS (2024) FE 16–35mm F2.8 GM II (2023) FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II (2023) FE 50mm F1.4 GM (2023) FE 20-70mm F4 G (2023) E 11mm F1.8 (2022) E 15mm F1.4 G (2022) E PZ 10-20mm F4 G (2022) FE 24–70mm F2.8 GM II (2022) FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G (2022) FE 70–200mm F2.8 GM OSS II (2021) FE 14mm F1.8 GM (2021) FE 24mm F2.8 G (2021) FE 40mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 50mm F1.2 GM (2021) FE 50mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 35mm F1.4 GM (2021) FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 (2020) FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM (2020) FE 20mm F1.8 G (2020) E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS (2019) E 16-55mm F2.8 G (2019) FE 35mm F1.8 (2019) FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (2019) FE 600mm F4 GM OSS (2019) FE 135mm F1.8 GM (2019) FE 24mm F1.4 GM (2018) FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS (2018) E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (2018) FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (2017) FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (2017) FE 12-24mm F4 G (2017) FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (2017) FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS (2017) FE 85mm F1.8 (2017) E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS (2016) FE 50mm F2.8 Macro (2016) FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (2016) Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (2016) FE 50mm F1.8 (2016) FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS (2016) FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM (2016) FE 85mm F1.4 GM (2016) FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (2015) Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA (2015) FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2015) FE 28mm F2 (2015) FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (2013) Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA (2013) 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II (2013) Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA (2013) Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2013) Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM (2013) E 20mm F2.8 (2013) E 10-18mm F4 OSS (2012) E 35mm F1.8 OSS (2012) E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2012) E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE (2012) E 50mm F1.8 OSS (2011) Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (2011) DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM (2011) E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS (2011) E 30mm F3.5 Macro (2011) DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (2010) E 16mm F2.8 (2010) DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM (2009) DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2008) Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA (2007) Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA (2006) Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (2006) 70–200mm F2.8 G (2006) 50mm F1.4 (2006) 50mm F2.8 Macro (2006) Model history · 2 models, 2001–2007 2001 EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM Compare 2007 EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM
Mount Canon EF
Focal length 16–35 mm
Max aperture f/2.8
Stabilisation No
Weight 640 g What reviewers say Both reviews praise construction, fast accurate autofocus and central sharpness, while noting wide-angle distortion and shading. The Digital Picture finds wide-open full-frame corners good for this class and strongly recommends it. Photozone's 5D II test finds poor f/2.8 corners and weaker 35 mm results, with substantial improvement stopped down; both find flare and colour fringing reasonably controlled.
From the-digital-picture.com , photozone.de , photozone.de and photozone.de
Optics
Lens type Zoom
Focal length 16–35 mm
Maximum aperture f/2.8
Minimum aperture f/22
Optical construction Sixteen elements in twelve groups
Special elements Three aspherical elements of different types and two UD elements
Coatings Super Spectra coating
Diaphragm Seven circular blades
Angle of view Horizontal 98°–54°; vertical 74°10′–38°; diagonal 108°10′–63° Mount and compatibility
Mounts Canon EF
Image circle Full frame
Compatibility Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors
Teleconverter support Canon EF1.4× II and EF2× II are incompatible; the manual also excludes 250D and 500D close-up lenses Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus Yes
Minimum focus distance 0.28 m
Maximum magnification 0.22×
Optical stabilisation No
Autofocus detail Ring USM with mechanical full-time manual focusing; after One Shot AF, keep the shutter half-pressed while turning the focus ring
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 Design
Dust and moisture resistant Yes
Filter diameter 82 mm
Maximum diameter 88.5 mm
Length 111.6 mm
Weight 640 g
Controls Separate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF switch and distance window
Zoom design Constant exterior length with movement of the inner front tube according to both reviews
Filter detail 82 mm front thread; the manual permits one filter and specifies an 82 mm Canon circular polarising filter
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
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
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
Lens hood Reversible EW-88 hood
In the box Lens, hood and soft case according to Canon UK
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 Pros and cons Pros + Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture+ Full-time manual focusing+ Non-rotating filter threadCons − Protective filter required for weather resistance− No optical image stabilisationPrevious model: EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM . Newer model: EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM .
