Canon EF 35mm f/2

Canon · EF

EF 35mm f/2

Released October 1990

A compact EF wide-angle prime with an f/2 aperture, 0.25 m closest focus and a 210 g lens-only weight.

Mount
Canon EF
Focal length
35 mm
Max aperture
f/2
Stabilisation
No
Weight
210 g

What reviewers say

Both tests praise central sharpness and compact size, while criticising noisy autofocus, wide-aperture vignetting and unattractive stopped-down highlights. Photozone finds usable full-frame corners and accurate autofocus; The Digital Picture reports much weaker corners, less reliable focus and low contrast on its sample, and advises against full-frame use. Their findings differ materially beyond the centre.

From the-digital-picture.com, photozone.de, photozone.de and photozone.de

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
35 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Seven elements in five groups
Diaphragm
Five blades according to Canon Camera Museum
Angle of view
63° diagonal, 54° horizontal and 38° vertical according to Canon's manual

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon EF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.25 m
Maximum magnification
0.23×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Non-USM autofocus without full-time manual override according to The Digital Picture; Canon's manual requires the MF switch position for manual focus
Focus distance detail
Lens extends towards close focus but its front element does not rotate according to Photozone
Stabilisation detail
No optical stabilisation according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
No
Filter diameter
52 mm
Maximum diameter
67.4 mm
Length
42.5 mm
Weight
210 g
Controls
AF/MF switch, focus ring, distance window, depth-of-field scale and infrared focus index
Weather resistance
No weather sealing according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification table
Dimensions detail
67.4 mm maximum diameter × 42.5 mm length; dimensions and 210 g weight are lens-only. Front and rear caps add 21.5 mm according to Canon's manual
Lens hood
EW-65 II clip-on reversible hood according to Canon's manual; optional according to Photozone and The Digital Picture
Release detail
Canon Camera Museum records October 1990 marketing; no first-sale day is given

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Compact 42.5 mm length
  • 210 g lens-only weight
  • 0.25 m closest focusing distance

Cons

  • No optical stabilisation
  • No full-time manual focus

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Canon EF50 mmf/1.8No130 gDec 1990
Canon EF28 mmf/1.8–310 gSept 1995
Canon EF28 mmf/2.8–185 gApr 1987

Newer model: EF 35mm f/2 IS USM.

Sources

  1. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef293.html
  2. canon.jp/-/media/Project/Canon/CanonJP/Website/support/manual/ef/fixed-focal/ef…
  3. the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Lens-Specifications.aspx
  4. the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-35mm-f-2.0-Lens-Review.aspx
  5. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/428-canon_35_2_5d
  6. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/428-canon_35_2_5d
  7. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/428-canon_35_2_5d

Photo: global.canon

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