PR

Canon U.S.A., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today introduced the new EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens for EOS system cameras - a wide-angle fixed-focal-length Canon EF lens that is the world's first* to utilize the Company's newly-developed and exclusive Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics (BR Optics). This new optical technology utilizes organic material newly developed by Canon to achieve a higher level of chromatic aberration correction than other existing technologies resulting in outstanding high-quality imaging performance.

"As the world leader in production of interchangeable lenses, having produced over 110 million EF lenses since 1987, it is with great excitement that we now introduce a revolutionary new technology to add to Canon's unequaled optical heritage when it comes to chromatic aberration correction," said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO of Canon U.S.A., Inc. "We continually strive to achieve the ideal lens performance, which has driven the development of Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics, found in the new EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens. This technology is yet another 'first' in optical design introduced by Canon to enhance the performance of our lenses for our customers."

Canon's proprietary Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics (BR Optics) incorporate a new organic optical material with unique anomalous dispersion characteristics for use in camera lenses. The molecular design of BR Optics refracts blue light (short wavelength spectrum) to a greater degree than other existing optical technologies including UD glass, Super UD glass and Fluorite, to control color fringing as effectively as possible. When placed between convex and concave lens elements made from conventional optical glass materials, BR Optics help to produce sharp images with outstanding contrast and color fidelity by thoroughly reducing axial chromatic aberration.

In addition to BR Optics, the new lens incorporates two aspherical elements and one UD glass element in a 14 element, 11 group optical formula. The EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens also features Canon's proprietary Sub-Wavelength Structure Coating (SWC), applied to the rear surface of the first and second aspheric lens elements to help combat flare and ghosting caused by light rays entering the lens at a large angle of incidence. The lens also offers best in class minimum focusing distance at 0.28m (approximately 11 inches) resulting in an increased maximum magnification of 0.21x - ideal for capturing close-up subjects. Autofocusing is swift and virtually silent due to a rear-focus optical system and Canon's original Ring USM focusing motor. Full-time mechanical manual focusing is also available even when the lens is set to AF mode.

The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens features improved durability over its predecessor. As with all L series lenses, this new lens is highly resistant to dust and water ─ making it ideal for outdoor photography, even in harsh conditions. The high-grade design of the lens provides users with a substantial and luxurious feel, as well as optimal operability. In addition, a fluorine coating on the front and rear lens surfaces helps to repel liquids and dust particles, and makes the lens easier to clean.

Pricing and Availability

The new Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens is compatible with 72mm filters and will be supplied with Lens Hood EW-77B and Lens Pouch LP1219. It is scheduled to be available in October 2015, for an estimated retail price of $1,799.00.

Preorder places in US

• http://www.amazon.com/Canon-35mm-1-4L-USM-Lens/dp/B014EOML6S/
• http://www.adorama.com/CA35142.html
• http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1180801-REG/canon_9523b002_35mm_f_1_4l_ii_usm.html

Samples

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder/cameras/ef_lenses/fixed_focal_length/ef_35mm_f1.4l_ii_usm/

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/lens_review_2/20150928_722351.html

Autofocus was quick and accurate, lens balanced nicely. Images look fantastic with lots of crisp, sharp detail, and the wide, bright aperture helps a lot when shooting in low light. It's also hard not to enjoy the wonderful, razor-thin depth of field and smooth out of focus blur that an f/1.4 aperture creates.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2015/10/15/initial-impressions-of-canons-long-awaited-35mm-f-1.4l-ii-lens

http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-35mm-f-1.4L-II-USM-review-New-benchmark-for-open-aperture-performance/Canon-EF-35mm-f-1.4L-II-USM-versus-Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T-35mm-f-1.4-ZE-Canon-versus-Sigma-35mm-F1.4-DG-HSM-A-Canon-Excellent-performance-wide-open

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2015/11/lensrentals-reviews-the-canon-35mm-f1-4l-ii-lens

http://www.dpreview.com/sample-galleries/3367774683

Centre sharpness remains very high through from f/2 to f/11, with f/16 and f/22 being adversely affected by diffraction. The edges aren't quie as sharp as the centre, with f/4-f/11 producing the sharpest results.

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_ef_35mm_f1_4_l_ii_usm_review/

At wide apertures lens has good level of sharpness but being quite soft at the edges. This is rapidly improving by f/2 and the centre is nice and crisp, with very good sharpness. The peak of central performance comes at f/4 where sharpness is excellent, then drops away gradually, still very good at f/8 but only fair at f/16 and f/22. The edges lag behind some way, but achieve good levels of sharpness between f/4 and f/8.

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/canon-ef-35mm-f-1-4l-ii-usm-lens-review-28614

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/efinterview/20160322_748768.html

Review

Sharpness is outstanding. It's in a different league to the Canon MkI at low F/numbers, and this is the sharpest 35mm F1.4 currently available.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-35mm-f1-4-ii