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The design and
manufacturing technique used for the Canon FD 20-35mm f/3.5L
has not just created an instance Canon Classic, but it has given competitions
such as Nikon, Minolta, Pentax having difficulties a nightmare in finding
workable solutions answering Canon's aggression; for an instance, the first
Nikkor 20-35mm was only being introduced as late as 1993 - more than a decade
behind Canon ! However, Pentax and Minolta reacted better than Nikon with two
pin-sized MD Rokkor and SMC 24-35mm f/3.5; however, both the lenses have not
been incorporated with an Aspherical glass element within and thus, confined
themselves as consumer class solution. Besides, when the 20-35mm FD zoom was
introduced, there was practically no competition in its class. Technically, you
can also say the FDn 20-35mm f/3.5L was an evolved
upgrade version for the earlier 24-35mm and it also formed the basis for the EF
20-35mm f/2.8L which has been given
a lens speed boost faster to f/2.8. photographer.
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Since this section is
not discussing the version history, I will just provide a quite summary of
various data:-
lens type |
Angle of View |
Optical Design |
optical system |
max/mim
aperture |
closest
distance |
filter
size |
case(s) |
lens
hood |
Body length
approx. |
weight |
year
introduced |
| FD 24-35mm
f/3.5 S.S.C.
ASPH |
84°
~63° |
12 elements 9
groups |
Aspherical,
floating elements |
f/3.5 ~
f/22 |
0.4m
|
72mm
|
LH B8
(hard);
LS A9 (soft) |
W - 75
|
86.3mm
|
515g
|
(02.1978) |
| Canon FDn
24-35mm f/3.5L |
84°
~63° |
12 elements 9
groups |
Aspherical,
floating elements |
f/3.5 ~
f/22 |
0.4m
|
72mm
|
LH B8
(hard);
LS A9 (soft) |
BW - 72
|
86.6mm
|
500g
|
(12.1979) |
| Canon FDn
20-35mm f/3.5L |
94°
~63° |
11 elements 11
groups |
Aspherical,
floating elements |
f/3.5 ~
f/22 |
0.5m
|
72mm
|
LH B8
(hard);
LS A9 (soft) |
BW - 72
|
84.2mm
|
470g
|
(07.1983) |
".... When the EOS
system was announced in 1987. The EF 20-35mm f/2.8L was among the original batch* of EF
lenses that went to sale in order to boost confidence of Canon photographers
that Canon will commit to offer them the in both technologies in camera as well
as continual development of newer optics in the EF lens group. The superwide
served as a demonstration as it has significantly improved from many aspect.
While the EF 50mm
f/1.0L
USM** and EF 85mm
f/1.2L USM
lenses were created to reflect the potential of the fully electronic lens mount
of the EOS System, both the EF 20-35mm f/2.8L AFD and EF 80-200mm f/2.8L
AFD were partly responsible for the success of the original Canon EOS-1 in
capturing the lion's share in the professional 35mm SLR camera
market.
.... - my "Captain Canon" friend
*
Introduced at the same time with
the camera were four new L-series EF lenses, the
EF 20-35mm f/2.8L AFD, EF 50mm
f/1.0L USM*, EF 85mm
f/1.2L USM and the EF
80-200mm f/2.8L AFD. ** Note Although formally introduced in 1987 with EF 50mm f/1.0L
USM was officially available for sale only from Autumn 1989 onwards.
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Firstly, the autofocus
version of EF ultrawide zoom has an entirely redesigned interface inside out.
Optically, it comprised of a new, rather complex 15 elements in 12 group optical
arrangement and its constant maximum aperture was fixed at f/2.8, brighter than
the f/3.5 of the FD
equivalent.
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But basic principle
remains, this 1.5:1 zoom ratio large-aperture super-wide-angle zoom lens
covering all wide-angle focal lengths from ultrawide 20mm to moderate wideangle
of 35mm - offers the sharpness and brightness of a single focal length lens via
the use of a large-diameter ground and polished aspherical lens for the front
element virtually eliminates the distortion common in wide-angle zooms. An
internal focusing system with a floating effect ensures rapid autofocusing and
improves image quality at close shooting distances. Moreover, the front of the
lens does not rotate during focusing, facilitating use of circular polarizing
filters. All these provides a very well corrected geometry, flatness of field as
well as a very commendable close focus ability.
It used to be a
high-quality zoom lens highly praised by professional photographers worldwide.
However, strangely USM was not incorporated into the design and instead, it has
a AFD (Arc Form Drive) actuator which in a way prohibiting the use of full time
manual focusing (the followed up 17-35mm EF-L in 1996 was USM
enabled). The possible theory was, since the wide angle has very narrow
rotational drive from near to far and it is not necessary to incorporate into
the lens. Its moderate size (for a zoom lens type such as this) and relatively
light weight (510g) make this lens highly portable. In fact, I think Canon
designers have done an excellent job in this area despite the fact, its 15
elements design and if you compared the previous (but mechanical) FD version of
maximum aperture of f/3.5; the f/2.8 and more number in elements does not add
more weight in the package.
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If fast speed for low
ambient light is not entirely a must, a compromise of a f/2.8 should be adequate
for most situation where it carries the benefit of substituting a few prime
wideangle lenses combined and the aspherical front lens element assures
superlative image quality comparable to many prime optics. Personally, I think
this lens is very practical for some serious thought as companion for
photojournalism, travels, nature, scenic and even for portraiture as the varying
angle of view presents many through the lens compositions without the hassle of
interchanging lenses for immediate assessment of visual effect. As the lens has
a non-rotational forward lens for internal zoom and focus control, it
facilitates the use of circular polarized filters (PL-C)
filter even at its widest angle of 20mm.
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Technical Specification for Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L:
-
Type: -
Autofocus lens type with manual focusing mechanism
Focal Length:
20-35mm with zoom ration of 1.5:1
Focus Adjustment:- Autofocus. Front
group linear extension system with Micro motor and floating lens elements /
inner and rear focus
Manual Focusing:- possible via AF/MF switch and
manual focusing ring; Full time Manual focusing NOT possible
Zoom
Adjustment:- Dual Rings, rotational
Closest Focusing Distance:-
0.5m (1.6 ft)
Maximum Magnification:- 0.09X at 35mm
setting
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Filter Attachment
Size:- 72 mm
Filter rotation: No
Diameter:- 79.2 x 89mm (3-1/8"
x 3-1/2")
Weight:- 570g (20 oz)
Others: - Infrared index for
20 and 35mm; PL-C filter enabled.
System Accessories:- Extension Tube
EF25 - 0.8-0.92X; Lens Hood EW-75 (supplied); lens Cap E72; Hard lens case
LH-D13;
Status: Discontinued |
Yes. The seemingly
evergreen users favorites EF 20-35mm f/2.8L was officially
retired from Canon EF lens group in 1996 - it was barely few years after its
nearest competition, Nikon caught up with an equivalent of an Aspherical glass
AF-Nikkor 20-35mm f/2.8D, Canon thus, replied positively by announcing a
worthy replacement optic for this long time Canon classic with a Canon EF
17-35mm f/2.8L USM; Five years later
in Dec. 2001, Canon went further ahead with a Canon EF 16-35mm
f/2.8L
(which is
still current model)
and followed by another
comparing alternative of EF 17-40mm f/2.8L in 2003 - in fact, the subsequent Canon EF lens group has more options
than any other manufacturers in the ultrawide zoom selection; alternatives such
as Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, Canon
EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and the
earlier mentioned Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM. However,
as most of the newer Canon L-series Ultra Wides are relatively quite expensive
even if it is used - as each may fetch over USD1K+, an used 20-35mm
f/2.8L can roughly quoted
around + - USD450-00 becomes very viable as serious consideration for many
photographers.
In 1993, amidst all
these development on the EF lens group, the 20-odd years in the establishment of
a hugely successful 20-35mm zoom range has maintained by Canon with an inclusion
of an EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. This spherical optical ultrawide was also
immensely popular as it carries with a modest entry price tag and was very well
received for users who may not be able to afford the elite class of L-series EF superwide-zoom. You may consider go through some basic
reading references of other options below.
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Credit: Image
courtesy of XXXX from Portugal whose PORTFOLIO
can be
accessed at PBase.
Image
copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the
contributing photographer.
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