Canon Launches Affordable Ultra-Wide Lens: the RF 14-35mm f/4L IS

Canon has launched the 14-35mm f/4L IS, a smaller, lighter, and more inexpensive option of the 15-35mm f/2.8L IS.

The new lens will be a welcome option for RF photographers who are not ready to pay the $2,299 hefty price tag of its sister15-35mm f/2.8L IS yet don't require such a wide aperture. This f/4 ultra-wide zoom lens costs $1,699 and weighs 1.2 lb (544 g) versus 1.85 lb (840 g) for the faster lens. It's also substantially shorter: 3.9” (9.9cm) versus 4.99” for the 15-35mm (126.8mm). It's also a little smaller, measuring 3.3" (8.4cm) in diameter.

There are 16 elements in 12 groups, 9 circular aperture blades, and a 77mm front filter thread. The minimum focus distance is 7.9”, which is significantly less than the faster lens (20.1cm).

Canon promises that the lens' stabilization will provide 5.5 stops of shake correction, increasing to seven stops when combined with an IBIS-equipped body. Canon also claims that the camera would be dust and weather-resistant.

Canon photographers, particularly landscape photographers, will be glad to have a little less expensive option. Previously, Canon's L-series ultra-wide zooms had stabilization to compensate for the slower aperture, but Canon decided to incorporate it in the faster lens as well. Instead, Canon's engineers have crammed even more breadth into the f/4 version to make use of the new mount's capabilities.