Canon EF 35mm f/1.4l II USM

It’s the ultimate Canon wide-angle prime, but luxury comes at a price

This is a heavyweight lens in every way. It goes large in aperture rating at f/1.4; boasts top-grade, weather-sealed construction with a fluorine keep-clean coating on the front element; and features the best glass that Canon can make. Indeed, it was the first lens to feature BR (Blue spectrum Refractive) optics, based on an organic optical material that Canon engineers at molecular level for optimum performance. However, it’s also a physically big lens, and the heaviest in the group, at 80x106mm and 760g. Suffice to say this lens isn’t exactly stealthy for candid street shots.

Typical of 35mm f/1.4 lenses, the wide aperture enables a reasonably small depth of field when shooting close-ups, despite the fairly short focal length. Whether or not that’s an advantage in street photography is debatable. You’ll certainly need to focus much more precisely, rather than relying on zone focusing or using the hyperfocal distance. The other heavyweight aspect of this lens is its price tag. If you decide that you really need that f/1.4 aperture rating, the Sigma on test is smaller, lighter and much less expensive to buy.

Performance

As you’d expect in a top-flight Canon L-series lens, the ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system is fast and whisperquiet. Manual focusing is comfortable and precise, thanks to a smooth-action focus ring. Sharpness and contrast are excellent, even when shooting at f/1.4, and distortion is well controlled. It’s a great lens, but in terms of street photography for most of us it’s on the bigger side in build and price.