28 December 2007
What’s included?
This lens review covers the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM, which was released in late 2007. The review used both the 10.1-megapixel Canon EOS 1D Mark III and the 21.1-megapixel Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, and results from both cameras are shown under a variety of shooting conditions.
This is by far the most comprehensive review you’ll find on the 14/2.8L II; the lens was shot for nearly two months in a variety of situations. It covers the following areas in detail:
- Overview: ergonomics, build quality, sensor size, MTF.
- Flare under a variety of lighting conditions;
- Distortion (includes software correction examples);
- Examples (more than 20 high-quality images) on both the 1DM3 and 1DsM3, with actual-pixels crops.
- Curvature of field (extensive discussion with examples);
- Resolution charts for 10.1MP EOS 1DM3 and 21.1MP EOS 1DsM3;
- Comparison to the Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G zoom (at f/2.8 only).
- Focusing tips (not specific to the 14/2.8L)
- Conclusions, recommendations, where to buy, alternatives.
The review is approximately 80 megabytes due to the size and number of the examples. You may print it for reading if you prefer, but it’s best read using a web-browser so as to allow easy navigation and “mouse overs” for comparisons.
Is the Canon 14/2.8L II for you?
Save money
The Canon 14/2.8L II is an expensive lens—at US$2100, can you afford not to read this review? This review will tell you what you need to know to make an informed buying decision, for about 1% of the cost of the lens itself.
Skip the learning curve
By reading the review, you’ll be way ahead of the game in understanding its strengths and weaknesses, so even if you already own the lens you’ll learn a lot from the review.
Or you might choose one of the alternatives discussed in the review (eg the Nikon 14-24/2.8G with an adapter). Either way, you can’t lose. This review is from the perspective of a photographer wishing to make images, not a “by the numbers” review. It explains the strengths and limitations of the 14/2.8L II, including one critical aspect of its performance that absolutely must be understood for good results.
What does it cost?
The review costs $22.95 USD, payable via PayPal (preferred) or personal check or money order (contact diglloyd Inc for the latter). That price represents about 1% of the cost of the 14/2.8L II, and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. For some perspective, here in California, the sales tax alone is over 8%. So it’s a bargain as the closest thing you can get to “try before you buy” short of actually renting or borrowing the lens itself—you won’t need to do that once you’ve read the review.
Licensing/copyright
The review is licensed to a single person only; providing it/making it available, etc to another person/party in any form is prohibited—thank you for respecting the time and effort that went into preparing it. You may read it/view it on more than one computer—it is tied to the beneficial purchaser, not a particular computer upon which it is read. You may not transfer or resell the review.
Purchase
This review is no longer available separately.
Read it and much more in diglloyd’s
Advanced Photography (DAP).
Comments from readers
Rainer F, 05 February 2008
Your unique reviews and test reports are exceedingly wide and sound, and I read it with great interest each time. Your article about the new lens Canon EF 1:2,8 14 mm L II USM was exciting and very informative for me.
Rodney C, 16 January 2008
...thanks for all your comprehensive work!
Malcom G, 16 January 2008
I enjoyed your review— thorough and informative. Congratulations!
Pete m, December 29 2007
I enjoyed reading it...you have a unique and valuable flow towards the lens reviews, and I think a lot of people will respond well to the work.
© Copyright 2007 digLloyd, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form requires explicit, written permission. No part of this document may be copied, distributed, disseminated in any form, electronic or tangible, whether in whole or in part, without the prior written authorization of digLloyd, Inc or its authorized representative. [Last updated: 26 December 2006]