Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 USM L II - Review / Test Report
Lens Reviews - Canon EOS (Full Format)

Review by Klaus Schroiff, published April 2010

Introduction

Canon takes pride in offering the biggest variety of ultra-large aperture lenses in the (DSLR-)industry starting at EF 24mm f/1.4 USM L all the way up to the EF 200mm f/2 USM L IS. The EF 24mm f/1.4 USM L was probably the "worst" of these lenses and 13 years after its initial release the update is finally here - the ... guess what ... Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 USM L II.

Typical for L (=professional) grade lenses the lens is beautifully crafted based on a weather-sealed metal body. The very broad, rubberized focus ring has a smooth and slightly damped action. The size of the lens remains constants regardless of the focus setting. A deep petal-type hood is included.

Thanks to the usual ring-type USM drive the focusing speed is very fast and near silent. Full-time manual focusing is, of course, possible in one-shot AF mode. The lens has a rear focusing system so the front element does not rotate.

Here's a comparison between the old mk I and the reviewed mk II lens:

Specifications Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 USM L Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 USM L II
Optical construction11 elements in 9 groups inc. 1x aspherical and 1x UD elements, floating system13 elements in 10 groups inc. 2x aspherical and 2x UD elements
Number of aperture blades78 (circular)
min. focus distance0.25m (max. magnification ratio ~1:5.9)0.25m (max. magnification ratio ~1:5.9)
Dimensions84x77mm94x87mm
Weight550g650g
Filter size77mm (non-rotating)77mm (non-rotating)
Hoodsupplied, clip-on, barrel-shapedsupplied, clip-on, barrel-shaped
Other features-dust/moisture sealing
Subwavelength Structure Coating



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