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Anyone have comparative experience with Canon's wide zooms? 

Of interest are:
16-35/2.8 II
16-35/2.8 III
16-35/4
17-40/4

Thanks for your input!

Paul

Early in my digital experience, about 2004 or 2005,  I obtained the 17-40 F/4 L and liked it a lot.  It did have a bit more distortion than I wanted, but it filled the need I had.  About 2 years ago I bought the 16-35 F/4 L and absolutely love it. It is super sharp & minimal distortion for such a wide angle lens.  The addition of IS is helpful when shooting long exposures.  I am sure others will chime in with more detailed reviews, but I will soon be selling the 17-40 as it has not been used in 2 years.

In order of best to worst:
1. 16-35/2.8 III  - Excellent lens all around
2. 16-35/4 - Excellent lens but not useful for astro
3. 16-35/2.8 II - good lens but relatively low resolution in corners on newer sensors - not bad at 16mp but falls down on newer sensors
4. 17-40/4 - good lens but extreme barrel distortion throughout the zoom range.  Not up to the resolution standards to get the most out of today's sensors
5. 16-35/2.8 - was a good lens in the 4mp days, very poor corners with today's high rez sensors.

Also don't forget about the very good 11-24 f/4

E.J. Peiker wrote:In order of best to worst:
1. 16-35/2.8 III  - Excellent lens all around
2. 16-35/4 - Excellent lens but not useful for astro
3. 16-35/2.8 II - good lens but relatively low resolution in corners on newer sensors - not bad at 16mp but falls down on newer sensors
4. 17-40/4 - good lens but extreme barrel distortion throughout the zoom range.  Not up to the resolution standards to get the most out of today's sensors
5. 16-35/2.8 - was a good lens in the 4mp days, very poor corners with today's high rez sensors.

Also don't forget about the very good 11-24 f/4

EJ,
Why do you say the 16-35/4 is not good for astro?
Because of being f/4?
Paul

Yeah it's just too slow unless you are using a star tracker.

Paul Fusco wrote:

E.J. Peiker wrote:In order of best to worst:
1. 16-35/2.8 III  - Excellent lens all around
2. 16-35/4 - Excellent lens but not useful for astro
3. 16-35/2.8 II - good lens but relatively low resolution in corners on newer sensors - not bad at 16mp but falls down on newer sensors
4. 17-40/4 - good lens but extreme barrel distortion throughout the zoom range.  Not up to the resolution standards to get the most out of today's sensors
5. 16-35/2.8 - was a good lens in the 4mp days, very poor corners with today's high rez sensors.

Also don't forget about the very good 11-24 f/4

EJ,
Why do you say the 16-35/4 is not good for astro?
Because of being f/4?
Paul

I've used it for astro and its not too bad esp. with a star tracker.  Has the best coma by far of the lenses mentioned.

Like Ed, I have owned the 17_40 and the 16-35 f4. The newer model is so much better even if you are lucky to get a centered 17-40, 3 of 4 17-40 had one bad corner, not that the other 3 were as good as the newer version. Sold my copy of the 17-40.

Change your 17-40mm f:4L as soon as you can. The 16-35mm f:4L IS is not expensive and so much better. Three years ago I wrote a review of the two lenses on my blog (in spanish, but you can use Google Translate). Better distorsion, better resolution, better corners, no coma, much less flare, beautiful sunstars...

http://blog.alamany.com/2014/11/test-zo ... 4l-is.html

I have used the 16-35 f4 for a couple of years now and it is an amazing lens, especially for the price (compared to the f2.8 version). Granted f4 is a little limiting for astro but my main use for the lens is landscapes. I did recently buy an Irix 15mm 2.4 and hope to do some milky way shots in Scotland if I get the chance.

sold my 17-40 and use 16-35 f4. I don't like the 16-35 f2.8 III for astro as the vignetting at 16mm and 2.8 is extraordinarily high. For astro, look at tamron 15-30 f2.8

Wildflower-nut wrote:sold my 17-40 and use 16-35 f4.  I don't like the 16-35 f2.8 III for astro as the vignetting at 16mm and 2.8 is extraordinarily high.  For astro, look at tamron 15-30 f2.8

Agree with the vignette problem with 16-35 2.8 III and astro/nightscapes. Tamron 15-30 2.8 is excellent.
YMMV

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