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Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price: ~£1,250
Lens mount: Canon EF
Maximum focal length: 14 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 2.8
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 114 °

Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

6.9

Good

7.1

Very good

6.3

Good

7.2
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
9.8
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
7.1
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
8.6
Lens length
25.0%
7.5
Lens diameter
25.0%
10
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

No image

No image

Best prices in UK

N/A~ £1,250

Best rankings

Verdict

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM is a professional ultra-wide-angle prime lens featuring a rectilinear design with a 114° diagonal angle of view, making it ideal for architectural and landscape photography. Its optical construction includes 14 elements in 11 groups, utilizing two high-precision aspherical elements and two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) glass elements to minimize chromatic aberrations and distortion. Key characteristics include a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for silent autofocus with full-time manual override, and a robust, weather-sealed L-series build weighing 645g. Main pros include exceptional centre sharpness, a close minimum focusing distance of 20cm, and highly effective control of barrel distortion for such a wide field of view. Notable cons include its high price point, the inability to attach standard front-mounted filters due to the bulging convex front element, and significant vignetting and lateral chromatic aberration when shooting wide open.

Technical Specifications of Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM

Overall score

6.9

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

2.8

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Canon EF

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Full-frame

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

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Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

8.0

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

14 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

14 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

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Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

114 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

114 °

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Focus & Controls

6.3

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

ring USM

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

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Build & Handling

8.1

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

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Lab Scores

7.1

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

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DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

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DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM vs the average camera lens

Why is Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM better than the average camera lens?

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Has focus distance scale
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
What it is: A marked scale that shows the approximate focus distance set on the lens.
When it matters: When you pre-focus manually for street, zone focusing, or repeatable tripod setups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
Has drop-in filter support
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM supports drop-in or rear filters, while the average camera lens does not.
Rear gelatin filter holder.
What it is: Support for filters placed behind the rear element instead of on the front thread.
When it matters: When you use large super-telephoto lenses where front filters would be expensive or impractical.
Importance: LOW
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM supports drop-in or rear filters, while the average camera lens does not.
0.1 m shorter minimum focus distance
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.2 m vs 0.3 m
Has drop-in filter support
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM supports drop-in or rear filters, while the average camera lens does not.
Has focus distance scale
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
0.1 m shorter minimum focus distance
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.

Focus & Controls

Why is Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM worse than the average camera lens?

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3 fewer aperture blades
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (6 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
0.04 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.2x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
Fixed lens hood
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
Older release date
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM was released earlier than the average camera lens.
158.7 g heavier
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM is heavier than the average camera lens (684.1 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
With built-in hood.
3 mm wider lens barrel
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM is wider than the average camera lens (80 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
0.8 EV more vignetting
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has more vignetting than the average camera lens (2 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
0.1 % higher optical distortion
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (0.4% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.
3 fewer aperture blades
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (6 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (6 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.6 vs 9
0.8 EV more vignetting
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has more vignetting than the average camera lens (2 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.
When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has more vignetting than the average camera lens (2 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.2 EV vs 1.2 EV
Fixed lens hood
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
What it is: A hood design that can be mounted backward on the lens for more compact storage.
When it matters: When compact packing matters and you want the hood stored neatly on the lens.
Importance: LOW
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 79.6% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
Older release date
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM was released earlier than the average camera lens.
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM was released earlier than the average camera lens.2007 vs 2016
158.7 g heavier
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM is heavier than the average camera lens (684.1 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
With built-in hood.
What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.
When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.
Importance: HIGH
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM is heavier than the average camera lens (684.1 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.684.1 g vs 525.4 g
0.1 % higher optical distortion
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (0.4% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.
What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.
When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.
Importance: MEDIUM
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (0.4% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.0.4 % vs 0.3 %
28.9% lower user score
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a lower user score than the average camera lens (6.28 vs 8.091).
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters: When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM has a lower user score than the average camera lens (6.28 vs 8.091).6.28 vs 8.09
4.8x less popular
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM is less popular than the average camera lens (1.33 vs 6.383).
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM is less popular than the average camera lens (1.33 vs 6.383).1.33 vs 6.38

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM?

Minimal barrel distortion for an ultra-wide lens, keeping straight lines remarkably straight
Excellent center sharpness even when shooting wide open at f/2.8
Superb build quality with solid metal construction and robust weather sealing
Extremely fast, quiet, and accurate ring-type USM autofocus performance
Impressive 114-degree ultra-wide field of view ideal for architecture and landscapes
Strong color saturation and contrast rendition with effective flare control

What customers dislike about Canon EF 14mm F 2 8L II USM?

Very high purchase price compared to alternative ultra-wide zoom lenses
Bulbous front element prevents the attachment of standard screw-in filters
Noticeable corner softness and vignetting when used wide open at f/2.8 on full-frame bodies
Fixed, built-in petal lens hood provides only minimal protection to the exposed front glass
Low maximum magnification ratio making it less suitable for close-up photography
Limited everyday versatility due to its highly specialized, extreme focal length

Expert reviews

the-digital-picture.com

29/10/2007

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Lens Review

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM lens is described as a high-performance, rectilinear ultra-wide-angle prime that offers significant improvements in center sharpness, contrast, and flare resistance over its predecessor, featuring durable, weather-sealed L-series construction. Its 114-degree diagonal angle of view provides excellent image quality for landscape and architectural photography, backed by fast and silent Ring USM autofocus. Key compromises noted in the review include a prominent, bulging front element with a fixed lens hood that prevents the use of standard, circular screw-in filters. While the lens delivers exceptional center sharpness, it exhibits noticeable vignetting, corner softness, and astigmatism on full-frame cameras, making it a specialized, premium-priced tool.

lenstip.com

17/11/2011

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14 mm f/2.8L USM II review - Introduction

The LensTip review of the Canon EF 14 mm f/2.8L USM II details an ultra-wide-angle lens that offers a massive 114.2-degree field of view on full-frame cameras. Optically, the lens performs admirably in the center of the frame, delivering very good image quality and sharpness. It features an ultrasonic USM autofocus motor that operates quickly and silently. The mechanical construction is robust, reflecting Canon’s high-end L-series standard with weather sealing and exceptional build quality. Furthermore, it handles longitudinal chromatic aberration exceptionally well and behaves predictably on smaller APS-C sensors, displaying minimal vignetting and low distortion. However, the lens suffers from serious optical flaws and a poor value proposition. The primary drawbacks include weak image quality on the edges of a full-frame sensor across a wide range of apertures, along with distinct lateral chromatic aberration, pronounced astigmatism, and noticeable coma in the full-frame corners. Full-frame users will also encounter a distinct -3.18% barrel distortion and significant vignetting at wider apertures. Because of its large, bulbous front element, attaching standard screw-on filters is impossible. Ultimately, LensTip concludes that the lens offers one...

ephotozine.com

12/11/2013

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Lens Review - ePHOTOzine

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM lens is a robust, weather-sealed optic with fast, quiet USM autofocus and a 20cm minimum focus distance, making it ideal for,,,wide-angle,photography. The review highlights its high-quality construction, light weight (645g), and excellent center sharpness, which peaks at f/4. Optically, the lens delivers low distortion, but edge sharpness only reaches "very good" levels, rather than excellent, and lacks a front filter thread due to its bulbous, fixed-hood design. While a rear gelatin filter holder is included, the inability to use standard filters on the front is a noted disadvantage for landscape shooters.

kenrockwell.com

01/09/2007

Summary of the review

Canon 14mm f/2.8 L II Review - Ken Rockwell

Ken Rockwell’s review highlights the Canon 14mm f/2.8 L II as a specialized, robust ultra-wide prime designed for full-frame DSLRs and 35mm film, offering a dramatic 114-degree view with improved, redesigned optics. The lens excels in corner sharpness and distortion control while providing instant USM autofocus, but is hindered by a high price, increased weight, and an inability to use standard screw-in filters.

photozone.de

27/07/2026

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 USM L II - OpticalLimits

The OpticalLimits (formerly PhotoZone) review by Klaus Schroiff provides an in-depth analysis of the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 USM L II, an ultra-wide rectilinear prime lens designed for full-frame cameras. Built with professional-grade luxury in mind, it features a robust, weather-sealed metal body with a fixed petal-shaped hood and a smooth, constant-size focusing ring. Mechanically, it stands out for its fast, quiet ring-type USM autofocus system with full-time manual override. It utilizes an advanced optical layout consisting of 14 elements in 11 groups—including two aspherical and two ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements—which are housed under a bulb-like protruding front element designed to effectively reduce complex wide-angle aberrations. Optically, the review highlights several major strengths, or pros, notably its excellent sharpness at the center of the frame straight from f/2.8, very usable border and corner resolution, and highly controlled, minimal barrel distortion compared to wide-angle zoom options. Light fall-off (vignetting) is also reasonably well managed for a 114-degree ultra-wide lens, becoming non-intrusive starting around f/5.6. Conversely, the primary optical cons include a high amount of lateral chromatic aberrations (color shadowing) at image...

photoreview.com.au

05/02/2012

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Lens - Photo Review

The Photo Review Australia review of the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM lens highlights its robust, weather-sealed build, fast ring-type USM autofocus, and excellent central sharpness. Weighing 645 grams, this professional prime provides a 114-degree field of view ideal for expansive scenes, offering smooth, full-time manual focus override and a 20 cm minimum focusing distance. Key limitations identified include a convex front element that prevents the use of standard screw-in filters, requiring inconvenient rear-mounted gelatin filters. Furthermore, the review notes significant corner distortion, peripheral vignetting, and lateral chromatic aberrations, particularly when shooting wide open on full-frame bodies.

imaging-resource.com

20/08/2007

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM - Imaging Resource

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM is an ultra-wide angle prime lens designed for full-frame cameras that offers massive optical upgrades over its predecessor. It features a completely redesigned optical layout containing two aspherical and two ultra-low dispersion glass elements, alongside a 6-blade aperture design. Built to professional L-series standards, the heavy 645-gram lens features robust metal construction with weather sealing, a built-in lens hood, a rear gelatin filter holder, and a quiet, fast Ultrasonic Motor (USM) for manual-override autofocusing. The lens presents a mix of excellent performance upgrades and traditional wide-angle optical limitations. On the positive side (pros), it delivers a dramatic leap in sharpness with negligible corner softness by f/5.6, drastically reduced chromatic aberration compared to version I, minimal barrel distortion at just 0.25% to 0.5%, and an improved macro magnification ratio of 0.15x. On the downside (cons), full-frame users will experience extreme vignetting wide open at f/2.8, reaching 1.9 stops darker in the corners, which never completely drops below a half-stop even at f/8. Additionally, it lacks a front filter ring due to its bulbous element...

photodo.com

Undated

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Lens Review - Photodo

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM is an ultra-wide, weather-sealed L-series lens designed for professionals, offering a fast f/2.8 aperture for low-light performance and silent, high-speed autofocus via a USM motor. Its strengths include robust construction and superior depth-of-field control. However, the lens is a significant financial investment priced around £1850, and its optical design suffers from pronounced barrel distortion and vignetting at wider apertures. Furthermore, the bulbous front element prevents the use of traditional screw-on filters, requiring specialized, often costly alternatives.

doctor-speed.de

04/04/2014

Summary of the review

Review: Room to Breathe - The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM

The review on doctor-speed.de highlights the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM as an exceptional, premium ultra-wide-angle lens. The reviewer notes that its massive 114-degree angle of view completely transforms how you compose an image, shifting focus from minor details to capturing the entire environmental context. On the positive side (pros), the lens delivers sensational, flawless image quality and is extremely fast at focusing. Furthermore, when used correctly for large subjects—such as the classic Mercedes Silberpfeil cars at the Techno Classica—it renders stunning, full-format perspectives with no distortion or strange edge-bending. However, the review also identifies several significant challenges (cons). A prominent disadvantage is the lens's physical design, featuring a strongly bulbous, protruding front element that is highly susceptible to getting dirty, such as catching nose prints from curious animals. The extreme wide-angle perspective can also cause severe caricature-like subject distortion if the photographer gets too close to small subjects or animals. Finally, with a steep retail price of around 2,000 Euros, it is an expensive investment that demands a high level of compositional skill in dividing spatial elements, or...

photoetmac.com

04/08/2020

Summary of the review

Field test of the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 (includes comparison with the Canon EF 14mm II profile)

The Samyang 14mm f/2.8 AF for Canon RF is a highly capable, budget-friendly ultra-wide-angle lens tailored specifically for full-frame mirrorless users. Priced around €679, it serves as an attractive native alternative to more expensive Canon L-series glass. The reviewer notes that its optical design delivers excellent sharpness at the center of the frame right from f/2.8, with corners becoming very sharp when stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6. Furthermore, its linear STM autofocus motor operates exceptionally fast, accurately, and silently, rendering it a great option for both street photography and video production. The lens features a sleek design, weather sealing with a rubberized rear gasket, and a rear gel filter holder to bypass the front element's inability to accept screw-on filters. Additionally, it is surprisingly recognized by Canon’s in-camera lens correction profiles for JPEG shooting. On the downside, the lens suffers from noticeable mustache distortion and significant vignetting, though both can be mitigated through post-processing profiles in Lightroom. Corner sharpness is only average at the widest f/2.8 aperture, requiring users to stop down to at least f/8 for peak uniform...

dxomark.fr

Septembre 2007

Summary of the review

Optical tests and measurements of the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM on DXOMARK

The DXOMARK evaluation of the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM highlights the lens as a premium, high-performing ultra-wide prime optimized for full-frame cameras. When tested on high-resolution sensors like the Canon EOS 5DS R, it achieves an overall DXOMARK score of 26, driven by a strong sharpness score of 19 P-Mpix and an efficient light transmission of 3.3 TStop. The optical design utilizes advanced aspherical and Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) glass elements, which deliver notable pros including exceptional center-to-corner sharpness, highly suppressed chromatic aberration, and a remarkably low geometric distortion level of just 0.3% to 0.4% for such a wide rectilinear field of view. Additionally, its professional L-series build provides dust and moisture weather sealing alongside a fast, silent ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) autofocus system. Despite its strong performance baseline, the lens exhibits a few distinct technical constraints and cons in DXOMARK's metrics. The most prominent optical drawback is corner shading, with a heavy vignetting measurement reaching -2 EV when shot wide open at f/2.8. While stopping down the aperture to f/8 yields peak global resolution and uniform frame lighting,...

naturepixel.com

01/10/2007

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II + Canon 5D Mark II (Photo Test and Review)

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM lens delivers exceptional ultra-wide-angle performance on full-frame sensors like the Canon 5D Mark II, showing drastic improvements over its predecessor. Built with 14 elements in 11 groups and featuring an integrated lens hood, the lens achieves a massive 114° diagonal field of view and a close minimum focusing distance of 0.20 cm. Its optical layout is highly optimized for modern digital sensors, ensuring very correct and consistent image coverage extending deep into the corners starting from f/5.6. Users can also rely on the camera body's automatic vignetting correction features to produce immediately usable JPEG files, or manage raw files natively through Digital Photo Professional (DPP) to selectively toggle lens corrections. Its distinct advantages include excellent resolution uniformity across the frame when stopped down, a marked reduction in lateral chromatic aberrations compared to the previous version, and robust build quality featuring rapid IF (Internal Focusing) and USM (Ultrasonic Motor) autofocusing mechanisms. However, a notable downside is its front elements design which prevents standard screw-on filters, relying instead on a rear-mounted gelatin filter holder....

eos-numerique.com

07/03/2008

Summary of the review

A quick review of the new Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 II USM

The forum thread revolves around a user-led performance evaluation of the Canon EF 14mm F2.8L MkII USM lens tested on a full-frame Canon 5D camera. The primary pros highlighted by the community include its exceptional focal length and superior optical performance compared to the popular Canon 16-35mm F/2.8L Mark II zoom lens, particularly when evaluating sharpness and the wide coverage angle at the 16mm range. Additionally, forum participants note that the Mark II version is vastly superior to the older first-generation 14mm lens, making it a highly desirable choice for photographers seeking premium wide-angle optics. The main cons discussed in the review thread focus heavily on the lens's extremely high price tag, which users note makes it a luxury item out of reach for average photographers. The prohibitive cost creates a strong dilemma for budget-conscious buyers who are tempted to buy the heavily discounted first-generation version instead. The thread also suffers from a lack of widespread community engagement, which members attribute directly to the fact that very few everyday photographers can afford to purchase and test such expensive gear.

dxomark.fr

01/09/2007

Summary of the review

Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM - DxOMark Tests and Measurements

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM is an ultra-wide angle prime lens evaluated by DXOMARK, achieving an overall benchmark score of 26. A primary advantage of this lens is its exceptional center sharpness, capturing a high resolution of 19 P-Mpix. Additionally, it handles geometric straightness incredibly well for an ultra-wide optic, containing a low distortion metric of just 0.4%. Light transmission is also a positive aspect, measured at a bright 3.3 TStop. However, the lens suffers from distinct performance trade-offs, particularly regarding corner quality and light falloff. It exhibits noticeable vignetting at -2 EV, meaning a significant loss of light occurs at the far edges of the frame. Furthermore, chromatic aberration is a weak point, reaching 16 µm, which can cause visible color fringing in high-contrast areas of the image.

digitalcamaralens.com

12 de noviembre de 2015

Summary of the review

CANON EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM - Review and Test

This review evaluates the historically significant, discontinued Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM ultra-wide-angle lens using a 21-megapixel Canon 5D MkII body. Originally released in late 2007 as a professional reference wide-angle, its optical performance was later surpassed by the heavier and more expensive EF 11-24mm f/4L USM. While the lens features an excellent metal-and-plastic build, a weather-sealed bayonet mount, and a fast, internal rear-focusing mechanism, its overall optical performance is rated as mediocre (earning a final score of 6.32 out of 10) due to its dated optical design. The lens delivers excellent central sharpness across all apertures, achieving a peak MTF50 resolution score of 54 lp/mm at f/4, and boasts near-perfect control over geometric distortion (-0.5%). However, it suffers from heavy flaws in the periphery: corner sharpness is highly deficient on full-frame sensors (dropping to just 9 lp/mm at f/2.8) due to severe, wide lateral chromatic aberrations. Additional drawbacks include noticeable astigmatism up to f/11, poor coma control in the extreme corners, high initial vignetting (181% at f/2.8), and a strong vulnerability to lens flare when shooting against...

lucamoglia.it

Febbraio 2008

Summary of the review

Ultra-Wide Lens Test: Canon 14mm vs. Sigma 12-24mm

This comparative field test from Luca Moglia Photography evaluates the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM prime against the Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM zoom to determine if the Canon's high cost is justified by superior performance in sharpness, color rendering, and vignetting. The review highlights that while the Canon 14mm offers exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and fast autofocus, it comes with a high price tag and fixed focal length, whereas the Sigma 12-24mm provides incredible value, greater zoom flexibility, and a wider 12mm perspective despite severe vignetting at maximum aperture. Ultimately, the analysis concludes that the Sigma is an excellent budget choice for extreme width, while the Canon remains the superior option for uncompromising optical quality.

rcefoto.com

27/07/2026

Summary of the review

Technical Specifications and Used Review: Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L USM II

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L USM II is an autofocus, ultra-wide-angle prime lens designed for both full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras. Its standout features include a massive 114-degree angle of view that is ideal for panoramic and architectural photography, paired with an incredibly short minimum focusing distance of just 20 centimeters. On the positive side (pros), the lens boasts an ultrasonic autofocus motor (ring-USM), weather sealing (tropicalizzazione), and exceptional barrel control that results in very little distortion and strong sharpness in the center of the frame compared to competitors. Additionally, the lack of image stabilization is noted as having no negative impact on the final image quality. However, the lens suffers from notable optical drawbacks (cons), specifically poor peripheral sharpness and chromatic aberrations along the outer edges of the images. Because of its high price tag and these specific image quality flaws, reviewers consider it a poor value proposition for experts and highly unpractical for beginners or casual hobbyists. Ultimately, it is a niche tool recommended only for adventurous photographers who want a new challenge and already have a...

eoszine.nl

17/07/2017

Summary of the review

Review of the EF 14mm f/2.8L Mark II - EOSzine

The Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II is a high-end ultra-wide-angle prime lens built specifically for professional architecture, interior, and landscape photography. A major standout feature is its exceptionally minimal barrel distortion, which keeps straight lines perfectly uniform along the edges of the frame and makes it highly effective for confined indoor spaces. The lens offers excellent weather sealing, top-tier build quality, low chromatic aberration, and outstanding sharpness across the entire image field when stopped down between f/8 and f/11. Furthermore, its fast f/2.8 aperture enables flexible handheld shooting in low-light conditions, while its short minimum focusing distance of 20 cm allows for creative wide-angle close-ups. However, the lens presents several practical drawbacks, starting with its prominent bulbous front element, which makes the glass highly vulnerable to damage and prevents the use of standard filter systems. Manual focusing is also highly unforgiving due to a short focus ring throw, meaning photographers must rely on Live View and image magnification to guarantee sharp results. While the lens matches or beats the versatile EF 16-35mm f/4L IS in edge distortion and peak f/11...

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