Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM review

For street photography, this lens packs some useful features into a modestly sized build

(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Canon’s superb EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is a wide prime for all sorts of situations, finding a particular niche in street photography. Its f/2 maximum aperture will be more than enough for the majority of situations in day-to-day shooting, and its lightweight build marks it out as a genuine alternative to the 35mm f/1.4, rather than a cheaper but inferior version. Its lack of weather-sealing is a shame, but you do get plenty of lens for your money here.

Pros

  • +

    Exceptionally effective stabiliser

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    Lightweight build

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    Great overall performance

Cons

  • -

    No weather sealing

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The 35mm focal length is terrific for all sorts of general-purpose photography, especially genres like street and reportage, where you can’t always be sure what you’ll encounter and want a nice wide field of view to ensure you get all the action. The Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is a solid entry for this category, blending a lightweight and well-engineered construction with some surprisingly solid optical quality considering the price point.

Compare to the mighty EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, which has professional-grade build quality and a fast f/1.4 aperture rating. But it’s quite heavy when compared to Canon pancake lenses. The 35mm f/2 IS USM, on the other hand, is perfectly sized for street photography and for carrying around all day. Its f/2 aperture should prove fast enough even under dull lighting, and this enables a fairly compact and lightweight build of 78x63mm and 335g. 

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.