Roger Cicala of LensRentals tore down Canon’s new EF 35mm f/1.4 II lens.

[…] we’re impressed with the Canon 35mm f/1.4 Mk II. The weather resistance appears better than most weather resistant lenses. […] The mechanical construction is beyond impressive. This lens is massively over-engineered compared to any other prime we’ve ever disassembled. It’s built like a tank where it counts; on the inside. Moving parts are huge and robust. Six big screws are used in locations where 3 smalls screws are common in other lenses. Heavy roller bearings move the focusing group, it doesn’t slide on little nylon collars. Read the review (and see the many pics of the teardown)…

All this engineering wizardry comes with a price. The EF 35mm f/1.4 II is not a budget lens, selling at $1,799. But then, I guess this is part of the “you get what you pay for” category. The EF 35mm f/1.4 II features Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics, an optical technology developed by Canon that corrects chromatic aberrations at an extremely high level.

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. Key features:

• EF Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.4-22
• Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics
• Two Aspherical Elements, One UD Element
• Subwavelength and Fluorine Coatings
• Ultrasonic Autofocus Motor
• Full-Time Manual Focus Override
• Weather-Sealed Design
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

DPReview posted a Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II review from a photojournalist’s perspective. The EF 35mm f/1.4 II is praised review after review and this one is not different when it comes to the optical qualities of this new Canon lens:

Putting this new lens on my camera has made me enjoy shooting at F1.4 more and, in turn, worry less about CA. Compared to the original 35mm F1.4 there are many advantages across the board. I really have nothing bad to say about the Mark II besides its hefty size, but that’s just the standard at this point for 35mm F1.4s, anyway.

With the inevitability of more high-megapixel bodies on the way, it is important to consider that you’re not necessarily buying a lens like the Mark II just for right now: you’re buying it for the future. With cameras like the 5DS R, older lenses – even L-series lenses – can mostly still deliver decent results, but the 35mm F1.4L II is a step up in terms of sharpness, color and CA control. If a high-megapixel body is something you’re considering in the future, you’re going to want to pick up this lens. Read the review…

The EF 35mm f/1.4 II features Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics, an optical technology developed by Canon that corrects chromatic aberrations at an extremely high level. All this comes at a price, and it is hefty: $1,799

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II key features:

• EF Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.4-22
• Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics
• Two Aspherical Elements, One UD Element
• Subwavelength and Fluorine Coatings
• Ultrasonic Autofocus Motor
• Full-Time Manual Focus Override
• Weather-Sealed Design
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Renowned lens testing site photozone.de felt the pulse of Canon’s new and highly acclaimed EF 35mm f/1.4L II lens. In the conclusion they write (emphasis mine):

The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 USM L II is certainly an improvement over its predecessor but it’s not a new world wonder either. Resolution-wise it is tack sharp in the image center. At f/2-f/2.8 it is pushing the 50mp sensor of Canon EOS 5Ds R to its limits. However, the borders aren’t quite so hot especially at large apertures. To be fair though – at large aperture you don’t tend to require sharp corners anyway and unless you super-size your posters, it’s not that significant. Most users are also using full format cameras with a much lesser resolution. Still, we are seeing the limits of what’s possible today. Read the review…

The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II features Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics, a technology developed by Canon.

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. Key features:

• EF Mount L-Series Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.4-22
• Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics
• Two Aspherical Elements, One UD Element
• Subwavelength and Fluorine Coatings
• Ultrasonic Autofocus Motor
• Full-Time Manual Focus Override
• Weather-Sealed Design
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm