Canon EF 20mm F2.8 USM

Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM - Full Format Review / Test

20mm prime lenses aren't overly popular anymore these days - most people prefer ultra-wide zoom lenses or prime lenses with an even more extreme focal length. However, consider me to be a relic. I think that 20mm is actually a sweet spot in this focal length class.

Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM

If you were actively seeking a review of this lens, the chances are that you've already seen another one written by Mr Ken Rockwell, who I believe it's fair to say divides opinion on many photography matters.

but it's a good little lens if you are looking for something on ...

Heavy vignetting, soft in the corners, but it's a good little lens if you are looking for something on the wide end.

Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Review

The Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM lens delivers an ultra-wide field of view on full-frame cameras, and is quite sharp once you stop down to f/4. The Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM ($539.99 direct) is a fairly compact wide-angle lens for Canon D-SLR cameras. When used on a full-frame body, the lens can capture stunning landscapes, and its distortion characteristics are controlled enough for use for architecture. Mounting it to an APS-C camera like the EOS Rebel T4i gives the lens a narrower 32mm field of view, which is still considered to be a moderate wide angle. When you consider its field of view, the lens is pretty compact. It measures just 2.8 by 3.1 inches (HD) and adds 14.3 ounces of weight to your gear bag. It can focus as close as 0.8-foot, which allows you to get some interesting shots with a shallow depth of field, but when shooting wider scenes the lens will keep everything in focus, as racking it to infinity will put every object more than three feet from the lens in sharp focus. The front element is slightly curved, but you can still use a screw-in filter with the lens—you'll just have to invest in one with a rather...

Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM

The Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM ($539.99 direct) is a fairly compact wide-angle lens for Canon D-SLR cameras . When used on a full-frame body, the lens can capture stunning landscapes, and its distortion characteristics are controlled enough for use for architecture.

Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM

The Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM ($539.99 direct) is a fairly compact wide-angle lens for Canon D-SLR cameras. When used on a full-frame body, the lens can capture stunning landscapes, and its distortion characteristics are controlled enough for use for architecture.

Nice and bright

I brought it for group shots at weddings as it was recommended to me

Great wide angle lens

The lens has been great so far and performed very well. The images do have a soft focus when using the maximum aperture f/2.8.

A disappointment

I bought it to use with my Canon 5D Mark III for street photography and the occasional landscape. Very true colors and little distortion (nice) but serious vignetting, especially noticeable in the landscape shots.

The quiet achiever

This lens is a bit like the quiet kid who gets good marks in the classroom. He doesn't win any popularity contests, is the last to get picked for sports teams and most of the other kids don't know his name, but the report card speaks for itself- all A's.