Canon Unveils the 35mm f/1.4L II, the First Lens with Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics

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As expected, Canon today announced its new EF 35mm f/1.4L II prime lens. On APS-C sensors, the lens is the equivalent of a 56mm. It’s the world’s first lens that features the company’s new Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics (BR Optics) technology.

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Canon says BR lenses use a new optical technology in which special organic material helps combat chromatic aberration in photos, resulting in higher image quality. The organic layer sits between two glass lens elements and refracts more blue light — historically one of the challenges of lens design — which helps to control color fringing.

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Other specs of the lens include 14 elements in 11 groups, two aspherical elements, one UD element, SWC coating to combat flare and ghosting, a minimum focusing distance of 0.28m (about 11 inches), a maximum magnification of 0.21x, quick and quiet USM focusing, a 9-blade circular aperture, full time mechanical manual focusing (even in AF mode), a 72mm filter thread, increased resistance to dust and water, and a fluorine coating on the surface that repels liquids and particles.

Here are some official sample photos captured with the lens and a Canon 5D Mark III:

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The new Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II will be available starting in October 2015 with a price tag of $1,799.


Update: Here’s the MTF chart comparison between the old and new lenses. Whoa.

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