Canon's original L-series 35mm f/1.4 — a professional wide prime with legendary bokeh rendering.
The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM launched in 1998 as Canon's premium wide-angle prime, offering L-series build quality and optics at the popular 35mm focal length. It served as Canon's flagship 35mm for nearly two decades until the Mark II in 2015.
Optically good — sharp from f/2 with a distinctive rendering at f/1.4 that many photographers love. The bokeh has a characterful quality that some prefer over the technically superior Mark II. Ring-type USM provides fast, silent AF with full-time manual override.
Canon EF mount with 72mm filter thread. Approximately 580g. L-series weather-sealed construction. Minimum focus distance 30cm. 8 aperture blades. Floating rear focus group for consistent performance across distances.
Available used at mid-range prices. The Mark II (2015) with Blue Spectrum Refractive optics is sharper and better corrected. The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art also outperforms it optically for less money. Some photographers specifically prefer the original's character. Check for smooth AF and clear optics.