What’s New. While the original was a widely popular lens, it was getting a little long in the tooth. This updated version boasts improved optics with entirely new coating technology and vastly improved build and weather-sealing.

Moderately Wide Angle. This full-frame lens provides a nice balance between wide angle and normal range. The 35mm focal length has long been a staple for landscape, street, and all-around general photography.

Fast Aperture. At f/1.4, you get outstanding depth-of-field control. This 9-blade system provides extremely smooth out-of-focus areas, creating strong subject/background separation. Additionally, the large amount of light let in enables great low-light performance.

USM AF Motor. Tried and tested, Canon’s ultrasonic autofocus motor offers fast, near-silent performance with full-time manual focus functionality for both still and video shooting.

Optics. With its completely redesigned optics, the 11-group/14-element optical formula includes two aspherical elements and one UD element that produce images with minimal aberrations and distortion. Canon has also debuted a new Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics element that refracts short wavelengths of the blue visible spectrum, claiming significant improvement in chromatic aberration and color fringing. Lastly, subwavelength coatings help to alleviate contrast-robbing surface relations, flare, and ghosting.

Build. The 35mm f/1.4L II also sees an improvement in build quality over its predecessor. Per the manufacturer, the updated lens is more durable with dust and water-resistant construction. As with many of the L-series lenses, fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements repel moisture, dust, and smudges.