First Look at the Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM Lens with Built in LED

Yesterday Canon introduced a new APS-C compact macro lens as part of its EF-S line called the EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM which includes a ring LED which can be controlled and help illuminate tiny close objects for macro shots.

Last year Canon introduced a 28mm macro lens for the EF-M mount which was the first canon lens to include built in LED for macro photography. Now they are doing the same thing with a 35mm EF-S lens for their DSLR line. The reason behind this is that in macro shooting – especially very close to the lens – you tend to get limited amount of light (the lens itself may cast a shadow and in macro in general you tend to close the aperture in many cases reducing the amount of light).

The Nanoha 5X was the first lens that we are aware of to introduce built in LED to a lens (see our review here). However Canon’s implementation is much better – the LED ring is softer and is physically in the lens plus you don’t need external power – the LED uses the camera battery (on the Nanoha you need to use a USB battery which is kind of annoying).

On the video above Daniel Norton from Adorama took the new 35mm EF-S Macro lens to the middle of New York City to take some pictures in Central Park.

Some specs for the new lens:

  • Canon EF-S (APS-C coverage).
  • Focal length – 35mm.
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8.
  • Internal design: 10 elements in 6 groups.
  • AF motor – STM Stepping Motor
  • Image stabilization Hybrid IS Image Stabilization
  • Maximum Magnification: 1:1.
  • Minimum focus distance – 13cm/5.12″,
  • Filter  – 49mm.
  • Built-In Macro LED for illumination (two power levels and half mode).
  • Weight – 190 grams/6.7 oz.
  • Price – $350.

Official Canon videos on the new 35mm EF-S Macro

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTJqU0_igv8&t=0s[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-DOIOaaP7w[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ieIOF9NDXY[/youtube]

If you don’t  want to miss any new photography product be sure to check out our product photography section on our photo gear channel.

Iddo Genuth
Iddo Genuth is the founder and chief editor of LensVid.com. He has been a technology reporter working for international publications since the late 1990's and covering photography since 2009. Iddo is also a co-founder of a production company specializing in commercial food and product visual content.

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