Have you ever wondered what is the difference between various Canon wide angle L lenses in terms of star light and lens flare? I did and I just happened to have four Canon L lenses at my disposal at the same time :

* Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Wide Angle Lens

* Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Wide Angle Lens

* Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Wide Angle Lens

& the latest and newest Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM Wide Angle Lens

I initially did this test just for myself, and as I was very short on time, it was quick and dirty. I didn't plan to share the result with more than just few of my photographer friends (only Canon users on top of that), but since their feedback has been really great, I thought I'd share it online for those of you that also wonder about star shapes and lens flare. Everybody seems to be focused mainly on the sharpness in the corners while testing and comparing any wide angle lens but nobody shows you the stars ;)

All photos are taken exactly with same setting : Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark III; Aperture: 10; Exposure time: 30.0 s; ISO: 100; Focal length: widest that each lens allows.

I processed the first photo in latest version of Lightroom and then applied exactly the same setting to the other 3 shots, therefore processing makes no difference. I purposely left lens flares untouched in all photos. When I originally captured these photos I didn't pay much attention to the horizon to be exactly at the same level, as it was meant to be just quick test for the lens star lights and lens flares. I could have aligned all photos later in post-production, but that would have cropped some photos unequally and it would not show the lens performance at its widest.

I have to say that I'm really impressed with performance of the new Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM as it produces nicest and the most compact star lights and the least lens flare (result of this quick test is in line with the result of shooting in various locations and setting). I'm actually surprised how beautiful star light the new EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens still produces at f10.

Feel free to click on any of the photos to see them at the larger version and then move to other shot with arrows.

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