[With Sample Photos] The Appeal of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the Distinctive 10x Zoom L Lens EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6 L USM

Hello, everyone.

The other day, a customer sold us a "Canon EOS 5D Mark IV."

Face to face with this classic, often called the pinnacle of the digital SLR, we felt we had to put it through its paces and rediscover its appeal. So we mounted another uniquely characterful gem from our stock, the "EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6 L USM," and headed out into the city.

In this article, with sample photos from this system that supported the golden age of SLRs, we'll review in detail its practicality and rendering in the modern day.

The Appeal of the "Canon EOS 5D Mark IV," the Culmination of the Digital SLR

The "EOS 5D Mark IV" we purchased this time is a full-frame SLR camera released in 2016.

It features an approx. 30.4-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor and the "DIGIC 6+" image processor, delivering fine resolution and rich tonal expression. The standard ISO range for still images is ISO100-32000, and it's appealing that you can easily secure a fast shutter speed even when shooting in the dark.

In live view shooting, "Dual Pixel CMOS AF" is available, enabling smooth focusing. In addition to the pleasant feel unique to an SLR, where you shoot looking through the optical viewfinder, the reassurance of a sturdy body with dust and weather resistance is one of the reasons the EOS 5D Mark IV is still highly regarded today.

What Is the "EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6 L USM," the Original 10x Zoom L Lens?

The lens we paired with it this time is the "EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM," released in 1993.

It is an L lens with a 10x zoom ratio that covers 35mm to 350mm without changing lenses. At the time of its release, it achieved a very high zoom ratio for an interchangeable zoom lens for SLRs, and even today it is a quite distinctive presence.

For its zoom mechanism it uses a push-pull zoom, in which you slide the barrel back and forth to change the focal length. It weighs a substantial approx. 1,385g, but the freedom of covering everything from the wide-ish end to the super-telephoto range with one lens is a major attraction.

It has no image stabilization, but its USM AF is practical to use, and even paired with the 5D Mark IV you can enjoy the wide shooting range unique to this lens.

[Sample Photo Review] Testing the Rendering of the EOS 5D Mark IV and the 10x Zoom L Lens in Shinjuku

From here, we introduce sample photos actually taken with this combination. This time we chose locations in the city with strong contrast between light and dark, and situations where we could take advantage of telephoto compression.

First, we snapped a woman crossing a crosswalk under strong sunlight beneath an overpass, from a slightly distant position. Thanks to the 5D Mark IV's excellent dynamic range, it preserves the texture of the white skirt in the highlights while tenaciously rendering even the shaded asphalt and background detail without breaking down. The handy focal range starting at 35mm responds flexibly to street photo opportunities like this that arrive unexpectedly.

Next is a shot of a motorcycle parked at the side of the sidewalk and a man.

The background is neatly organized, and the subject's presence is naturally set off. The rich color reproduction and calm tonal expression typical of an L lens give depth to an ordinary street scene.

The push-pull zoom lets you adjust the angle of view quickly to match your distance to the subject, so it feels easy to use even when capturing scenes that catch your eye as you walk.

Advantages and Cautions Felt in Actual Use

Here is a summary of the real-world handling we felt using this combination.

The big feature of the EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM is the wide focal range, covering 35mm to 350mm with a single lens. Since it handles everything from a wide angle of view to the telephoto range without changing lenses, it is very reassuring when you want to change the angle of view drastically while shooting.

On the other hand, with a weight of about 1,385g, it is not a lens you carry around lightly. Even just holding it, it has a presence completely unlike a compact snapshot lens.

Still, it pairs well with the solid grip of the 5D Mark IV, and even this heavy lens felt stable to hold. The feel of shooting with a big lens mounted, typical of an SLR, is also part of the appeal unique to this combination.

Because there is no image stabilization, camera shake is more noticeable at the telephoto end, so you'll want to pay some attention to how you hold the camera and to your shutter speed. Even so, there is fun in trying a wide range of focal lengths with one lens, and it is a system that appeals to those who want to take their time enjoying photography.

Conclusion: The Potential of an SLR and a Gem of a Lens, Worth Savoring Now

The combination of the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6 L USM gives you a strong sense of "really taking photographs" that is a cut above the latest mirrorless systems.

The lens design itself is classic, but the 5D Mark IV's body performance draws out its full potential, and the pictures it produces have a unique depth that modern lenses lack, along with the power typical of an L lens.

About the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

A Canon full-frame digital SLR released in September 2016.

It features an approx. 30.4-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor and the "DIGIC 6+" image processor. It offers high-definition rendering and rich tonal expression, and supports a wide range of scenes from landscapes and portraits to snapshots and product photography.

When shooting through the viewfinder, it has an AF system with up to 61 points and handles moving subjects. In live view shooting, Dual Pixel CMOS AF is available for smooth focusing.

Its sturdy body with dust and weather resistance, solid grip, and the handling unique to an SLR, where you shoot looking through an optical viewfinder, are also appealing. It remains a model chosen today as a highly practical full-frame SLR.

Width x height x depth: approx. 150.7mm x 116.4mm x 75.9mm
Weight: approx. 890g (including battery, CF card and SD memory card)

About the Canon EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM

A Canon L-series zoom lens for the EF mount, released in January 1993.

A 10x zoom lens covering 35mm to 350mm with a single lens, it is a highly distinctive lens that handles everything from a wide-ish angle of view to the super-telephoto range without changing lenses. At the time of its release, it also achieved a high zoom ratio for an interchangeable SLR zoom lens.

The lens construction is 21 elements in 15 groups. For zooming, it uses a push-pull zoom in which you move the barrel back and forth to change the focal length. It has no image stabilization, but it supports USM AF, and even paired with the EOS 5D Mark IV you can enjoy shooting that makes the most of its wide range of focal lengths.

Although it is a large and heavy lens, the fun of being able to try everything from 35mm to 350mm with a single lens is unique to this lens.

Maximum diameter x length: approx. 85mm x 167.4mm
Weight: approx. 1,385g