Focusing properties of a two-dimensional metallic photonic crystal (PC) slab lens are studied through the finite-difference time-domain technique. The PC consists of a square lattice of metallic cylinders immersed in a dielectric background. A good-quality image can form in the opposite side of the slab in both the lowest and second higher transverse magnetic-polarized photonic bands, consistent with the analysis of equifrequency-surface contours. The all-angle negative refraction can be realized and controlled by simply adjusting the background material permittivity. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.