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      10-15-2009, 07:17 AM   #1
Dr_Jones
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Favorite Canon Wide Prime

Looking to dump my 17-85mm (too big, not sharp, zoom creep, not fast enough)and get a normal prime for my rebel xt. absolutely love the 50mm f/1.8II but need a bigger frame.

ef 35mm f/2
ef 28mm f/1.8
sigma 28mm f/1.8
sigma 30mm f/1.4

I can't seem to find consistent reviews on the sigmas.

any samples? any other suggestions?
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      10-15-2009, 09:11 AM   #2
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24mm f/1.4L II
hands down.
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      10-15-2009, 09:51 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodi View Post
24mm f/1.4L II
hands down.
Have to agree. After years of having mostly mediocre wide angle lenses (apart from the 35L) Canon has come up with a real string of winners over the last couple of years. The 24II is the only one I own (sold off a 20/2.8, 10-22 and 17-40 and I don't miss them). It's a bit bulky, costs a bunch and is often not in stock, but it's as fast and sharp as everyone says it is.

In fairness, if you can live with f/2.8 or slower, several of the non-L wide primes are pretty decent (24/2.8 and 35/2.0 are both well regarded and even my old 20/2.8 was fine on a crop body at f/4 and beyond). These all cost about 1/4 of the price of a 24 or 35L. I've never shot with a Sigma 30/1.4, but I gather they are fine if you get a good copy.
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      10-15-2009, 10:16 AM   #4
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i had to buy 3 of the Sigma30's to get a good copy, but i wouldn't let that dissuade you from it. just know that.
it's a very good lens for the price. i use it on my full-frame nikon and it's got some very appealing character.
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      10-15-2009, 01:14 PM   #5
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Im eating hot dogs & sugar sandwhiches while you guys dine on caviar! 24mm 1.4 is too much coin but i am adding it to my must rent list!

Thanks for the feedback on the sigmas, its consistent with what ive been reading.
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      10-15-2009, 06:29 PM   #6
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I bought the 35mm f/2 just before a trip to Ireland. Here is a review I read on it. Center sharpness is good, but they complain about corners, and say there is vignetting. I haven't noticed this, but I use a crop body not full frame. It's got a very noisy autofocus (sounds like a buzzing bee when hunting) though.

I'm not a real expert (my other lens is the 18-55mm IS) but I like the photos it produces. You can see a few samples here:

http://www.mikepirone.com/gallery/Guinness/IMG_1554
http://www.mikepirone.com/gallery/Guinness/IMG_2099
http://www.mikepirone.com/gallery/Guinness/IMG_1584
http://www.mikepirone.com/gallery/Ireland2009/IMG_1947 (shows the bokeh)

Also, if you decide you don't want a prime, there is the bank breaker 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, and the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, both of which are highly regarded at Photography-On-The.Net
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      10-15-2009, 07:31 PM   #7
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yea i was about to say. 24mm 1.4 is a great lens but i think it's a little out of his range based on the list he provided. I'd go with the 30 1.4 as well. I'm thinking about picking up that for my t1i. It's closer to a true 50 on our crop bodies.
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      11-25-2009, 10:30 AM   #8
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24L II

or one of the new Tilt-Shifts

Here's one with 24L II @ 1.4



For a lower price-tag, I would go with one of the manual focus Zeiss lenses - or a 24mm Nikon AIS (get a Canon Adapter).
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      11-26-2009, 06:35 AM   #9
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14mm F2.8 L II!
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      11-26-2009, 11:37 AM   #10
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bit too wide...looking for something close to normal on 1.6 crop.

i think its going to be the sigma 30 1.4...nothing less than a grand (that autofocuses) seems to have unanimous positive reviews though.
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      11-27-2009, 06:07 PM   #11
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Seriously, stick with your current 17-85 and save more for a real nice lens.

or better yet, get a 17-55 f2.8, which is very sharp, fast, focus fast (USM), and provides very nice blur on the background and show little if any vigenettin.

if you only want prime, 35mm f1.4L is what I'd pick, however, 35mm f1.4L MKII is coming out, so you might want to wait a little for the MKII to come out and get the MKI at discounted price.



24 f1.4 is one of the best, if not the BEST, current Canon prime glass and its price reflects that at $1600.
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      11-27-2009, 09:44 PM   #12
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Which body do you have, crop of FF? It makes a huge difference.
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      11-28-2009, 07:31 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNF View Post
Seriously, stick with your current 17-85 and save more for a real nice lens.

or better yet, get a 17-55 f2.8, which is very sharp, fast, focus fast (USM), and provides very nice blur on the background and show little if any vigenettin.

if you only want prime, 35mm f1.4L is what I'd pick, however, 35mm f1.4L MKII is coming out, so you might want to wait a little for the MKII to come out and get the MKI at discounted price.



24 f1.4 is one of the best, if not the BEST, current Canon prime glass and its price reflects that at $1600.

Thanks for the advice guys! Weeks later and the list has only grown. Time to start renting i guess.
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      12-02-2009, 02:47 AM   #14
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Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Rectilinear Lens....

If you want wide and sharp then there is nothing better. This tests at the top of the class and is a blast to shoot.
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      12-04-2009, 01:47 AM   #15
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24L or 35L are my favs. both are extremely fast and sharp.
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