Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi there,

Been a while since I last posted. It's also been a while since I've added to my gear, and I'm craving the need for another canon prime lens.

I currently have the 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 on a cropped body (1.6). Both are great, but I find that the 50 can be a bit tight indoors. Would like to add a wider lens, and have been looking at the following Canon options:

24/2.8
28/1.8
28/2.8
35/2.0

I'm an enthusiast more than anything else, occasionally doing some portrait type work on the side. Primary use for this lens is more everyday/street shooting. While they all have varying price points, they all fit in my budget range. Would love to splurge on an "L", but can't justify the investment.

Recommendations? Any of these a favourite?

I would vote for either the 24/2.8 or 35/2. However since you mentioned you like to do some street shooting I would suggest the 24/2.8, which would be equivalent to 38mm~? I find it to be a nice wide-normal focal length that is well-suited to street photography.

Hope that helps!

Must it be Canon?

the Sigma 30mm

[quote="mike"]Must it be Canon?

the Sigma 30mm

thanks everyone.

and no, i failed to mention that it doesn't have to be canon. that sigma looks like an interesting option - thanks Mike.

though I think my decision just got a bit tougher...i stumbled on the thread where someone suggested looking at a used 17-40L...slightly more expensive used than the Sigma new, but might satisfy my needs - and give me my first "L" glass Adding that would give me quality coverage across a nice range, more than enough for what I need...

17-40/4.0
50/1.4
85/1.8

I might try a rental first. Decisions decisions. Thanks again for your input...

d

Rental or Rent-L ??? lol

I was in a similar situation when the 50 f1.4 was my only prime and I found it too tight for indoor use. The 2 reasonably priced primes I concluded were the, already mentioned, Sigma 30mm and Canon 28mm f1.8.

I'll give you the pros and cons of each.

Sigma 30mm f1.4
- 8 blade aperture
- f1.4 (duh)
- crop only, cannot be used on full frame
- quite sharp if you get a good copy or micro-adjust

Canon 28mm f1.8
- 7 blade aperture
- quite fast f1.8
- the only Canon prime you've listed with USM (ultra sonic motor)
- can be used on crop or full frame
- reasonably sharp, with a good chance of not needing any adjustment

For indoor use, I'd recommend a fast-wide prime rather than the 17-40L zoom. f2.8 already isn't fast enough for indoors, let alone f4.0 without IS.

@zone555 - good point re: indoors. I'm shooting with an XT body, which is not known for producing quality images @ high ISO.

Perhaps I got a bit swept away when reading reviews of the 17-40 last night

Thanks for bringing me back on track - my original intention was to pick up something that could primarily be used indoors.

Now to find some deals...

The 30/1.4 on a crop body has to be one of the best bang for the buck lenses around.

The 17-40/4L is a very nice lens, but the f/4 aperture may be limitation depending on what you are shooting. I owned it for a while, but sold it in favour of the EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS. That lens almost never left the 40D (with the 135/2L on the other).

ya I read up on that last night as well. sounds like a great lens, but I think it's out of my price range for now (used range from $900 - $1200)

all of my hobbies are darned $$$, and time consuming...and I never seem to have enough of either!

has anyone had experience with the 24/2.8?