Toronto Photography Meetup Group

The focal length is ideal for me, the low light performance compared to my 24-105 f4 would be awesome. I just have trouble with the high price Anyone aside from ste88 have experience with the Canon 35L prime f1.4 on crop cameras good or bad?

I would buy the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for use on a crop camera over the 35L. Significantly cheaper, and provides very similar IQ. It was one of my favorite lenses on a crop camera.

I am currently using the Sigma 30mm. At the store at least, the two lenses performed pretty much the same.

For me, even if the 35L performed better, it did not justify the almost 3x price difference.

The 35L is sharper at the corners!
I have the Siggy and I like it's center sharpness and bokeh!

yes it is, but would you pay 3x to get the corner sharpness?

Up to individuals to make the decision, I guess.

I'm using the 35L on a 7D. It's on my camera about 85% of the time. I like the focal length a lot.

Is it worth the price? Probably not. The Sigma 30mm should yield similar results. But I'm looking at the 35L from a long-term investment perspective. The 35L will transfer very well into full frame, maybe even better than its usage on crop. The Sigma is crop only, and there have been reported focus issues.

Both have obvious pros and cons, but there isn't a wrong choice.

=_= Normal L lens quality vs Sigma quality. Consider optics, sharpness, build, weather seal, red ring. I've shot with the 35L on crop for the last two years. This is the one lens I would never sell. Ever.

I now shoot FF and the 35L shines even more.

Like said a billion times before, can you afford it?

Just a slight clarification: the 35L is not fully weather sealed.

and on a crop camera, only the 7D is weather sealed, so all other cameras will not be able to take advantage of the 35L's seal anyway.

no one is mentioning the Canon 35mm f2 which is also a very nice lens
and is also more reasonably priced
I like mine

as a point of interest the rankings on Fred Miranada for these are as follows

Canon 35L f1.4 9.5
Sigma 30 f1.4 8.9
Canon 35 f2 8.8

and the Canon 35 f2 is full frame

All fantastic suggestions! As I plan to go full frame next year I think the Sigma may not be the lens for me but I will go try/rent it out as well. I worry about resale value of the Sigma brand but if it's a keeper then i would probably use on my crop body as a back up. Again thanks so much gang!

As for resale value, I gained $300 with the 35L. =)

waitaminute

So did you rip off the previous seller or the new buyer? I just paid $1300 for a year old mint condition one. How did you manage to gain $300 on yours?

I suggest that you get the Sigma. It's closer to 50mm FF equivalent on a crop body and well worth the price.

I paid $1150 for it two years ago, half year mint.

I paid less lol

I was able to find one at $1150 which the seller called mint, turns out the guy carved his initial on the barrel and there is a scratch of 3mm on the rear element. LOL.
Just to show this lens manages to appreciate in price.

I know this lens was an emotional purchase for me, but I love it ... LOL.

And about this sharpness in the corner business, how bad is it that you notice it on a crop body printed out to an 8x10 or even an 11x14? I don't get it ... all this focus (no pun intended) on sharpness in the corners? I remember when all the Olympus fan boys kept on about sharpness in the corners with their lenses over other camera similar lenses. I understand when it's important, as in selling images to clients that are of a larger size. Or if you always have sh*tty compostion and have to crop to the corner

In any case, my experience with quality control on Sigma 30mm F/1.4 hasn't been encouraging, but in fairness that was on Olympus mount 2 yrs back. I've seen good results from the 35 F/2 lens in print, so I guess it all depends on what you're going to truly end up doing with the lens.