Wide angle prime on 1.6 crop decision

[Papaw]

I was set to get the 50 f1.4 and have been seeing quite a few post that perfer the 35 mm.
This was going to supplement a 17-40 f4L. It also seems the general feeling is the 35 f1.4L didn't justify the added expense over the 35mm f2.0.
I am wondering if the 35mm f2.0 would be nearly as practical as the 50mm 1.4 as far as keeping it on the camera most of the time as most of the time it would be used inside or outside for porch shots and occassional wide landscape shots.

Thanks for any input
Jack

[tim]

For a wide angle I use my Tokina 12-24 F4 and I like it, it does a good job. I find the 50mm F1.4 great on a 5D but too long for general use on a 20D. I'm seriously considering a Sigma 30mm F1.4 for indoor wedding shots.

[SkipD]

Jack - none of the lens focal lengths you mention in your post are "wide-angle" on a camera such as a 20D, 300D, 350D, etc., except for the 17-40 zoom at its shorter focal lengths. The "normal" focal length for these APS-C sensor bodies is about 31mm. A wide-angle lens is a lens with a focal length shorter than the "normal" focal length for a given film/sensor format.

If I were you, I would consider keeping the 17-40 on the camera most of the time. Pay attention to the focal length(s) that you use a lot when using the zoom lens. If you determine that you are shooting in dim light with a particular focal length a lot, then it is time to look at a fast prime. A "fast prime" is a lens with a fixed focal length and with a larger maximum aperture (a smaller f-number) at that focal length.

Save your money until you really determine a need for a particular lens type.

[LightRules]

The Sigma 30 f1.4 is calling you, "Come to me, come to me". The lens is a ringer, no kidding.

[Papaw]

Skip,
Makes sense. You are right, I am being guilty as many on these forums - get hungry, run to the store to grab what looks good instead of watching the spoilage going into the trash from the leftovers I never really used that much due to my big eyes and empty stomach at the time.

Jack

[Double Negative]

I loved my 35mm ƒ/2.0 - as a "standard" but not a "wide angle" lens. With the crop, it's a 56mm equivalent unfortunately.

[buckwheat]

I sold my 50 1.4 and am saving for the 35L 1.4. The 50 was an excellent lense but always too long on my 1.6 crop. and the 35 2 was just perfect...but I'm a speed-a-holic and one day I shall have the 35L!!!!!!!!

[Papaw]

OK, you guys are correct, I was thinking "wide angle" since the mm number was getting low. I am so used to all these threads talking about the 70mm and up lenses and in my mind I am thinking the lower mm lense the wider it is. I am coming from a G6 into a 30D and have a lot to learn. Thanks for the information and patience shown to novices like myself.

Jack

[Double Negative]

Well, that IS true - the lower the millimeter number, the wider the angle of view. It's just that on "crop cameras" you need to take that into consideration... So that wide angle isn't quite as wide now.

As a point of reference, at 16mm on a crop camera, you're still only at 26mm effective focal length. That's wide, but it's not WIDE (like it would be on a full frame or film camera). So you need to go a little lower... For example, the 10-22mm lens. Works great on the crop cameras (but would be a little obscene on a full frame, if it would even fit, since it's an EF-S lens).

That's the biggest pain about crop cameras, really - getting a decent wide angle solution.

[pturton]

Jack,
As already recommended by SkipD, use your 17-40 to decide which focal length is preferred. I did this with my 28-135 and decided that 35 was wide enough for me on my 1.6 crop bodies. I was looking for a lens for small groups, close portraits and just walking around and want a lens that is sharp wide open.

I'm not familiar with the 35 f/2 but the 35L is certainly worth the price difference to me. It is sharp at f/1.4. The colour is accurate and bokeh beautiful and focus quick.

My 50 f/1.4 is not in the same class as the 35L but I'd not part with it since it has a place in my tool box.

And, buckwheat,
You will not be disappointed with the 35L. Only problem so far, is getting it off my camera body;-)

Wide is a relative term. I think 70mm is starting to get wide. ;-)

Paul
http://www.photo.net/photos/pturton
http://www.iaw.com/~pturton/