Canon EF 24mm f/2.8

[Citizensmith]

I noticed the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 is missing from our Lens Archive Thread. I've owned one for about 5 years and have always enjoyed it. On a full frame body it is a fantastic lens. On a crop body its still good and a worthwhile addition to anyone's collection.

First, some of the basic technical stuff.

The lens is very small and light. Similar in size to the 50 1.8 but a whole hell of a lot better built. It uses the basic AFD focus motor so there is no full time manual available. However, focus is very fast due to the small size of the lens and reasonable quiet compared to other similar lenses. It has a non-rotating front so polarizers are easy. The lens hood for it is petal style. Filter thread is 58mm.

The 24 is stellar when it comes to depth of field. At f22 you can get everything from 50cm out to infinity in focus. Even at a more reasonable f11 you can still get everything from around 1m out to infinity in focus. Close focus distance is about 25cm.

Back in my film days this used to be my go to for wide angle. Now, it has become a solid general purpose lens. I often find myself picking it up before my 17-40 as its small size make it very easy to carry around.

Photos all taken on a RebelD (300D) at ISO100 with no post processing

[Citizensmith]

Here's an example of the bokeh of the lens. This was handheld, f/2.8 1/1000 ISO100, no PP.

[Citizensmith]

It does exhibit slight distortion as can bee seen in this attachment. Nothing major though.

[Citizensmith]

It does exhibit some vignetting at f/2.8, even on a crop body. However it isn't too bad and only really obvious in photos with lots of even sky. It diminishes rapidly and is completely gone by f/4.

[Citizensmith]

I'll set up a couple of comparison shots against the 17-40 and get those posted shortly.

[gardengirl13]

Oh great I'd love to see more photos from you and others with this lens!

[Ray Marrero]

I too am interested, to see more, as this might be my next lense purchase.

[AiGTs]

I bought this lens last month and absolutely loved it. Works well in low light and night time at f/2.8. The autofocus is so much more accurate compared to the 50 f/1.8. It's a bit loud when focusing but it's not bothering me that much. Here's a snap shot from today.

[VFTT]

I've been using mine for about 12 years and I love it. Tack sharp and great color rendition. I used to use it a lot more on my FF film camera. I use the 10-22mm lens on my 20D now so I can get down to 24mm again. I miss shooting 24mm fixed though. The fixed lens always seems to make me think more when framing shots, which is a good thing.

- d

[Citizensmith]

I used to use it a lot more on my FF film camera. I miss shooting 24mm fixed though. The fixed lens always seems to make me think more when framing shots, which is a good thing.

I had the exact same experience. Got it for a film camera and thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. When I switched to digital I actually stopped using it for a while as it was no longer a wide lens. I finally realised I don't actually need it to be a wide lens, it can be a (slightly wider than) normal lens. I ditched my 50 1.8 which I'd never really liked anyway, and the 24 now gets a lot of use as my walkaround lens.

I agree with your second comment as well, being a prime it does tend to make me behave a little better when paying attention to framing, content and such.

Oh, and as I mentioned earlier, I will provide a comparison to the 17-40@24 but being Chreeesmaaas and all I've been busy. :)

[VFTT]

Of course I still bring it with me everywhere and I still put it on the 20D all the time. It is a great walk around lens:

http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/gallery/Italy05/pomedes/7440-carm-lunch-600.jpg

http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/gallery/Italy05/pomedes/7445-pomedes-ne-800.jpg

http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/gallery/Italy05/pomedes/7447-carm-vf-astaldi-800.jpg

Heck, I sometimes I hand the camera to my girlfriend and she takes some cool pictures with the 24mm lens on it...

http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/gallery/Italy05/pomedes/7448-da-vf-astaldi-800.jpg


:D

- d

[Citizensmith]

Of course I still bring it with me everywhere and I still put it on the 20D all the time. It is a great walk around lens:
Heck, I sometimes I hand the camera to my girlfriend and she takes some cool pictures with the 24mm lens on it...
:D
- d


OK, where were you when you took those photos. And what a great place to have lunch, fantastic view.

[VFTT]

OK, where were you when you took those photos. And what a great place to have lunch, fantastic view.


The Dolomite mountains in Northern Italy. We were backpacking and staying at the huts (refugios). Awesome trip. The 24 is a great small lens for 1 handed shots when you are climbing.

- d

[AiGTs]

Sunset

[Wirelezz]

I would love to see some car pictures with this lens.

[gardengirl13]

I just bought AiGTs 24 and thought I'd post some snap shots I took while testing the lens.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/gravelpitflooding.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/pinesinsun.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/jeremyseyes.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/newlavender.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/aprilsnow.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/garlic.jpg

[Dorman]

Very nice results for an inexpensive list, another good "crop cam normal" alternative.

[AiGTs]

Gardengirl, nice shots! Looks like the lens is treating you well too! Post more when you get a chance, this lens is great for the price.

[fi20100]

Since this is the archive thread, here's another photo taken with the EF 24mm f/2.8 shot wide open. (This photo has been posted once before @ POTN.)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/257144142_064df55d7c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaos2/257144142/)

[gardengirl13]

More snap shots (AiGTs I'm loving this lens!!!)

last week we had a ton of rain so this is all from the flooding.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/posted.jpg

how close you can get with a bit of cropping

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/whitecrocus24closeup.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/crocuscloseup24.jpg

don't need no stinkin' polarizer!

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/polarizereffecton24.jpg

[Olegis]

I just noticed this thread (thanks to Citizensmith) and would like to contribute to it. I think that the little 24mm f2.8 is not appreciated enough at all - which is really pity because this lens is extremely good. Here are some samples (all shot handheld with my 10D) -

http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/77679218/original.jpg
1/1000s f/2.8 at 24.0mm iso100


http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/75660596/original.jpg
1/80s f/2.8 at 24.0mm iso200


http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/69067905/original.jpg
1/30s f/2.8 at 24.0mm iso200


http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/69169862/original.jpg
1/15s f/2.8 at 24.0mm iso400


http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/69169871/original.jpg
1/50s f/4.0 at 24.0mm iso400


http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/69169874/original.jpg
1/60s f/2.8 at 24.0mm iso400


http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/68277307/original.jpg
1/250s f/8.0 at 24.0mm iso100

[Citizensmith]

Nice work, thanks for adding to the thread!

[tiredoffilm]

f2.8, ISO100, 1/250sec

[gardengirl13]

More from this past weekend! Very happy spring is finally here! This is a trail at a local state owned mansion in the Hudson Valley. A great spot for photographs!

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/hudsonolanapath.jpg


http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/hudsonfromolana.jpg


http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/treeonpatholana.jpg


http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/hudsonandpondolana.jpg


And this is my backyard

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/mybackyard.jpg

[gardengirl13]

More from me, sorry to bore everyone, but these archives really helped me choose lenses and I hope it'll help others!

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w287/gardengirl13/treeandhudsonclaremont-1.jpg

[RikWriter]

http://www.pbase.com/rikwriter/image/80459734.jpg

[gardengirl13]

Great shot!!!

[lmnop88]

Here are some of mine:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/1043599165_4730a699e1.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1183/1043591587_9700ec5c24.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1417/1043582753_8fc9f2028b.jpg

One more, for fun.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/1044436122_3092de79f8.jpg

[Olegis]

I was so impressed by my 24mm f2.8 - that I used it almost exclusively on my recent trip to Santorini. I used it for over 80% of pictures !

1.
http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/84983805/original.jpg


2.
http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/84914232/original.jpg


3.
http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/84855592/original.jpg


4.
http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/84855580/original.jpg


5.
http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/84855525/original.jpg


6.
http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/84855520/original.jpg


The entire gallery is here (http://www.pbase.com/olegis/santorini).

[VSV]

Olegis,
I have to revive this thread. Those Santorini pics are stunning and this lens really seems to be quite under-rated.

Sure I'd love to have the 24L- the build quality, color, saturation blah blah blah, but for 1/4 of the price this lens seems to be a bargain!

I was initially turned off by the digital-picture review of this lens online but the proof is in the pudding and this lens seems to bring the heat!

[Olegis]

Updating this thread again, this time with 24mm picture on FF body (EOS 50E - yes, that's film ! ;) ) -

http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/93314975/original.jpg

More analog photographs will follow, I just haven't developed the black and white film yet ...

[Gipetto]

Just got one. Lovin' it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2351976535_593e322c36.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tehgipster/2351976535/)

Click to embiggen.

[condyk]

I noticed the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 is missing from our Lens Archive Thread. I've owned one for about 5 years and have always enjoyed it. On a full frame body it is a fantastic lens.

I'm gonna grab one for the 5D instead of wastin' cash on a zooma just to do a wide angle. 24mm is plenty and 2.8 is nice.

[Azzure_7]

wow. I'm gonna joint this gang in the next few hours. . . :)

[echo]

I was browsing a gallery of pics that I took about two years ago and noticed that many were taken with my 24mm f/2.8 that I sold shortly after. I was a bit surprised and thought that the lens did pretty well and here's a 'wide open' f/2.8 shot on the 5D at ISO800

http://recordproduction.smugmug.com/photos/323748054_bLcYK-XL.jpg

Not too bad. I am saving for the 24 f/1.4 due to the light that I shoot in but if f/2.8 is enough for you I'd say it's a bargain.

:)

Mike

[msowsun]

f/2.8
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/IMG_8892_640.jpg

f/4.0
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/IMG_8945a_640.jpg

f/4.0
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/IMG_8946a_640.jpg

f/4.0
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/IMG_9066a_640.jpg

[msowsun]

40D 24mm 1/30 handheld f/4.0 ISO3200 filtered (one 100w tungsten bulb)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/IMG_0919_filtered_640a.jpg

[leoni]

hello all!

do you think is better then 28 2.8

i have 50 1.8 but is to long for indoors shoting

best regards

[silvex]

hello all!

do you think is better then 28 2.8

i have 50 1.8 but is to long for indoors shoting

best regards

try EF28mmf/1.8

[Helena]

I know this is an old thread, but I feel that this lens doesn't get the attention it deserves, so I thought I'd post some photos taken with it. #1-6 are taken with 5D and #7-8 with 450D. They are just snapshots from Christmas with family in Sweden, so please do not judge the artistic aspect.

24/2.8 is a great little lens. Quite sharp in the corners even on 5D and small and light. I really love my 35L and had planned to get 24L too, but 24/2.8 is so good that I don't think I will. It does suffer from vignetting at large apertures (especially on 5D) and since it lacks USM it makes a noise when focusing, but it's quick and accurate, so I don't mind. I really enjoy using it on both my cameras.

It worked great for indoors family photos too, but the people in them don't want to be displayed online, so unfortunately, I can't post those.

Hope more people will post their photos!


#1 f/4:

http://www.graphicgarden.com/keep/FredMiranda/20081225_009_5db.jpg


#2 f/2.8 (The large aperture was an accident in this one):

http://www.graphicgarden.com/keep/FredMiranda/20081224_002_5db.jpg


#3 f/2.8 Here you can clearly see the light fall-off in the corners:

http://www.graphicgarden.com/keep/FredMiranda/20081224_006_5db.jpg


#4 f/4:

http://www.graphicgarden.com/keep/FredMiranda/20081229_007_5db.jpg


#5 f/2.8:

http://www.graphicgarden.com/keep/FredMiranda/20081229_005_5db.jpg


#6 f/2.8:

http://www.graphicgarden.com/keep/FredMiranda/20081213_003_5db.jpg


#7 f/4 (I think I clipped the highlights when I resized it):

http://www.graphicgarden.com/keep/FredMiranda/20090103_011_450db.jpg


#8 f/4:

http://www.graphicgarden.com/keep/FredMiranda/20090103_012_450db.jpg

[condyk]

hello all!

do you think is better then 28 2.8

i have 50 1.8 but is to long for indoors shoting

best regards

I think the length is better as a general walkaround on a crop and as a wide angle on a FF.

[AiGTs]

Into the sun.

[Olegis]

The little 24f2.8 just keeps on going ;) I used it almost exclusively on my last trip to Paris, here are a few pictures -

http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/108848319/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/108848325/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/olegis/image/108848350/original.jpg

The rest is here (http://www.pbase.com/olegis/paris_2009).

[AiGTs]

Olegis, those are gorgeous.

[Olegis]

Thanks, AiGTs ;)

[WT21]

I'm trying to find a travel lens, and am testing Sigma and Tamron 17-50, but they're big for what I want. Oleg you have sold me on the 24/2.8. It's in the mail to my house now. Thanks for your wonderful pictures.

[Citizensmith]

I'm trying to find a travel lens, and am testing Sigma and Tamron 17-50, but they're big for what I want. Oleg you have sold me on the 24/2.8. It's in the mail to my house now. Thanks for your wonderful pictures.

I just got back from a trip to the UK a couple of weeks ago. I'd thought about which lenses to bring. 17-55, my 70-200, normal stuff. In the end all I put in my bag was the 40D and my 24 2.8. Worked great, such a competent little lens.

[Olegis]

Yep, the 1.6-crop body and this little lens is an excellent travel combo. On my last two trips I used it for 95% of all my photography and for the last 5% I used the 50mm f1.8 MKII. And still I wished for a lighter kit ;)

[fr3d]

Seems like there are only few people who have (and love) this lens.
It is a really nice lens, it is very sharp wide open and outresolves my
5D II at f5.6. The weight, size, speed and the cheap price make this
lens an excellent choice for street and travel photography. I love it :D

Here are two shot taken with a 10D:

http://www.leuchtendes-aachen.de/wp-content/gallery/2008-11-22-winter/crw_3495.jpg

http://www.leuchtendes-aachen.de/wp-content/gallery/2008_11_00_graffiti/crw_3200.jpg

And two more taken with a 5D II:

http://www.leuchtendes-aachen.de/wp-content/gallery/2009_04_11_bend/1.jpg

http://www.leuchtendes-aachen.de/wp-content/gallery/2009_04_11_bend/3.jpg

[nightcat]

Just picked up a used one of these. Very impressed. Corner & edge sharpness very good even wide open. Center sharpness impressive as well. Makes a decent close up lens to boot. Nice cheap quality prime here!

[juan_lau]

Here are some of mine:







One more, for fun.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/1044436122_3092de79f8.jpg

this is traditional eastern asian girls posture:p

[The Moose]

This lens is severely underrated. I've had it for most of the year and have used it on a 400D, 1D classic and 1D2. It's been my widest lens since I've had it and even on the 400D, it's not too shabby as a focal length.

Here's some recent ones on the 1D2:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3937064972_5ec9532460.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2661/3937064968_965efe799e.jpg

And some older ones:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/3628744912_83c01ef6d1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3378132721_5451ea6cd4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3378094303_ff46732a88.jpg

I think all of those are at f/2.8 as well.

[Photostock]

Hi!

New to the forum, long time lurker.

Just picked up this 24mm today on the cheap and am loving it so far. Not many folks talk about it. Great lens for a crop.

[bbss]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/4112502406_2a3e040b78_o.jpg