35mm f2 vs. 35mm f1.4L

[imagesense]

I am thinking of getting another Canon prime lens for my 20D. I have a 50 f1.8 and an 85 f1.8. I wanted to ask the forum about the advantages of using a 35 and which one is most useful. I know there is a huge price difference so does the 1.4 justify the higher price?

Would a different lens altogether be a better idea? I shoot mostly weddings and portraits but would like to focus on my wedding lenses.

I have also the following zooms:
17-40L
70-200 2.8L

[drisley]

I've been eyeing these 2 lenses as well.
The 35 F1.4L is my dream lens! Wow.
The 35 F1.4L has the advantages of 1 extra stop, better build, USM Autofocus, full-time manual, and it is sharp as a tack wide open (http://www.pbase.com/image/35118740).
The 35 F2.0 has the advantage of price and size.

35 F1.4L Sample Images (http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_35_14u)
35 F2.0 Sample Images (http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_35_2)

[DaveG]

I am thinking of getting another Canon prime lens for my 20D. I have a 50 f1.8 and an 85 f1.8. I wanted to ask the forum about the advantages of using a 35 and which one is most useful. I know there is a huge price difference so does the 1.4 justify the higher price?

Would a different lens altogether be a better idea? I shoot mostly weddings and portraits but would like to focus on my wedding lenses.

I have also the following zooms:
17-40L
70-200 2.8L

The 35mm f1.4 is completely E-TTL II complient and the 35mm f2 is not. On the 20D this would be my first choice for a group photo lens and I'd want all the E-TTL II I could get.

But for virtually the same price you could have the 24-70 f2.8L and that would be extremely useful, even two stops slower. I mean the 35 f1.4 is effectively a 50 f1.4 and do you really want to spend over a thousand dollars US for a quick (but not super quick) normal lens?

[drisley]

Yes, yes, it's SOOO much money :cry:
That's the big drawback, or I would have one by now.
I would definately get the 35 F1.4L over the 24-70 F2.8L anyday.
It's much faster, much sharper, and smaller.
Plus, like me, imagesense already has the 50mm and 85mm primes.
I think the focal length, even with the multiplier, would be an awesome full-time lens.
If it was about $400 cheaper, I would probably own it already.
With shipping and tax that bugger costs $1500cdn. :shock:
Why, oh why does it cost many, many times more than the 50 F1.4?

[cmM]

there was a review somewhere on the web on these 2.... don't remember which site, but I got the link from this forum.