Is 35/2 good enough,is 35L necessary?

[owencai]

Now ,I have a 35/2.I think it is a very good lens.I always use it.But,If 35L is necessary .I konw 35L is very good lens,but it is expensive too.I don't know.

[tim]

If you need another stop, sure. If not, then don't bother.

[Peacefield]

I find that I'm rarely shooting down in the 1.2 - 1.4 range, but I often find myself shooting in the 1.6 - 1.8 range so it's been worth it for me.

[mrcoons]

I have the 35 f/2 and it's not bad stopped down but wide open it's not that sharp. I had hoped to rent the f/1.4 this summer but did not get it done.

Maybe this comparision will shed some likght on the differences:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=122&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=121&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

[form]

Pretty much on completely different tiers of image quality until about f/4?

[mrcoons]

Pretty much on completely different tiers of image quality until about f/4?

That's what I saw.

[form]

My personal opinion based on experience is that I would have little or no use for a prime lens that is only 1 stop faster than the fastest zoom with the same focal length (e.g. 135L never gets used when the 70-200 f/2.8 will do the job). However, a prime with 2+ stops makes a useful difference and often justifies purchasing (24L, 35L, 50L, 85L). The one exception would be the 200 f/2L IS, but that is in a different category from other wedding-usable lenses because of cost.

[PMCphotography]

Well, if the lens you have now does what you want it to and you're happy with it, then there's no real reason to buy a very expensive lens.

[form]

Of course...but how many of us is satisfied unless we have the best/fastest?

[PMCphotography]

I don't have the best or fastest...but I'm satisfied with my gear...

Having lots of expensive gear doesn't make you a better photographer.

For example: I have an 85mm f/1.8. I have no interest in an 85mm f/1.2L. The extra 2 stops would never get used, and i don't buy lenses just because they have an "L" and a red ring around the front.

Another example: I use a Canon 40d. When the 5dmk2 was released, I bought one. And I hated it. It's now my backup camera. But i bought it because it was new, supposedly better, etc.

[tim]

Of course...but how many of us is satisfied unless we have the best/fastest?

I don't have the 35L, I don't have the 5D2, but I have good equipment that does the job well.

[form]

but in your case you have a 30 f/1.4 which is a crop sensor equivalent, and the 5D2 is not the best at anything - plus you got a 7D now, probably the best APS-C camera available right now.

[bsaber]

The AF is really loud on the 35 f/2. If the extra stop and near silent AF is important to you then go for the 35L.

[FrontStageLeft]

I don't have the best or fastest...but I'm satisfied with my gear...

Having lots of expensive gear doesn't make you a better photographer.

For example: I have an 85mm f/1.8. I have no interest in an 85mm f/1.2L. The extra 2 stops would never get used, and i don't buy lenses just because they have an "L" and a red ring around the front.

Another example: I use a Canon 40d. When the 5dmk2 was released, I bought one. And I hated it. It's now my backup camera. But i bought it because it was new, supposedly better, etc.

I bought the 40D and hated it. I bought the 5DII and love it so I bought another one. And nothing beats the 5DII and 85 1.2. I have now ordered the 35L as well.

Different strokes for different folks...

[PMCphotography]

Lenses on my 5d2 keep falling off the body. It's happened with multiple lenses many times. It also hunts for focus in bright, broad daylight... It's virtually unusable in low light. Ironic, since that's the reason i bought it...

[FrontStageLeft]

Lenses on my 5d2 keep falling off the body. It's happened with multiple lenses many times. It also hunts for focus in bright, broad daylight... It's virtually unusable in low light. Ironic, since that's the reason i bought it...

Have you had it checked out? Sounds very frustrating! I had a problem with my grip coming loose all the time, but it was fixed under warranty. I think it was the grip that was faulty though, not the camera.

[PMCphotography]

Yep, it's been sent back to Canon 4 times and they can find nothing wrong with the focusing or the lens mount.

When i use it now, i know to be aware that the lens may fall off so at least i'm prepared for it (!). I've caught it on a few occasions- no easy task when the lens is particularly heavy.

[The Moose]

If you don't need USM, f/1.4, f/1.6 or f/1.8, then the 35/2 is fine for you. If I know I'm happy with APS-C bodies and will be, then I'd nearly invest the small amount of money in the Sigma 30 over the 35L. If I could resist the L :lol:

Yep, it's been sent back to Canon 4 times and they can find nothing wrong with the focusing or the lens mount.

When i use it now, i know to be aware that the lens may fall off so at least i'm prepared for it (!). I've caught it on a few occasions- no easy task when the lens is particularly heavy.

Wow, that's terrible. How long have you owned it for? I would have returned it or asked Canon or the shop for a replacement by now.

[doubledragon]

Yep, it's been sent back to Canon 4 times and they can find nothing wrong with the focusing or the lens mount.

When i use it now, i know to be aware that the lens may fall off so at least i'm prepared for it (!). I've caught it on a few occasions- no easy task when the lens is particularly heavy.

WTF the lens actually falls off?! no offense, but are you absolutely sure it isn't user error? when you attach the lens and turn it, does it make that audible "click" noise?

[PMCphotography]

WTF the lens actually falls off?! no offense, but are you absolutely sure it isn't user error? when you attach the lens and turn it, does it make that audible "click" noise?

Positive. It's not entirely unheard, google "5d mark 2 lens falls off".

What it is the lens release button is extraordinarily sensitive, and the slightest contact with while touching the lens (while zooming or steadying) causes it to detach.

Gavin Seim (from the prophoto show podcast) talks a lot about how his does the same thing.

[PMCphotography]

Wow, that's terrible. How long have you owned it for? I would have returned it or asked Canon or the shop for a replacement by now.

I've had it about 8 months now. I have asked the shop and they refuse to refund or exchange, except for faulty equipment. And Canon says the equipment isn't faulty.

[bacchanal]

Positive. It's not entirely unheard, google "5d mark 2 lens falls off".

What it is the lens release button is extraordinarily sensitive, and the slightest contact with while touching the lens (while zooming or steadying) causes it to detach.

Gavin Seim (from the prophoto show podcast) talks a lot about how his does the same thing.

I'm not sure if you've tried other 5DIIs or not, but the release button shouldn't be that sensitive. I can press mine about halfway down before the lens will disengage.

Honestly, if I were you I'd either replace the release pin/mechanism myself or have a repair shop do it.

[PMCphotography]

I'm not sure if you've tried other 5DIIs or not, but the release button shouldn't be that sensitive. I can press mine about halfway down before the lens will disengage.

Honestly, if I were you I'd either replace the release pin/mechanism myself or have a repair shop do it.

I would, but that would void my warranty...

besides the biggest problem is it hunts for focus no matter the light. 2, 3+ seconds. Dim/low light? forget it.

I'll probably just get a 7d and sell the 5d2 next year.

[tim]

I would, but that would void my warranty...

besides the biggest problem is it hunts for focus no matter the light. 2, 3+ seconds. Dim/low light? forget it.

I'll probably just get a 7d and sell the 5d2 next year.

The 7D focuses on a black suit in a dark room during a first dance pretty quickly... add an af assist beam and it'll lock quick as.

[PMCphotography]

The 7D focuses on a black suit in a dark room during a first dance pretty quickly... add an af assist beam and it'll lock quick as.

I've heard a lot of good things about it already. Seems to do everything I need a camera to do...if I can find it in the budget next year I'll upgrade.

[tombramwell]

I've heard a lot of good things about it already. Seems to do everything I need a camera to do...if I can find it in the budget next year I'll upgrade.

You any idea how the 7d and 5dmk2 compare when it comes to low light situations? I always thought that the new 5d was meant to be brilliant at high iso but I heard today that the new chip in the 7d means it's even better?!

[tim]

You any idea how the 7d and 5dmk2 compare when it comes to low light situations? I always thought that the new 5d was meant to be brilliant at high iso but I heard today that the new chip in the 7d means it's even better?!

7D focus is meant to be much better than 5D2. 5D2 high iso is definitely better than the 7D, but a stop or a bit more. 1DIV high ISO has about 1.5 stops on the 7D.

[DL.Photography]

I've heard a lot of good things about it already. Seems to do everything I need a camera to do...if I can find it in the budget next year I'll upgrade.

Find the budget? You can sell the 5D2 and get a 7D while pocketing a difference!

[PMCphotography]

Find the budget? You can sell the 5D2 and get a 7D while pocketing a difference!

Possibly. A new 7d in a camera shop here runs about $2,500 (body only), and a 5d2 around $3700.

I'd feel obliged to disclose the spring problem and mention the focus issues though, so I'm not sure who would go for it or for how much.