Canon 24mm 1.4L vs 28mm 1.8 - worth 3x the price?

So...yet another this vs that thread.

I have a desire to explore lower apertures (<=2.0), since the majority of my lenses are zooms (therefore limited to f/2.8, and only one has that feature, plus my 100mm macro), and I really do notice the nice bokeh you can get with lower apertures.

The Canon 28mm f/1.8 has a Canon Rebate right now, pricing in at $469. The Canon 24mm f/1.4L also has a rebate, pricing in at $1629.

I certainly desire 24mm over 28mm for the types of shots for which I imagine I will use this lens. However, I could probably "make do" with 28mm.

I've seen some nice comparisons of bokeh in the interwebz, including one site that shows the 50mm 1.0 vs 1.4 vs 1.8:

http://www.wlcastleman​.com …iews/50mm/bokeh​/bokeh.htm

So, I lust after the 24mm 1.4L. However, that means a price factor of well over 3x. That is difficult to justify.

I've also considered the Sigma 30mm 1.4, since that works for my T3i. However, I'm not convinced the 30mm FL isn't just a little too tight on my APS-C, and the (over-blown?) inconsistent "quality" of the Sigma lenses makes me a bit wary. Price-wise it is in the same ball-park as the Canon 28mm f/1.8.

I know that somewhere, deep in my psyche/id/subconscious​, I've made a decision, and I just need to wheedle it out with confidence. Nonetheless, I'd appreciate input from fellow POTNers.

So...any comments on one vs the other? Am I chasing ghosts, bokeh-wise, on a crop body, and should live with the reality that I might be better off with a 5Dii and a 35mm 1.4L?

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

shinksma

I have considered these myself and leave just scratching my head.

The 28/1.8 does not get a glowing review here...
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …-1.8-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

The 24/1.4 apparently is awesome...
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I started with the 28mm, and after I was willing to afford it switched to the 24mm, selling the 28mm.

The 28mm is a nice, good lens. The thing that bothered me most was the lack of sharpness wide open, f/1.8 and 2 were clearly not sharp enough for my standards. f/2.2 is way better, and with an aperture of f/2.8 the picture was sharp!

So I got the 24mm, and guess what, at 1.4 it was sharper than my 28mm at 1.8. Other things I noticed is the much(!) better contrast and I also was surprised by the richer colors of the 24mm!

The bokeh? For me the bokeh is ugly if off focus lights aren't round, but have corners. The 28mm 1.8 doesn't have that ugly bokeh, so it didn't bother me. I can't tell more as I don't pay too much attention for the off focus areas .

Which one to buy? Of course the 24mm! You won't lose more money than with the 28mm, after you sold it again. It's an investment.

_______________
60D | Elan 7N | A-1 | X100 | 15 2.8 Fisheye | nFD 28 2 | 24 1.4L II | EF 55 1.2 S.S.C Aspherical | 100 2.8L Macro | 200 2.8L II | 1.4x II TC | 430EX II

Hmm, that's certainly the way I'm leaning. I always kick myself when I "settle for the cheaper option" and then end up upgrading anyway. But over 3x the price...yeesh.

I kind-of regret not pimping for the 100mm macro IS 2.8L, for example, even though the non-L non-IS version is quite nice, optically. It's just that the IS would be so handy in certain circumstances. And that was only about 2x the price.

Now just a case of taking the chance whether the current rebate will hold over the next cycle or just go ahead and spend-baby-spend before the end of the month, or sit and wait a while and see if some other shiny object attracts my attention instead...

Ergo, I am open to other opinions, nothing is set in stone just yet.

shinksma

I had both the 28 is a good lens. The 24 is a great lens.

You could try used. I have seen the 24 for around 1300 on this forum.

Get the first version of the 24. It can be had for about $900. Great lens for the price.

Tommydigi wrote in post #14618489
You could try used. I have seen the 24 for around 1300 on this forum.

Yeah, used is an option. They go quick at that price though, it seems.

Hogloff wrote in post #14618511
Get the first version of the 24. It can be had for about $900. Great lens for the price.

I've been keeping an eye out for the 24L mk I, but haven't seen one for sale in a while. Maybe someone is getting ready to unload one shortly...

Cruises on over to the Classifieds again...

shinksma

The 28 is not as bad as people seem to say but the 24 is way sharper and the contrast and color is amazing.