Canon 35L - friendly advice needed.

I've currently got the f2 and find it a very sharp lens. I often shoot it wide open, with perfectly acceptable results. Stop down a little to f2.5 or f2.8 and the sharpness is excellent. The focus motor is an older design and not usm, but it is very accurate.

The f2 has actually become my most used lens. Because of this, and the fact that I do a lot of low light indoor pictures, I'm thinking of getting the f1.4 as well, but it's a tough call because the f2 is so good. I'd prefer it over the 50mm lenses any day. So much so that I think I'd still keep the f2 for lightweight outdoor walkabout use even if I get the f1.4. It's small and great for this purpose.

Wavy C wrote:
The differences may not be as great as you appear to believe - check out some of the reviews.

Clearly the bokeh and dof will be slighly less at f2 than f1.4, but 'pop' has really got more to do with lighting etc than the lens (it's possible to take low contrast pics with the L, and also possible to get great contrast with the f2).

Red stripe? I guess its importance depends on the person

I'm not suggesting the f2 is better - but maybe 90% as good, especially if shooting at 2.5 or wider, for one fifth the price.

Keep telling yourself this. It is clear in my book from personal experience that the 1.4 is easily 800$ worth more than the f2. I guess that's what makes it a horserace eh? I think the pop is not lighting per se, but how the lens handles the light.

To let you know about the 35/1.4 L is hard - hard to find word to exactly describe this phenomenal lens. Probably one in the league of the 200/1.8 and 300/2.8 and 85/1.2.

I had just purchased 16-35/2.8 for my 1Ds2 - and went crazy to discover the cromatic aberration and lightfall off.... sold it immediately and waited 3 months for the 35/1.4L..... impatient yes, but it´s the best time ever spend - finally to get hold of this very sought lens.... and thats sought for a reason.

Crisp, vivid colors, sharp and in Gilette and bokeh only surpassed by 85/1.2L

This is a keeper.... one of my best lens - awfull I don´t get to use it so often in studio - but on the streets - this is second to none.

Patience to whom who dare wait ))

CS