EF 35mm f/2. Should I?

daleg wrote in post #16884098
it's logical companion - for a two lens street kit - is the old, non-L, 85mm f/1.8. small, compact, affordable, fast, sharp, sharp, sharp & a very fine portrait lens. what's not to love.

The 35 & 85 does sound like a really good pair, I'm kinda intrigued actually. If the 24-70 wasn't prime-like optics @ 24/2.8, and damn near prime-like everywhere else, I'd sell it off and could be really happy with 35 & 85 I think!

I really want the 35 for night/street/travel. So it's definitely at the top of my lens wish list. Between the 85/1.8 and 100 f/2, I'd have to think about.

I think now I really need to just set the zoom to 35, walk around, and see how I feel about it before I do anything that's going to upset the boss!

I bought the 35 IS about two weeks ago. I really like this lens, but I am currently using it on a 7D. I initially bought this lens with the idea I'd be getting a 6D soon and it would be the first of three primes with this body for my travel kit. I've subsequently decided not to buy a 6D, or any Canon FF, at this time. But, the 35 IS is brilliant on APS as well, though not everyone wants what is effectively a normal lens perspective.

Here are two test images I did, at f2

One more... also at f2

I sold my Tamron 28-75mm after buying the Canon 35mm IS and 85mm 1.8. I found that I didn't use the zoom anymore. I also found I think more about my shots with primes. Full frame is my next purchase.

hiketheplanet wrote in post #16883702
I really want to pull the trigger on the 35 f/2. Talk me out of it, make me feel good about it, tell me there's something else I should be looking at!

Here's why I want it (in order of importance)

1. I want a small prime for those situations where I want to travel light.

2. I want a prime that is well-suited for street photography.

3. I want something that is good in low-light. For me, on the 6D, f/2.8 is usually good enough.

3. I don't want to spend a ton of money (I'm waiting for someone to tell me to go for the 40/2.8 STM instead)

Well the 35mm ticks all those boxes, and i would say (as an owner of both) the 40mm is not as well suited to street shooting, as the AF is slower (although its not bad).

Since getting my 35mm ive all but stopped using my 24-70 f/2.8 MKII as a daily lens. To my eyes IQ is so close no one could tell them apart. Its nice not having to lug that big heavy zoom lens around

I also find my 35mm has the closest focusing distance so i tend to use it for close ups as well.

I have the 35 F2 IS and love it. I previously owned the 40 F2.8 but, sold it when I got my 17-55. The 35 is a very nice lens, it's built very solid and isn't to big or heavy and its very sharp. Since buying it, it's been my most used lens and has almost made my 17-55 useless.

MalVeauX wrote in post #16883977
I'm not as put off by size, because even though the 40 is smaller, the camera is not,

This. Unless it's an SL1, the 40 isn't going to shrink your camera by that much. You can't slip it in your pocket like a P&S.

Also, 5 stops difference is a LOT when you want a night shot.

Did you consider the 35mm f/2 non IS too ? Except on the third point (of course the IS is a great plus during low-light shootings), it covers the other points better : lighter, smaller, cheaper on 2nd hand...

Titi

hiketheplanet wrote in post #16883702
I really want to pull the trigger on the 35 f/2. Talk me out of it, make me feel good about it, tell me there's something else I should be looking at!

Here's why I want it (in order of importance)

1. I want a small prime for those situations where I want to travel light.

2. I want a prime that is well-suited for street photography.

3. I want something that is good in low-light. For me, on the 6D, f/2.8 is usually good enough.

3. I don't want to spend a ton of money (I'm waiting for someone to tell me to go for the 40/2.8 STM instead)

I got this lens for my 7D - love it. Has to be one of my favourite lens now. Used to use the 50mm the most, but this gives just a little bit of of a wider view, perfect for indoors but is much sharper.

It is now living glued to my 7D

vengence wrote in post #16887121
This. Unless it's an SL1, the 40 isn't going to shrink your camera by that much. You can't slip it in your pocket like a P&S.

Also, 5 stops difference is a LOT when you want a night shot.

The size advantage for the 40mm f/2.8 isn't just for when it's on the camera. It also takes up less space in a camera bag -- which is especially important for me when I travel with two bodies and three zoom lenses -- and the lens will fit in your pocket as a 2nd lens when you are walking around without a camera bag.

Scott M wrote in post #16888033
The size advantage for the 40mm f/2.8 isn't just for when it's on the camera. It also takes up less space in a camera bag -- which is especially important for me when I travel with two bodies and three zoom lenses -- and the lens will fit in your pocket as a 2nd lens when you are walking around without a camera bag.

It also focuses a bit closer than the 50mm lenses. For me this was a selling point, as it made taking shots of friends etc easier when we are out in a restaurant (for example).

Ordered the 35/2 IS today

Switching my kit around to:

16-35/4 IS
35/2 IS
50/1.2
70-200/4 IS