Trying to decide, 28 f/1.8 or 35 f/2 on crop?

I'm looking at a couple of second hand lenses, either a Canon EF 35mm f/2 (non IS) or a Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 (also non IS). These lenses just fall either side of 50mm FOV and I only have the budget for one.

My cameras are a 7D and a 600D. I seldom use video.

I already own the 24 f/2.8 STM which I feel is too wide for what I want at times and isn't fast enough, and a 50mm f/1.8 II which is too close.

The types of shooting that I think I want either of these lenses for are indoor with family and friends, and also touring around city's and a bit of night sky photography.

I would like to know what lens people would recommend out of these two.

Cheers.
Adam.

Yup, a bit of a dilemma.

How about buy the 28/1.8, sell the 28/2.8 and then pick up a Yonguo 35/2 for just under $100?

Good idea, but I quite like the 24/2.8, especially the size of it on the 600D which my girlfriend mainly uses. I wouldn't mind keeping it.

If you feel 28 is too wide, and 50 is too tight, I think you answered your own question.

FWIW, if it were me, I'd keep what I have and get a speedlight to bounce flash for those "indoor family and friends" type shots. A cheap off brand flash will give you better results than even the best lens on its own.

Are the Yonguo lenses any good? I often shoot JPEG and like to have the lens profiles loaded onto the camera, so I would preferably stick with a Canon lens.

Sorry that was a mistype, it's a 24mm.

adam.willison wrote in post #17715339
Sorry that was a mistype, it's a 24mm.

If you are set on buying a lens, I'd go with the 28 1.8. I ended up buying that lens after trying several poor copies of the Sigma 30 when I had the 7D. I wish I had bought the 28 to start with because I thought it was a great lens. I posted a few shots in the sample thread awhile back. The reviews give it a bad rap, but I think it's the best "normal" FOV lens available for a crop. (Unless sigma has come out with something else since then).

I do think it is overpriced when purchased new, so I'd look for a used copy.

I like the 35 F2, since it is sharp across the frame when stopped down. The newer IS lens is better in many ways, but more expensive. Take a look at the reviews before deciding. They led me to the 35 F2, rather than the 28F1.8.
The Canon 35 mm lenses can be used wide open in low light, and give good results. The 35 F2 IS is my favorite lens, and is highly recommended. It gives you the view of a 56mm lens on full frame. This is better for people photos, but the differences in field of view compared to the 28 are not huge. I like 35 on both crop and full frame, but 28 is obviously wide on full frame.

I have both. I prefer the 28 1.8 for its aperture and focal length. I find the 35 IS a bit long on crop, but it is excellent wide open and has IS. So... one of each!

Have you tried looking at a 30mm f/1.4 Sigma? I do have to admit I naturally lean away from Sigma simply because of the high volume of 'had to send my Sigma back for microfocus multiple times' posts that one reads.

do you have a zoom lens that covers the two ranges to test out which focal length you prefer? i have the 35f2, and for the price of the non IS i think it's a great bang for the buck lens...i'd also look at the sigma 30mm f1.4 as well

I was looking at the older 35mm f/2 with no IS, as the newer one does not fit the budget

I hadn't looked into it, just did a quick skim of the second hand market and did not find many that fit the budget.

DreDaze wrote in post #17716522
do you have a zoom lens that covers the two ranges to test out which focal length you prefer? i have the 35f2, and for the price of the non IS i think it's a great bang for the buck lens...i'd also look at the sigma 30mm f1.4 as well

Not at the moment.

I think that being on a crop, 45mm vs 56mm FOV, I feel I might find myself a little limited with the 35mm f/2.

I have found a 28mm f/1.8 in good condition, for $300 (Australian) which I think is quite reasonable. I'm going to Finland for the winter so I think that having a fast wide(-ish, normal) lens like the 28 should suit my needs.

If it's like splitting hairs wide open, then I'll just go with the 28. If the 35 were streets ahead IQ wise then I would reconsider, but it doesn't sound like it is so I think I have made my choice.

Thanks everyone for your advise. I still have a couple of days before I pull the trigger so if anyone has anything else to add, it's still appreciated.

adam.willison wrote in post #17715318
I'm looking at a couple of second hand lenses, either a Canon EF 35mm f/2 (non IS) or a Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 (also non IS). These lenses just fall either side of 50mm FOV and I only have the budget for one.

My cameras are a 7D and a 600D. I seldom use video.

I already own the 24 f/2.8 STM which I feel is too wide for what I want at times and isn't fast enough, and a 50mm f/1.8 II which is too close.

The types of shooting that I think I want either of these lenses for are indoor with family and friends, and also touring around city's and a bit of night sky photography.

I would like to know what lens people would recommend out of these two.

Cheers.
Adam.

I use the Canon 35mm f/2 IS on my 7D II and think it is perfect for a general focal length on a crop camera. Granted I sometimes wish it was wider, but almost as often I wish it was a bit longer. Besides the Canon 35 f/2 IS, I also have a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. I hardly use the 18-35 anymore because over time I realized that I kept it at 35mm most of the time. I also like the Sigma 30mm which of course is closer to the 28mm, but in most situations I prefer the slightly greater reach of a 35mm. I also quickly realized that in many shooting situations where distance to the subject is not extreme I manually zoom my Canon 35mm by simply taking a few steps forward or backwards. No one focal length will be ideal in all situations, but for me 35mm is a great compromise.