Prime for low light in the 24mm-28mm range?

Hello, everyone,

About a year and a half ago, I was going to make the plunge and get a 20D. However, careful consideration made me decide that budget constraints made that a bad idea. Well now, thanks to a summer internship, I will be able to afford to make the switch to a DSLR from my G3 as I have wanted to do for quite some time.

After careful consideration and analysis of my shooting habits (and lots of reading on this forum), I have decided on the 30D with the 24-105L lens (and possibly the 10-22 as well). Those lenses will cover most of the shooting I do (outdoor and low-light indoor shooting without people, e.g., museums). The only thing it will not cover is low-light indoor shooting of pictures with people, which I do only on occasion. I have noticed that most of my pictures in this setting over the past two years were taken at the widest my G3 would do, 35mm. So, I'm looking for a prime in that range (24mm, maybe even 28mm, considering the crop factor).

There seem to be several choices. The Canon 24mm f/1.4L costs a bit more than I want to spend on this particular lens. How is the low-light performance of the Canon 24mm f/2.8? Is the difference in performance between the f/4 of the 24-105 and the f/2.8 this lens going to be significant? Would the Sigma 24mm f/1.8 be a better choice, given it goes to 1.8 instead of 2.8? The Sigma seems to have some quality issues, particularly wide open, from the reading I have done on in. Also, the faster the lens is at focusing in low-light conditions, the better.

If none of these lenses are good choices, perhaps someone has a suggestion for another lens in this range that costs $400 or less?

Thanks!

Kamal

Consider the Canon 28mm f1.8 or the Sigma 30mm f1.4 (if you are lucky enough to get a decent copy, I didn't)

Personally, I'd go for the Canon. Reviews I've seen of it make it comparable to the 50 1.4.

Gary.

I have plumped for the 28/1.8 after much research. The 35/1.4 seems excelent with is a bit big and heavy and somewhat pricy. The 24/1.4 does not seem particularly good value for money. The three slower lenses don't FTMF and USM.

From reviwes the centre sharpnes on the 28/1.8 is ment to be good anthough the edges are a little softer. CA is also ment to be a bit high but this is correctable in most RAW convertors. I am still waiting for delivery so I can give any feedback yet on my copy.

The 35L weighs about the same as the 20D body with a grip. It's a fantastic lens, and as far as I'm concerned, it's the best I've yet seen. Very pricey, though. As for under $400, check out that Sigma 30 1.4, as the people that get good copies rave about it, and the 28 1.8 is a fine little thing.

28mm f/1.8