Sharpest non "L" lens

Just would like to find out what is the sharpest non "L" lens in your opinion. I cant quit afford the L yet.

Any of the Canon primes produce reasonably sharp images. Among those I'd recommend include:
50mm f/1.4
85m f/1.8
100 f/2
100 f/2.8
135 f/2.8 SF

That last lens may have been discontinued, but it's really very sharp and produces lovely bokeh. I picked one up for a little over $200 and continue to be amazed by it.

How about Telephoto also?

liza wrote in post #2055927
Any of the Canon primes produce reasonably sharp images. Among those I'd recommend include:
50mm f/1.4
85m f/1.8
100 f/2
100 f/2.8
135 f/2.8 SF

That last lens may have been discontinued, but it's really very sharp and produces lovely bokeh. I picked one up for a little over $200 and continue to be amazed by it.

only cause you own all but one of the lenses mentioned. haha

and no, the ef 135mm f/2.8 is not discontinued. its still selling @ b&h.

Ones that I have used myself...

Prime:
Canon 50mm 1.4
Sigma 30mm 1.4 (I have never seen a lens this sharp. It's crazy)

Zoom:
Tamron 28-70mm 2.8

Hi ben4633,

I am very new to serious photography but I am hunting desperately for the 85/1.8 here in Mumbai (India).

From all that I've read, its 'one of the best'.

Incidentally, 'the sharpest' is almost impossible to arrive at when you have more than one person (sometimes even with just one person) involved in the 'decision making'.

For me, the 85/1.8 also has other added qualities like low-light capability, very fast auto focus, the build, and very importantly (as of now) great value which are very attractive.

This will be my first lens (as soon as I can find one).

All the best!

-Samword

ben4633 wrote in post #2055930
How about Telephoto also?

I believe that for less than L prieces, a 135 is about as long as it gets. (if you want a sharp lens)

ben4633 wrote in post #2055917
Just would like to find out what is the sharpest non "L" lens in your opinion. I cant quit afford the L yet.

85 1.8.

ed rader

do you mean specifically L, or do you mean pro grade lenses in general? cause if you're going to mean only non-L, then there will be a lot of primes, EX, SP, ATX-Pro lenses vying for the title.

ben4633 wrote in post #2055930
How about Telephoto also?

ef 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

My Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro was a tad sharper than the 85mm f/1.8 I had. But the 85mm f/1.8 was very sharp, especially when stopped down to around f/2.8

ben4633 wrote in post #2055917
Just would like to find out what is the sharpest non "L" lens in your opinion. I cant quit afford the L yet.

Are we talking Canon only? And what focal range? It would help to be a bit more specific.

Jaetie wrote in post #2055978
ef 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

I wouldn't consider this all that sharp. When you consider that for *close* to the same price, you can pick up the 70-200mm f4 L. I didn't think it would make much of a difference, until I found that I could take the picture at 200mm, crop it down, and have it still be sharper than I could get at 300mm otherwise.

For the sharpest *bargain* (and yes, I know that $600 is hardly a bargain for most of us) L, you would have to go with the 70-200mm f4 L. It's amazingly sharp, and the IQ is just crazy. It always amazes me.

For non-L lenses, I don't really know where to point you. I've gotten some REALLY sharp shots from my 50mm f1.8, even wide open.

sharpest? That would have to be a macro - any of them. they are all super sharp by definition.

The 50mm 1.4 is damn sharp.