Canon EF 24mm f/2.8

I noticed the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 is missing from our Lens Archive Thread. I've owned one for about 5 years and have always enjoyed it. On a full frame body it is a fantastic lens. On a crop body its still good and a worthwhile addition to anyone's collection.

First, some of the basic technical stuff.

The lens is very small and light. Similar in size to the 50 1.8 but a whole hell of a lot better built. It uses the basic AFD focus motor so there is no full time manual available. However, focus is very fast due to the small size of the lens and reasonable quiet compared to other similar lenses. It has a non-rotating front so polarizers are easy. The lens hood for it is petal style. Filter thread is 58mm.

The 24 is stellar when it comes to depth of field. At f22 you can get everything from 50cm out to infinity in focus. Even at a more reasonable f11 you can still get everything from around 1m out to infinity in focus. Close focus distance is about 25cm.

Back in my film days this used to be my go to for wide angle. Now, it has become a solid general purpose lens. I often find myself picking it up before my 17-40 as its small size make it very easy to carry around.

Photos all taken on a RebelD (300D) at ISO100 with no post processing

Here's an example of the bokeh of the lens. This was handheld, f/2.8 1/1000 ISO100, no PP.

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It does exhibit slight distortion as can bee seen in this attachment. Nothing major though.

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It does exhibit some vignetting at f/2.8, even on a crop body. However it isn't too bad and only really obvious in photos with lots of even sky. It diminishes rapidly and is completely gone by f/4.

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I'll set up a couple of comparison shots against the 17-40 and get those posted shortly.

Oh great I'd love to see more photos from you and others with this lens!

I too am interested, to see more, as this might be my next lense purchase.

I bought this lens last month and absolutely loved it. Works well in low light and night time at f/2.8. The autofocus is so much more accurate compared to the 50 f/1.8. It's a bit loud when focusing but it's not bothering me that much. Here's a snap shot from today.

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I've been using mine for about 12 years and I love it. Tack sharp and great color rendition. I used to use it a lot more on my FF film camera. I use the 10-22mm lens on my 20D now so I can get down to 24mm again. I miss shooting 24mm fixed though. The fixed lens always seems to make me think more when framing shots, which is a good thing.

- d

VFTT wrote in post #2415684
I used to use it a lot more on my FF film camera. I miss shooting 24mm fixed though. The fixed lens always seems to make me think more when framing shots, which is a good thing.

I had the exact same experience. Got it for a film camera and thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. When I switched to digital I actually stopped using it for a while as it was no longer a wide lens. I finally realised I don't actually need it to be a wide lens, it can be a (slightly wider than) normal lens. I ditched my 50 1.8 which I'd never really liked anyway, and the 24 now gets a lot of use as my walkaround lens.

I agree with your second comment as well, being a prime it does tend to make me behave a little better when paying attention to framing, content and such.

Oh, and as I mentioned earlier, I will provide a comparison to the 17-40@24 but being Chreeesmaaas and all I've been busy.

Of course I still bring it with me everywhere and I still put it on the 20D all the time. It is a great walk around lens:

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VFTT wrote in post #2416713
Of course I still bring it with me everywhere and I still put it on the 20D all the time. It is a great walk around lens:
Heck, I sometimes I hand the camera to my girlfriend and she takes some cool pictures with the 24mm lens on it...

- d

OK, where were you when you took those photos. And what a great place to have lunch, fantastic view.

Citizensmith wrote in post #2418724
OK, where were you when you took those photos. And what a great place to have lunch, fantastic view.

The Dolomite mountains in Northern Italy. We were backpacking and staying at the huts (refugios). Awesome trip. The 24 is a great small lens for 1 handed shots when you are climbing.

- d

Sunset

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I would love to see some car pictures with this lens.