which lens is sharper??

EF 50mm f/1.8 II normal lens or 50mm on EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

The prime. (50mm)

vs. 50mm 1.4 --> http://www.fredmiranda​.com/24-70/

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM is a great zoom lens.

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 is (at least in terms of optics) a very good prime. Not a great one, but a very good one. (Okay, it's a great prime for the price. But not a great prime, period. It's not even Canon's best 50mm lens.)

Much as zoom lenses have improved over the last 25 years (and they've improved a lot), a very good prime still beats out a great zoom, and is usually at least a stop or two faster, to boot.

However, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM is capable of utterly professional level results, and may prove more versatile than the prime. Well, depending on how you measure versatility. If you need a range of focal lengths, the zoom's got versatility. If you need large maximum aperture or compact size and light weight, a prime may be the more versatile lens.

The prime will be sharper.

I think we'll all vouch for the quality of the 50mm f1.8

O-kay.. the question has been asked and answered.. the prime is sharoer..

But I'm going to add more info.

I own both.

They are both lenses that I don't use very often (well as compared to my telelphotos and wide angle)

But .. of the two lenses.. I use the 28-70mm f/2.8 L about 85% to the 50mm 1.8 about 15%.

The L Zoom simply get's on the front of my camera about 6 times as often as the 50mm.....

....even if the 50mm is sharper.

The zoom .. well zooms,. and has MUCH MUCH faster AF and more accurate as well.. (in fact the 50mm 1.8 has really bad focus...)

And obviously the L is a brick,. and the 50mm 1.8 is a tiny little chunk of plastic.


Just FYI

CDS -

What is your WA lens??

17-40mmf/4L

Sharpness chart:

Macro Prime > or = L Prime > Consumer Prime > L zoom > Consumer zoom > Consumer hyper zoom > 135 f2.8 soft focus with soft focus ON!!!



Ro1

I'd like something wider, but i'd also like to at least own a lens that matches the waterproofness (is this a word?) of my camera.

I know its been beaten to death and i'm sure i know your answer, but would you recomend it over say...the sigma (12-24)?

(I did get to use one for about 15 mins at work, my boss owns one, and just as expected...it had the fantastic feel of L quality)