wide angle primes under 50mm

Well, I have searched and read many posts, but I would like to know more opinions.

I am looking to purchase a wide angle prime for use with my 40D. I am lusting after a 24mm L or the 35mm L, but was curious if there are other more affordable primes between 20mm-50mm that would work just as well. I have checked and I am usually between the 24-35mm mark when shooting. I love using primes for portraits and I would like to get something that is good by f2.8 and larger. I have made some beautiful portraits using my 50 1.4, but I could really use something with a large aperature and a wider angle. I do natural/ambient light photography only and I would like to get something that will excel in this arena.

I have looked into the Sigma 30mm and there are too many focusing issues with it and I don't want issues when I use it for closeups and far-off pictures. I thought about the Canon 28 1.8, but I don't know if it will perform like I want it to (good IQ, useable large aperature, no CA issues). All the other Canon primes in the 20-35 range don't seem fast enough as most only go to 2.8 and my Brick can cover those ranges. I prefer USM or a quiet focusing motor since I do photograph small children/infants/famil​y and I want to be as quiet as possible. (I may also expand into wedding photography later too.) I would also benefit from a close focusing distance as well as great IQ and low light performance. Does this only leave me with the L primes or are there other more affordable primes that can be relied upon? I also thought about manual primes, but I can't rely on my vision to accurately give me a sharp picture so I would need AF as well.

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Canon 28mm f1.8 USM or the Sigma 28mm f1.8 fit the bill. Both are very good actually, the Sigma is slightly sharper if you get a well calibrated copy, but the Canon will focus faster.

owned and loved sigma 30 1.4. Excellent built, very sharp in the center, fast focusing.

try the canon 35/2. great little budget lens.

If you get a good copy of the 30 1.4 though, it's a gem. Fast and sharp. I rpelaced my 35 with it and haven't looked back.

I like the canon 35/2 alot also, but you do realize that for the 40D, none of the lenses you're talking about are wide angle, right? With that 1.6 crop factor, you need a 20mm lens or less to give you wide angle.

Sigma has several
14mm 2.8
20mm 1.8
24mm 1.8
30mm 1.4
and they are releasing a 50mm 1.4

Don't read too much into what you hear about the 30mm and focusing issues. There are plenty of people who have no troubles with it what so ever.

On a cropped camera, you're pretty screwed for wide angle primes. The ones you listed are all normal primes, not wide-angles.

The only quality option is the 14L, which costs a lot. Or the 20 2.8 which isn't a great lens. They're both slow too.

*cough* This is why you shoot full frame *cough*

I bought the 24L and love it. I think you should do the same.

JAcosta wrote in post #5137858
I bought the 24L and love it. I think you should do the same.

Fabulous lens, but only gives you a 38.4mm FOV on a cropper, which is a pretty weak wide angle.

perryge wrote in post #5137865
Fabulous lens, but only gives you a 38.4mm FOV on a cropper, which is a pretty weak wide angle.

I couldnt agree with you more. Its why I went back to film, AKA the "Poor Man's Full Frame"

perryge wrote in post #5137845
On a cropped camera, you're pretty screwed for wide angle primes. The ones you listed are all normal primes, not wide-angles.

The only quality option is the 14L, which costs a lot. Or the 20 2.8 which isn't a great lens. They're both slow too.

*cough* This is why you shoot full frame *cough*

the tokina 17 f3.5 pro ain't half bad and it's cheap too .

ed rader

JAcosta wrote in post #5137876
I couldnt agree with you more. Its why I went back to film, AKA the "Poor Man's Full Frame"

I wouldn't call the 1vHS cheap by any stretch . But yes, us full framers have it good when it comes to wide angle primes. Croppers are royally screwed. I have my Elan IIe at hand at all times, got it used for FIFTY bucks!

I have a 28 1.8 coming in on thursday. It'll be my 'poor man's 24/35L'.

ed rader wrote in post #5137893
the tokina 17 f3.5 pro ain't half bad and it's cheap too .

ed rader

Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

I know what I am asking for isn't technically a wide angle lens on a crop camera, but I have learned to use what I have got and I need a prime in the 20-35mm area. These are generally referred to as a wide angle even if you look them up on manufacturer's websites. (They don't care if you are a cropper or not unless it is an EF-S or other series of cropper only lenses.)

Basically, I need something that is sharp, quick AF, and fairly quiet in the 20-35mm area. I do like the results of the Sigma 30 1.4, but the inconsistancy is what I am afraid of. I don't mind sending it in to get recalibrated or exchanging it for another one, but I would rather just know that I will be getting a good one the first time and not have to worry about issues now and later with it. I still may spring for it as it is such a great value, but there is something about the L primes that (break the bank) render such nice images.

I have also heard good reports about the Canon 28 1.8, but it is a mixed review. Most say they like it and others like the Sigma 30 better. I have also heard good things about the Canon 35 f2, but I have also heard that it sounds like a bee in a matchbox. I definately would need something a little more on the quiet side so I don't interrupt sleepy infants.

I am also worried that if I choose something like a Canon 28.1.8 or Sigma 30 1.4 and it is just a mediocre lens, that I should have just waited and got the L prime instead as I know it would have been better.

And I was this close [] to getting a 5D in January, but I decided on the 40D instead. There were just too many conveniences on the 40D that the 5D doesn't have yet. I will eventually go to one of the 5D predicessors, but until then my 40D is working quite well.

jdharris wrote in post #5140071
I know what I am asking for isn't technically a wide angle lens on a crop camera, but I have learned to use what I have got and I need a prime in the 20-35mm area. These are generally referred to as a wide angle even if you look them up on manufacturer's websites. (They don't care if you are a cropper or not unless it is an EF-S or other series of cropper only lenses.)

Basically, I need something that is sharp, quick AF, and fairly quiet in the 20-35mm area. I do like the results of the Sigma 30 1.4, but the inconsistancy is what I am afraid of. I don't mind sending it in to get recalibrated or exchanging it for another one, but I would rather just know that I will be getting a good one the first time and not have to worry about issues now and later with it. I still may spring for it as it is such a great value, but there is something about the L primes that (break the bank) render such nice images.

I have also heard good reports about the Canon 28 1.8, but it is a mixed review. Most say they like it and others like the Sigma 30 better. I have also heard good things about the Canon 35 f2, but I have also heard that it sounds like a bee in a matchbox. I definately would need something a little more on the quiet side so I don't interrupt sleepy infants.

I am also worried that if I choose something like a Canon 28.1.8 or Sigma 30 1.4 and it is just a mediocre lens, that I should have just waited and got the L prime instead as I know it would have been better.

And I was this close [] to getting a 5D in January, but I decided on the 40D instead. There were just too many conveniences on the 40D that the 5D doesn't have yet. I will eventually go to one of the 5D predicessors, but until then my 40D is working quite well.

Like you, I'm targeting full frame, and I am purchasing lenses with that in mind. I'd keep my 40D as well. You already have the (excellent) 24-70 f/2.8 L with 24 mm at the "wide" end. The 35 L f/1.4 (which I have on order) is a fine choice. While expensive initially, L lenses retain excellent resale value; I've also learned that if I do not purchase what I really want I usually end up regretting it. Stick with your plan, buy the 35 L and save up for full frame. If you plan to stay with a crop for a year or more also consider one of the wide zooms (16-35 L , 17-40 L or the 10-22).