35L/50L Decision

I have been reading the threads on these lenses both here and on FM and there is a ton to read through. I compared shots on flickr for both (50L wins, hands down). I have come to the conclusion that there is a lot of disinformation (opinion, really, but not much useful information) and very little substantive information in most of these postings. I also came to the conclusion that either choice is a toss-up as to making the correct decision. It seems like there are two correct decisions with one being slightly less sub-optimal. In other words, there is no incorrect decision.

That said, I will buy one of these on Friday. I was thinking of getting both but I also wanted to get a 70-200f/2.8IS and I don't have the budget for all three.

So, I have devised a tie-breaker, since this is going to be the first significant use for my new 35L/50L, think of Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland/world. Do a flickr search like this: http://www.flickr.com …and+pirates+eos​+5d&m=text to get an idea of the scenery. Needless to say, it is extremely dark in there. (no flash allowed)

Using a 5DMkII (full frame) body, which lens (35L/50L) would you take with you through this ride? Is the 35L fast enough? Is the 50L wide enough?

Also, I will probably play around with video while in there (last time we, as a family went through at least 12 times). f/1.2 seems like it would be far superior to f/1.4 in that regard. But, I've never even operated the video after owning the body for almost a year. Never thought to use it...

Go rent them....then decide. No one can make these decisions for you...only you know what's right for your style and approach. Personally I prefer the 24IIL over either the 35L and 50L...but that's just me.

have you considered the following...

35L + sigmalux.

the 35L f1.4 is a beautiful lens. i believe that it is a great fov for myself, though at times i do want to go a little wider, and at times i do want to go closer. its really the inbetween of the two FL - 24 and 50.

i've honestly never owned a 50L because of the dreaded focus issues that haunts that very lens. i dont think that there is a perfect 50 out there (without getting lucky)

Just curious, why do you want to take photos and video from your ride? It's an interesting ride but to buy a lens for that purpose is kind of strange. Again, just curious.

Gene

Forget about focus shift, way overblown. My only grip with the 50L is that it is not the sharpest lens wide open, nor is it bad, kinda like the 70-200 2.8 IS.

For me, I just like the 50mm FL and the 50L is a great lens overall. I hear great things about the 35L though... On the F stop, if 1.4 is not fast enough 1.2 probably is not either.

Maybe buy the 35L and the Canon 50 1.4, the 50 1.4 is a very good lens, not L but not as bad as some say. Good luck and have fun in DL.

50L

Kind regards, Wim

50L

35L

Rent one of them for the ride (35L would be my choice), and then decide which focal length you really want after.

If you buy a 50L buy it locally so "if" it has severe focus shift you can return it quickly and easily.

I saw one of your posts on a different thread. You mentioned the 35L is more like a P/S camera .....huh?

If you want the magic of the f/1.2 aperature you must roll the dice and look for a 50L that doesn't focus shift. MA cannot correct this problem either. The 50L is on the top of my wish list but I couldn't find a "good" copy quick enough before I had to shoot at my friends wedding. I purchased the 35L to substitute my cravings for a good 50L. My quest continues.

I've had both a 35mm and a 50mm lens and the 35mm range gets much more use. I'd say get the 35L

Route246 wrote in post #8913676
f/1.2 seems like it would be far superior to f/1.4 in that regard.

Probably a wash. If you consider the 1/FL handhold rule, you would only need about 1/30 to handhold the 35L, but 1/50th for the 50L. So you lost 2/3 stop of shutter and gain a half a stop of aperture.

You really need to think about which is going to be more useful. 35mm is a wide angle and 50mm is a normal prime. I would probably prefer a 35mm for travel and scenery, etc, but a 50mm for everyday shots.

I'm not buying the lens just for this ride. I am using this ride as an example of what I have no ability now to shoot satisfactorily. I am buying the lens for other indoor venues (museums, exhibit halls, model homes and of course indoor rides) where flash is not permitted and I want maximum IQ. It's not for portraits or sightseeing outdoors so much, I use my 24-105L and 70-200Lf/4IS for that.

Go back and read the original post. It clearly states that this is a tie-breaker. I know both lenses are great. I'm just not sure about which one to pull the trigger on.

kini wrote in post #8913906
Just curious, why do you want to take photos and video from your ride? It's an interesting ride but to buy a lens for that purpose is kind of strange. Again, just curious.

Gene

I didn't say that. I said that the 35L examples on POTN I looked at were more like P&S while the 50L shots were more artistic and aesthetic if I remember correctly.

Is there a quick way to test for this at a shop before I choose it? I'm going in on Friday to make the purchase.

AlanU wrote in post #8915023
I saw one of your posts on a different thread. You mentioned the 35L is more like a P/S camera .....huh?

If you want the magic of the f/1.2 aperature you must roll the dice and look for a 50L that doesn't focus shift. MA cannot correct this problem either. The 50L is on the top of my wish list but I couldn't find a "good" copy quick enough before I had to shoot at my friends wedding. I purchased the 35L to substitute my cravings for a good 50L. My quest continues.

I'd go with the 35L. It's wider and to me, gets more use than the 50 did. Plus on a 5D2, I can always crop the 35, but I can't widen the 50.