Canon 35 f/2 vs 50 f/1.4

I'm debating picking up one of these two lenses and also a 1.4x teleconverter for my 300mm. Which one is superior? I've looked at the charts and they have similar sharpness at f/2. Either focal length would be good for me. They are both similarly priced, with the 35 being a little cheaper.

Does anyone have any real world experience with both or just the 35 f/2? There are plenty of opinions on the 50 1.4, but almost none on the 35 2.

I'd rather not get a third party lens at this point. The Canon 28 1.8 is a bit above my price range too.

I have the 35mm f2 and I like the 50mm FL so much I got the f1.2...... As an allrounder I'd have to choose the 35mm though, 50mm, much as I love it, is just to tight in some situations on my crop.
As you say, the 35 is reasonably sharp from the outset, with great colour and contrast (to me anyway). I think its MFD is closer than the 50mm 1.4 as well, though I've never used one, that can only be a good thing.

I have the 35f2 and it is sharp, has accurate and fast AF, and has good contrast. The lens works well wide open and is really sharp, edge to edge, stopped down.
It is my favorite lens.
It does focus close, but is not a macro.
There are so many reports of AF failure with the 501.4 that I didn't get one, despite the f1.4 aperture.
You make this up in the 35 with the ability to hold at slower shutter speeds with the 35f2.I keep a lens hood on at all times, but not with flash.

artyH wrote in post #9436762
I have the 35f2 and it is sharp, has accurate and fast AF, and has good contrast. The lens works well wide open and is really sharp, edge to edge, stopped down.
It is my favorite lens.
It does focus close, but is not a macro.
There are so many reports of AF failure with the 501.4 that I didn't get one, despite the f1.4 aperture.
You make this up in the 35 with the ability to hold at slower shutter speeds with the 35f2.I keep a lens hood on at all times, but not with flash.

Here are a couple of photos at f2 from the 35.

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Here is one at f2.2 with the Canon f2.

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get a sigma 30mm f/1.4 or the canon 28mm f/1.8

Here are some pics from my recently acquired 35mm f/2

Kiwikat wrote in post #9436217
Does anyone have any real world experience with both or just the 35 f/2? There are plenty of opinions on the 50 1.4, but almost none on the 35 2.

Both lenses are good. I would prefer the 35 for still life and/or close-ups. I prefer the 50 for portraits. The 50mm will work very well with the 1.4x TC.

I have real world samples of both lenses in this lens sample gallery.

elader wrote in post #9436956
get a sigma 30mm f/1.4 or the canon 28mm f/1.8

Yeah, that...Personally, I've never felt much love for 50mm on a crop body, though I like it on FF... I'd look at the 35mm (which I voted for), or something wider as elader recommended (28mm would probably be my pick in focal length, though I know nothing about the lens, so I won't recommend it directly.)

I also don't care for 50mm on crop body. tried the nifty twice, didn't care for it too much. Fell in love with the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 great FL.

never liked 50mm on my 1.6 crop. As soon as I got my 5D I really found my 50mm was much more versatile and useful.

50mm is a short portrait lens on a 1.6x crop body like yours.

28-35 is considered a good "normal" lens that is not too wide, nor long and good for a lot of different things.

I voted 35mm f2, but I would also consider the Sigma 30mm f1.4 because it is 1 stop faster and has HSM focusing.

I have a 35mm f/2 and 50mm f/1.8. If I had to live with just one, it would be the 35mm f/2.0

tkbslc wrote in post #9440063
I voted 35mm f2, but I would also consider the Sigma 30mm f1.4 because it is 1 stop faster and has HSM focusing.

I would consider the Sigma 30 1.4 if I knew I would get a good copy. There are stories of people going through 4 of them and still not getting a properly focusing copy...

I don't want to mess around with that sort of thing if I don't have to. Are photo places like B&H ok with returning lenses if they are bad copies? Or do they expect you to send them into the company for adjustment?

I voted for 50mm f/1.4.
I like that extra stop.
But of course, 35mm to 50mm is quite the difference in viewing angle.

So I would naturally recommend Sigma 30mm f/1.4 over both of them.
But it is hard to find good copy that focus dead on.