Im looking for a wide prime

I have both FF and cropped sensor camera, and I was looking for a wide prime. Im not necessarily looking for L glass for this one right now, I dont want to spend that kind of cash right now. I plan on getting a 85mm 1.8 pretty soon, but would like to complement it with some other primes (50mm f1.4 -canon or sigma) and a wide angle prime.

I will most likely be using it for group photos for weddings, events, and even a walk around lens (the 50mm is a bit long on my 40d)

Any suggestions would be GREAT! Thanks everyone.

My vote would be for the Canon 28 f/1.8. Nice lens.

What mm? Makes a huge difference.

To Timnosenzo:
Thank you for your recommendation, i will certinally look into that. I also reviewed your gear list, and read every review you had on your equipment there. That really helped me out, and I plan on getting a good many of those based on your review in the distant future.

To gasrocks:
Well I am not sure yet. I have looked at the 35mm, but it doesnt seem too appealing to me. The 28mm looks pretty appealing. Something wider than 50mm, not necessarily super wide though, i would like to minimize distortion as much as possible.

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #9567719
To Timnosenzo:
Thank you for your recommendation, i will certinally look into that. I also reviewed your gear list, and read every review you had on your equipment there. That really helped me out, and I plan on getting a good many of those based on your review in the distant future.
To gasrocks:
Well I am not sure yet. I have looked at the 35mm, but it doesnt seem too appealing to me. The 28mm looks pretty appealing. Something wider than 50mm, not necessarily super wide though, i would like to minimize distortion as much as possible.

That is a helpful gear list and pretty much my thoughts. I have most of the lens listed except the 14L and 50L (went with zooms instead: 16-35L II & 24-70). I just upgraded from the 24L tp the 24LII but I have yet to make a comparison. I thought the 24L was a very nice lens at a really good price (used for approx $900). It's nice and wide on a FF and nearly equal to a 35L(on FF) when on a cropper.

Second vote on the Canon 28mm f/1.8. I use that lens for low light concert photography and it does a nice job, and it is not that expensive.

The 28mm is a good lens, but really needs to be stopped down to get acceptable performance. In the copy I had, there was quite a bit of softness/hazing when shooting at f/1.8. At f/2.8 and higher, the lens was great.

I had a copy of the 28 1.8 that was acceptable to 2.2 but really shined at 2.8. It really defeated the purpose sice the Tamron 17-50 or 28-75 can be as sharp at 2.8 and are generally the same price or cheaper.

How would you compare the 28mm at f2.8 to the 24-70mm at f2.8?

Red Tie Photography wrote in post #9568702
How would you compare the 28mm at f2.8 to the 24-70mm at f2.8?

With my copy I would say they were about equal. Neither stood out as being much better. However, the 28 1.8 wide open was still acceptable or good (not particularly sharp). Although not perfect, it may come in handy in low light. It is also a nice small decently built lens very similar to the 85 1.8. It's better built than the Tamrons. On the other hand the 28-75 has something the 28 1.8 doesn't, 29-75mm.

Canonopathy wrote in post #9568747
With my copy I would say they were about equal. Neither stood out as being much better. However, the 28 1.8 wide open was still acceptable or good (not particularly sharp). Although not perfect, it may come in handy in low light. It is also a nice small decently built lens very similar to the 85 1.8. It's better built than the Tamrons. On the other hand the 28-75 has something the 28 1.8 doesn't, 29-75mm.

The same goes for the 24-70mm then. I am not looking to buy lenses just because, but I want to possibly see how primes will work for me. If i like primes, then I am sure ill go L primes in the future. It is just going to be hard for me to be spending 1000-2000 on a prime when there is still so much more I really need.

If you are happy with your 24-70 I would not use primes in that range unless there are qualities (like very wide apertures) that you are seeking. Plus you already have 50mm prime. The priority should be on focal lengths or capabilities that the zooms don't cover.
1.4X for the 70-200, 45, 24 or 17 TSE, 100 macro f2.8 (lots of used ones available), Zeiss 21 Distagon ZE
Mike K

another vote for the 28-1.8 mine is just great wide open.

I think a good idea would be to buy one new from Adorama, BH, Amazon, etc. with a good return policy. If it is good at 1.8 to 2.8 then keep it. If not, you'll probably be better off using your 24-70 and saving for a 24L (I or II) or a 35L .

I mainly use it for video, but I'm in love with Sigma's 20mm f/1.8 on my 5DII.

I was going to buy the 24 but I checked out the 20 in a store before I ordered it and loved how wide it was. It distorts a bit on the edges on full frame but at 20mm you're pushing it anyways. I love the effect it gives.