Three "L" lenses I always carry...

[Keith B]

I shoot full frame (5D2), so the three lenses I always have with me are:


1. 24mm f/1.4 II. I just love shooting wide angle. When I had the 24-105 and 24-70 on my camera, I almost always used them at 24mm. For me, the option to use thin DOF and ultra wide angle at the same time allows for some very interesting photographs. But even when I'm stopped down, such as f/2.8, I really appreciate the much higher quality of this 24mm over the zooms.

Have you at least tried out the 16-35 II? Not as sharp or as fast as a prime but a versatile dream if you like wides. I love being able to go from mild-wide 35 to über-wide 16.

[Daniel Browning]

Have you at least tried out the 16-35 II? Not as sharp or as fast as a prime but a versatile dream if you like wides. I love being able to go from mild-wide 35 to über-wide 16.

I've only played around with it a few times. I find that it's very difficult to get good compositions wider than 24mm. There's just too much background.

[Keith B]

For personal stuff the wide end is usually just for fun. I get to shoot normal and then throw in a exaggerated angle just for something different.


It actually works really well for me for my paid gig. I shoot a lot of restaurants. 16 will let me get the whole place or I can use it to exaggerate lines to give give a place a larger appearance. Then I can zip in to 35 get real close to dishes of food, pull in some background. I usually bracket 2.8, 5.6 and 8.0 on the food to give the designer the choice of DOF.


Occasionally I get to shoot some fashion stuff. I love to get low and exaggerate leg length, emphasize shoes and such. Then I have the 24, 35 etc to give a normal perspective too.


Oh and building exteriors are fun at 16 too. Just rambling cause I love this lens.