Canon 35mm f/1.4 L - UPDATE: I LOVE THIS LENS!

[ddt0725]

However, I don't understand your logic. You think an 85L is too big so you go for a 35L?

Uh, yeah! I'm sorry, I was talking the 85mm f/1.2 L II. I am sure you have rented itso you are aware that it not onlyheavierbut larger. Not to mention the price tag. Plus I am quite happy for nowwith the 85mm that I have.

Were both lenses on your original wishlist, or are you buying the 35L instead?

Yes, both are on my list. The 85mm L II has now been moved down a number of notches if I do get it at all. I think after I buy a couple others that I also have my eye on, I will be pretty well set. All depends on what Canon comes out with this year yet.

[JJphoto]

Denise


I used my 35mm on my XSi as a walk around indoor lens(sometimes out door too). at 1,4, it's not very sharp, but color and quality of bokeh are very impressive. I'v almost never used my 50mm 1.4 again since I got the 35mm1.4. I especially like the feeling of this combo holding in my hand, not too big not too small, not too heavy not too light, not too bulky, not too thin, just perfect. I only wish Canon will improve the shutter lag of the Rebels, it's just damn too slow like a P&S(well it's not that bad, but it would be nice if they can just make it a little faster!)

[ddt0725]

Denise


I used my 35mm on my XSi as a walk around indoor lens(sometimes out door too). at 1,4, it's not very sharp, but color and quality of bokeh are very impressive. I'v almost never used my 50mm 1.4 again since I got the 35mm1.4. I especially like the feeling of this combo holding in my hand, not too big not too small, not too heavy not too light, not too bulky, not too thin, just perfect. I only wish Canon will improve the shutter lag of the Rebels, it's just damn too slow like a P&S(well it's not that bad, but it would be nice if they can just make it a little faster!)
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Thank you! Your reply has been very helpful! Not very sharp? That is the first I heard someone say that about this lens although many have raved about the color and bokeh. This size &amp; weight does sound like it would be very comfortable using.

Thanks!

Denise

[JJphoto]

Not very sharp? That is the first I heard someone say that about this lens

Denise, At f1.4,at least my copy does produce softer images, and I think Bryan has the similar statement in his review of this lens, you can check it out. I guess this is the one major part the second version can be improved.

[Brendan7]

Not very sharp? That is the first I heard someone say that about this lens

Denise, At f1.4,at least my copy does produce softer images, and I think Bryan has the similar statement in his review of this lens, you can check it out. I guess this is the one major part the second version can be improved

Is there a lens that's sharp-sharp at f/1.4? Probably not. But my copy of the 35L that I rented comes quite close...

[clemmb]

A referb. at Adorama

[ddt0725]

Not very sharp? That is the first I heard someone say that about this lens

Denise, At f1.4,at least my copy does produce softer images, and I think Bryan has the similar statement in his review of this lens, you can check it out. I guess this is the one major part the second version can be improved.
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That's right, I remember reading that now and at 2.0 it is very sharp. Overall though, this lens sure seems to be perfect. I think if Canon would have slapped a rebate on it this time around, it would be an incentive for me to purchase it now rather than later.

Denise

[Keith B]

My "copy" of this lens is sharp at 1.4.


Remember that the DOF is very shallow at 1.4 and the slightest move you make between focus locking and taking the shot is going to cause an out of focus shot.

[mikehillman89]

Just my 2 cents here Denise. I think it's a fabulous lens. I personally have never shot with it, but I've been watching and thumbing through Pete Souza's photos (Official White House Photographer) and the 3 lenses he uses the most are the 35mm 1.4, 135mm 2.0 and the 24-70mm 2.8. His 35mm shots are fantastic. And shot on a 5D. Take a look! They're on flickr.





Mike

[scalesusa]

I just received my 35mm L last night, and was initially disappointed in that it seemed to back focus on my 5D MK II by a large amount at distances of 10 ft or more. Close up, it was fine.


This morning, i got down to seriously understanding what was going on. I used live view with contrast detect AF, and images were tack sharp, so it was just a matter of find a microfocus adjustment that worked best, and, worrying that it might not workthe same at all distances. It turned out thata microfocus adjustment of +2 made it tack sharp at all distances and apertures.


This really suprised me that such a tiny adjustment made such a huge difference. I guess that shallow depth of field requires perfect focus.


If yours is not sharp on your XSi, you might want to consider getting a body that has the microfocus adjustment. It really worked well for me.