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Almost flawless! 35mm f/2 IS USM review

Started Jun 26, 2014 | User reviews thread
Great Bustard Forum Pro • Posts: 45,641
Except...

qianp2k wrote:

Jonathan Brady wrote:

qianp2k wrote:

Good review!

Thanks!

However I disagree your conclusion that Sigma 35/1.4 Art @F1.4 is sharper than 35/2.0 IS @F2.0. You might have a soft copy.

I don't dispute that as a possibility.

DPR 35/2.0 @F2.0 IS vs 35/1.4 A @F1.4 on 5D2

DPR 35/2.0 IS @F2.0 vs 35/1.4 A @F1.4 on 7D

TDP 35/2.0 IS @F2.0 vs 35/1.4 Art @F1.4

In either case, it shows 35/2.0 @F2.0 is sharper than Sigma 35/1.4 Art @F1.4. At F2.0, Sigma is sharper. Canon captures up at F2.8 and as sharp as if not slightly sharper at F4.0.

PZ tells a different story...

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/848-sigma35f14eosff?start=1

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/847-canon35f2isff?start=1

MTF charts show the Sigma resolving 3587 lines at f/1.4 and the Canon 35IS resolving 3069 at f/2. It's possible their copy of the Sigma is REALLY good, the 35IS is a soft copy, or both. Same for me.

This is a major disagreement between me and a few regarding PZ Tests that I found that they are not reliable and not very scientific. I trust DXO, LensRentals far more.

LensRentals also found 35/2.0 IS @F2.0 is sharper than Sigma 35/1.4 Art @F1.4. So I have to believe the other three tests - DXO, TDP and LensRentals but not PZ. I'd suggest you to get another copy and test again.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/12/another-35mm-lens-for-canon

...doesn't that show that that at f/2, the Sigma is sharper across the frame (9% higher in the center and 40% higher in the corners)?

Whether or not that sharpness matters, of course, is another matter all together, just as whether f/1.4 matters more than IS, or vice-verso, is also another matter all together.

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