Almost flawless! 35mm f/2 IS USM review

Jonathan Brady wrote:

Jonathan Brady wrote:

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.

Also, I was playing with the 35 IS about an hour ago and adjusted the AFMA another 2 notches because of the indoor light. I've found that I can have some fairly wild variations for AFMA depending on the light source. I've had swings as high as 7 (+16 down to +9 for the 85/1.8) when changing light sources. So it's quite possible the softness I'm seeing is AFMA related in various light sources and I'm not correcting for it.

Now that I've sold the 35 ART, I can't shoot them side by side to test for sharpness. However, I looked back at a particular picture that I felt was REALLY sharp at f/1.4 just a few minutes ago because I took an almost identical picture with the Canon 35 IS this morning and what I saw was what you demonstrated via links and also attest to my quote (in red) above; I didn't have it AFMA'd quite right and the lighting source makes a difference. I processed the images similarly and found that at f/2, the Canon 35mm f/2 IS is sharper than the Sigma at f/1.4 - no doubt about it.

Thanks for pointing that out and leading me to question my results! I wish I could edit my review... :-/

No problem. I usually check multiple sources to find the answers, many times some independent reviews not one or two test sites such as that terrific Youtube video.

As I said it depends on your priority. To some, being able to shoot at F1.4 and slight sharper F2.0 are important while to others (such as me) 'IS', smaller/lighter body and Canon brand and more reliable and consistent AF (not specific but just in general as third party lenses revere-engineering AF) are more important. 35mm is not an ideal portrait FL to me but mainly for street, indoor and landscape photo. For 50mm and 85mm primes I will have a priority on faster-aperture for shallower DOF in portrait, just my opinion.

Nevertheless 35/2.0 IS is an excellent lens so enjoy it.

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