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35mm f/2 IS USM vs. 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake

Started Jul 17, 2015 | Questions thread
Great Bustard Forum Pro • Posts: 45,641
Re: 35mm f/2 IS USM vs. 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake

skopinsky wrote:

Hello!

I'm new to photography, and for now it is mostly just a hobby.

That being said, I'm shooting on a Rebel T6s and currently have the kit lens (planning to use this mostly for travel purposes) and the 50mm f/1.8 STM.

I really love the artistic flexibility that the lower aperture of the 50mm gives me, but I find it is just too zoomed in sometimes. I would like to purchase another prime lens to use to take pictures of my family and friends along with some artistic portrait and engagement photos for some close friends.

I've narrowed it down to the 35mm f/2 IS USM and 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake. Which do you think is better or is there another lens that I am overlooking? Is it worth it to buy both? Price isn't a huge factor in deciding between these two lenses, but I would say I do not want to spend much more than the price of the 35mm in total.

Thanks in advance!

-Sami

24mm would complement 50mm better than 35mm.  However, the 35 / 2 IS has an extra stop and IS, although it's larger, heavier, and more expensive (but not so large, heavy, and expensive as a 35 / 1.4).

To be honest, I'd advocate the Sigma 18-35 / 1.8 which performs as well optically as all the primes in its range, as well as being faster than the two primes you asked about.  What are the downsides?  It's larger, heavier, and more expensive than either of the primes, does not have IS, and some report having AF issues.

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