Awesome 35!

CESA wrote:

JerryriggedTECH wrote:

I've had the 35mm f/1.4L II for about 10 months now. Right from the beginning, I was impressed with how EASY this lens is to use. AF is lightning fast AND accurate. Even when shooting wide open at close distance, focus always seems to be just right. At first, the 35mm got lots of use... partly because my 24-70 f/2.8L II was wonky (it has since been repaired). Now, honestly, I'm not always sure when it is best to use this lens. The 24-70 now that it's been repaired, is so good, and so versitile that I often grab it instead of the 35. There are certain times, however, when it is just the right lens for the job! For environmental portraits, and/or in low light, this lens is truly in its element! Wide open, pictures pop and backgrounds have very nice bokeh! And you can shoot in near darkness, even without flash or strobes!

Since I got the lens, I've learned more... the LensRentals teardown shows just how well this lens is made (https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2015/12/canon-35mm-f1-4-mk-ii-teardown/ You can forget about CA also. For most fast primes, CA always seems to be there, but with this lens, it is rare to see even a hint!

I mostly shoot people (weddings, portraits, etc.) and for me this lens has been amazing and really helps to complete my lens kit! Now if Canon would just give the same love to the 50mm and 85mm!

I want a 35mm f1.4 and I am on the lookout. However knowing that this lens is excellent I can't justify its price. So got the MK I version to try it out and to be honest I haven't done much yet so can't conclude anything. The first impressions are the fact that the lens is soft at f1.4 not as much as I was expecting but still a bit soft to my taste. Was really curious to know how it would perform since many say that this lens has a special character. If we bum to f2 the sharpness comes to life but by the lost a stop of light.

I was looking for alternatives and the tamron SP 35mm f1.4 os really close if not better than the canon MK II more than what I would have liked it but for the price point it is a really good buy I think. However I have thing that I don't want to buy third party lenses but since I can't justify the MK II from canon the alternative would be the MK I.

At the same price point as the tamron (£690 new with 3y warranty) the canon costing around £720 in mint condition with 1y warranty in making me really confused which one to go to. I think if the canon had a bit more of sharpness to it wide open it would be lovely because we can give it a little bit more of push in post but with the current results that I got so far (quick test shots)it is makeing me think very hard. It is difficult decision.

What's your opinion about this?

Thanks in advance.

I have over the years had that dilemma, i would steer clear of third party lens, had nothing but trouble over the years sigma or tamron i have had issues, go with the dedicated lens canon. The 35mm f1.4 II goes around £1070 try panamoz or HDEW cameras bought from them for over 10 years zero problems saved thousands, which have enabled me to buy these great lens. Im having a hard time going for either the 35mm F1.4II or the 85MM F1.4 IS that have IS which appeals to me, as im getting on a bit.