A Worthy Consideration for Wide Angle Prime

Let offer a few caveats for this review. First, I found it for $325 and my copy is good one - sharp and like new. I also use it on a crop body.  For these reasons, it was definitely my lens of choice for a wide angle prime. The reality is, if you have to pay full price for it (Amazon - $515), there are better choices out there. There are plenty of wide angle primes out there ranging from 24mm to 35mm with IS. So my recommendation is based on finding a good used copy at a great price. And given that people are upgrading to these newer options, I think you are likely to find this one for a good price as people unload them. Since photography is pretty much a hobby for me, primes are a luxury. So price is important for me.

With all that said, I love the results I'm getting. It's perfect for low light conditions in an average size room. This is great for the family get together. It make for fun casual portraits, since you can get close while creating a nice out of focus background. People complain that it isn't razor sharp, but I find it definitely sharp enough to satisfy. In fact, with my copy, I would definitely call it sharp. The auto focus is fast, quiet, and accurate, which is what you'd expect from a USM focus system.

I fretted over whether or not to get a 24, 28 or a 35, given that I wanted something close to a normal lens on my crop body. The fates decided for me when I found it on Craigslist for the price I got.  Quite honestly, I find the 28 to be just right. But I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices as it simply a matter of a few steps forward or a few steps back.  Besides, the whole point of a prime is that you snap the lens on your camera and make it work, all while gaining the added sharpness and low light capabilities. I'm having fun with this lens, and for the right price, I think you would too.

I have one for my full frame, and I don't regret it for a second. I also find it to be sharp (when used correctly) and contrasty, and it feels well built. And I paid full price.

doesn't begin to get sharp until f2.2.  in the past I have owned three different copies.  the new(er) canon 28 f2.8 IS blows it away and has IS.  I bought my 28 f2.8 IS for $399.

Same here. I replaced my 28/1.8 with the IS which I got for $400 and like it much better.

Do you miss the extra stop? I've got a 2.8 zoom and enjoy the 1.8 for extra stop and a third and its ability to do what my 2.8 can't do. I also think the fact that most 2.8s need to be stopped down a bit for good sharpness argues for the value of the 1.8. By 2.2, I'm more than satisfied.

it's barely usable.  the 28 f1.8 is obsolete and even when it wasn't it wasn't popular.

This past year I have gotten into nightclub/live music photography and have learned alot in the process. In the beginning I was using flash with my shots as the venues have very little lighting. So I started doing lightroom filter effects to offset the flash to make my shots more "interesting". For the most part I have received LOTS of positive reviews of my work. A local club has started to pay me to come to their club to shoot photography for their events and based on some of my lighting recommendation they have actually installed better lighting.

I had the 50mm f1/8 (nifty fifty) and that was my go to lens for my Canon T3i. I know it's not the best, but for my budget its what I had and not having to use the flash and take hand held shots...has been phenominal for me and my reviews.

I recently broke the nifty fifty and need a replacement. I could get another nifty fifty, but I was curious for something a little more $$ what are some options.

I was thinkin of the 28 mm f1/8 and have read some mixed reviews of it. As much as I want to deliver clarity and precise images, for what I get paid and my audience expectation, the L-series is not needed.

I'm looking for wide prime with 1.4 to 1.8 for these extreme low light situations and trying to keep my budget below $400, if possible and buying a decent used copy is fine for me.

If you care to see some of my work, please visit my facebook.

facebook.com/solexposures

Not really looking for critique, but can give you idea of my environments.

The past few weeks, I have been shooting handheld, no flash (mostly) with a sigma 18-125mm f3.5-5.6. When the lighting is right and I can get the bands to slow down just a tad in their movements, I can capture some "okay" shots. I shoot full manual.

Thank you for the suggestions.