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Possibly not the best choice for crop sensor users

Started Jun 26, 2014 | User reviews
Jonathan Brady
Jonathan Brady Veteran Member • Posts: 6,725
Possibly not the best choice for crop sensor users
1

This review will be pretty short.  Here's the deal...

This lens is awesome.  No doubt about it.  It's sharp across the frame, it's decently fast, has IS, and is small/light!  What's not to love?

Well, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is f/3.5 at 23mm.  That's only 2/3 of a stop and 1mm difference.  Although the 18-55 isn't quite as sharp at that setting as the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM is wide open - it's decently close (there's a noticeable difference but not substantial).  Additionally, the EF-S 18-55 STM costs about 1/5 of what the 24mm f/2.8 IS USM costs (when purchased new and bundled with a DSLR) and it's lighter (but ever so slightly larger).

For MY use (frequently use 35-85 range on my crop), it's just not different enough to justify the cost - again, 2/3 of a stop and 1mm difference, plus some IQ benefits.  However, if you CONSTANTLY use 24mm and/or need the superior image quality then perhaps this lens is for you.  I can't say anything negative about it - it really is a great lens, it's just not for me.

For full frame users - I didn't use it on FF nor did I compare it to any of the 24-XX(X) zooms.  Sorry.

I'm only going to rate this lens because I have to or I can't submit this review.  I don't think it's really fair to do so, given my use doesn't really jive with the intended use of the lens and the focal length isn't really a favorite of mine - that's no fault of the lens.  So, I'm going to rate it on it's own merits, not vs the 18-55 and when considering the value of such an addition to my lens arsenal.  For me personally, I'd rate it 1 star because I just never used it.  However, on it's own I'd say it's worthy of 4.5 stars.

-- hide signature --

QUOTE: "Another conclusion: After having read a few hundred instances of “fanboy” references during research for this article, it’s clear to me that the word has lost whatever potency it might once have had as an insult. It’s too much of a cliché, too inappropriately dismissive, too likely to be tossed in as an ad hominem attack by someone who shows signs of extreme fanboyism himself."
In other words - takes one to know one. And you lack creativity.
http://gizmodo.com/5540818/the-fascinating-origin-of-the-word-fanboy

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM
Wideangle prime lens • Canon EF • 5345B002
Announced: Feb 7, 2012
Jonathan Brady's score
4.5
Average community score
4.7
BigBen08 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,473
Re: Possibly not the best choice for crop sensor users

Jonathan Brady wrote:

For me personally, I'd rate it 1 star because I just never used it. However, on it's own I'd say it's worthy of 4.5 stars.

You're doing a review of a lens you never used?

Jonathan Brady
OP Jonathan Brady Veteran Member • Posts: 6,725
Re: Possibly not the best choice for crop sensor users

Jonathan Brady wrote:

For me personally, I'd rate it 1 star because I just never used it. However, on it's own I'd say it's worthy of 4.5 stars.

You're doing a review of a lens you never used?

Fair enough criticism. Worded improperly. I used it, just not often. Basically, enough to know it wasn't worth keeping around when I had other tools that performed similarly.
--
QUOTE: "Another conclusion: After having read a few hundred instances of “fanboy” references during research for this article, it’s clear to me that the word has lost whatever potency it might once have had as an insult. It’s too much of a cliché, too inappropriately dismissive, too likely to be tossed in as an ad hominem attack by someone who shows signs of extreme fanboyism himself."

In other words - takes one to know one. And you lack creativity.
http://gizmodo.com/5540818/the-fascinating-origin-of-the-word-fanboy

BigBen08 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,473
Re: Possibly not the best choice for crop sensor users

Jonathan Brady wrote:

Jonathan Brady wrote:

For me personally, I'd rate it 1 star because I just never used it. However, on it's own I'd say it's worthy of 4.5 stars.

You're doing a review of a lens you never used?

Fair enough criticism. Worded improperly. I used it, just not often. Basically, enough to know it wasn't worth keeping around when I had other tools that performed similarly.

Ok, that's better.

I find your comments about the 24mm interesting, as I'm considering it for use on the SL1 (neither that I own, yet). I'm looking for a small compact dslr for a walk-about camera. I believe the 24mm fov would work well for me and my type of shooting. Here's what I like about the 24mm IS over the 18-55 STM...

It's a little smaller (for me the extra size savings is a bonus)

It's a little faster (maybe better for indoor or low light photography?)

It's a bit sharper (I consider myself a sharpness freak )

But that's just me. As you pointed out there is not a huge difference in specs and performance between the two lenses. I think I'll buy the SL1 and 18-55 STM kit, then rent the 24 IS. That way I'll know if the 24 IS is really for me.

Jonathan Brady
OP Jonathan Brady Veteran Member • Posts: 6,725
Re: Possibly not the best choice for crop sensor users

Jonathan Brady wrote:

Jonathan Brady wrote:

For me personally, I'd rate it 1 star because I just never used it. However, on it's own I'd say it's worthy of 4.5 stars.

You're doing a review of a lens you never used?

Fair enough criticism. Worded improperly. I used it, just not often. Basically, enough to know it wasn't worth keeping around when I had other tools that performed similarly.

Ok, that's better.

I find your comments about the 24mm interesting, as I'm considering it for use on the SL1 (neither that I own, yet). I'm looking for a small compact dslr for a walk-about camera. I believe the 24mm fov would work well for me and my type of shooting. Here's what I like about the 24mm IS over the 18-55 STM...

It's a little smaller (for me the extra size savings is a bonus)

It's a little faster (maybe better for indoor or low light photography?)

It's a bit sharper (I consider myself a sharpness freak )

But that's just me. As you pointed out there is not a huge difference in specs and performance between the two lenses. I think I'll buy the SL1 and 18-55 STM kit, then rent the 24 IS. That way I'll know if the 24 IS is really for me.

I'll say it's not a BAD setup for sure. Especially if you're okay with a fixed focal length! In fact if you're okay with a fixed focal length and you won't be taking video, it's a fantastic setup. Be aware that although it's smaller, it's noticeably heavier.

If the IS, super fast AF, and an optical viewfinder aren't super important to you, consider the EOS M with 22 f/2. It's smaller, lighter, and brighter! You could also snag the EF-M 18-55 STM as well. You could get all of those (EOS M and 2 lenses) for less than the 24mm f/2.8 IS USM.
--
QUOTE: "Another conclusion: After having read a few hundred instances of “fanboy” references during research for this article, it’s clear to me that the word has lost whatever potency it might once have had as an insult. It’s too much of a cliché, too inappropriately dismissive, too likely to be tossed in as an ad hominem attack by someone who shows signs of extreme fanboyism himself."

In other words - takes one to know one. And you lack creativity.
http://gizmodo.com/5540818/the-fascinating-origin-of-the-word-fanboy

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