Canon 24mm/2.8 IS USM vs. ???

I am thinking about a path of several discrete primes vs. a large zoom.   I am starting by considering the Canon 24mm/2.8 IS USM.

I have seen the test results and comments at Photozone and other sites.  Here, I have a question for those of you that might have this lens: how does it compare to other options for real-world use?

For example, I have the 24-105mm L.   Do you notice a difference @24mm?

Or I could consider the 16-35mm/4 L IS.  How would this compare @ 24mm?

The Canon 24-70mm/2.8?

Considering the sister lenses 28mm/2.8 IS and 35mm/2.0 IS, are one of these maybe a better option as a starting point?

I am particularly curious about contrast, as this is often not discussed in the reviews that I have read.

The goal here would be a smaller/lighter 6D+lens combo.   (I understand that I am giving up weather sealing and would have more lens swaps to manage)

Thanks!

I can truly appreciate wanting to shoot lighter with a fixed lens, but it is a massive pain in the keister to carry around a bag of primes which more than offset the weight savings.

The high-end Canon primes compare favorably, even superior to, most fixed lenses. Contrast, resistance to flare and distortion are really excellent with the 16-35 f/4L IS, 24-70 f/2.8L II and 70-200 f/2.8L IS II. They generally aren't as fast or light as the primes, but I only use a couple of specialty primes anymore: the 100mm macro and 300 f/2.8.

maxx32 wrote:

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The goal here would be a smaller/lighter 6D+lens combo. (I understand that I am giving up weather sealing and would have more lens swaps to manage)
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I do not own this specific lens, so I will only answer to one of your questions...

If you are looking for a lightweight kit, I'm not sure that the difference in FOV between the 30mm you already own and the 24mm is so worth it to carry around both. Let's be honest, I'm a compulsive owner of lenses, so I do not mean you shouldn't buy one!
But, if you'd like to carry around a limited number of lenses (otherwise the zoom becomes a better solution to stay light ;), only wide angles might not be enough in much situations. Considering the lenses you already own, I'd rather think to a longer portable lens before to build a twins wide combo. What about a 50mm STM (very light and cheap) or even better an 85mm (a bit heavier but more useful when you look for something longer than 30mm)?

In the other hand, if you are searching for a lightweight alternative to your 30mm, then probably the 24mm will perfectly do the job. In such a case, I'd recommend you to pair it with a 40mm, which stays in any of your pockets, offering you a very nice and portable kit.

I assume here you don't look for L lenses, as otherwise the weather sealing is present on a marvelous lens called EF 24mm f/1.4L II No IS but with an f/1.4 you'll often won't miss it...at least, I do not!

Hope those thoughts helped you somehow...

Thanks for the feedback so far.

FYI...My focus is full-frame, having just picked up the 6D over the holidays.

I liked the balance/size/weight of the Sigma 30mm on the T3i/600D, and this is part of my interest in getting something similar on the 6D.   (I was also happy with the IQ of the 30mm, and think I may have a good copy).  I did just buy the 50/1.8STM to play around with, but so far I think I will want something wider.

Sorry for late answer...luckily you already made your choice. Didn't got you were moving to FF...

I own the quite old 20mm f/2.8 USM. It's a very nice lens if you like wide, which would give you a very close FOV to your 30mm. if you have a bigger budget, the 24mm f/1.4L II is an excellent lens: I hardly remove it from my camera since I got it, event though is slightly too wide for me (I prefer the FOV of the 28mm on my 70D, but the image quality and the f/1.4 make the deal more than worth it!).

I know I'm only talking about lenses without IS, but to be honest I never missed it on wide lenses.

Enjoy shooting.