Awesome 35!

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.

i totally agree with you about canon 24-70 f2.8 II, it is an amazing lens that retires many primes in that range! i have the canon 35 f1.4 rev. 1 and i find it outstanding, even with its excessive CA, but i try to avoid situations that would make its CA present its self badly, i reach for other lenses, 24-70 f2.8 II included! i find my 24-70 razor sharp with outstanding contrast!

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 am sure the new canon 35 f1.4 II is outstanding but i haven't felt the urge to upgrade for the new one! i try to use my 35 f1.4 in controlled environment to avoid CA.

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.

ASR45 wrote:

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.

Thanks for your comments. The not so good  tamron experience that you had was recently with their new line of products? I am also really leaning towards the canon and on e-infinity the lens it around £1070 and panamoz £1220 with another year added. But the only thing is holding me is if I can justify it. This lens is mainly to take photos to my baby and will be used inside the house and outside when going for walks. I am guessing I will be using it much more than the 40mm f2.8 which I might sell it if purchasing the 35mm because of the two extra stops of light that one gains, specially at low light situation.

The MK I has coated £720 in mint but like I said I would like to see more sharpness wide open. At f2 the sharp bump is considerable but I am losing another stop of light.

ASR45 wrote:

CESA wrote:

ASR45 wrote:

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.

Thanks for your comments. The not so good tamron experience that you had was recently with their new line of products? I am also really leaning towards the canon and on e-infinity the lens it around £1070 and panamoz £1220 with another year added. But the only thing is holding me is if I can justify it. This lens is mainly to take photos to my baby and will be used inside the house and outside when going for walks. I am guessing I will be using it much more than the 40mm f2.8 which I might sell it if purchasing the 35mm because of the two extra stops of light that one gains, specially at low light situation.

The MK I has coated £720 in mint but like I said I would like to see more sharpness wide open. At f2 the sharp bump is considerable but I am losing another stop of light.

My advice always buy new, you are just buying someone else's trouble second hand no matter how good they describe the lens. New you cannot go wrong especially with HDEW cameras bought from them for years, like i said zero problems, also you get a free 3 year warranty, no other camera dealer shop wise does that. Its a win win far i see it.

You've never bought used lenses? I have bought all of my lenses used on a used camera shop with 1y warranty.

Why are you not saving money? For example bought also a 5D and it got broken they returned the money.

The thing is that the 35mm f/1.4L II used is almost at the same price as new so it is better to buy it new. But then it is a lot of money when compared to the Tamron which is well quoted. But I don't own any third party lenses but for what I want (mainly family and some fashion photography) it is really leaving me scratching a lot my head.

fPrime wrote:

Personally I prefer the rendering from the 35L Mark 1. The 35L Mark II is slightly better corrected but is just not as magical as the Mk 1.

Plenty of people feel the same way. Julia Trotti, for example, is keeping both her 35L Mk 1 and 2 because the Mk 1 has a “special” rendering. I’m sure that what she means by special is that it has kicks out tremendous 3D Pop whereas the Mk II is a touch more clinical and a bit flatter. See the 9:40 time stamp in the video below where she discusses both lenses.

https://youtu.be/H6rdex1pAD4

fPrime

Having owned both lenses for many years, less is not more here. There is nothing magical about the 35L but there is something magical about the 35LII. The 35L was a good lens but it had mediocre bokeh too often which bugged me back then. The 35LII is way better.

fPrime wrote:

Personally I prefer the rendering from the 35L Mark 1. The 35L Mark II is slightly better corrected but is just not as magical as the Mk 1.

Plenty of people feel the same way. Julia Trotti, for example, is keeping both her 35L Mk 1 and 2 because the Mk 1 has a “special” rendering. I’m sure that what she means by special is that it has kicks out tremendous 3D Pop whereas the Mk II is a touch more clinical and a bit flatter. See the 9:40 time stamp in the video below where she discusses both lenses.

https://youtu.be/H6rdex1pAD4

fPrime

indeed, in fact i didn't even attempt to upgrade to rev.II for that same reason!

fPrime wrote:

Personally I prefer the rendering from the 35L Mark 1. The 35L Mark II is slightly better corrected but is just not as magical as the Mk 1.

Plenty of people feel the same way. Julia Trotti, for example, is keeping both her 35L Mk 1 and 2 because the Mk 1 has a “special” rendering. I’m sure that what she means by special is that it has kicks out tremendous 3D Pop whereas the Mk II is a touch more clinical and a bit flatter. See the 9:40 time stamp in the video below where she discusses both lenses.

https://youtu.be/H6rdex1pAD4

fPrime

Based on the following (the video -- last link -- is pretty comprehensive):

https://www.streetsilhouettes.com/home/2016/11/26/canon-35mm-f14-usm-i-vs-usm-ii-on-the-canon-5d-mark-iv-and-5dsr

http://cannonfastreviews.com/canon-35mm-1-4-l-ii-br-vs-canon-35mm-1-4-l/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=golWmNlNRds

I'd say that the 35 / 1.4L II is, by far, the better lens any way you look at it.

As a side, I own, and love, the 35 / 1.4L II. But, if I were buying today, I'd probably get the Tamron 35 / 1.4 -- not because it's better than the 35 / 1.4L II, but because it costs a lot less for pretty much the same IQ.