28mm prime

J

jaydigges

Active member
I want to enlist some of the expertise on this board. Im researching my first big lens purchase (i have the kit lens and the $99 50mm 1.8).

After a bunch of research I am thinking of going with the 28mm 1.8, but I have a few questions. I hear people raving about the 24mm L series lens, but that lens is $1700... Wouldn't you think the $400 28mm 1.8 a good choice for an indie film budget? Why don't I hear anyone talking about this lens?

Other then the fact that this lens is less wide and 1 stop slower, are there any other disadvantages?
 
I can't say it would be a "better" choice, as I haven't used the 28mm f1.8 from Canon, but I have used the Sigma 30mm f1.4, and it delivers great images with the 7D.

If you want to know some of the specific differences between the 24mm "L" lens and the 28mm, the 24mm will give you less CA (chromatic aberration), better edge-to-edge sharpness and a slight improvement in the quality of the background blur.

For your budget and needs, I'd recommend the Sigma 30mm.
 
Main Sigma 30mm advantage: 2/3 stop brighter
Main Canon 28mm advantage: it's full frame so you can use it with more cameras, if that's something in your future

Canon 24mm 1.4L I'm guessing is a brilliant lens but unless you have money flowing out your a-- there's a lot of other things you could spend that cash on first.
 
I bought two primes: The EF 50mm 1.4 USM and the EF 28mm 1.8 USM. They are both 58mm, so I can share a single FaderND. My only regret is that Canon doesn't make an EF 14mm 1.8 USM. ;-)
 
That Ken Rockwell review is very odd. All his negative points are regarding the AF on Nikon's (other than D40) and the fact that 'it doesn't zoom' and isn't suitable for astronomical work. Was he expecting a telescope instead?

It's a fantastic lens for the money if you need F1.4, otherwise you'd be better off with the 28mm F1.8 which has a magnificent macro capability and is forward compatible with full frame cameras. I have that lens on the 5D and it's speed and macro on a wide angle are truly unique for the money. Quality is great and build quality much improved from Sigma's older stuff. You can get some amazing shallow DOF close up shots - and I mean close up, especially with a 7D's 1.6x magnification. Individual eyelashes visible, that kinda thing.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I DO want a lens that can be used on the 5D, since any large productions I would likely rent/borrow one.
 
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