Looking for a lens as sharp as the 50mm 1.8 but wider focal length 30mm or less?

life4eva

Carbonite Member
First of all I must say that the 50mm is probably one of the nicest and sharpest lens I have used wide open. For comparison I have a fisheye lens that is horribly soft wide open ( 16mm f/2.8 )


So I'm looking for a 30mm or less with an aperture of f/2.0 or less that is sharp like the 50mm, does this lens exist?


Thank you!!
 
My 1:2 35mm Zeiss lens is pretty sharp. I'm sure it's sharper than most normal 50mm lenses. My 50mm Zeiss is extremely sharp so it's hard to compare to that. I am curious about sharper wider lenses as well. Being that I'll be getting an AF-100 in late December I am very concerned about the crop. Really looking for some solutions.
 
The Sigma 30 1.4 is considered to be quite sharp wide open.
The Canon EF 28mm f 1.8 is also a good alternative (but considered to be slightly less sharp at f1.8 than the Sigma for stills).
If you are looking into vintage glass too, maybe the russian Mir 24-M 35 f 2.0 is sharp even wide open. Then you have the Vivitars 24 and 28 mm f2.0 (made either by Kiron or by Komine) which are ok wide open for video, but sharpen up considerably from f 2.8.
 
I keep hear a lot about the sigma 30mm 1.4, obviously being a prime lens it should be sharper than a zoom. The price on that lens is around $375-$450+....... I guess I need to do some more research.
 
I had the sigma 30 1.4, but I didn't like the handling and focus ring. I sold it and got a Leica R 28 f2.8 and it is much nicer to manually focus with. I know it is two stops slower, but I never shoot wider than F2 anyway. The Leica also covers full frame so I am set when the 5Dii comes out.
 
I had the sigma 30 1.4, but I didn't like the handling and focus ring. I sold it and got a Leica R 28 f2.8 and it is much nicer to manually focus with. I know it is two stops slower, but I never shoot wider than F2 anyway. The Leica also covers full frame so I am set when the 5Dii comes out.

f/2.8 is too slow for what I want this lens for. This lens is strictly for working as a 1 man crew and only a small led light so I need an aperture of at least f/2. I have worked with all kind of lenses and I don't think any lens can be more difficult than the 50mm, so I will be fine. 2.8 still requires a lot of light...
 
My Sigma 30/1.4 is sharper than my EF 50/1.8 wide open. The Sigma has a _much_ better build too.
 
You are all talking stils regarding sharpness surely,videos 2.0 megapixal how can sharpness possibly tell differences in outdoor light.
 
I think people spend WAY too much time trying to buy the BEST, instead of just getting something that is useful.
Everyone wants an IS lens, F1.0, Zeiss, super fast memory cards, Marshal monitor, Steadi-Cam, etc.

Wow, you guys spend a lot of money on stuff.

The reality is that you don't NEED it.

If you want a sharp lens, there is not many sharper than the 28mm f2.8 Nikons, price around $150 used.
I have found that IS is not necessary unless your lens is longer than 100mm, and then, what are you shooting that long, where you don't have a tripod?


Yesterday I wanted to try shooting the 7D hand held, with nothin' more than the camera, and monopod,
No sound kit, no IS, no stabilizer, rig, eye piece, etc., just the camera.
I brought my Nikon 28mm lens, and my Canon 24-70.
It was just video of the kids, so no big deal if it did not work out.

I must say, It was fine for doc of the kids.
Focus was a bit of an issue, but not a deal breaking issue.
The footage was slightly under exposed, but again, not a deal breaker.
I didn't notice excessive tearing, excessive moire, or all the things people nit pick about to justify needing more gear.

Point being, I think it is best to get what you can afford, and shoot.
I think you will find you don't need as many toys as you think.


Video of yesterday,
I must say i was impressed, and the family loves it.
 
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