Fast 35mm wide-angle lens. With a minimum focusing distance of only 25 cm, you can approach the subject closer and still obtain a more natural wide-angle effect. You can even obtain good background Blur for portraits.
I just got this lens today so my review is based on just a couple of hours usage. The lens performs great in low light conditions - both indoors and outdoors. Some people have complained that the bokeh is not smooth - I don't agree - the bokeh is smooth enough for me and looks very pleasing. I'm stunned by the performance of this tiny beast.
Only dislike is the build - the focus ring is not that smooth and has a very cheap feel. My Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM have a much better build.
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Outstanding performer, Sunday, 28 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I seldom post reviews but this lens deserves one so here goes. Over the years I have owned several good Canon lenses, including two L Series; and this lens is best of the lot. Based on my experience with this lens, some of the reviewers who are less than enthusiastic about it must have received a dud because this is a great little lens - as sharp as you could ever want and the colors it produces are vivid in the true meaning of the word. The added bonus from this little charmer is its weight. On my 30D it feels like there is a feather out there in front. If you're looking for a sharp walkaround lens, you could hardly do better at twice the price!
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Great lens for the price, Sunday, 28 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Not long ago, I bought the Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 lens to have a fast, roughly standard-length lens for my Rebel XSi (standard taking into account the camera's 1.6x crop factor, that is). That lens turned out to be a little wider than I wanted, which would have been okay if it didn't also have terrible problems with Chromatic aberration and edge softness. So I decided after a while to give the EF 35mm f/2 a try.
Build quality is toward the low end of Canon's scale; not as nice as the EF 28mm f/1.8, but not as cheap as the EF 50mm f/1.8 II. It does, at least, have a metal mount and a distance window. Since it doesn't have USM, it is rather noisy when autofocusing compared to the 28, and full-time manual focus is not available. But at least the focus ring spins freely in auto-focus mode (unlike the 50 f/1.8 II), so you don't have to worry about damaging the motor by turning it accidentally. Picture quality is quite good; wide open, the center is decently sharp, and the edges not too bad at all; stopped down to f/4, it's even better.
If you're looking for a roughly standard-length lens for an APS-C Canon camera without paying the premium price of an L-series lens, and you need something faster than f/2.8, I think this is the one to get.
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I love it, Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This lens is great. I use it all the time on photo shoots. It produces crisp, clear images! If you'd like to see some pictures I've taken with it to get an idea:
Pro: Small, light, fast f2 (good enough for most low light), great IQ stop down, beats zooms hands down. (Just did some test under perfect light shooting grass and trees)
Neutral: Build, MF, no hood included (as expected of course, thanks to Canon), AF fast
Con: AF whiny, worse than my Tamron zoom and Sigma non-HSMs.
Use this with 40D, don't know how good (or bad) it is on FF, but being around for this long, there must be a reason for Canon. Overall, I'd say it's not that different from Canon 100 f2, and maybe slightly better than my 50 f1.4 in Resolution. Only the AF is a Bit lacking. Great for crop sensor cameras.
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0 of 10 people found the following review helpful
canon wide angle lens, ef 35mm, not wide enough, Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
1.8
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
1.0
I thought this would solve my group picture problems. NOT! The field of view is about the same as my 18-55 mm lens. I will double-check the specs before I buy another WIDE angle lens.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Not a bad little lens, Monday, 19 January 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
Have had this lens for about 2 weeks and am quite happy with it. I bought it primarily for its low-light capabilities and it hasn't disappointed me. Bokeh is very pretty. Images are clear, but I am using it on a camera with a cropped sensor (Canon 40D). I've read reviews from those who've used it on cameras with full size sensors and experienced some softness at the edges of their images but apparently this is not big issue with cropped sensor cameras.
With a cropped sensor this lens becomes a 56mm lens. It's an ideal focal length because the way it renders perspective is similar to how the human eye sees it. If I need to get closer to or further from the subject, I just use my feet to "zoom" in and out. It's perfect for taking group shots of folks in an average-sized room.
Physically, the lens is small but does not feel flimsy. It felt a bit "stiff" when attaching it to the camera, which I was not expecting. I just had to turn it a bit harder than expected and everything was fine. I also purchased a step-up ring with the lens so I could use my 58mm filters on it.
It definitely sounds like a mosquito when focusing. But you get used to it.
True to other reports I'd read the images are lacking somewhat in Contrast and saturation. If your camera has custom user settings you should be able to correct these shortcomings in-camera by creating a setting for this lens. Otherwise, there may be some minor post-processing work you'll need to do.
For the money, this is not a bad little lens.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Great value, Saturday, 03 January 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
4.0
Great image quality, the only cons are focusing in low light, and noise(loud). I found the 50mm f1.8 is a little better at focusing in low light without the flash.
With that said, you can adapt to the slow focus the more you use it and still get great shots. Great color and contrast.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Fantastic all-around lens!, Thursday, 27 November 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
Just a short note... When I upgraded to a DSLR system from my old-school 35mm, I was used to a nice standard 50mm f1.8. Well, digital doesn't roll quite the same way since you convert all of your factors for us Rebel/40D users. After conversion, this lens offers 56mm measurement, a very close range to my older 35mm SLRs. When I bought this lens and the 50mm f1.4, I barely ever used that 50mm, designed for portraits, and an outstanding job it does. But the 35 is terrific for shooting outdoors or with family and friends, and takes a terrific photograph for a fair price. I highly suggest trying this lens out.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Excellent lens, Monday, 29 September 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
great lens for working at a relatively wide angle with a large aperture, i use this along with the nifty 50 to get most things done, havent had any issues with it yet.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Basic 35mm lens, Friday, 13 June 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is a great low priced prime lens. While it lacks any zoom, it has a great DOF and crisp clear image. It is a bit noisy, but more than makes up for it with quality and small size. Highly recommended entry level lens for quick easy photos, and that old 35mm experience and shot.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Having F2 is inspiring-it adds so many creative op, Thursday, 12 June 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I find myself using this lens more and more. I love using an F2 aperture. It opens up a whole new world of creativity. You can make ordinary scenes become extraordinary. You can blur out backgrounds and make your subject pop off the screen/print. But, be warned, you will need fast shutter speeds so your pics will not be overexposed. I was shooting wide open in daylight today and sometimes the camera had to choose a shutter speed of 8000! That is my 40d's maximum shutter speed. So, if you have a Rebel (Max. shutter speed of 4000), you may have to use a slightly smaller aperture or screw on an ND filter/polarize to ensure your pics aren't over exposed.
I have tried taking pics at F2 through F22 and this lens is pretty sharp at all apertures. Like most lenses it is slightly sharper when stopped down a bit but F2 is very useable!
About focusing...many people have mentioned how loud it is. This will not be an issue if you are shooting outside. You won't even notice the noise. But, inside, in a church, you will be getting some funny looks. But, there is always manual focus for more discrete situations. Just remember to flick the switch. You can't focus manually when you are on auto focus.
It has taken a little time for me to get used to using a fixed focal length lens. I, like most us , have been spoiled by zooms. But, it is nice to have almost no distortion and be able to take pics in available room light (while keeping a low iso like 200 or 400) This lens also gives you something no Canon zoom can give you. Apertures below 2.8.
This lens is so light you don't even feel it on your camera. Much better for your neck after an 8 hour day of walking around taking pics. For the first time in a long time I have gotten brave and left my 17-40 L and my 70-200 L at home. This lens can't do everything but it can do a lot of things so it makes a great walk around lens.
If I need to take a pic with something that is pretty far away I use my 40'd's live view and magnify the screen 10 times. This is an excellent way to tell if I am focused properly. Once the focus is set, I go back to looking though the viewfinder. Then, when I crop the image and zoom in the part I need, it is very sharp. You lose a little bit of file size but hey, that is a small price to pay to only have to carry around one very small and light lens.
I have only had this lens for about a week. So far I really like it. Having a sharp F2 was the main reason I chose this lens. I have a feeling this will stay on my camera more than my L lenses. It is nice to know I have a good lens to handle indoor situations. Sure, I can always crank up the ISO on my other L lenses but it is sooo nice to shoot indoors and never go above ISO 400. The pic quality is really great.
If you are used to zooms there will be a little bit of an adjustment period. You will feel limited at first and then you will adapt your technique to exploit the most from this lens. I love it and highly recommend it. The price is great and the image quality for the most part is impressive.
I also own the 50mm 1.8. I don't find that focal length very useful. (Because I don't do a lot of portraits) I always feel boxed in. 35mm is a lot better focal length for me.
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A Sweet Little Lens, Sunday, 06 April 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
3.0
While this lens is not perfect, it is lightweight and does a fairly good job. Using it on a Canon 5D, it takes good landscape and architectural images. Its size is amazing in its compactness and lightness. It is fairly sharp from edge to edge and has distance indicators meaning one can set the lens to manual and use it with preset Hyperfocal distance. The lens itself is noisy and without USM, it is not as smooth in focusing as a more expensive lens. But for the price, it is highly recommended for those days when carrying a heavier lens just is not an option.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Not as good as zoom, Sunday, 06 January 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
3.0
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
3.0
I returned this lens after comparing it to my Canon 24-105. It wasn't as good, in the center or the corners.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Wonderful lens, Friday, 04 January 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I've been wanting a prime lens for my Canon Rebel XTi that is "normal" - similar to a 50mm on old SLRs - and this is it. I love the sharpness, color saturation, and contrast! Taking photos of average scenes makes them pop out.
You can do handheld 1/30 sec shots at F2 since it's 35mm and lightweight: lock the camera against your cheek and snap.
I have the Canon f1.4 50 mm USM which on a Rebel (with its crop factor) is nice for portraits but this 35mm is more useful.
