non-L lenses

[Exhaust]

I once thought of trading off my 24-70L as well, but then I realize that the 24-70L is a very decent zoom lens. The bokeh rendition is sweet, nice focal length, just the right weight and balance... no substitute at all.

yea, IMHO the 24-70L is a very 'safe' lens, considering the range, bokeh and image quality. so it's really a keeper for me.

 

[2evans]

50 1.8 is cheap, small and very light so it's easy to carry it around. Makes a fairly light hit to the wallet if you want to try out primes.

 

[sinned79]

I once thought of trading off my 24-70L as well, but then I realize that the 24-70L is a very decent zoom lens. The bokeh rendition is sweet, nice focal length, just the right weight and balance... no substitute at all.

it's the weight and the external zoom (i prefer internal zoom like 17-40) that puts me off. nevertheless this lens is very popular among wedding photographers.

 

[yrh0413]

it's the weight and the external zoom (i prefer internal zoom like 17-40) that puts me off. nevertheless this lens is very popular among wedding photographers.

haha 24-70 with internal zoom, we will end up with a lens as long as 70-200 and as fat as 70-300!

 

[Snoweagle]

haha 24-70 with internal zoom, we will end up with a lens as long as 70-200 and as fat as 70-300!

The 70-200 f/2.8 variants are also fat what.

 

[Anson]

haha 24-70 with internal zoom, we will end up with a lens as long as 70-200 and as fat as 70-300!

With it's hood, you don't see alot of the zoom from the outside.. haha

 

[ahboy168]

Better sell your 24-70 before mk2 is out hahaaha
They should make it short and fat like the new 70-300L.

 

[Exhaust]

Better sell your 24-70 before mk2 is out hahaaha
They should make it short and fat like the new 70-300L.

there's gonna be a 24-70L MKII??! dam... canon is sucking me dry lolxxx

just did a couple of portraits with my friend's 50L and omg... it's godlike.. the whole build quality and IQ is dam nice!!!! zz... poisoning my mind lolx although I still feel that the 50 1.4 can do a good job as well haha

 

[ShaneKua]

I initially bought Sigma primes - 24 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, thinking they are an interim measure before I get my L prime versions of those focal length.

They ending up being so good that I’m probably not gonna change. Especially the 50 and the 85 - superb bokeh and colour and really good AF speed. Both the 50L and 85L focus at glacier-slow speeds, which could be a detriment to events shooting if you aren’t used to it.

I’ll be keeping those two definitely.

 

[jonathann]

50mm f1.8 is a noisy lens with harsh bokeh. other than that its a good value for money lens. however the focusing is really noisy.

the f1.4 variant is slightly better with regards to the focusing.

 

[Exhaust]

I initially bought Sigma primes - 24 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, thinking they are an interim measure before I get my L prime versions of those focal length.

They ending up being so good that I’m probably not gonna change. Especially the 50 and the 85 - superb bokeh and colour and really good AF speed. Both the 50L and 85L focus at glacier-slow speeds, which could be a detriment to events shooting if you aren’t used to it.

I’ll be keeping those two definitely.

thx for sharing! to be honest I havnt done much research on other brand lenses cause I felt that it's best and ideal to collect a suit of canon series lenses. but I guess I should go check them out too

btw how much did u pay for them? wanna compare prices a bit hahha

 

[ShaneKua]

thx for sharing! to be honest I havnt done much research on other brand lenses cause I felt that it's best and ideal to collect a suit of canon series lenses. but I guess I should go check them out too

btw how much did u pay for them? wanna compare prices a bit hahha

Prices for Local sets with the 2.5 year warranty are around $800 for the 50 1.4 and $1400 for the 85 1.4

If you get grey sets (only 1 year store warranty) the price will be around $600 and $1090 respectively.

 

[Far far away]

I initially bought Sigma primes - 24 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.4, thinking they are an interim measure before I get my L prime versions of those focal length.

They ending up being so good that I’m probably not gonna change. Especially the 50 and the 85 - superb bokeh and colour and really good AF speed. Both the 50L and 85L focus at glacier-slow speeds, which could be a detriment to events shooting if you aren’t used to it.

I’ll be keeping those two definitely.

Agree very much with Shane! I have the 30, 50 and 70-200 from Sigma and they shine on my 60D! Absolutely love them! Thinking to buy the 85 as well. Save save save....

 

[ahboy168]

I own a few sigma ex lens before, and I think they are really good. But somehow, I found there is some "magic" missing compare to L lens, especially the color tone.

 

[Snoweagle]

I own a few sigma ex lens before, and I think they are really good. But somehow, I found there is some "magic" missing compare to L lens, especially the color tone.

Agree, but the colour on Sigma's EX series of lenses are also not too far away from Canon's Ls so it's already quite impressive.

 

[giantcanopy]

hi guys my current set-up are:
-5D mk II
-24-70 f2.8L
-580EX MK II

I am thinking of trying prime lenses but kinda short of funds at the moment. through my search on the net and watching countless reviews.. it seems that the 50mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 are both very highly regarded non-L lenses.

anyone here uses them? what are your critiques on these lenses? and what other prime lenses would u recommend?

thanks

I have tried a copy of 50mmf1.8 on the 5D2 before. Very light weight and off hand pics do not disappoint, and I thought the rendition of the background blur was lovely as well. Never tried the 85f1.8 before but I own the 135L. I would think a used copy of 135L can be a good budget alternative. Focuses really fast, and rather lightweight as well.

Ryan

 

[Minglink]

Agree, but the colour on Sigma's EX series of lenses are also not too far away from Canon's Ls so it's already quite impressive.

Sigma EX prime lens are indeed good. Only complain is the focusing issue which i face in each and every Sigma prime lens i bought in the past so i sold them off and stick back to Canon lens.

 

[Snoweagle]

Sigma EX prime lens are indeed good. Only complain is the focusing issue which i face in each and every Sigma prime lens i bought in the past so i sold them off and stick back to Canon lens.

I've not used Sigma's prime lenses so can't comment, but my 12-24 have no issues in focusing, except in very low light.

 

[Minglink]

I've not used Sigma's prime lenses so can't comment, but my 12-24 have no issues in focusing, except in very low light.

Sigma ultra wide lens are also something interesting to look into. 12-24 is so wide on FF and 8-16 on crop is also as wide.

Recently i bought the EF 15mm fisheyes lens 2nd hand and i find it very good in sharpness and resolution.

 

[Minglink]

I am a prime lover. The reason is simple, primes are fine-tuned for a particular focal length.... no zoom can achieve that level of fine-tuning.... technically and mechanically that is too challenging to achieve in production line of the factory.

85mm f/1.8 is probably the best non L lens. Absolutely great with nice creamy bookeh.

50mm f/1.8 is the cheapest lens from Canon line-up. Cheap does not necessarily mean bad, however, don't expect too much in $120. Bookeh of 50mm f/1.8 is harsh.

If you need better 50mm, just get 50mm f/1.4 ... this lens is almost same to 85mm counterpart.

Then another gem in canon prime is 24mm f/2.8 (I do not have now, wish to have one day)

35mm f/2 is not so great but I am happy with it.

Hi, may i know why is the EF 24mm f2.8 a gem? I am looking at 28 f1.8 as i am looking to get a wide angle prime too. Thanks.