Canon 35mm F/2 vs Canon 50mm F/1.4

Justin_Kerby

Justin_Kerby

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I have the Canon 50mm 1.8 but auto focusing is not the best and manual focus ring is a nightmare.
Would like to upgrade but can't decide between the -
35mm F/2
50mm F/1.4

Heard the 50mm f/1.4 has some build issues so was thinking of getting the 35mm , any views?
 
the 35mm f2 is a fantastic lens, it's my most used lens at home. centre is pin sharp even wide open, which is exactly what fast primes should do.

but the 35 f2 won't solve your lack of manual focus override problem. It also require to flip the AF/MF switch.
 
Saw that there are quite good reviews on the Sigma 30mm F/1.4 and as I am finding the 50mm 1.8 a bit constrictive would it be a good upgrade?
 
I had a Siggy 30mm f1.4 when I had a Canon APS-C and I found it to be very good. The HSM allows full time manual focus, a minor point being that I found that the focus ring felt rather gritty in use. I tried another in a shop and it was just the same so I think it's a case of "They're all like that guv."

As with other Sigma lenses there's much talk of focusing issues. All I can say is I never ever had a problem with focus that wasn't user error. If you can get past the usual Sigma QC internet panic the 30mm f1.4 is well worth a look IMVHO.
 
Thanks, I think for the money it is possibly the best in its area. I know the Ls are brilliant but cannot afford them.
Friend had the Canon 35mm F2 and liked it until it fell apart on him. Might be just his but put me off. He also said it sounded like a tractor when it was in autofocus and did not have a manual override, which points me towards the Siggy 30mm 1.4.

Canon 50 1.8 is good but I have 3 kids and means I have to backup quite a bit to get them all in and wife says one day I will backup to far and dissapear (not sure if she would be unhappy or happy about that).
 
Out fo the two i much prefer the 35 f/2. I always found it sharp wide open, and more to the point usable outdoors wide open. I cant say the same about the 50mm f/1.4 on a crop body. On my 5D its a bit better.
Due to me not really liking the 50mm on my 60D i also got a 40mm f/2.8 Pancake lens. This is cheap, very sharp from wide open, and more importantly for me it focuses closer than the Canon 50mm lenses. Handy if sitting at a table in a restaurant (for example). Its a stop slower than the 35 f/2 though.

I had 3 copies of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, all had issues. Its pot luck with that lens IME buts a fantastic lens if you get a decent copy and would be my choice again if going from a 50mm f/1.8 (as i did).
 
dave_bass5 said:
I had 3 copies of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, all had issues. Its pot luck with that lens IME buts a fantastic lens if you get a decent copy and would be my choice again if going from a 50mm f/1.8 (as i did).
Click to expand...

I think it's probably also body related. I used mine on a 20D and I read on one of the review sites that their 20D had fewer front / back focus issues with third party lenses than any other Canon body they used to test with.

I've owned several Siggy lenses, all without issue, and that could be more Canon body than Siggy lens QC.

My current DSLR is a 5D and again I have no problems what so ever with Siggy 50 and 85mm f1.4's, the 50mm at least being the subject of much internet forum focus woe.
 
At the time i had a 350D, not the most accurate of cameras i guess. Sigma did email a PDF article explaining why that type of lens wasn't a good idea on a camera with that focusing system, but to be honest i felt it was faulty lenses rather incompatibility.
The first was soft down one side, the second seemed better but i felt it was soft overall so i gave up and got a 50mm f/1.4. I tried again about a year later with a 30D and it seemed much better, indoors, I got 100's of great shots with it but it was miss focusing at smaller apertures like f/8 outdoors over about 15-20 foot. I got rid of it and got the 35 f/2 and was very happy with it.
I still have the 50mm and although i felt it wasnt great on my crop cameras i love it on my 5DMKIII.
 
Now you have worried me with the Siggy. Thinking maybe keep the 50mm 1.8 (as was going to sell to finance siggy buy) and get the canon 35mm F/2 as well and cover all bases. The 50mm 1.8 is great for portrait but for a table shot of the kids in a restaurant on a crop it is just to narrow.
 
Yup, don't be worried.

I had one on a 30D. Brand new and its probably one of the sharpest lenses I ever had....and I didn't try multiple copies to get a good one!
 
Haven't been on long enough to access classifieds yet, unfortunately. Will wait as heard there are very good bargains on the classifieds from friends already on this site, just need 60 days.
 
I'm looking to get the canon 50mm 1.4 too, but I've heard about the AF motor giving out quite easily. Just a case of the internet blowing issues out of proportion? I'd like to hear about others experience.
 
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