Thinking of replacing my Canon 17-40mm L with a 20mm f/2.8

[Anorakus]

I've had my 17-40 L for a few years now and have recently been using it on holiday. It's always bugged me that this lens is not particularly sharp away from the centre, especially when zoomed towards the 40mm end. To be fair, it only really becomes apparent when pixel-peeping, and it doesn't help that I've been using it alongside my 24-70 L which is pin-sharp across the range I assume the lens is optimised for the 17mm end, and to get a consistent level of performance on an ultra wide-angle zoom would mean spending megabucks on the 16-35mm L

Given that I really bought the lens for its wide-angle capabilities (I'm using it on a 5D mk II), I was thinking of replacing it with a 20mm f/2.8. Not an L, and not quite as wide, but being a prime it should be nice and sharp

Anyone done this, or can give any feedback on the 20mm?

A.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Not sure the 20mm would be any better than your current lens at that focal length, in fact might not be as good. Would also lose the versatility of going down to 17mm when required.

My daughter found to gain a meaningful improvment in IQ over the 17-40mm she had to buy the 24mm 1.4 L (glad she did as I get to use the 17-40mm now)