Nifty Fifty v Canon 35mm f2

[slimboy fat]

Other than the difference in focal length, can anyone tell me how the 35mm f2 compares to the nifty.

I'm thinking of getting a 35mm f2 instead of my nifty and wondered if it would be a wise move with regards to build and image quality.

Looking forward to your fact-based opinions.;)

[sleepo]

For a crop body (like your 40D) I prefer the look of 35mm to that of 50mm. I use the 35mm f/2 on my 5D2 and 7D and love it.

There's also the 30mm f/1.4 Sigma which gets good reviews (notwithstanding some focus issues with specific copies of the lens).

In terms of build quality the 35 f/2 is like the 50 f/1.8 mk1 - i.e. plastic body with metal mount. Obviously it's not an L-like tank, but it's pocketable and I quite like it :-)

I'm happy with image quality, here's a sample from a Christmas market (taken on a 5D2, so your camera will see the centre portion of the frame, i.e. the sharper bit!):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/4130005441_92b974e5ba.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenhildrey/4130005441/)

edit: there's one for sale on here at a good price, too (not mine).