LongLensPhotography
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I couldn't say I'm getting absolutely the most of my 5ds with 24-70mm f/2.8 II at the said focal length for my landscapes. It's fine and very convenient, but for some reason not ideal towards the edges. Canon has once said it is 100% so we'll have to leave it at that. Likewise 35mm Sigma ART also destroys it pixel for pixel.
Would I be happy with this for some landscapes and an occasional close-up details shot or environmental portrait? (Say at f/5.6-9 and 2.8-2.0, respectively).
What I am really looking for is clinical sharpness and reasonable enough build quality, the bokeh is a very distant secondary concern as it will be stopped down most of the time.
I know Sigma ART is a better lens, but do I need to spend this much when it won't be really used wide open for the most part and the end of life of the EF mount is another story.
I guess I'd like to primarily hear from landscape, architecture and product shooters with high MP bodies please.
edit / addendum:
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I have now received the lens and it looks a like good & clean copy so I'll share my first quick observations for the major aperture settings on 50MP Canon 5Ds:
Sharpness:
f/1.8 - the centre has decent sharpness, but the contrast is low and purple fringing is very prominent. Corners are very soft. It is essentially for emergency use only.
f/2.8 - a big improvement in contrast and sharpness in the mid-areas, but towards the edges it remains soft. It would be OK for portrait or close up shot if carefully framed and focused.
f/4 - it starts looking really good here although corners are OK but not perfect. I would prefer this over camera shake or noisier shot at f/5.6, otherwise go up. On 2XMP this should be excellent.
f/5.6-8 - no complaints, sharp throughout.
Bokeh:
Avoid highlights, shoot fairly open aperture and it will be acceptable. Highlights are transformed into bright circles with an even brighter outline which in my opinion looks awful. I don't care much about that so that's for general information only.
Focusing:
For anyone coming from USM-powered lenses the first difference to note is fly-by-wire operation. The ring triggers internal motor that turns the optics inside. That means it has some lag and less precision.
AF is slightly more noisy than USM but nowhere near as intrusive as the old screw motor. AF precision seems to be good enough from around f/2.8 or f/4 but it appears to be going slightly back and forward all the time in AI-servo mode and can't completely makes its mind up, and it appears like its going in bigger steps than USM. This means expect things to be a little out of focus at already soft f/1.8 setting. So that's another reason to stop it down.
Video:
I don't know and don't really care to be honest but I will do the basics particularly if softer look is desirable. Mediocre bokeh, slower AF and purple fringing would put me off a little personally and I'd get my 24-70mm every time (or opt for Sigma ART).
Conclusion:
I think this ticks the boxes as a landscape lens and it performs really well from f/5.6 (or f/4 on lower MP bodies). Considering size and weight it is a good backup for other lenses to have in the kit bag, and may be the go to lens for when critical sharpness is required at around 50mm.
The main advantage over Sigma art is the price and tiny footprint, ie, I don't have to think if I have space left in the bag to take it.
Would I be happy with this for some landscapes and an occasional close-up details shot or environmental portrait? (Say at f/5.6-9 and 2.8-2.0, respectively).
What I am really looking for is clinical sharpness and reasonable enough build quality, the bokeh is a very distant secondary concern as it will be stopped down most of the time.
I know Sigma ART is a better lens, but do I need to spend this much when it won't be really used wide open for the most part and the end of life of the EF mount is another story.
I guess I'd like to primarily hear from landscape, architecture and product shooters with high MP bodies please.
edit / addendum:
---------------------
I have now received the lens and it looks a like good & clean copy so I'll share my first quick observations for the major aperture settings on 50MP Canon 5Ds:
Sharpness:
f/1.8 - the centre has decent sharpness, but the contrast is low and purple fringing is very prominent. Corners are very soft. It is essentially for emergency use only.
f/2.8 - a big improvement in contrast and sharpness in the mid-areas, but towards the edges it remains soft. It would be OK for portrait or close up shot if carefully framed and focused.
f/4 - it starts looking really good here although corners are OK but not perfect. I would prefer this over camera shake or noisier shot at f/5.6, otherwise go up. On 2XMP this should be excellent.
f/5.6-8 - no complaints, sharp throughout.
Bokeh:
Avoid highlights, shoot fairly open aperture and it will be acceptable. Highlights are transformed into bright circles with an even brighter outline which in my opinion looks awful. I don't care much about that so that's for general information only.
Focusing:
For anyone coming from USM-powered lenses the first difference to note is fly-by-wire operation. The ring triggers internal motor that turns the optics inside. That means it has some lag and less precision.
AF is slightly more noisy than USM but nowhere near as intrusive as the old screw motor. AF precision seems to be good enough from around f/2.8 or f/4 but it appears to be going slightly back and forward all the time in AI-servo mode and can't completely makes its mind up, and it appears like its going in bigger steps than USM. This means expect things to be a little out of focus at already soft f/1.8 setting. So that's another reason to stop it down.
Video:
I don't know and don't really care to be honest but I will do the basics particularly if softer look is desirable. Mediocre bokeh, slower AF and purple fringing would put me off a little personally and I'd get my 24-70mm every time (or opt for Sigma ART).
Conclusion:
I think this ticks the boxes as a landscape lens and it performs really well from f/5.6 (or f/4 on lower MP bodies). Considering size and weight it is a good backup for other lenses to have in the kit bag, and may be the go to lens for when critical sharpness is required at around 50mm.
The main advantage over Sigma art is the price and tiny footprint, ie, I don't have to think if I have space left in the bag to take it.
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