Just what does a Canon L prime get me?

M

M4FFU

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Matt
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Yes
...other than a large dent in my bank balance, of course.

This is more theoretical, than anything, but I'd want to know - bar obvious difference in aperture and focal length - what putting a 35 1.4 on my 450D would give me, compared to a 28 1.8.

I can see it's built like a BSH, but is the sharpness, colour rendition, contrast, saturation that much better than the normal USM prime? Is it build quality where the premium is factored in? Will there be a noticeable different, at a similar aperture of a picture taken on a crop sensor'd Canon with an EF USM prime, and L prime?

Yours, curious of Herts. :cool:
 
A bight red end

I don't think it's the ultimate aim to get an L. But if it's what you need then unfortunately you have to stump up the cash.
 
The build quality is pretty brilliant, and it's nice having the red band...
On the larger L lenses, you get a off white lens...
 
I would guess the cost is a combination of build quality and even tighter tolerances in the lens manufacturing process. A lot of time and effort/machinery goes into even a cheap lens and to improve the quality of the lens is probably diminshing returns stuff.

Whether the difference is very noticeable and even more importantly whether the difference justifies the cost is something you would have to answer after trying one.
 
SsSsSsSsSnake said:
id like to know too:)was considering the 28mm 1.8
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I read more negativity regarding this lens when it was looking at it, and the Sigma 30. I have FF intensions, so stayed with the Canon kit. If you believe what you read, I seem to have the only 28 1.8 in the entire world that's lovely at 1.8.

I must be lucky. ;)

--

And thanks guys - I guess I'll skip over L primes for now. :D
 
M4FFU said:
I read more negativity regarding this lens when it was looking at it, and the Sigma 30. I have FF intensions, so stayed with the Canon kit. If you believe what you read, I seem to have the only 28 1.8 in the entire world that's lovely at 1.8.

I must be lucky. ;)
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No ,there's two of us :lol:
 
One of the best primes is the 50mm f1.8.

Incredibly sharp from f2.8 onwards and can be had new under £100.

"The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens' strongest quality is its sharpness. Sharpness performance wide open (f/1.8) is decent, but the Canon 50 f/1.8 is very sharp at f/2.8 and beyond. It is slightly sharper than even the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens.":

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.8-II-Lens-Review.aspx

.
 
petersmart said:
One of the best primes is the 50mm f1.8.

Incredibly sharp from f2.8 onwards and can be had new under £100.

"The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens' strongest quality is its sharpness. Sharpness performance wide open (f/1.8) is decent, but the Canon 50 f/1.8 is very sharp at f/2.8 and beyond. It is slightly sharper than even the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens.":

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.8-II-Lens-Review.aspx

.
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One of the best value perhaps, but not one of the best overall.
 
grotty said:
One of the best value perhaps, but not one of the best overall.
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Well I have one and can confirm how good it is even on my 1Ds MkII.

Check the charts here against some other lenses:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...CameraComp=0&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

The main criticisms usually leveled against it are poor bokeh, slow AF motor and poor build, but when you compare the price difference with any other lens of comparable sharpness (if you can even find one) it wins hands down.

.
 
I have the sigma 1.4 and I'm sure the canon L glass is far better but I wouldn't get the value for money out of it tbh
quite like the look of the 28mm 1.8 though, although I'd run it right at the 1.8 edge and I fancied the 1.4 for that tiny bit more light when needed (gigs etc)
 
petersmart said:
Well I have one and can confirm how good it is even on my 1Ds MkII.

Check the charts here against some other lenses:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...CameraComp=0&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

The main criticisms usually leveled against it are poor bokeh, slow AF motor and poor build, but when you compare the price difference with any other lens of comparable sharpness (if you can even find one) it wins hands down.

.
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Yes I have one too so I don't need to check any charts and your last statement sums it up 'when you compare the price difference...'

So, you're actually agreeing with me; it's one of the best value primes, but not one of the best overall.
 
It all depends in what you can afford IMO, if you can afford it go for it, if you make money from photography and again can afford if go for it. I dont have any L gear but I have used alot of them through friends and renting and I can tell you it is qaulity. You dont need L gear to do photography, but its great if you can afford it.

Some of the wider aperture lens in Canons rage think 2.8 zooms and less than 1.4 primes are Ls there fore if you need this kind of fast glass then L is a must for you.

Peter while I agree the 50mm 1.8 is a great lens for the money I wouldnt say its the be all and end all, what if you need faster than 1.8? I have used the 50mm 1.2 and it is sheer awsomeness, but with a price tag of £1000 its a no go. The AF on the 1.8 IS slow and IS noisey I dont mind the bokeh TBH.
 
petersmart said:
One of the best primes is the 50mm f1.8.

Incredibly sharp from f2.8 onwards and can be had new under £100.

"The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens' strongest quality is its sharpness. Sharpness performance wide open (f/1.8) is decent, but the Canon 50 f/1.8 is very sharp at f/2.8 and beyond. It is slightly sharper than even the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens.":

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.8-II-Lens-Review.aspx

.
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I don't buy a 1.8 prime to have to use it at 2.8 to get it sharp. Might as well buy a 2.8 zoom! My 100 f/2 is silly sharp wide open.

Think I might rent a 35L over the summer as a treat, but I suspect I won't get much different result that my EF USM primes.
 
M4FFU said:
Think I might rent a 35L over the summer as a treat, but I suspect I won't get much different result that my EF USM primes.
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You'll get quite a different result if you want to shoot at 35mm f/1.4 though ;)

The 35L is also an EF USM lens by the way.
 
M4FFU said:
Think I might rent a 35L over the summer as a treat, but I suspect I won't get much different result that my EF USM primes.
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LOL, bad idea because you will want one like you lost an arm afterwards.

It is not a Part of the "Holy Trinity" for nothing :p
 
grotty said:
The 35L is also an EF USM lens by the way.
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Aye. I meant non L but not the old 35/2-esque primes. :D

Raymond - I can probably put the money better to use getting a 15-85 and a 430 EX II. But one day, maybe. Till then, I'll go give my 28 1.8 a hug. :naughty:
 
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