Do you use your 35mm f1.4L often?

[kiwi2]

Been itching to get this lens... Heard about it and seen the pics.. I already own a 17-55.
but I really like the nice bokeh of the 35mm.

Wonder how often do you all shoot bigger than f/2.8 with the 35mm lens? Cos from the comments I read in other forums, some try not to shoot too wide apertures due to very limited DOF.

What sort of pics do you guys shoot this often with? I would suppose it's strength lies mainly in portraits and still life?

Would especially like to hear opinions from photogs using 1.6x FLM DSLR such as 400D, 20D, 30D etc...

Thanks for sharing!

[calebk]

I think the FoV of a 35mm on a APS-C camera is rather interesting. It gives the FoV almost equivalent to a standard lens. IMHO, it's perfectly fine to slap it on a cropped sensor camera and just bring it out for shoots, with no other lenses.

Should be quite a joy to use, as you usually can't go wrong with L primes.

[Halfmoon]

I do not have a 35mmL..... but the little bro...

I have a 35mm F2, and I use this very often in low light situation, and it gives me rather pleasing results too....... The range is close to normal lens and if you like prime, it will be fun..... I usually shoot portraits, and it is really useful.... Tend to pair it with 50mm.....

My 50mm is less used as the FOV at 80mm is too long for my liking.... but just nice for head shoulder shots....

If you can afford the 35 L, go for it. Read it is much sharper than the 24 L...... and much more consistent in the result.

It also depend on your style and shooting...... maybe renting one for testing will be useful for you to assess the lens....

[wanzw]

i have the 35 f2. i like it a lot. it stays on my 400D most of the time when i go out to shoot. i will definitely get the 35 1.4L when i get the dough. the field of view on a 1.6x i find it just nice for most of my shoots.

[Halfmoon]

Originally Posted by wanzw i have the 35 f2. i like it a lot. it stays on my 400D most of the time when i go out to shoot. i will definitely get the 35 1.4L when i get the dough. the field of view on a 1.6x i find it just nice for most of my shoots.

Only problem.... 35mm L is $2,100 like this.... I love the 35mm perspective too.....

Actually, Canon should come out like...

1. 35mm L 1.4
2. 35mm 1.8 USM
3. 35mm 2.....

And similar for the 24mm range too... I think this should be able to sell more lens.....

[CYRN]

I use Sigma 30f1.4 DC.

[Denosha]

I'm also on 1.6x crop with both the 17-55 and the 35L (i had the 35L first). First off, yes, it really is a gem of a lens. Secondly, yes, it is expensive for "just" a 35mm prime. Unfortunately, i don't really use it all that often. When shooting events the 17-55 will be on my camera most of the time due to the versatility of the zoom and the WA which is rather necessary. I do switch to the 35L if I want to go for some natural light shots though. I suspect that I would prefer the actual 35mm perspective more though.

The 35L does make a nice walk around lens though.

[LAZyNPL]

Originally Posted by kiwi2 Been itching to get this lens... Heard about it and seen the pics.. I already own a 17-55. but I really like the nice bokeh of the 35mm...

Outside assignment (where zoom is preferred), it really depends on your shooting habit...

Personally I find the bokeh on the 35L lost a bit of charm on a 1.6x crop sensor; where its full potential can only be appreciated on a FF

Its one of those lens tat make u itchy to own, but then realize it may over-kill if u r using a non FF dslr...

[wanzw]

35 1.4L is just start of all poison. soon we will ditch our 1.6x to get 1.3 or full frame bodies. lol

[louisgce]

Virus are Spreading!!!

I also save very hard for 35mm 1.4L......

[jywong]

JUST buy the 35mm f1.4 not long..
emm.. as other people say,this lens are realy sharp even f1.4..
but normaly i always shoot with f2 due to dof i need..
one thing i want to highlight is..... this lens can provide very nice color of image...L is not play play .
it very suit for indoor shoot for ff body..
1.6 crop,better up 35mm f2 first..

[lim1974]

Very fine piece of lens if you want wider angle, else get the 85mm 1.2. Both I also using.

[An drew]

Originally Posted by kiwi2 Been itching to get this lens... Heard about it and seen the pics.. I already own a 17-55. but I really like the nice bokeh of the 35mm. Wonder how often do you all shoot bigger than f/2.8 with the 35mm lens? Cos from the comments I read in other forums, some try not to shoot too wide apertures due to very limited DOF. What sort of pics do you guys shoot this often with? I would suppose it's strength lies mainly in portraits and still life? Would especially like to hear opinions from photogs using 1.6x FLM DSLR such as 400D, 20D, 30D etc... Thanks for sharing!

I think I use this lens the most among my Canon lenses. However, I leave most of my zoom work to my Nikon 18-200, when grabbing the shot is more important and I am less picky about sharpness and bokeh.

I never shoot beyond f2.0 with this lens becos I dun use it for landscape on a cropped sensor. I mainly shoot at f1.6. While the dof is thin, the fun lies in getting it right. I have the 16-35 II but I rarely use it at 35mm, preferring the 35L.

As you have mentioned, I use it mainly for portraits, still life, night & available light, mostly without flash.

Originally Posted by wanzw 35 1.4L is just start of all poison. soon we will ditch our 1.6x to get 1.3 or full frame bodies. lol

I think my cropped camera does not do justice to this lens, so going FF, even if only just for the 35L.

[kiwi2]

Originally Posted by Denosha I'm also on 1.6x crop with both the 17-55 and the 35L (i had the 35L first). First off, yes, it really is a gem of a lens. Secondly, yes, it is expensive for "just" a 35mm prime. Unfortunately, i don't really use it all that often. When shooting events the 17-55 will be on my camera most of the time due to the versatility of the zoom and the WA which is rather necessary. I do switch to the 35L if I want to go for some natural light shots though. I suspect that I would prefer the actual 35mm perspective more though. The 35L does make a nice walk around lens though.

thanx all who shared.. yes i guess it's the L BBB virus... I gotta make a good decision and not let the virus ruin my pockets! Cos like denosha, I already own the 17-55. to fork out close to 2k and shoot mainly at f/2 onwards... i'm suspecting this lens may be a hot toy for a few days but might end up a white elephant in the cabinet very soon for me... *dreads*

tink the 35mm f1.4L was much popular back in the film days where getting shot in low light is important. but these days with digital, many fast zooms, and canon cam dslrs being one of the best for least noise at high isos, it's losing appeal maybe? Unless like me, u caught the virus and want to dump cash on some glass!

arghh, bad L virus!

anyway, will decide along the way... tnx again.

[metalgear]

not just low light shooting - the colour and contrast is really L standard = Lovely !

[Denosha]

I've got to say, it's not just the colour and contrast but there's something almost magical about the output. Hard to describe it. You'll have to experience it for yourself to understand what i mean.

Anyway, to hopefully deepen the poison, here's my favourite shot that I've made with this lens:

[haagen_dazs]

i use the 35L alot
you can check out recent samples on my webpage.
July4th BBQ album was taken only with the 35 1.4

[Stratix]

i use the Sigma 30 1.4, and i say it's one of the lens that i bring around often. for events that i could mingle with, and for street, it's the best lens to use.

never mind if it's boad daylight. the bokeh really rox!

[the6thday]

After I got the 35mm F1.4L, I pretty much put aside my 17-40 F4L.

The aperture is permanently set on 1.4. DOF is super thin so autofocus has to be accurate. Some missed shots due to body movement (either mine or subject). But otherwise, I call it the magic lens. Spices up just about anything. The bokeh makes everything look so cool

[Antzzz]

I'm quite happy with my 50f1.4 and can "unzoom" by walking a little backwards!
$2,100 is too much to pay for glass, and I wonder why is canon not producing something like 35f1.8?
Still trying to fight a losing battle against the Lvirus.