Hold out for EF 35/2 IS or jump in with classic 35 1.4L

[Ew]

I've been lusting for the 35/1.4 since I gave away (to old friend w new baby - shooting w T2i) my 2nd 28/1.8 in July. Just as I was bout to pull the trigger - whammo - options options.

Many rumors of updates for the ol' 35 but that was not an issue for me as it is a great lens - Now!

In comparison, I shoot the 50/1,4 at 2.0+ most of the time. Opening up in really bad light.

In a bizzare state of excitement and confusion over this one. I'll hold off for a couple of days to cool down a bit and review in a sane state of mind.

It doesn't seem that the new 35/2 IS would be a replacement for the 1.4.... Am I wrong??

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

[PackLight]

No, it is not a replacement for the 35mm f1.4L. You didn't see a red ring on the f/2 did you?

[Daniel Flather]

My 35L is awesome on the 5D3, get the 1.4L if price is not an issue.  The new 35/2IS looks nice.  Or, hold out for a few more years for the 35LII.  Buy what you want now, or you'll wait forever.

[marcosv]

I love my 35L.  But, it isn't a small lens, being fairly long.

That 35/2 IS looks a bit closer to the compactness of the 35/2 non-IS.  Could be a consideration of you got a bag full of glass.

I think the answer will be how close does the 35/2 IS gets to the 35L optically.

[AudioGlenn]

+1 vote for the 35L.  Awesome lens.  Why wait?  If you have the money and you know what you want, get what you want.  I don't see a great need for the IS, even for video.  I'm sure there's a market for it but the 35L is awesome AND it's already available.

[RLPhoto]

35L is nice, but it's not quite razor sharp until F/1.8

[Jakontil]

I didnt wait and get myself 35L n couldnt be happier since...

Now... Should i get the 24-70II in place for my 24-105?

Optically speaking, 24-105 aint great but the extra length that puts me still

[Axilrod]

Do you shoot alot of video?  I would think the 35 f/2 IS would be an APS-C video shooter's dream.  I'd honestly wait and see how the 35 f/2 performs, if it's anything like the 24 IS and 28 IS it may be worth checking out.

[SJTstudios]

The 35mm f2 will be better stopped down sharpness wise, but for 1.4-2, the 35mm 1.4 will be better, so for that light, it will be good, weight wise, we really won't see a difference, it's just a matter of what your use will be.

[tron]

35 f/2 at 900 is a complete waste of money. Get the 35 1.4L before they replace it with a $2K lens...

[Bosman]

The price is not super far off from the L however given the other new lenses they have released it probably is sharp at F2. For those merging or adding video to their work its going to be real good for that and the is may be handy for low light since its the hybrid is. The new 35 F1.4 LII that comes out, god knows when, will probably be $1800. The optics are probably designed for the future hi resolution cameras that come out in the next 5 years at least that would make sense. I personally will probably get this lens for shooting finish line shots for sports given that i sold my 24-70 and liked the 35mm focal length for that. However, I want to see reviews and learn more before dropping the cash. The compromise would also be that i would need to use a rain sleeve for my equipment shooting events in bad weather which I havent had to do with my 1dm3 and 24-70 or 70-200, still it is just smart to protect it.
new the 35L is $1,329.00
new the 35F2 is $849.00
If $500 is a lot to you then the F2 is it. Personally I'd get the F2 and if you needed more power or weather proofing built in due to using it in bad weather conditions then the L is it but then I doubt it offers much more than the F2 until or unless they get a F1.2 35mm on the books in which case bam! that would be a must buy but also be $2500 if it did see the light of day.

[sagittariansrock]

I didnt wait and get myself 35L n couldnt be happier since...

Now... Should i get the 24-70II in place for my 24-105?

Optically speaking, 24-105 aint great but the extra length that puts me still

Canon is getting rid of that extra length so people can decide more easily 

Get the 35 1.4L before they replace it with a $2K lens...

Good advice.

[gjones5252]

I have been in this same situation as this is one of the lens choices i am thinking about.
One thing i have seen is the MTF of the new 35 is quite a bit better than the L version. I dont know enough te know exactly what this means but wouldnt that be at least worth waiting? Its quite a big increase looks like....

[weilin]

I am an L addict but given the 35 F2 is available and it has a gasket seal which shocks me since that is typically reserved for L lenses.

Where did you see that the new 35mm F/2 has a gasket? I seemed to have missed that announcement

[keithfullermusic]

2.0 vs. 1.4 is vastly different.

a) 1.4-1.8 looks incredible - especially 1.4 if you get the focus right.

b) 1.4 is amazing in low light.  2.0 is really good, but that's an entire stop different.  sure, 4-stop IS is great for static objects, but if you're shooting events i think shutter speed is more important.  What would you rather have, 1.4 @ 1/50 or 2.0 @ 1/100 with people moving around?  I'd vote for the former.

c) IS is really really really nice for video, but at 35mm you aren't going to need it as much as you would at say 100mm

d) size and weight are different

e) price