I've been pining for a 35mm prime for a long while now. The 35L put me off because of cost and bulk. The old 35/2 just seemed too dated in too many ways. Now there are two new options: this sigma, and the new EF 35/2 IS. Similar price - high but doable. Sigma is significantly bulkier (twice the weight, a bit longer). Sigma has f/1.4, but Canon has IS. Tough decision.