New wide angle lens for FF

[alexturton]

I'm looking for a new wide angle lens for 5dmkiii for landscapes.

I'm selling a sigma 24 70 hsm because generally I find its not sharp enough and the af is slow. I have 35, 50 and 85 covered by wide aperture primes so I'm not to bothered with the zoom anymore either.

The options I'm considering are

Canon 16 35 f2.8 ii
Canon 24 f1.4 ii

Any thoughts on these two lenses? Or any other ideas to cover wide angle landscapes?

Thanks
Alex

[Spooky]

Hi Alex,

Not sure that a fast AF is a big deal in landscape shooting, I now use live view for getting focus and composition nailed.

if you like primes, give the 24 TSE lens some consideration. It is pricey and manual focussing, but for landscape, giving focal plane (depth control) and sharpness, it's hard to better.
I use a 17-40 at the moment without complaint, although the corners could be better. Some have said it is sharper and is certainly cheaper, than the 16-35.
I am intrigued with the rumours regarding a Canon 12-24...
Other folks rate the Samyang wides or you could adapt a Nikon 14-24, both of course would be manual.

[Albi86]

Other folks rate the Samyang wides or you could adapt a Nikon 14-24, both of course would be manual.

+1

[infared]

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 ZE....incredible lens.
Check this review...scroll down to the first set of evergreen tree branches comparison. The lens blows away anything Canon wide open.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Zeiss-21mm-f-2.8-ZE-Distagon-Lens-Review.aspx

Zeiss does not get every Len "right" but this is one of their best.
I own one and cherish it....and I am currently saving up for their new 15mm ZE...another lens that they have really gotten right.

I think the 24mm TSE is good too....never used one tho. One of the Sam Yangs is supposed to be good for the money too. I just can't remember which one.
Waiting for the Canon zoom could be forever and then the price is sure to be a jaw dropper...you could and their is no guarantee what quality that lens may hold for us...Canon has a tough time with wide angle lenses.

[scrappydog]

I have the 24/1.4 II and it is sharp.  It's a versatile lens at f/1.4.  I haven't shot with the 16-35, so I cannot comment on it. 

Outside of the two options you presented, the TS-E 24 II is my absolute favorite landscape lens.  It is manual only and not as fast as the 24/1.4, but it is very sharp with virtually no CA or barrel distortion.  I have taken plenty of good landscape shots without tilting or shifting, but those options exist too.

[yablonsky]

I can recommend the 17-40. Stopped down to f8 it's sharp enough for landscapes and wide enough of course.
It's light and nice to use.

[alexturton]

I'm tilting towards the 24 1.4 because I can see the extra 2 stops being useful. Does anyone have any example shots of the 24mm @ 1.4?

[ncsa]

For landscapes you will of course be stopping down so that opens up more lens choice but if you are also looking for low light work then the 24 1.4 is a great option.

I find that 24mm is not wide enough on FF and use the 17-40 but also the TS-E 24 which is really worth its cost - the movements on the new TS-E models really do provide flexibility and I am finding I use the 17-40 less and less, it will also depend on your budget too.

- TS-E 24 II
- 17-40
- 24 1.4

- TS-E 17 (but not easy to adapt for filter use)

[wayno]

I find zooms very useful for landscapes. The 24 1.4 is great but somewhat limiting. The 24-70ii is a better choice as most landscapes are not shallow apertures and I believe it is marginally sharper.

The 17-40 is perfectly good too.

[ecka]

I'm not sure if 24/1.4L'II could be THE landscaping lens. I'd rather get Zeiss 21/2.8, unless you really need that f/1.4 aperture or AF. However, if I had the money, I would go straight for TS-E 24/3.5L'II or TS-E 17/4L (can't use regular filters).
Samyang T-S 24/3.5UMC is coming soon and it may be something worth waiting for. Their 14/2.8UMC (can't use regular filters) has strong and complicated distortion, but all the rest about this lens is just beautiful.
16-35L'II is not perfect corner-to-corner wide-open, but it is pretty competitive at f/5.6+ and its zoom-ability may be a huge advantage for many people. However, I don't find it to be a smart choice as a dedicated landscaping lens.

[RGF]

I'm not sure if 24/1.4L'II could be THE landscaping lens. I'd rather get Zeiss 21/2.8, unless you really need that f/1.4 aperture or AF. However, if I had the money, I would go straight for TS-E 24/3.5L'II or TS-E 17/4L (can't use regular filters).
Samyang T-S 24/3.5UMC is coming soon and it may be something worth waiting for. Their 14/2.8UMC (can't use regular filters) has strong and complicated distortion, but all the rest about this lens is just beautiful.
16-35L'II is not perfect corner-to-corner wide-open, but it is pretty competitive at f/5.6+ and its zoom-ability may be a huge advantage for many people. However, I don't find it to be a smart choice as a dedicated landscaping lens.

Both TSE are very sharp.   To go ultra wide consider the 14mm

[jonsjons]

For landscapes, consider the Samyang 24mm f/1.4; it's a very sharp lens and you won't need AF when working on a tripod.  In fact, you could pick up the Samyang and the Canon 17-40 for less than a 16-35...

[shutterwideshut]

Get the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II. This lens creates a lot of creative opportunities! 

[dilbert]

Get a real wide angle lens that works and buy a Leica prime with an adapter.

[scrappydog]

I'm tilting towards the 24 1.4 because I can see the extra 2 stops being useful. Does anyone have any example shots of the 24mm @ 1.4?

I don't have any at f/1.4.  It is a little soft, even with AFMA, at f/1.4.  This is not suprising.  If you'd like to see some shots taken with mine, here is my 24/1.4 set on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/68498746@N08/sets/72157629087628057/