Prime lens to go with 5D III

[RJ1020]

A dilemma here:  just got  into FF and so far I have only the 50mm 1.4 even though it's an amazing lens and works pretty good with the camera I'm looking for something wider. Since I put  most of the money getting the 5D III  i can't afford the 35L  right now. Should I go ahead and get the 28 1.8 or wait  until price and  money is right and get the 35L later?I know 35L II will be coming out but the price will be  close to 2k if not more. Is there much difference between the two?  Shoot portraits  n kids mostly. Thanks in advance

[ecka]

28/1.8USM may be good enough for kids and stuff. It's pretty soft in the corners (even blurry), so that may be a problem for landscapes on FF body. I did my little research looking for the right 28~35 prime and in conclusion I decided to try the Samyang 35/1.4UMC, because none of the Canon offerings suites me for the money it costs (european prices are sooo unreasonable). However, I think you should get the 35L for your 5D3, it would be unwise not to.

[mathino]

A dilemma here:  just got  into FF and so far I have only the 50mm 1.4 even though it's an amazing lens and works pretty good with the camera I'm looking for something wider. Since I put  most of the money getting the 5D III  i can't afford the 35L  right now. Should I go ahead and get the 28 1.8 or wait  until price and  money is right and get the 35L later?I know 35L II will be coming out but the price will be  close to 2k if not more. Is there much difference between the two?  Shoot portraits  n kids mostly. Thanks in advance

Hi,

I have EF 28 f/1.8 USM and its a great lens. I use it on 450D - its equal to 50 mil on FF. It sits on my camera most of the time. On 1.8 it has less contrast but at 2.2 its just fine. With your 5D Mk III you can bump up the ISO to compensate this. Center sharpness is great.

If you want to shoot portraits consider getting something longer as 28 mil is wide angle lens. I own EF 85 f/1.8 USM and for portraits its superb - and nice price/quality ratio. You need something longer to have nice bokeh and of course for flattering the skin/face. Wide angles often have barrel distortion and its not so pleasing for portraits.

Consider also new primes 24 f/2.8 IS USM and 28 f/2.8 IS USM. A far as Ive checked them, they look great. Consider also renting 28 mil, 50 mil and 85 mil and try which will suit you best.

[sjp010]

I have a 28/1.8 that I use on my 5D (original).  I like it quite a lot and use it more than any other lens.  The 85/1.8 is a technically better lens, but the 28/1.8 is just fine and I find the 28mm focal length more useful for me.  I recommend both lenses highly, and with your 50/1.4 you would have a great 3-prime set for full frame, for less than a 35L.

I don't find the corners of my 28/1.8 to be blurry at all - maybe I got an above average copy.  The whole frame is slightly soft at f/1.8 but sharpens up nicely at f/2.2.  I usually shoot it between 2.2 and 2.8.  The lens really likes being indoors - really outstanding with available light indoor shots.  Outdoors, harsh lighting can wash things out a bit.  Just got a lens hood for it, which seems to be cutting down flare and helping the outdoor shots - recommend a hood definitely.  Boo to Canon for not including lens hoods!

[mathino]

I have a 28/1.8 that I use on my 5D (original).  I like it quite a lot and use it more than any other lens.  The 85/1.8 is a technically better lens, but the 28/1.8 is just fine and I find the 28mm focal length more useful for me.  I recommend both lenses highly, and with your 50/1.4 you would have a great 3-prime set for full frame, for less than a 35L.

I don't find the corners of my 28/1.8 to be blurry at all - maybe I got an above average copy.  The whole frame is slightly soft at f/1.8 but sharpens up nicely at f/2.2.  I usually shoot it between 2.2 and 2.8.  The lens really likes being indoors - really outstanding with available light indoor shots.  Outdoors, harsh lighting can wash things out a bit.  Just got a lens hood for it, which seems to be cutting down flare and helping the outdoor shots - recommend a hood definitely.  Boo to Canon for not including lens hoods!

Same experiences here :-) I also shoot this 28 at 2.2-2.8 mostly, and mostly indoors. Great value lens. And ofc 85 f/1.8 USM is also great - I can recommend both of them. As for 50 mil I would rather choose 50 f/1.4 from Sigma - Ive tested it a little and it performes better (especially between 1.4-2.2 -  thats why we buy these fast primes  ).

[ecka]

I have a 28/1.8 that I use on my 5D (original).  I like it quite a lot and use it more than any other lens.  The 85/1.8 is a technically better lens, but the 28/1.8 is just fine and I find the 28mm focal length more useful for me.  I recommend both lenses highly, and with your 50/1.4 you would have a great 3-prime set for full frame, for less than a 35L.

I don't find the corners of my 28/1.8 to be blurry at all - maybe I got an above average copy.  The whole frame is slightly soft at f/1.8 but sharpens up nicely at f/2.2.  I usually shoot it between 2.2 and 2.8.  The lens really likes being indoors - really outstanding with available light indoor shots.  Outdoors, harsh lighting can wash things out a bit.  Just got a lens hood for it, which seems to be cutting down flare and helping the outdoor shots - recommend a hood definitely.  Boo to Canon for not including lens hoods!

Same experiences here :-) I also shoot this 28 at 2.2-2.8 mostly, and mostly indoors. Great value lens. And ofc 85 f/1.8 USM is also great - I can recommend both of them. As for 50 mil I would rather choose 50 f/1.4 from Sigma - Ive tested it a little and it performes better (especially between 1.4-2.2 -  thats why we buy these fast primes  ).

I would definitely recommend 28/1.8 if it was at least as good as 85/1.8 (which is sharp at f/1.8 and is like $100 cheaper). My point is - 5D3 deserves an L glass . Why buy an excellent FF camera and then put a not-so-good lens on it? I'd say, if you can't wait, then buy a used 28/1.8 till you get the money for 35L and then sell it for the same $ you paid for it.
Higher ISO does not compensate for narrower aperture, it's a compromise. Otherwise, why bother with primes if one doesn't care about DoF control?

[mathino]

I would definitely recommend 28/1.8 if it was at least as good as 85/1.8 (which is sharp at f/1.8 and is like $100 cheaper). My point is - 5D3 deserves an L glass . Why buy an excellent FF camera and then put a not-so-good lens on it? I'd say, if you can't wait, then buy a used 28/1.8 till you get the money for 35L and then sell it for the same $ you paid for it.
Higher ISO does not compensate for narrower aperture, it's a compromise. Otherwise, why bother with primes if one doesn't care about DoF control?

I see your point - 35 f/1.4 L is a stellar one. And 5D Mk III deserves that. But if he doesnt want to splash so much on 35L the 28 f/1.8 is a nice lens. Or he can buy used 35L to save some cash.

I know that higher ISO doesnt compensate for narrower appreture - Im sorry I meant this as compromise 28 f/1.8 USM lacks contrast on 1.8 and is softer - stopping down to 2.2 helps a lot.

[ecka]

I would definitely recommend 28/1.8 if it was at least as good as 85/1.8 (which is sharp at f/1.8 and is like $100 cheaper). My point is - 5D3 deserves an L glass . Why buy an excellent FF camera and then put a not-so-good lens on it? I'd say, if you can't wait, then buy a used 28/1.8 till you get the money for 35L and then sell it for the same $ you paid for it.
Higher ISO does not compensate for narrower aperture, it's a compromise. Otherwise, why bother with primes if one doesn't care about DoF control?

I see your point - 35 f/1.4 L is a stellar one. And 5D Mk III deserves that. But if he doesnt want to splash so much on 35L the 28 f/1.8 is a nice lens. Or he can buy used 35L to save some cash.

I know that higher ISO doesnt compensate for narrower appreture - Im sorry I meant this as compromise 28 f/1.8 USM lacks contrast on 1.8 and is softer - stopping down to 2.2 helps a lot.

I understand . I would love to have 35L on my 5D2, unfortunately there are some other expensive things I need to buy atm. So I may end up with Samyang for the summer, or longer if I like it .
I hope that Sigma will start producing their own 35/1.4 EX DG HSM soon and force Canon to wake up and do something about their outdated glass. Looks like Sigma 30/1.4 EX DC HSM wasn't enough, we need something for FF .

[Dylan777]

A dilemma here:  just got  into FF and so far I have only the 50mm 1.4 even though it's an amazing lens and works pretty good with the camera I'm looking for something wider. Since I put  most of the money getting the 5D III  i can't afford the 35L  right now. Should I go ahead and get the 28 1.8 or wait  until price and  money is right and get the 35L later?I know 35L II will be coming out but the price will be  close to 2k if not more. Is there much difference between the two?  Shoot portraits  n kids mostly. Thanks in advance

I owned 28mm f1.8 before(used with 60D). It kinda soft at wide open and IQ get better from f2.8 and down.

I say save your money for the "L". I used 35L from a friend last weekend, the IQ is amazing - tack sharp.

[ksuweh]

I just got my 5D III a few weeks ago & I also have the 35L. This body & lens combo is stunning!! I don't have any experience with the 28 1.8, so I can't comment on that. Look to buy a used copy of this lens if the price point is too much for you. The following link is a good place to start looking.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14&order=desc

I don't use mine for kids, but I can say that the autofocus on this lens is fast & accurate. It is one of my favorite lenses & I use it as often as I can. You won't be disappointed!!