Need sharp wide-open

[Zlatko]

I had hopes for the new pancake but, despite all the wonderfully sharp images being posted at f/2.8, the copy I had was optimal at f/4.5-5.6.  Today, I just tried the new 24mm f/2.8 IS, and it is quite soft at 2.8 and FoCal is recommending 4.0-5.6 for sharpness which matches what I was seeing in my images.

Of course, just about every f/2.8 lens will be sharpest at f/4.0-5.6.  I don't know of any exceptions.  So test any f/2.8 lens with FoCal and you will likely get the same recommendation.  For the better lenses, the improvement when stopping down will only be slight, but it will be measurable.  What is surprising, however, is that you got two soft lenses in a row.   

[DianeK]

I had hopes for the new pancake but, despite all the wonderfully sharp images being posted at f/2.8, the copy I had was optimal at f/4.5-5.6.  Today, I just tried the new 24mm f/2.8 IS, and it is quite soft at 2.8 and FoCal is recommending 4.0-5.6 for sharpness which matches what I was seeing in my images.

Of course, just about every f/2.8 lens will be sharpest at f/4.0-5.6.  I don't know of any exceptions.  So test any f/2.8 lens with FoCal and you will likely get the same recommendation.  For the better lenses, the improvement when stopping down will only be slight, but it will be measurable.  What is surprising, however, is that you got two soft lenses in a row.

If you knew my history of bad luck you wouldn't be at all surprised (I must be the only person who got a lemon Subaru).  I must have been a very bad person in a previous life 

[bdunbar79]

The 24L is the clear winner here, if you want to pay for it.  A tilt-shift lens for indoor family stills and video?  Why?

Yes!  I agree about the 24/1.4L version II ... a super outstanding lens even wide open, and more practical than the 24 tilt-shift.  It is a bit sharper than the 35/1.4L.  Of course it will be even sharper stopped down a bit.  It works very well on the 60D and 7D; I have used it on both.

I love it on my FF's and 1D4.  That little sucker is sharp!  My gosh, I did a landscape shot the other day and cropped in really far, on a distant farm house, and the house was still tack sharp!  Now that's impressive.

[Kathode-Ray]

Hi,

How about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM? I use it on my 60D and I have very good results with it. Corners are not that sharp wide open, but the center is excellent. 30mm is a nice length for indoors on APS-C bodies. Plus, it won't cost you an arm and a leg .

Ray

[51m0n]

How about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM?

Good luck on finding a sharp copy. I had 2 of these in the past. Even after calibrated still not that sharp as widely praised. And very soft at f/1.4. The sharpest lens in my wide angle collection is 10-22mm.

[Kathode-Ray]

No problems with sharpness here. I have the new version, with the smooth black finish instead of the well-known Sigma 'crinkle finish'. Rumour has it that Sigma adressed some of the problems and made some changes to these lenses besides the coating, although they won't officially admit that.

See here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1030&message=38483425

Ray

[wockawocka]

The 17-55 2.8 is sharp wide open.

[pdirestajr]

There are a lot of people on this forum with deep pockets, and fancy recommendations. I am jealous.

I'd recommend the old gem of a lens, the very affordable EF 35mm f/2. That lens is capable of beautiful images wide open. Especially on a 7D.

[theqspeaks]

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is definitely a bit soft wide open, but by f/2.8, it's pretty good.  Not nearly as sharp as my Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC (which is Tamron's version of IS).  That sucker is damn sharp at f/2.8.  And I hear the non-VC version is even sharper.  Either Tamron is a lot cheaper than some of these L and TS lenses people are talking about.

[RLPhoto]

I am having a challenge finding a lens in the 24-35 mm range that is sharp at its widest aperture.  I have a 60D and a 7D and I am looking for a lens for capturing family and friends indoors in both still and video.  I am not having any luck.  I have FoCal software so have been able to analyze lenses with it to confirm best aperture.  I had hopes for the new pancake but, despite all the wonderfully sharp images being posted at f/2.8, the copy I had was optimal at f/4.5-5.6.  Today, I just tried the new 24mm f/2.8 IS, and it is quite soft at 2.8 and FoCal is recommending 4.0-5.6 for sharpness which matches what I was seeing in my images.  So this too shall go back to the store.  Am I asking for something that does not exist?  Is there not a fast prime that is sharp at its widest aperture?  One of my other problems is that I don't have the steadiest of hands, so I think I really need image stabilization for spontaneous handheld people shooting.
Diane

My copy of the 24mm 1.4L II is sharp wide open, but define sharpness wide open. To me that means what is in focus, not matter how thin the DOF, is Pin sharp.

So by that definition, the 24LII is tack sharp.

I've discussed this before on this thread.
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=5290.msg105477#msg105477

[NormanBates]

Samyang 35mm f/1.4
http://www.similaar.com/foto/equipment/us_lensc.html#samyang

only manual focus, but it's as sharp as it gets wide open, even sharper than the 35mm f/1.4L or the zeiss 35mm f/1.4, which cost 4 times as much

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=771&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=121&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=771&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=749&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

[robbymack]

Does the 60d have focus adjustment?  If not then you will have to deal with the inheirent manufactuing limitations of lens and camera.  Some will be good and others not so much.  If you demand pixel level sharpness in a $200 lens, all I can really say is good luck.  It's rarely a case of "this lens is soft, therefore all others of this lens are also soft".  Read the outstanding "This Lens is Soft" article at Lens Rental.  The other option would be to send both lens and camera to Cannon for calibration.  However keep in mind all that does is get the camera in line with that particular lens.  If you have other lenses that are currently acceptable don't be surprised when you get the body back that those are now OOF. 

My recommendation for what it is worth, buy the lens that fits the budget from a good retailer with a good return policy and try one till it fits. 

[Axilrod]

The Zeiss 35mm f/2 is pretty damn sharp wide open and it's focus ring is smooth as butter.  You can find them for 800ish used.  The ZE's are excellent lenses for video, I've barely touched my Canon glass since picking a few up.

[DianeK]

Does the 60d have focus adjustment?  If not then you will have to deal with the inheirent manufactuing limitations of lens and camera.  Some will be good and others not so much.  If you demand pixel level sharpness in a $200 lens, all I can really say is good luck.  It's rarely a case of "this lens is soft, therefore all others of this lens are also soft".  Read the outstanding "This Lens is Soft" article at Lens Rental.  The other option would be to send both lens and camera to Cannon for calibration.  However keep in mind all that does is get the camera in line with that particular lens.  If you have other lenses that are currently acceptable don't be surprised when you get the body back that those are now OOF.
This is the reason I ended up with a used 7D 

My recommendation for what it is worth, buy the lens that fits the budget from a good retailer with a good return policy and try one till it fits.  This is precisely what I am doing; that is until they start locking the door when I show up in the parking lot 

[Daniel Flather]

My 24Lii and 35L are awesome wide open, both at f1.4 on full frame.  There is a big difference between a 24 and 35mm lens' perspectives.