Should I sell 35L f/1.4 to get 24-70II?

[Briand]

I am mostly doing weddings and engagement sessions and usually just use 70-200 2.8II on 5D3 and I use 35L on 5D2. I am on the fence about selling 35 to buy the new 24-70? I am not in love with having to be spot on to get perfect sharp image with 35 with aperature below 3.2 when doing a pressure shoot like a wedding. I know these lens are different beasts, but wondering if anyone who has experience with both lens can tell me why I should make the switch.

Beside the obvious more reach or the 35 have ability for lower aperature below 2.8.

[kennykodak]

just received my 24-70 II, amazing.  it will be at a wedding tomorrow.

[LostArk]

Unequivocally, yes. The 35mm is so close to 50mm in fov that I don't see the point in a 35mm prime costing 13x more. 24-70 is a much better choice.

[RLPhoto]

Unequivocally, yes. The 35mm is so close to 50mm in fov that I don't see the point in a 35mm prime costing 13x more. 24-70 is a much better choice.

You are wise beyond your years.

[chabotc]

I'd say go for the 24-70 II if you usually work in decently lit venues - the 5Dmk2 is just not the low light monster the mk3 is, so you'll notice missing that bit of extra light.

[papa-razzi]

Another vote for selling the 35 f/1.4 for the new 24-70 f/2.8 II
So much more versatility.  You could always pick up a 50 f/1.4 in case you got in a situation requiring the wider aperture.

[Briand]

Papa-razzi excellent point!

[drjlo]

I am not in love with having to be spot on to get perfect sharp image with 35 with aperature below 3.2 when doing a pressure shoot like a wedding.

Hmm, I've never felt I needed to be "spot on" to get 35L to produce sharp images, even at much wider than f/3.2.  Maybe it's the 5D MkII AF issue?  I used to feel similar pressure with 85L at f/1.2 to f/1.4, but it got much easier after I bought 5D MkIII and its AF.  Have you tried the 35L much on your 5D III instead of II, especially with using the double cross-type AF points? 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I love my 35mm L on my 5D MK II, as well as my other cameras.  I seems to be the right focal length for much of my uses.
However, if you do not use faster than f/2.8, and the extra cost is not a big deal, the 24-70mm f/2.8 sounds supurb.  I'm glad it is, I might even get one after haveing five of the version 1 lenses that did not impress me.

[dirtcastle]

This is a great question. And I would say it is very similar to the following question:

"If you can have only ONE lens in the "standard" range, what would it be?"

Obviously, the answer needs to be matched to sensor size.

For me, the answers comes down to bokeh and night shooting. With a 5D3, both of these lenses are capable of getting a proper exposure in almost any circumstance. But the minimum DOF of an f/2.8 simply doesn't come close to an f/1.4.

I've been considering a 35mm f/1.4 L, but I'll definitely be curious to see just how soft it is at f/1.4. Hopefully this 24-70mm will cause people to dump their 35s and lower the price! :-)

[glb2012]

Hmm, I've never felt I needed to be "spot on" to get 35L to produce sharp images, even at much wider than f/3.2.  Maybe it's the 5D MkII AF issue?  I used to feel similar pressure with 85L at f/1.2 to f/1.4, but it got much easier after I bought 5D MkIII and its AF.  Have you tried the 35L much on your 5D III instead of II, especially with using the double cross-type AF points?

I've never had problems with the 35L on my 5D2 (it's one of my favorites actually). I shoot it at f/1.4 to f/2.0 (f/1.6 most of the time...it's very sharp). When I need to AF I use the centre point. But most of the cases I shoot MF (with EG-S focus screen). Maybe you are trying to focus and recompose ?

If you want to frame your subject of centre, I recommend you to MF on the 35L. (I have much less problems focus and recomposing with my Siggy 85mm f/1.4 than with the L prime...35mm is "too wide", you will have to move too much  and that will throw your focus way off).

PS: In good light the outer AF points of the 5D2 is OK, but I usually use the centre point or go manual focus.
Cheers

[photogaz]

No way!

What is it with everyone saying yes? I bought my 35L not because I wanted to shoot in low light but because I adore the photography you can get with a shallow depth of field.

Yes the 24-70 II will offer you great versatility, but you can't touch the 35L for the depth of field.  They are two completely different lenses.  If a lens offered 24-200 f5.6 and sharp does that mean I should ditch my other lenses? No!

You may not like shooting below 3.2 but what about the shots where you get time to position people and retake?

[TeenTog]

I agree with papa razzi. You should definatley sell the 35 and get the 24-70 II, but it may be necessary to get the 50mm f/1.4 or even the f/1.8 for those low light wedding situaitions when you absolutley need the f/1.4. However,the 5D III and its lowlight capabilities may be perfect with the f/2.8......... you just need to decide what you need.

[Caleb Luke]

I received my 24-70 II yesterday, and honestly I don't think I would give up my 35L for it. Granted, the only other zoom lens I have is the 70-200 2.8L II so I am admittedly partial to primes. Anyhow, I brought my 1DX with only the 24-70 II on my wife and I's wedding anniversary and I can't say I'm as thrilled with it as I thought I would be. Perhaps I was a bit too hyped up over what I read on the internet. I think a lot of it is that I've never even used the original 24-70, so I have nothing to base it off of. I certainly don't think it delivers the IQ and sharpness of my 70-200 though....

Great versatility is a big plus, which is huge in wedding photography no doubt.

[clicstudio]

Yes yes yes!
I just had the last for one day, but it took me five minutes to realize it is the best lens ever. I have had a 24-70 2.8 L for the past six years. It was the only lens I had. I didn't need anything else. I just do studio and outdoors modeling photos, and this lens was always perfectly versatile for me... Until today.
I was expecting a little improvement over the old one, but I was actually blown away.
This really is the best zoom Canon is ever made. It is so sharp and so fast that It will never leave your camera.
The better news is that I found it to be about 10% brighter than the old lens. That means you won't have to pump up your ISO too high. I believe it is almost 2 stops brighter. It actually feels like an F2.0 lens.
I guess the new glass let's more light into the sensor and it is probably engineered specifically for the new full frame cameras like the 5D III and 1D X.
I know the price is a little steep, but if you can afford it, I assure you you will not be disappointed. It is worth every dollar.
Check out my two posts on the forum. There is a comparison between the old and the new lenses. You will be very impressed.
Good luck