Canon EF 24mm f/2.8

I don't see a thread for this soon-to-be outdated guy. I actually just recently picked up this little lens mint refurbed for 300.00 USD! I think it's still a pretty rad piece of retro glass.

The mid-tone contrast was pushed a bit in this shot to add a little grit to the image, but I think it shows this lens can be pretty sharp.


Office View by Philip DiResta, on Flickr
 
I bought one 5 years ago for just 150 Euro second hand for a APS-C camera and I like
  • great contrast and good sharpness from f/2.8 on
  • natural viewing angle of 38mm in terms of 35mm equivalent
  • compactness, low weight
  • good close focus range down to 25 cm / max. reproduction ratio for a non-macro lens
  • good ergonomics despite non-availability of USM

Happy to own that lens which someone called an "ugly duckling" on a forum: Ugly in terms of boringness, a swan in terms of photographic usefulness!
 
Upvote 0
I just bought one of these in mint condition and including the original hood for 160 euro's. According the date code it was manufactured 03/2005 so it's not a very old copy. The lens is actually more substantial than I suspected from its 35 and 50mm siblings. It has an FD style twist and lock hood that uses little elastomeric inserts in the hood to keep it from twisting off; this is not the best system but the petal shaped hood is very nice otherwise and has a flocked liner.

Reasons I bought it are:
1. To satisfy my GAS in an affordable way :p
2. I really want a 24mm prime to play around with, partly out of curiosity and because it fills a gap in my wide-to normal prime line-up that I have been thinking of closing for a long, long time.
3. Because I don't see myself using such a lens very often I don't want to spend too much on a 24mm.
4. I am totally satisfied with my 50mm f/1.8 Mk I and this one is in the same 'old' build that I somehow really like (I also own the 35 mm f/2). Those early EF primes really are small!
5. I've read good reviews of this lens on a full frame body.
6. It's light and compact!


What uses would you recommend for a 24 mm prime on full-frame? Immediate uses I see are travel (easy extra lens to take along), and street photography in crowded or tight streets.

Anyway let's see some photo's! (I'll try to post some myself when the lens gets some use).
 
Upvote 0
I conveniently had this in my bag yesterday when I went to a Classic Car Racing event. I thought the 35mm Sigma would do for the paddock pictures, but needed more 'drama'. I had the tiny 24mm in my bag so I swapped out lenses and gave it a test-spin.

Samples attached (that VW Golf happens to be my Mk I GTI). All photo's 24mm f/2.8 + 5D Mk II.
 

Attachments

  • 2014_07_12_0110.JPG
    2014_07_12_0110.JPG
    307.6 KB · Views: 513
  • 2014_07_12_0117.JPG
    2014_07_12_0117.JPG
    264.9 KB · Views: 542
  • 2014_07_12_0106.JPG
    2014_07_12_0106.JPG
    267.7 KB · Views: 478
  • 2014_07_12_0324.JPG
    2014_07_12_0324.JPG
    196 KB · Views: 541
Upvote 0
A few more samples. I like this tiny little prime! Again these were taken with a 5D Mk II. My 24mm carries a B+W 010 UV filter.
 

Attachments

  • 2014_07_12_0053.JPG
    2014_07_12_0053.JPG
    310.8 KB · Views: 478
  • 2014_07_12_0044.JPG
    2014_07_12_0044.JPG
    273.6 KB · Views: 493
  • 2014_07_12_0021.JPG
    2014_07_12_0021.JPG
    265.5 KB · Views: 477
  • 2014_07_12_0015.JPG
    2014_07_12_0015.JPG
    379.4 KB · Views: 512
  • 2014_07_12_0011.JPG
    2014_07_12_0011.JPG
    367.2 KB · Views: 478
Upvote 0