A small walkabout lens - lay it on me!

[FunPhotons]

OK I'm sick of trying to find a walkabout camera. None of them work for me, tried the Fuji X100 (want to buy one?), the Canon S100, a G12, etc. I just end up wishing I had my 5DMKII. Now there are situations where for weight and threatening considerations a smaller rig is preferred. So ... I need a small lens for my DSLR, ideally a wide angle.

I have a 50/1.4, which isn't that great. Slow to focus, IQ ... maybe my version has problems, it got touchy after some sand grains got in it, probably not worth trying to fix. Plus it's 50mm and too tight for me.

My dream focal length is 20mm but Canon seemingly has no good primes in that range. I don't like to rent, I prefer buying and deciding as it takes me months to figure out a new lens. So ... recommendations?

• Lens ideali around the size of the 50/1.4
• Prime
• Ideally wide, at least 24mm

Maybe the new 24IS? Dunno ...

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

In the USA, Canon has a flat rate to repair the 50mm f/1.4, about $133 plus tax. Its definitely worth a repair, selling used for about $350.

 

[Wild]

How about the old EF 24mm f/2.8? It's small, decently sharp, and reasonably priced. However, it doesn't have usm, so it's got noisy AF and it's built like the 50 1.8. If you don't mind waiting, and paying significantly more, the new 24mm f/2.8 IS will probably be much better and still be small enough for you.

 

[briansquibb]

An alternative, if you are happy with f/5.6 or slower, maybe the 17-40

 

[koolman]

I use the voigtlander color skopar 20mm MF lens on a t2i. Super sharp and great colors from f/5.6 and smaller.

 

[crasher8]

I'm not a risk taker on bad copies but soooo many folks are getting the Siggy 30 1.4 just for what you are talking about. I think there are more good than bad copies out there but it's always a gamble with Sigma.

 

[7enderbender]

Hm, that's a problem. I would have suggested the 50 1.4 but you rule that out. If you go wide angle and want a fast lens it'll be bigger and heavier again unless you might want to consider something like a Voigtlander Nokton with an adapter? Wouldn't be AF obviously and you'd have to set aperture manually I guess.

Or this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/676623-REG/Voigtlander_BA229DC_Ultron_40mm_f_2_0_SL_II.html

 

[DJL329]

Check out the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM. It's obviously not as wide as 24mm, however it is small, light and fast. It also has the same feel as the EF 85mm f/1.8 (nice and solid), and is my go-to lens when I need something wider than 50mm. It's great for landscapes: the 7-blades make great sun-stars and it is quite resistant to lens flare.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43086792@N03/7168092714/#in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43086792@N03/6381214971/#in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43086792@N03/7335203604/#in/photostream

One drawback is shooting individuals close-up as heads tend to bulge out (see below), but it can be corrected with Photoshop (+1.25) or DXO Optics Pro. This shot was taken with only the sunlight coming in through the window, as she rolled across the floor.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43086792@N03/5055249807/#in/photostream

 

[FunPhotons]

Aieeee! Great help folks, thanks!

Mt. Spokane (my parents live in Spokane BTW, I visit there often) thanks for the info. I will definitely send this lens in for repair. I had thought it was much more expensive.

On the Voigtlander, I didn't know these lenses existed! The Voight 20mm looks like the bomb, my dream focal length! Pancake! A little slow and MF but I can deal with that.

How is it with a FF Canon 5D? My credit card is practically out on this one!!

EDIT: Or the zeiss 18mm! It's not too big, and close to my ideal focal length, thoughts on these two lenses?

PS. The Sigma 30mm isn't for FF.

 

[preppyak]

EDIT: Or the zeiss 18mm! It's not too big, and close to my ideal focal length, thoughts on these two lenses?

Well, the weight there might be getting away from your "light" classification, but, if you're at the 18mm Zeiss, consider the 21mm as well (even heavier though). Every review I've read says its the best lens in that focal length range.

Voigtlander weighs about a 1/3rd of the Zeiss lenses...

 

[codewizpt]

35mm f2


White Bull Terrier by MFV.pt, on Flickr

 

[FunPhotons]

35mm f2


White Bull Terrier by MFV.pt, on Flickr

Nice shot, I see heavy vignetting though. Full Frame?

 

[FunPhotons]

EDIT: Or the zeiss 18mm! It's not too big, and close to my ideal focal length, thoughts on these two lenses?

Well, the weight there might be getting away from your "light" classification, but, if you're at the 18mm Zeiss, consider the 21mm as well (even heavier though). Every review I've read says its the best lens in that focal length range.

Voigtlander weighs about a 1/3rd of the Zeiss lenses...

Yeah, the Voigt is looking like the one to check out ... funny I never knew about that brand.

 

[IIIHobbs]

If its a prime you must haven then nothing will be sharper or faster than the 24 f1.4.

 

[codewizpt]

35mm f2


White Bull Terrier by MFV.pt, on Flickr

Nice shot, I see heavy vignetting though. Full Frame?

It was intentional (Post Production). But yes, 5D II

 

[RLPhoto]

OK I'm sick of trying to find a walkabout camera. None of them work for me, tried the Fuji X100 (want to buy one?), the Canon S100, a G12, etc. I just end up wishing I had my 5DMKII. Now there are situations where for weight and threatening considerations a smaller rig is preferred. So ... I need a small lens for my DSLR, ideally a wide angle.

I have a 50/1.4, which isn't that great. Slow to focus, IQ ... maybe my version has problems, it got touchy after some sand grains got in it, probably not worth trying to fix. Plus it's 50mm and too tight for me.

My dream focal length is 20mm but Canon seemingly has no good primes in that range. I don't like to rent, I prefer buying and deciding as it takes me months to figure out a new lens. So ... recommendations?

• Lens ideali around the size of the 50/1.4
• Prime
• Ideally wide, at least 24mm

Maybe the new 24IS? Dunno ...

35mm F/2

35mm f1.4L

28mm 1.8

24mm 1.4L

All logical choices. I prefer the 24mm 1.4L.

 

[wickidwombat]

i consider the 16-35 small and i love it as a walkabout
(I really like 20mm focal length too) if canon made a 20 f1.4L I would be all over that

 

[Razor2012]

i consider the 16-35 small and i love it as a walkabout
(I really like 20mm focal length too) if canon made a 20 f1.4L I would be all over that

Or a 14-24L.

 

[FunPhotons]

I have the 16-35L, 70-200/2.8, 24-105 and 8-16 fishy. I wouldn't call the 16-35 small, or any L lens small, certainly not unobtrusive. Too hard to take candids, people notice when one of those cannons is pointed at them.

My daily kit is the 24-105 and 16-35 in a top loader, and I love them dearly, but it's neither light nor unobtrusive.

 

[kdsand]

Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2 SL-II Aspherical Compact Pancake Manual Focus
Its on my short wish list.
If auto focus was crammed into it then I think this would likely be in everybodys day bag but even without its sweet.
;D
http://www.adorama.com/VT402EOS.html