Canon EF 35 f/1.4L II [CR2]

[lol]

traveller,

While I don't doubt the availability of a lower cost EF-S 35mm f/1.8 would help, the price of the EF 35mm f/2 isn't much more in cost than the Nikon f/1.8 so the hole isn't as big as it might be.

If I'm not confused, Nikon need the updated f/1.8 for AF on lower end bodies, not a problem on Canon. Other than perhaps putting in some more rounded aperture blades, there isn't really anything that needs improving optically on the Canon. People might go on about build quality, but then you're looking at more cost too. I think the lens is popular in significant part as it is one of the cheapest lenses out there. I don't think it would sell as well at a higher price just for better build quality.

 

[canon50duser]

Been trying to source the original now for while - out of stock everywhere.. This kinda explains it.. Looking forward to seeing the improvements over the current model. Looking for a great crop frame dslr portrait lens that also works very well on FF..

 

[Loswr]

Been trying to source the original now for while - out of stock everywhere.. This kinda explains it..

It's in stock at B&H and Adorama. A CR2 rumor does not 'explain' anything. Over the past couple years, there have been multiple rumors here about the 35L being discontinued - all wrong.

 

[kennykodak]

i have been waiting for this upgrade for a while. as soon as they give it a part number i'm on it.

 

[Etienne]

I hope it's not much bigger and heavier.
I'll get one, preferably with a 5DIII at the same time

 

[Admin US West]

I have a question for you guys: why isn't there fast (around 1.4) primes with IS ?

To start with, many primes were designed before IS became popular. IS was not very useful for say a 35mm lens because camera body resolution was low, and the effects of tiny amounts of movement could not be resolved.

As bodies get more and more resolution, IS becomes more helpful at shorter and shorter focal lengths. It seems likely that shorter focal lengths with apertures of up to f/2.8 may get IS. However with f/1.4 lenses, design is so difficult already, I doubt if its a practical thing to do.

I look for it on a 85mm or 50mm lens next, but that may be years off.

 

[Loswr]

Damn it, I wanted to buy it this summer, but now I'll have to wait for the announcement and the delays - _ - I hate being well informed.

The rumors of updated supertele lenses (300/2.8 II, 400/2.8 II, 500/4 II and 600/4 II) showed up here in the first half of 2009. The 300/400 lenses were announced in August 2010, with availablilty 'in December'. They are still not available, and there is currently no estimate of when they will actually be available.

I've seen a few comments on here like, "I didn't buy x because of the rumor and now it's been months and I still don't see the new x," or "I sold my 24-70 f/2.8L because the version with IS was about to be released according to the rumors." There are comments like that last one from 2009.

The moral: if you want/need a currently available lens, buy it now. Don't wait based on a rumor.

 

[Etienne]

Damn it, I wanted to buy it this summer, but now I'll have to wait for the announcement and the delays - _ - I hate being well informed.

The rumors of updated supertele lenses (300/2.8 II, 400/2.8 II, 500/4 II and 600/4 II) showed up here in the first half of 2009. The 300/400 lenses were announced in August 2010, with availablilty 'in December'. They are still not available, and there is currently no estimate of when they will actually be available.

I've seen a few comments on here like, "I didn't buy x because of the rumor and now it's been months and I still don't see the new x," or "I sold my 24-70 f/2.8L because the version with IS was about to be released according to the rumors." There are comments like that last one from 2009.

The moral: if you want/need a currently available lens, buy it now. Don't wait based on a rumor.

True, Rumors of the 35 1.4 II coming soon started about three years ago.

 

[Admin US West]

Well, I have two of them right now, I bought one locally about two weeks ago in a deal that i couldn't pass up. That almost guarantees that a new one will be announced ;D

 

[prestonpalmer]

I would buy a new one of these instantly!

 

[prestonpalmer]

I bought the 24 f1.4 II the moment that one came out and I am NOT disappointed! I am hoping for a refresh of the 35, and 50. I would love to upgrade these two!

 

[Stuart]

I have a question for you guys: why isn't there fast (around 1.4) primes with IS ?

IS counters handheld shake, this is more pronounces in longer lenses. The reciprocal rule of 1/the focal length as the lowest shutter speed typically recommended for handheld, so 1/30 sec for this lens on a FF body. But for a 200mm lens the recommended shutter speed is 1/200 sec or greater. IS can reduce this shutter speed down by upto 4 stops.

Also as this is a F1.4 lens, there is typically more light when wide open so again shutter speeds are typically higher, so mush less need for IS to come into play and be helpful.
Also IS adds to weight and cost and on a tripod actually reduces sharpness - you should turn IS off on a tripod.

Some other manufacturer bodies have the less effective in-body IS this would help in all lens cases.

Cheers
Stuart

 

[Holy Trinity]

It's totally useless. Both 35 f/1.4 and 135 f/2 are still probably Canon's best short primes.

Instead of this, Canon should think of updating the following : 100-400 (IS + IQ + design), 300 IS f/4 (IS), 400 f/5.6 (IS), 17-40 (longer + IS + IQ)...

 

[Loswr]

IS counters handheld shake, this is more pronounces in longer lenses.

IMO, IS is a useful feature on any lens, at any focal length (well, maybe not the MP-E 65mm...). But I suppose it's not really necessary in a 35mm prime. This shot was a 2.5 second exposure, handheld (altough I did rest against a bridge railing):


EOS 5D Mark II, EF 35mm f/1.4L USM, 2.5 s, f/5.6, ISO 100

 

[4systemuser]

it needs contrast AF pin and better weather sealing.

optically it is a good lens and not any worse than the Nikkor G ,which I 've compared to my Canon 35L and Zeiss35f2ZF2 but Nikon sealed and I think it has faster CDAF ready design..

and I think all L and old primes get updated very soon for video use with dedicated CDAF pin contact.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

35/1.4L I is already a great lens. Can't wait to see the improvement.

Yeah if they improve it it will be one heck of an unimaginably amazing lens, as you say, the current one already blows most people out of the water.

 

[canon50duser]

Been trying to source the original now for while - out of stock everywhere.. This kinda explains it..

It's in stock at B&H and Adorama. A CR2 rumor does not 'explain' anything. Over the past couple years, there have been multiple rumors here about the 35L being discontinued - all wrong.

That's all well and good as long as you live in America.. Unless anyone knows of a good stockist in the UK?

 

[wal_can]

you don't need IS for such short of a distance,
what we need is 35mm 1.2 and sharp at that

 

[Kris_P]

Earlier this week I was looking at photos with the current 35mm f1.4, I can't see how it could be improved, so I bought it not caring if the new one came out the next day. Anybody know why AbesofMaine.com had it for $1419.95?? Not only was it the only one with a price below what all the other stores have, which is $1469/$1479, but the lower price quickly rose a couple of hours after I ordered it!

 

[Justin]

you don't need IS for such short of a distance,
what we need is 35mm 1.2 and sharp at that

Second wanting f1.2. That would be sweeeet. I'll take IS though. 35 mm is perfect length for video.