EF 35mm f/1.4L II to Finally Come as Well? [CR2]

[bobby samat]

I'm curious, if this turns out to be bigger than a Zeiss Otus, would that put people off buying the updated lens?

i dont mind heavy glass

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I am completely satisfied by the 35IS at this focal length. Beyond being sharp and having IS, there is one other HUGE quality - it is the most accurately focusing lens that I have used to date (and I have owned or reviewed something like 50+ lenses over the past few years). It never misses. I am currently reviewing the ART 50mm right now, and it is an excellent lens, but the focus accuracy of the 35IS is head and shoulders above it.

I agree with those who are looking for a 50mm equivalent of the 35IS. I'm not interested in my prime lenses being so big. I often carry them to compliment zooms, and the Sigma 50 ART (although a very tempting lens) is actually longer and heavier than the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8.

I've got the Otus 85mm in hand for review right now - talk about a BIG, heavy prime! Wow.

 

[preppyak]

Everyone get your credit cards ready for a $2,000 hit! Regardless of how good this lens is, it's about to make the Sigma look like a steal!

Actually, Canon has been releasing the updated lenses and cameras at essentially the same retail price as their predecessor. So, the new 100-400 was within $100 of the retail price of the old 100-400 at its initial release. Likewise for the 7DII and a few others. I cant find what the retail price for the 35L was on release, but, I'd bet it'd be within 10% of what that was.

Probably $1799 if it doesnt have IS

 

[JonAustin]

I am completely satisfied by the 35IS at this focal length. Beyond being sharp and having IS, there is one other HUGE quality - it is the most accurately focusing lens that I have used to date (and I have owned or reviewed something like 50+ lenses over the past few years). It never misses. I am currently reviewing the ART 50mm right now, and it is an excellent lens, but the focus accuracy of the 35IS is head and shoulders above it.

I agree with those who are looking for a 50mm equivalent of the 35IS. I'm not interested in my prime lenses being so big. I often carry them to compliment zooms, and the Sigma 50 ART (although a very tempting lens) is actually longer and heavier than the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8.

+1

I was about to pull the trigger on the 35 IS earlier this year (due in no small part to Dustin's excellent review), but I got 100-400 II fever, and so held off. Now I'm glad I did! (I try to restrict my G.A.S. to two lenses per year max, and I got the 70-200 II in July.)

But on the 50mm front, I would buy a 50 f/1.x non-L IS as soon as a reputable review reported it to be as good as the 35 IS, and finally retire my super-sharp but buzzy and IS-lacking 50/2.5CM.

 

[ahsanford]

I'm curious, if this turns out to be bigger than a Zeiss Otus, would that put people off buying the updated lens?

Of late, pickle jar primes have sold just fine. Both the EF mount Art primes are large and heavy and few seem to mind. Heck, that 50 Art is effectively the mass of a 24-70 zoom.

I'm in the minority in that I'd gladly give up a stop to reduce the size, especially if IS is on offer. I wouldn't even mind if the new 50 IS was f/2. But keep in mind, this is coming from a guy with the 28 f/2.8 IS and the 24-70 f/4L IS and I love them both. My sensibilities are clearly not normal.

Further, small size is as important as weight to me. When I'm shooting casually with friends and family, the pickle jar lenses and red rings and lens hoods don't make it into my bag. I pack the 28 2.8 IS and the 50 1.4 and call it good. Unassuming looking gear is useful for candids and street, of course.

- A

 

[ahsanford]

I am completely satisfied by the 35IS at this focal length. Beyond being sharp and having IS, there is one other HUGE quality - it is the most accurately focusing lens that I have used to date (and I have owned or reviewed something like 50+ lenses over the past few years). It never misses. I am currently reviewing the ART 50mm right now, and it is an excellent lens, but the focus accuracy of the 35IS is head and shoulders above it.

+1. My 28 2.8 IS just doesn't make mistakes with focusing.

That's why I want that 24/28/35 non-L IS lens at the 50 focal length. It would probably be in the 35 f/2 IS shape and size (based on the past 'groupings' of non-L lenses: 24/28, 35/50, 85/100, etc.), and I would pre-order on day one.

- A

 

[ahsanford]

Everyone get your credit cards ready for a $2,000 hit! Regardless of how good this lens is, it's about to make the Sigma look like a steal!

Actually, Canon has been releasing the updated lenses and cameras at essentially the same retail price as their predecessor. So, the new 100-400 was within $100 of the retail price of the old 100-400 at its initial release. Likewise for the 7DII and a few others. I cant find what the retail price for the 35L was on release, but, I'd bet it'd be within 10% of what that was.

Probably $1799 if it doesnt have IS

I hope you are right. But as I stated before, we haven't seen an new non-supertele L prime in 5 years. Canon may have been using all this time to unleash a real corker of a lens on us. This could be the super duper future glass for the high MP bodies, it could have IS, or the next DPAF / anti-flicker / batsh-- left field innovation no one was beating the drums for. If that happens, matching the old price isn't going to happen.

- A

 

[Andrewccm]

Everyone get your credit cards ready for a $2,000 hit! Regardless of how good this lens is, it's about to make the Sigma look like a steal!

Actually, Canon has been releasing the updated lenses and cameras at essentially the same retail price as their predecessor. So, the new 100-400 was within $100 of the retail price of the old 100-400 at its initial release. Likewise for the 7DII and a few others. I cant find what the retail price for the 35L was on release, but, I'd bet it'd be within 10% of what that was.

Probably $1799 if it doesnt have IS

I don't know that I agree about that. My 35L was purchased for $1100. While things may not be doubling, they certainly went through a trend of being priced much higher than previous versions. 70-200L IS, the 24-70L and 300f2.8 L IS are examples. I bought my 300 from B&H on sale for less than $3700. The new version II came out and it was $7200+. It has since gone down a bit, but all of these lenses are significantly higher than their predecessors.

Fwiw.

Andrew
Crystal Clear Media

 

[ggweci]

Seems like everyone is more interested in the potential 50mm 1.x w/ IS than the 35mm 1.4 II that this thread is supposed to be about. ;D

But, I'm guilty of that too. I've been patiently waiting for one to add to pair with my 6D. Current options don't do it for me:

1.8mm - cheap build, noisy focus
1.4mm - weak AF system, soft wide-open
1.2mm - would love this lens, just too pricey

A 50mm 1.4 IS the built just like the 35mm f2 IS would be perfect. Sharp wide open and quick, accurate AF. I would think it could be about the same size as well.

That's why I want that 24/28/35 non-L IS lens at the 50 focal length. It would probably be in the 35 f/2 IS shape and size (based on the past 'groupings' of non-L lenses: 24/28, 35/50, 85/100, etc.), and I would pre-order on day one.

Agreed 100%. And I'd be right behind you on the pre-order

 

[Tabor Warren Photography]

YES YES YES YES YES!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[Dylan777]

I will pre-order it.

One of three missing lenses in my kit.

 

[sanj]

Am confused. I wonder if it will be of more use than my 35 f2 IS. 1.4 and better IQ will be tempting but perhaps the IS will tilt my decision in favor or the 35f2.
I feel the IQ of the new lens will be almost the same as my other 35: Zeiss 1.4 but the manual focus of the Zeiss will be more useful when shooting video.
Confused….

 

[jdramirez]

I will pre-order it.

One of three missing lenses in my kit.

Only because I have very little shame...

Is your name pronounced Dih-lan or Die-lan... because in my mind I've been using the latter for the past few years... and I feel a little racist when I think maybe I'm just adding the odd pronunciation because I know you are of asian decent.

 

[Zv]

Maybe when they said, Year of the lens, they meant a twelve month period and not specifically 2014.

So what was the first big lens announced... and how many more months are left in the twelve months of the lens.... It just does roll off the tongue.

Really, it has been a pretty good year....with 1.5 months to go:

EFS 10-18
EF 16-35 f/4 IS
EF 24-105 f/3.5-5.6
EFS 24 f/2.8
EF 100-400L II
EF 400 f/4 DO II
EFM 55-200

Did I miss any? Best year in awhile for lens releases. Granted, I have yet to buy one, but 2-3 are under consideration.

If you count the video lens releases there is also -

Canon CINE-SERVO 17-120mm T2.95 zoom lens (April)
Canon CINE-SERVO 50-1000mm T5.0 - 8.9 Ultra telephoto zoom lens (October)

Which makes 9 so far plus two rumored for release soon. If they announce either of those before Dec 31st I will count that as 10 and it will most definitely qualify it as year of the lens!

 

[lexptr]

Good news (rumors). What they need to have success:
1) About equal (or better) IQ to sigma's 35mm Art (on average)
2) Weather sealing (something sigma doesn't offer)
3) Less than crazy price tag =)
I hope canon won't fail short. Sigma becomes a very good competitor and it eventually pushes canon in right direction =)

 

[Eldar]

If IQ equals the Zeiss, it has proper weather sealing and good AF : I know I´ll be tempted despite how happy I am with the Zeiss.

 

[infared]

Canon is mostly missing my boat (as there is an Ocean theme running through some of the thread! 8) <polarized shades for water glare).....
I bought Sigma 35mm and 50mm Art lenses. After some adjustment (and the 1st 50mm being return and exchanged for a "good" copy :-[)....I am thrilled with the image quality. Thrilled!!!! I also like the Sigma Dock, although I feel like I am doing someone else's work for them, it does allow me to fine tune the lens in 4 focus zones and see what is going on with my personal copy. So...I would rather have that, than not.
The only lens from Canon that made sense to me in "The Year of the Lens" was the 16-35mm f/4L IS. That hit the perfect note for me with IQ, WA range, and MOST importantly cost. I can live with the f/4 and IS...enough so that I was able to sell my 16-35mm f/2.8L II, and my Zeiss 21mm and almost pay for the new Canon wide angle zoom AND the Art Series Primes.
I will say the new Canon's are hitting the note with IQ...but ever since the Tsunami the prices have just been painful for me. I did get a copy of the 24-70 f/2.8L II and the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II and while totally destroying my piggy bank..they do make me smile and say "WOW" every time I use them!
A $3000 11-24mm is just something that I see no need for most the images I make.... I have the 16-35mm and a 17mm TSE and if I go wider, I go all the way baby... to my vintage Canon fisheye. After 16mm the distortion and the cost is out of my visual needs..although I know that some will jump all over an 11-24mm for their style of shooting.
Also ...I am going to that a guess the the 35mm f/1.4 will be in the range of $2000 and for me ..the only thing I would be getting is a $1200 little rubber "O" ring to keep out moisture...so I will just keep shooting with the Sigma.
I know everyone has a different take on what they buy and use...and why...That is just my take on the situation.
Also...I think that the 5DIII sensor is more than I need... I know that the Sony's are "better"...but their "system" isn't....and while it definitely has some nice assets...there are not enough to make me change systems.
What I see in my future (nearer..than farther) is selling off my entire FF kit..and just using my ever-improving MFT kit. I can fit 10 lenses in a small bag (by FF standards) and get image quality that is good enough for 80% of my needs right now.... I think the next couple of generations of MFT sensors there will put it over the top for me... and the lens range is REALLY filling out nicely. It gets better every month..not every year because a LOT of quality manufacturers are making glass for the system.
I can see the eyes rolling : ..but I get killer results with a tiny kit when using the best lenses.
I am turning 60 yrs. in 5 days...and although I still going strong (I put 8 widows in a house this week!) ... I am just going to have to let the beast go!!!! Times (and gear) are a-changin..... LOL!!!!

(oh..just thought I would ad that the new 100-400mm looks like a killer lens at a "pretty" good price...I guess that will drop somewhat after release as usual making it a reasonable mix of quality vs. cost).

 

[DominoDude]

...
I am turning 60 yrs. in 5 days...and although I still going strong (I put 8 widows in a house this week!) ... I am just going to have to let the beast go!!!! Times (and gear) are a-changin..... LOL!!!!

Congratulations a few days ahead of time! Both to the 60th birthday and to have managed to do whatever it is that you did to those widows. I'm impressed!

May the light be with you, and your shutter finger steady!

 

[infared]

...
I am turning 60 yrs. in 5 days...and although I still going strong (I put 8 widows in a house this week!) ... I am just going to have to let the beast go!!!! Times (and gear) are a-changin..... LOL!!!!

Congratulations a few days ahead of time! Both to the 60th birthday and to have managed to do whatever it is that you did to those widows. I'm impressed!

May the light be with you, and your shutter finger steady!

Thanks! 4 of them were on the second floor and one was a DOOOOOZEY to get to for the install!!!
I am planning on going to the new Fulton Center in Manhattan early tomorrow morning to just take some images. The architecture looks unbelievable. I am traveling from Jersey car>train>train and a lot of walking..so ..alas..my FF kit will be sitting at home....AGAIN!!! It is supposed to be my day off. LOL!

 

[Dylan777]

I will pre-order it.

One of three missing lenses in my kit.

Only because I have very little shame...

Is your name pronounced Dih-lan or Die-lan... because in my mind I've been using the latter for the past few years... and I feel a little racist when I think maybe I'm just adding the odd pronunciation because I know you are of asian decent.

Call me whatever you want JD, except "late for dinner" ;D

Just in case: http://www.babynamesofireland.com/dylan