I am having a challenge finding a lens in the 24-35 mm range that is sharp at its widest aperture. I have a 60D and a 7D and I am looking for a lens for capturing family and friends indoors in both still and video. I am not having any luck. I have FoCal software so have been able to analyze lenses with it to confirm best aperture. I had hopes for the new pancake but, despite all the wonderfully sharp images being posted at f/2.8, the copy I had was optimal at f/4.5-5.6. Today, I just tried the new 24mm f/2.8 IS, and it is quite soft at 2.8 and FoCal is recommending 4.0-5.6 for sharpness which matches what I was seeing in my images. So this too shall go back to the store. Am I asking for something that does not exist? Is there not a fast prime that is sharp at its widest aperture? One of my other problems is that I don't have the steadiest of hands, so I think I really need image stabilization for spontaneous handheld people shooting.
Diane