Should I buy the 35L now or wait for the price drop?

[shlomki]

There was the rumor not long ago that Canon has patented a new formula for a 35mm 1.4.
I want to buy a used 35mm 1.4, but I'm not sure if I should risk loss of value, in case a new one comes out shortly after.
Of course, there is also the Sigma option, but I'm scared of focusing problems which I have had before with Sigma. I also like the lighter weight of the Canon.
What do you think and what would you do?

Thanks!

 

[Marsu42]

There was the rumor not long ago that Canon has patented a new formula for a 35mm 1.4.

*snigger* yep, the announcement just around the corner!

But to answer your question: the "old" 35L1 won't drop in price, the 35L2 will just be considerably more expensive which might even mean a price *increase* on the old model like the time when 24-70L2 was released.

 

[shlomki]

But to answer your question: the "old" 35L1 won't drop in price, the 35L2 will just be considerably more expensive which might even mean a price *increase* on the old model like the time when 24-70L2 was released.

Really? do you think the older 35 will become a desired, somewhat unobtainable lens?
Do you think this still be the case, if the new 35 will not be considerably more expensive?
And thanks for the answer!

 

[Marsu42]

Really? do you think the older 35 will become a desired, somewhat unobtainable lens?

Nope, but after the first enthusiasm over the 35L2's stellar quality people will realize that for many, the ol' 35L1 is "good enough" and the successor isn't worth an additional $1000 = more demand for 35L1 = higher price for quite some time (look at the 24-70L1's price curve).

Do you think this still be the case, if the new 35 will not be considerably more expensive?

Looking at Canon's pricing policy, they either try to sell something unique like the IS primes or extremely high iq items like the 24-70L2 - I don't expect any upcoming reasonably priced L "workhorse" lenses anymore, for that you have to look at Sigma I'm afraid to say. But there always will be enough people demanding Canon, even if for cps alone.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

There was the rumor not long ago that Canon has patented a new formula for a 35mm 1.4.

But to answer your question: the "old" 35L1 won't drop in price, the 35L2 will just be considerably more expensive which might even mean a price *increase* on the old model like the time when 24-70L2 was released.

+1

 

[sagittariansrock]

Really? do you think the older 35 will become a desired, somewhat unobtainable lens?

Nope, but after the first enthusiasm over the 35L2's stellar quality people will realize that for many, the ol' 35L1 is "good enough" and the successor isn't worth an additional $1000 = more demand for 35L1 = higher price for quite some time (look at the 24-70L1's price curve).

Do you think this still be the case, if the new 35 will not be considerably more expensive?

Looking at Canon's pricing policy, they either try to sell something unique like the IS primes or extremely high iq items like the 24-70L2 - I don't expect any upcoming reasonably priced L "workhorse" lenses anymore, for that you have to look at Sigma I'm afraid to say. But there always will be enough people demanding Canon, even if for cps alone.

Well, what would be the point of introducing another 35L if it's not significantly better than this one, right? Either it will have IS or f/1.2 or just amazing IQ

 

[TeT]

Now.... the 35 L is trending upwards right now. evilBay is best option for cheap just make sure you buy from top rated seller ...

 

[TeT]

Right now the Sigma 35 & the 35 L are both awesome from 2.8 or so and narrower with the edge going to the Sigma (maybe @ 1.4 to 2) What the 35L ii will add is better IQ and much better bokah(see 35 2.0 IS / which BTW has better Bokah then all of em right now) AND quicker focusing especially in lower light (less hunting).

 

[NWPhil]

There was the rumor not long ago that Canon has patented a new formula for a 35mm 1.4.
I want to buy a used 35mm 1.4, but I'm not sure if I should risk loss of value, in case a new one comes out shortly after.
Of course, there is also the Sigma option, but I'm scared of focusing problems which I have had before with Sigma. I also like the lighter weight of the Canon.
What do you think and what would you do?

Thanks!

...meanwhile you risking not taking the shots you want need.
It's not a collectible item (at least not yet), or a center display piece in your shelving, nor should be taken as an investment unless it's for work, or a very rare model; so get what you think you need, whithin your budget.
Prices will drop in time, no matter what - unless it's a rare lens. Lenses will depreciate slower than cameras, but don't let that stop you to get it now. There will be always something better lurking in the future, but live the present and get out enjoying your hobby.
Can't tell you much about the sigma - rent one or both and find out for yourself. As others said, the new model might be quite expensive to start, and guess what? - it will have a price drop sooner than later after you buying it...

 

[StudentOfLight]

If you haven't already, then I recommend borrowing or renting a 35L to get a feel for how differently it renders vs what you currently use. Shoot a range of shots (landscape, close-up, products, pets, family etc.) to really see what it really offers. Once you know how much of an image quality benefit can you get from using a 35L over the lenses you currently are using...

How much of a price drop are you expecting to see?
When do you think a price drop is likely to happen?
How many 35L shots will you take in that time?

Does the value of the immediately improved image quality outweigh the potential savings that you may get further down the line?

e.g. if you think there will be a $200 price drop at some point in the future and in that time you will shoot 1000 images then buying now gives you images that cost you 20c more per pic. Is the improved image quality you've seen worth more than than 20c per pic or can you live with what you've got for now?

 

[unfocused]

If you defer your lens purchases based on rumors that a lens may be replaced, you could be waiting a long time to buy a lens. See the 100-400 zoom for example.

If you want an investment, buy stock or real estate. If you want to take pictures, buy cameras and lenses.

Yeah, Canon Price Watch did a blog post a few years back showing that Canon lenses outperformed the stock market, but I wouldn't be sinking my retirement money into lenses.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I'd enjoy anything I bought nearly as much if I worried about what the resale value might be.

Think about all those poor Beanie Babies that never got played with because their young owners were hoping to pay for college with them. They are all sitting in plastic bins in attics or selling on eBay for pennies on the dollar.

 

[sagittariansrock]

If you haven't already, then I recommend borrowing or renting a 35L to get a feel for how differently it renders vs what you currently use. Shoot a range of shots (landscape, close-up, products, pets, family etc.) to really see what it really offers. Once you know how much of an image quality benefit can you get from using a 35L over the lenses you currently are using...

+1. It took me only a few shots to see the difference between the [email protected] and my 24-70@35mm. This cannot be reproduced by images others have taken. If only the price was a few hundred dollars less...

 

[preppyak]

There's also value in the shots you take between now and the actual availability of a 35L II. Even if Canon announced it tomorrow, odds are it'd be 2 months away from delivery, and that's assuming it doesn't back order. Others have already mentioned the fact that it wont be <$1400 on release ($2000 is more reasonable). By the time it actually is purchasable, you could have 100s or 1000s of shots on your lens.

 

[Tabor Warren Photography]

There's also value in the shots you take between now and the actual availability of a 35L II. Even if Canon announced it tomorrow, odds are it'd be 2 months away from delivery, and that's assuming it doesn't back order. Others have already mentioned the fact that it wont be <$1400 on release ($2000 is more reasonable). By the time it actually is purchasable, you could have 100s or 1000s of shots on your lens.

This is absolutely correct. I have a bit of bias, as the 35L is THE lens of choice for me. Among everything we shoot, the 35L gets use in every portrait or wedding event.

When I read the subject line for this post, I instantly thought, "buy the son of a gun". We actually purchased ours used from Adorama and it has been a stud this entire time.

I hope this helps!

Cheers!
-Tabor

 

[PhotographAdventure]

I'd look at the sigma 35mm art again. A lot better price for similar quality to Canon. Sigma has raised quality standards for issues like focus. My copy is superb. One of my favorites for lenses.

 

[Zv]

What price drop?

You'll be waiting an eternity.

Buy it now. Use it a lot. Sell it whenever you like and you'll prob get back about 90% of your money if you treat it kindly. Don't know if the Sigma will retain it's value like the 35L.

 

[infared]

I'd look at the sigma 35mm art again. A lot better price for similar quality to Canon. Sigma has raised quality standards for issues like focus. My copy is superb. One of my favorites for lenses.

+1

 

[shlomki]

Wow, lots of replies that I haven't been getting notifications on!
Thanks for all of your help!

I'll clarify a bit more:
The 35mm focal length isn't such an urgent necessity for me, I'm not missing shots and everything is ok The 50mm 1.4 is usually my go-to lens (on FF), but I have been interested in shooting wider and getting in on the action. I also have the 17-40mm F4 for when I want to go really really wide, and of course it covers 35mm as well, but F4 is hardly F1.4

I'm actually not so sure how I would feel about 35mm in the long run.
Renting would be a perfect option if I weren't living in Israel, where lens prices are higher by about 30% and so are rental prices. Renting it for a week would just be not cost effective. So I thought I would buy it used, use it for a longer period of time (1-2 months), and then make an informed decision. If I would then decide to sell it, the loss of value should be pretty small, UNLESS the value of the lens will suddenly drop dramatically because of the 35L2, which I why I came here to ask for your opinion.

So I think I will indeed go for it and not wait around. I can't buy it via eBay because not many Israelis sell there, and if the seller would be outside of the country, the lens will be subject to customs, which means about 20% taxes. So I have to look for it on local forums.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Radiating]

There was the rumor not long ago that Canon has patented a new formula for a 35mm 1.4.
I want to buy a used 35mm 1.4, but I'm not sure if I should risk loss of value, in case a new one comes out shortly after.
Of course, there is also the Sigma option, but I'm scared of focusing problems which I have had before with Sigma. I also like the lighter weight of the Canon.
What do you think and what would you do?

Thanks!

You seem very uninformed.

You are almost 1.1 times more likely to have a focusing issue with the Canon 35mm L than you are likely to have ANY issues with the Sigma 35mm A, based on actual reliability history from lens rentals which rents hundreds of copies of these lenses.

Read that a few times if you need to. You are MORE likely to have a FOCUSING issue with the Canon than you are likely to have ANY issues with the Sigma.

The Canon 35mm is a 16 year old lens and one of the least reliable lenses you can buy regardless of manufacturer, it has all the problems the Sigma has, and issues with dropping dead and decentering. The Sigma 35mm 1.4 is a brand new design, which comes with an incredibly long warranty.

If you're buying a used copy you're not going to have a few months left on the warranty at most with the Canon, which gives you a 1 year warranty.

Sigma gives you a 4 year warranty and it's a lens that is 2-3 times more reliable overall. The weight difference is also not noticeable, we're talking around a 10% difference. You'd be crazy to get the Canon for your needs.

The only reasons not to get the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is that is has harder to correct distortion and much stronger purple fringing, which can both be annoying to correct. Otherwise the Canon is inferior in every way.

 

[shlomki]

You seem very uninformed.

You are almost 1.1 times more likely to have a focusing issue with the Canon 35mm L than you are likely to have ANY issues with the Sigma 35mm A, based on actual reliability history from lens rentals which rents hundreds of copies of these lenses.

Read that a few times if you need to. You are MORE likely to have a FOCUSING issue with the Canon than you are likely to have ANY issues with the Sigma.

The Canon 35mm is a 16 year old lens and one of the least reliable lenses you can buy regardless of manufacturer, it has all the problems the Sigma has, and issues with dropping dead and decentering. The Sigma 35mm 1.4 is a brand new design, which comes with an incredibly long warranty.

If you're buying a used copy you're not going to have a few months left on the warranty at most with the Canon, which gives you a 1 year warranty.

Sigma gives you a 4 year warranty and it's a lens that is 2-3 times more reliable overall. The weight difference is also not noticeable, we're talking around a 10% difference. You'd be crazy to get the Canon for your needs.

The only reasons not to get the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is that is has harder to correct distortion and much stronger purple fringing, which can both be annoying to correct. Otherwise the Canon is inferior in every way.

Uninformed? I have personally tried 3 copies of the Sigma 35mm F1.4, and 2 or 3 Sigma 30mm F1.4 on three different Canon bodies (5DIII, 40D, 60D). All had either focus inaccuracies or focus inconsistencies. This is not user error, I have been shooting for 3.5 years, and I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I do know what I'm doing.
I have also personally worked with the one and only one qualified Sigma lens technician available in Israel to try and calibrate a few of the said lenses, using their lab tools and using Sigma's new USB dock - we were unsuccessful and eventually I got refunded for the copy I have originally purchased.

Maybe the Canon uses old technology, but do you have any references for what you're saying? This is the first time I'm hearing such a review on the 35L, usually I hear only good things about it.