Waiting for the 35 1.4L II

[folex123]

Hi!
I'm looking for 35 1.4L, i will going to a interesting photographic travel on this summer, and the 35 will be perfect for lenght, weight and people street photography.. (on 5D2)

Here's the problem: buy now the 35L 1.4, or waiting for the 35L1.4 II? ?
I think that 35II will be announced maybe this year but sell in 2015-16.

Alternatives are my 50 1.4, 40 2.8 or 28 2.8.

What do you think?




sorry for my english

 

[candyman]

Re: Waiting for 35 1.4L II

If you need it this summer, consider the Sigma 35 f/1.4 ART

 

[terminatahx]

Re: Waiting for 35 1.4L II

What's your current lens inventory? If you are dead set on a 35, the mk1 gets excellent reviews, but it does have some minor issues (flare, CA). I've never used it, but did consider buying it. But because I have the 16-35mkII and the 24-70mkII, the wider aperture of the 35 wasn't worth it for me.

Sigma has too bad a reputation for inconsistent copies, so I would avoid them altogether. At least until their reputation improves.

 

[folex123]

Re: Waiting for 35 1.4L II

@candyman
I've tried the sigma, but i prefer to have Canon lens (red line lovers). Also Canon have best support and much possibility to sell used.

@terminatahx
I have 5d2 with 28 2.8, 24-70 2.8 I, 40 2.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.4. And at the moment, i think that i will take the 40mm pancake, 'cause the 50 is too long.
16-35 it will be perfect (i'm going to alternate mountain view to people reportage), but is too heavy and it's 2.8.

 

[Random Orbits]

Re: Waiting for 35 1.4L II

Or consider the 35 f/2 IS. It smaller and lighter than the 35L and IQ compares well with 35L and S35. If you can get a refurb or a new one at a good price, you won't lose much when you decide to jump the the 35L II, whenever that comes out.

 

[sagittariansrock]

Re: Waiting for 35 1.4L II

Sigma has too bad a reputation for inconsistent copies, so I would avoid them altogether. At least until their reputation improves.

I don't think that is a fair comment on the 35A. It has almost unanimously got good reviews about AF accuracy. I had purchased one briefly, and it was spot on without any AFMA. See picture below (focus on 6).

 

[sagittariansrock]

Hi!
I'm looking for 35 1.4L, i will going to a interesting photographic travel on this summer, and the 35 will be perfect for lenght, weight and people street photography.. (on 5D2)

Here's the problem: buy now the 35L 1.4, or waiting for the 35L1.4 II? ?
I think that 35II will be announced maybe this year but sell in 2015-16.

Alternatives are my 50 1.4, 40 2.8 or 28 2.8.

What do you think?




sorry for my english

I have just purchased the 35L and I am waiting to receive it. Pretty excited about it.
I had the Sigma and decided to replace it with the 35L. I have my reasons, but if you care more about IQ, I think the Sigma is a better choice.

Should you wait for the 35L II? Here are some thoughts:
1. Canon's latest lenses have all been massive improvements over the earlier versions- not just incremental. So I am pretty sure they are not going to bring out a 35L II that just improves slightly on the IQ, flare resistance and CA to make it at par with the 35Art. If a 35L II comes out, it will be a HUGE improvement, and it will come with a commensurate increase in cost.
2. Since it hasn't even been announced, don't even expect it before the beginning of the next year. Mind you 35L is still selling quite well.

There are people who would claim that Canon will bring out something cheaper and better just to win back the segment from Sigma. I shall point them to the 24-70 segment where Canon brought out the much improved 24-70II for an extremely high price, in spite of the 24-70VC Tamron and the 24-70 Sigma being available.
So, if a 35L II comes out, it will be 2015 till you get your hands on it, and it will cost at least $ 2000. If you want to hold out for that, then do it. Or else, the 35L is your best bet if you want an f/1.4 lens from Canon.

Of course, there is always the 35 f/2 IS as Random Orbits suggested. No chance of that being updated for a long, long time and I think it has finally settled in its lowest price for a while.

 

[distant.star]

Re: Waiting for 35 1.4L II

Sigma has too bad a reputation for inconsistent copies, so I would avoid them altogether. At least until their reputation improves.

I don't think that is a fair comment on the 35A. It has almost unanimously got good reviews about AF accuracy. I had purchased one briefly, and it was spot on without any AFMA. See picture below (focus on 6).

I agree completely. It's hard not to get tired of these uninformed offhand remarks about the Sigma 35. I shoot with one nearly everyday on a 5D3 (and have for over a year now). For everyday taking of actual pictures (not shooting 10,000 pictures to measure the microns of difference in AF performance), it's flawless. I can't remember a single shot that was an AF problem. I can't say the same thing about the lens on a crop body -- I tried and had an awful time with it.

Anyway, if the OP wants to spend $580 more dollars for a Canon lens, that's his business. The best suggestion I've seen so far is the Canon 35mm f/2.0. Price is now in the $500 range, and in terms of real photography, it can compete with either the Sigma A or Canon L.

 

[Ruined]

I would either get the 35mm f/2 IS USM or wait for the L II.

 

[jrista]

Re: Waiting for 35 1.4L II

If you need it this summer, consider the Sigma 35 f/1.4 ART

I second this option. Sigma Art lenses are pretty nice these days. Definitely viable options to Canon branded lenses, especially of the Mark II version you really want hasn't been created yet.

 

[mwh1964]

I have the 35IS and it is a beauty. Highly recommend it.

 

[Menace]

I like my Canon lenses ( bit of an understatement) but in 35 mm range, I'd definitely consider the Sigma Art!

To the OP, if you want the 35 now then do get it - whenever mark II is released you can evaluate selling the original and upgrading to the new one.

 

[candyman]

I have the 35IS and it is a beauty. Highly recommend it.

+1
I choose the 35/f2 IS above the Sigma (knowing it has slightly less IQ than Sigma 35) because of smaller fit to my 6D. It makes a very good walk about /street package (6D+35f/2IS) Balance is really great! I am sure also great on your 5D MKII.
Also - for me - the IS i.c.w. 6D low light works great for indoors - like in a cafe etc.
It also has a very nice bokeh: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-35mm-f-2-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

EDIT: Also what is nice is the MFD en MM of the 35 f/2IS : 9.4"(240mm) - MFD and 0.24x MM.
I use a Raynox DCR 250 Super Macrolens to go along with it - small and easy to carry as well while doing streetphotography.

 

[TommyLee]

just my thought and experience....

have 14L II, 35 sig, 85L II ....
making kit small...in lens count... pounds are still high...ha!


I had 35L ...it was a great lens.... sold it ...got most of what I paid...

bought sigma 35 1.4 Art... sharper ...about same or VERY SLIGHTLY lower quality bokeh...
depends on background for each...
love it.....a better lens than the 35L I ... IMO

HOWEVER
I swore i would get 35L II .... if it measured up...well up and over the sig 35..
so I await Canon's move...
they have a big fence to climb...but...we will see

I really want an 85 OS f1.4.... and/or 135 OS f2...from Canon or sigma.....

sup to them........

Tom

 

[Viggo]

I had a poor copy of the 35 Art, but I know now they are not all like that, and calibrated with the docking they are very good.

I bought the 50 Art and I had also dismissed Sigma, but the 50 Art is a staggering good lens, and is now my all time favorite lens. And I have owned 90% of the lenses Canon has ever made in EF mount.

Get the 35 Art with the docking, you'll be much happier with money left over for the 50 Art as well. The 35 L II will NOT be cheap.

 

[eml58]

I have & use both the Canon 35f/1.4 L & The Sigma 35f/1.4 Art, both are very good Lenses, albeit I find for different reasons.

AF on the 35L is faster than the 35 Art, Bokeh on the 35L is creamier than the 35 Art, but, the 35 Art is sharper than the 35L, 35 Art is cheaper than the 35L and you can place a very large bet to win on the 35L II, when it finally arrives, will be a Looooot more expensive than either the 35L or the 35 Art.

The 35 L & 35 Art are both available now, the 35f/1.4 L II, well, going on Canon's release of new and innovative products over the last couple years, you may well be waiting some time yet.

Suggestions here to perhaps try & buy the 35f/2 IS seem good advice as well, cheaper, almost as fast, possibly almost as sharp as either the 35L or the 35Art, but that's a guess as I've never used the 35f/2 IS.

 

[JLRoyal42]

I'm a little curious on why nobody mentioned the 24mm 1.4 L ll? Because I'm pretty much in the same boat right now. Ive been waiting for the 35mm 1.4 L ll and have yet to hear some solid announcements on it.. So unless the 35mm L ll comes out soon then the 24mm L ll is looking pretty good to me right now..

 

[Viggo]

I'm a little curious on why nobody mentioned the 24mm 1.4 L ll? Because I'm pretty much in the same boat right now. Ive been waiting for the 35mm 1.4 L ll and have yet to hear some solid announcements on it.. So unless the 35mm L ll comes out soon then the 24mm L ll is looking pretty good to me right now..

The reason it's not mentioned along with the 35, is because 24 is MUCH wider and therefore have a complete different area of use, or at least, gives a completely different look to the picture.

I have had 3 copies of the 24 L II and I was very impressed with the feel of the lens and except the lens hood, very nice build quality. But that's it. I didn't like it at all IQ wise and AF was absolutely useless. The 35 L on the other hand probably has the best AF if any 1.4 lens and great bokeh and pop.

 

[AshtonNekolah]

@folex123 You got good glass there i really dont see a need for the 35 1.4 L unless you will be shooting allot in low light or doing some really artsy images with dof, I use the 40mm 2.8 most of the time since i use a 17-40 they say its not sharp but my copy is sharp as a razor, but i shoot more on the 40mm side in the evenings for lower lights my 50mm 1.2 does it for me.
Dont wait for thr 35 1.4 mk 2 your trip will not wait for it so why should you, I dont like sigma at all, I use to use them just a bad reputation on my part so i stick with canon red line or silver line.
my best answer is carry the lenses for the shots that you love most. Happy travels.

 

[zlatko]

I have the 35IS and it is a beauty. Highly recommend it.

Same here. A really nice lens. High quality + light weight + reasonable price + IS = happy photographer.