I didn't think it would be, but this lens winds up on my Rebel XT most of the time. The lens is compact and performs well indoors in low light - best to use autofocus set to center point only. 35mm focal length is a nice general purpose focal length on a 1.6 crop DSLR.
This lens is sharp at f2.0 and really sharp by f2.5-f2.8. I have a lot of experience and test my lenses with tripod/mirror lockup, I'm not just saying sharp at f2.0 - it IS sharp. I considered the 24mm f2.8, but f2.8 is a pretty slow prime at wider focal lengths - loses a lot of the low light advantage.
I am impressed with the colors I have been getting from this lens, wasn't really expecting the colors to be so good at such a low price point - doesn't have the L lens coatings, but Canon did the colors right.
The autofocus speed is pretty good - not as fast as ring USM lenses - and it is a little noisy/buzzy.
I currently own 7 Canon lenses (2 Ls) including 4 primes - this 35mm is definitely a top bang-for-the-buck lens. (another is the 28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM zoom - and I don't even like zooms)
Looking for a low-light prime? For 240 bucks at Amazon - just do it! Canon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Bought this lens as a 'standard' prime lens for my Digital Rebel XT. What I found was that it was a fast, sharp, and lightweight lens that made the camera great for long walks. This would be the perfect lens to take to an amusement park, hiking, or biking where size and weight are a concern.
I've also used this lens for macro photography and portraits where it shines. The F2 Bokeh is wonderful and center sharpness is superb even at F2, much better at F4 which is what I use most of the time.
On the negative side, autofocus is noisy. To compare, it's like a drug-crazed wasp trapped in a matchbox. Maybe a mosquito buzzing close to your ear. It's not louder than the shutter, though. If this were a film camera and I was trying to take candid shots, I'd complain more, but it's a 56mm equivelant lens.
Another negative is build quality. They really should make the body of this lens out of thicker plastic. No reason to skimp there as the 'feel' of the lens certainly gives you much more confidence for very little weight penalty. Make it feel solid.
I've got a 52-55mm step-up ring on it as I've got a slew of 55mm filters. This also helps in that the lens cap is further from the body of the lens and easier to remove and replace.
If Canon had made a faster lens in 28mm at the same price point, I would have gone that way. For my tastes, it would have been preferable to have that extra field of view assuming the quality was as good.
Super lightweight, sharp wide open, short minimum focus distance, fast AF. Decent bokeh. Ability to take pictures in very low light , Super cheap when compared to it's 35mm f1.4 L $1000+ brother and at 1.6 on digital its a normal lens
see some shots: http://www.pbase.com/2bruce/gilling
Update after a year of using this lens...
This lens stays on my Canon 40D more than all of my more expensive lenses. (I have the Canon Macro 100 F2.8, Canon 70-200 L F4, Canon 17-40 L F4)
This lens takes super sharp photos from F5.6-F11. And, the colors are very nice!!
Even if I upgrade to the 35mm 1.4 someday, I will still use this lens because it is so light and doesn't draw attention.
Sorry to keep raving about this lens but, for an older, louder model, it still does a decent job!! And, like I have said before, having F2 is great for low light shots and when you want your subject to really stand out.
Update after five months of using this lens...
Some of my best shots have been taken using this lens. I have read a few reviews of this lens and some say it is just average. I disagree. It is capable of taking some very nice pics. And, it is such a pleasure to carry around your neck all day long because it is so light weight.
I used to carry my 17-40 L lens just in case I need to take a wide angle shot. Now, I just take several pictures with this lens and stitch them together. Since there is very little distortion the pics line up very easily. Most of the time I only go out with my Canon 40D and this lens. I use F2 all the time. I love the shallow depth of field. You have so many more creative options.
Like one reviewer said, careful if you get this lens. You will like it so much you might be tempted to get the more expensive L version.
This is a great focal length on a cropped sensor camera. If you feel a little boxed in all you have to do is take a couple steps back.
I think every photographer should have this lens. It is light, has good picture quality and is very sharp. And, it doesn't kill your shoulder after an hour of walking around with it. F2 combined with a high ISO allows you to shoot handheld in very low light. And, the pics still come out sharp!
Bottom line..just get it. You won't be sorry.
Original Review
I find myself using this lens more and more. I love using an F2 aperture. It opens up a whole new world of creativity. You can make ordinary scenes become extraordinary. You can blur out backgrounds and make your subject pop off the screen/print. But, be warned, you will need fast shutter speeds so your pics will not be overexposed. I was shooting wide open in daylight today and sometimes the camera had to choose a shutter speed of 8000! That is my 40d's maximum shutter speed. So, if you have a Rebel (Max. shutter speed of 4000), you may have to use a slightly smaller aperture or screw on an ND filter/polarize to ensure your pics aren't over exposed.
I have tried taking pics at F2 through F22 and this lens is pretty sharp at all apertures. Like most lenses it is slightly sharper when stopped down a bit but F2 is very useable!
About focusing...many people have mentioned how loud it is. This will not be an issue if you are shooting outside. You won't even notice the noise. But, inside, in a church, you will be getting some funny looks. But, there is always manual focus for more discrete situations. Just remember to flick the switch. You can't focus manually when you are on auto focus.
It has taken a little time for me to get used to using a fixed focal length lens. I, like most us , have been spoiled by zooms. But, it is nice to have almost no distortion and be able to take pics in available room light (while keeping a low iso like 200 or 400) This lens also gives you something no Canon zoom can give you. Apertures below 2.8.
This lens is so light you don't even feel it on your camera. Much better for your neck after an 8 hour day of walking around taking pics. For the first time in a long time I have gotten brave and left my 17-40 L and my 70-200 L at home. This lens can't do everything but it can do a lot of things so it makes a great walk around lens.
If I need to take a pic with something that is pretty far away I use my 40'd's live view and magnify the screen 10 times. This is an excellent way to tell if I am focused properly. Once the focus is set, I go back to looking though the viewfinder. Then, when I crop the image and zoom in the part I need, it is very sharp. You lose a little bit of file size but hey, that is a small price to pay to only have to carry around one very small and light lens.
I have only had this lens for about a week. So far I really like it. Having a sharp F2 was the main reason I chose this lens. I have a feeling this will stay on my camera more than my L lenses. It is nice to know I have a good lens to handle indoor situations. Sure, I can always crank up the ISO on my other L lenses but it is sooo nice to shoot indoors and never go above ISO 400. The pic quality is really great.
If you are used to zooms there will be a little bit of an adjustment period. You will feel limited at first and then you will adapt your technique to exploit the most from this lens. I love it and highly recommend it. The price is great and the image quality for the most part is impressive.
I also own the 50mm 1.8. I don't find that focal length very useful. (Because I don't do a lot of portraits) I always feel boxed in. 35mm is a lot better focal length for me. - Photography - Prime Lens - Wide Angle - Lens'
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