Canon 16/35 2.8L

Fireman

I would be very grateful if someone would advise me on the purchase of a Canon 16/35 f/2.8L as I already own a 17/85 F4-5.6 IS USM but it isn't a L series
I take a lot of group photos indoors and I could do with the 2.8 for that extra light and I also take a lot of family portraits with elinchrom lighting set. The 16/35 is a lot of money and I am wondering if I would see a big difference in quality as I always have to improve the colour in PS

Type of Camera 20D


Regards Fireman

leinsterman

Considering this lens myself for the EOS 5D when I buy it (currently using a 20D) ... in fact I was discussing it with Fajitas only 2 hours ago ...

He did comment about hearing about issues with quality but most of the reviews seem good ... happen to have all the pages we were looking at open in my browser still so cut/paste -

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=2&sort=7&cat=27&page=1
or
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-16-35mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
or
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1635_28/index.htm

However (and I face a similar dilemma to you) as an alternative for a tight budget you may want to consider a couple of fast primes.

If you need something wide and fast then Fajitas has the Sigma 30mm EX and swears by it ... or there is this little baby -

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_24_28/index.htm

... me I want a good portriat lens and a walk around for the 5D so I'll be going for the 16-35 2.8L and either the 85mm F1.8 or 100mm F2 ... though the 24-104 F4L is tempting, but I already have the Sigma 24-70 F2.8 EX

Paddy@CIRL

Use the 16-35 2.8L on the 1Ds, great lens but does suffer from distortion at full frame, but that is to be expected I suppose ..

sample :

leinsterman

Paddy@CIRL wrote:

Use the 16-35 2.8L on the 1Ds, great lens but does suffer from distortion at full frame, but that is to be expected I suppose ..

If you had the chance to go for it again ...would you recommend this lens ? or is the an alternative for the full frame ?

Also By distortion are you referring to vignetting ? If so then where does this kick in ?

Paddy@CIRL

Barrell distortion present under 50mm on full frame, its when the world starts curving, Vignetting isnt too bad until about 16mm, that above is as bad as it gets.

I don't pay for any of this gear but I cant imagine myself using another lens at this focal range ...

Roen

Zeiss 21mm with converter is the only boy.
But seeing as your in the market of sanity, try the 17 - 55 E-FS ƒ2.8 IS, knocks the stuffing out of any of the other Canon wide zooms by a measure if all the reports are to be believed. Should come in at the same price as the 16 - 35 ƒ2.8 but without all the QA issues.

Then again.....if you ever go full frame.......

Fireman

Hi Roen
The 17 - 55 E-FS ƒ2.8 IS would not be compatible with an upgrade from my 20D which I hope to do within the next 12mths + I already have an 17 / 85 IS USM but I am looking for an L series lens for that extra quality
Thanks for your input

Fireman

Roen

That's the rub, the 17-55 is better than any of the other L zooms in that range (according to reports). I do fully understand what your talking about when it comes to the upgrade though.

What I plan to do myself is upgrade to whatever the 5D (or a 1 series) is replaced with and keep my 20D. I'll have a FF sensor on my main body for wides /portraits and I'll have the 20D for the extra reach that the crop factor gives.

If you're planning on upgrading soon I may hold off and get a 24-70 ѓ2.8, That'll be plenty wide on a FF body and would be more useful for group/families portraits. Then your wide angle will be covered with what is one of the more highly regarded lenses.

I used a 10-22 recently on the 20D (Thanks Fajitas!) which equates to 16-35 in old money and it's insanely wide even with the crop factor.

Best of luck, besides you can always sell on if you're not happy!

Fajitas!

10-22? Jaysus, I'm not rich! It was only the 10-20!

And yes...it's VERY wide.

This may be going completly off from what you wanted, but would you consider a 24-70 2.8? Or even a 20mm 1.8? Just out of curiosity, not saying that anything is better or worse than anything else!

Fireman

Thanks To everyone who replied to my thread. I must say this forum is a mine of information when it comes to photography
Leinsterman I checked out all those sites you recommended to me and i was 95% set on the 16/35
But Fagitas has also recommended the 24-70 2.8 ( Which would work well on a FF )and I will have to check it out before I make up my mind

NB I also have a 10 / 22 EFS F/3.5-4.5 USM and 70 / 200 2.8 IS-USM Canon

Regards Fireman

Fajitas!

I'd really be checking out the 24-70, it's fast, and if your going to full frame, 24mm is plenty wide, about what you would be seeing at 16mm on your 10-22 with the 1.6 ratio. It also gives you extra reach if you need it, it has L lens quality, and has from what I can remember, has reccomendation after reccomendation.

leinsterman

Fireman wrote:

But Fagitas has also recommended the 24-70 2.8 ( Which would work well on a FF )and I will have to check it out before I make up my mind

I have the Sigma 24-70 F2.8Ex ... It is not bad (after having returned it to Sigmas agents in Cork for adjustment, it was initially soft .. but sharp now) ... but a tad on the noisy side ... If you can afford it then the Canon version may be you man ... though the Sigma is a good compromise ...

Fireman

I have just realized that the 1DMark 2N ( When I upgrade???) is not a full frame but has a FOCV of 1.3 which would make the 24 /70 a 31 / 91 which would not be wide enough for group photography


Regards Fireman

digitalage

Fireman I have a canon 1d mII and its actually 1.25 crop factor when measured. I have both lenses the canon 16-35mm and the canon 24-70mm. For group photography I would go with the canon 16-35mm, the copy I have is stellar at f2.8 right throught from 16 - 35mm, its alot sharper than the canon 24-70mm wide open. I find I use the canon 24-70 alot more as I find 24mm wide enough for me, but then again I don't shot groups of people.

Fireman

Thanks Digitalage: Please forgive me if this is a stupid question as I have never heard the phrase Stellar what dose it mean and I am glad to hear that you find it sharp as I am almost certain I will buy it


Fireman

digitalage

by stellar I mean very sharp especially at the center.