Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Fantastic all-around lens! November 28, 2008
Just a short note... When I upgraded to a DSLR system from my old-school 35mm, I was used to a nice standard 50mm f1.8. Well, digital doesn't roll quite the same way since you convert all of your factors for us Rebel/40D users. After conversion, this lens offers 56mm measurement, a very close range to my older 35mm SLRs. When I bought this lens and the 50mm f1.4, I barely ever used that 50mm, designed for portraits, and an outstanding job it does. But the 35 is terrific for shooting outdoors or with family and friends, and takes a terrific photograph for a fair price. I highly suggest trying this lens out.
Excellent lens September 30, 2008
great lens for working at a relatively wide angle with a large aperture, i use this along with the nifty 50 to get most things done, havent had any issues with it yet.
 Basic 35mm lens June 14, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a great low priced prime lens. While it lacks any zoom, it has a great DOF and crisp clear image. It is a bit noisy, but more than makes up for it with quality and small size. Highly recommended entry level lens for quick easy photos, and that old 35mm experience and shot.
Having F2 is inspiring-it adds so many creative options-my new favorite lens June 13, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
A Sweet Little Lens April 7, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
While this lens is not perfect, it is lightweight and does a fairly good job. Using it on a Canon 5D, it takes good landscape and architectural images. Its size is amazing in its compactness and lightness. It is fairly sharp from edge to edge and has distance indicators meaning one can set the lens to manual and use it with preset hyperfocal distance. The lens itself is noisy and without USM, it is not as smooth in focusing as a more expensive lens. But for the price, it is highly recommended for those days when carrying a heavier lens just is not an option.
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