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Archive 2012 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii

  
 
RobertLynn
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


I have been thinking about this lens for awhile now. It is not because of a need for 24mm, I've got that covered with 24-70, and 24-105. I do have a fast 35 for when 2.8 won't do.

I've been considering another 16-35, but I hardly used it when I owned it, and though I'd sometimes like wider, I don't run into a need yet.

I'm thinking the 24 1.4 is going to open uP new possibilities in shooting, and at 1.4 it's much faster than my 35 f/2 and obviously more so than my zooms.

I'm thinking it will help me with my technique also making me more critical in my work, for instance my 135 is seldom used because I just suck with it. The is of my 70-200 is a life saver.
The reviews I have read suggest that there's some focus issues with the 24? I'm thinking this brouhaha is just the people who got a bad one complaining, but I just wanted to check out here.

I'd been waiting for a refurb to get in stock, but with the rebates I'm thinking I'm just going to say screw it and order it today.

I know some users here love it, and their word is more than good enough for me. Perhaps I'm just looking for some lens porn and a push over the edge l.



Aug 13, 2012 at 07:15 AM
jkhalifa
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


Just got this lens and took a picture of a cat, which I believe is customary. So far I rather like this lens. Here's a shot at 1.4.

If you're looking for advice, I think the big question is what focal length is important to you. If with the 35 you often find yourself wanting wider but still fast, the 24L II is going to be tough to beat. You seem to have a pretty good idea of what you want, though. I say go for it.

Justin





Kittums




Aug 13, 2012 at 07:52 AM
nburwell
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


A lot of people have trouble deciding whether to get the 24L or the 35L. I personally have owned both lenses (not at the same time). I presently own the 24L II and I found that I use it a bit more than when I had my 35L. Generally when I'm out shooting, I'm more around 24mm since I tend to shoot more WA. So in that regard, the 24L really works for me.

From overall personal experience, it's a great lens. The IQ and sharpness of the copy I have are up to my standards. I would definitely recommend you at least check it out if you're on the fence about buying it (although it seems like you're willing to pull the trigger).

-Nick



Aug 13, 2012 at 08:57 AM
David Baldwin
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


I am very pleased with my 24L Mk2 as it is a very well corrected lens in terms of IQ but the AF performance on my 5D2 has been disappointing. Luckily for me though I use live view manual focussing alot so this isn't a concern for me, otherwise the lens would have gone back to Canon for tuning up. It may well be that the problem will vanish if I ever get a 5D3 or 5D4.




Aug 13, 2012 at 08:57 AM
RobertLynn
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


I ordered it lol.


Aug 13, 2012 at 09:02 AM
Ralph Conway
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


The catīs pic was convincing enough?


Aug 13, 2012 at 09:07 AM
RobertLynn
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


Ralph Conway wrote:
The catīs pic was convincing enough?

Eh, I figure it's just money. I don't like how the prices went up with the increased rebate, but I can't be pissed for too long.

It's like they sell for what, $1300 used? If I don't like it in a year or two, I can sell it.

If I get it and it's a piece of crap, I can send it back for a new one.



Aug 13, 2012 at 09:11 AM
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


I believe the 24L II is one of the "dream" lenses: there's none faster/wider (faster, wider but not both, unless you count the goofy Sigma 20/1.8), and if you get there this is where you will stay. I'd really love to have one but I'd have to sell my 16-35 for that (and nobody wants my 14).


Aug 13, 2012 at 09:38 AM
RobertLynn
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


Snopchenko wrote:
I believe the 24L II is one of the "dream" lenses: there's none faster/wider (faster, wider but not both, unless you count the goofy Sigma 20/1.8), and if you get there this is where you will stay. I'd really love to have one but I'd have to sell my 16-35 for that (and nobody wants my 14).


I will probably end up with a 16-35 again, but probably not this year. Perhaps next. This year was a lot of big purchases and I don't want to ruin all of the fun for next year lol.



Aug 13, 2012 at 10:00 AM
jkhalifa
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


Ralph Conway wrote:
The catīs pic was convincing enough?


Thanks, Ralph. With that, I'm going to take credit for this sale. Much obliged.

Robert, I think you'll really like the lens. Congrats on the purchase.

Justin



Aug 13, 2012 at 10:11 AM
onegreatcity
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


I briefly owned the 24L II and was very impressed. Colour, contrast, sharpness and build quality were excellent but I didn't reach for it very often and sold it to acquire a 24-105 and a macro lens. If I moved from a 1.3 crop to FF, I'd be tempted to try it again. You won't be unhappy, congrats on the purchase.


Aug 13, 2012 at 10:12 AM
gdanmitchell
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


RobertLynn wrote:
I'm thinking it will help me with my technique also making me more critical in my work, for instance my 135 is seldom used because I just suck with it. The is of my 70-200 is a life saver.
...Perhaps I'm just looking for some lens porn and a push over the edge l.


I think your second-to-last observation ("... lens porn....") is probably right. Rather than push you over that edge, I'm going to discourage you from buying such a lens for the reasons you mention.

I own the lens. It is a fine lens for certain purposes, though I get far more use out of a couple of L zooms at the 24mm focal length for the work I do.

Unless I missed something in your post, the only reason you really mention for getting this lens is that you are "thinking it will help me with my technique," "making me more critical in my work." You also mention that you imagine that it will open us some vague and undefined "new possibilities" in your shooting. I think you are looking for an excuse to buy this really cool looking lens, but I'm also pretty certain that it will have almost no value in that context. You already have this focal length range covered with a fine lens, overall it seems that you (reasonably) prefer shooting zooms.

We've all occasionally developed a fixation on some piece of gear for reasons that are, frankly, hard to explain. I'm not immune, though I've managed to finally adopt some ways of dealing with this that at least make me a lot more resistant. Often when we get fixated on some piece of gear we come up with a lot of reasons to explain and justify what is really mostly a sort of emotional focus on the acquisition of the lens. Some signs that Gear Acquisition Syndrome may be in play include vague notions about how the lens will make you better, a history of buying similar fancy gear that eventually ended up being boring, a history of getting the thing that seemed like what you needed only to then start to desire another different thing in the same way, and the unfortunate tendency to think a lot more about equipment than about photographs, often putting off the thinking about photographs with the vague, almost unarticulated thought that once you solve the "lens problem" that the photographs will take care of themselves.

There are a few things that may help you resist:

- Focus on photographs rather than gear. Perhaps share a photograph per week or day online as a sort of assignment to yourself. You will occasionally be blocked or frustrated, but keep going - the practice eventually begins to develop your eye and shift your passion away from gear and toward photographs.

- Try shooting some lens you already have at 24mm and no other focal length for a few days and see how much you really need to have a prime at this FL.

- As hard as it is, instead of imagining how you might need something, look at your photography and ask yourself in cold, analytical terms how many shots you were unable to get (actually unable to get, not imagine that you might not be able to get) because you did not have a 24mm f/1.4 prime.

- When you make a decision that you "need" something like this lens, sit on the decision for a month or two months before making your purchase. If at any time during that waiting period you start to feel the uncontrollable urge to buy now or, on the other hand, you start to second guess your "decision," reset the clock for another month or two before you purchase. Time often has a way of reducing the Gear Lust passions.

Good luck with your decisions.

Dan



Aug 13, 2012 at 11:44 AM
timpdx
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


RobertLynn wrote:
I ordered it lol.

Too bad, I would sell you my nice sharp copy, getting out of Canon system (but absolutely by far my favorite lens), will be on b&s soon enough.



Aug 13, 2012 at 11:49 AM
RobertLynn
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


Dan,

Great post, thank you.

As with anything, I think at some point a new "toy" is always fun. While not rich by any stretch of the imagination, and definitely I have other things I could've chosen to spend some disposable income on, I'd been eye balling this for awhile.

With that said, there's a few reasons for it. You are absolutely correct in that I enjoy my zooms and they are very good at that. However, they have their short falls. While I consider anything faster than f/4 fast, f/1.4 is incredible comparitively.

I've been in some church situations lately where the lighting was 1/30 at 2.8 (iso is meaningless in this equation but 6400-12800). That's too slow for hand holding the 24-70, and even with IS the f/4 of the 24-105 is too slow.

I have the 35 f/2, and have used it to help before.

Optically, the 24 1.4 is going to be much better than the 24-70/105 as well.

Focusing at 1.4 is going to be a new challenge or excitement too. There is always the argument that I could just do that with my 135 f/2, but as great as that lens is, I just don't use it. I really am thinking I should've bought an 85 1.2 instead.

Lastly, the 24 also provides a suitable backup for my 24-70.

I am thinking that perhaps I should've bought the utility of the 16-35 again first, before the "novelty" of the 24. Like I said though, it was just some bonus money, and it came at the right time of me being tired of waiting for a refurb, too lazy to take pictures of my 7d that I put up for trade for one, and unwillingness to buy this used.( I've done well with used, with only my 5d being a problem buy and am due for a strike out soon lol).

I shoot mma, portraits, events, stills and more and more children lately.
I shoot 1div's, have 35 f/2, 50 /2.5, 24-70, 24-105, 70-200. I think that's all, I don't remember lol.



Aug 13, 2012 at 12:18 PM
kaycephoto
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


24L is awesome, you shouldn't be disappointed (unless you just don't need the focal length)

nothing better for indoor group portraits in limited available light or with flash.. i think 24mm is a good compromise for having a wide-angle lens that doesn't distort too too much (Lightroom handles the distortion & the resulting image is still plenty sharp).. handles flash better than the 35L i find, slightly better colours than the over-saturated (by my taste) yellow-ish 35L as well.. i feel the 24L doesn't focus quite as reliably as the 35L in some situations, but i typically shoot at least 2 frames of all big group portraits anyhow, so it's never been a prob for me.

congrats on your purchase!



Aug 13, 2012 at 01:09 PM
Hulot
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


it is a superb lens! Recently there was a thread about improving AF on the MKII using AF assist points, at least for this lens it makes a difference to me.


Aug 13, 2012 at 03:05 PM
RobertLynn
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


Hulot wrote:
it is a superb lens! Recently there was a thread about improving AF on the MKII using AF assist points, at least for this lens it makes a difference to me.


Do elaborate?



Aug 13, 2012 at 03:21 PM
Hulot
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1133101/0#10817820

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1114166/0#10643306

ok?



Aug 13, 2012 at 04:29 PM
RobertLynn
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


Hulot wrote:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1133101/0#10817820

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1114166/0#10643306

ok?

Thanks for the info!



Aug 13, 2012 at 05:25 PM
Sneakyracer
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · On the fence about 24 1.4ii


I have to agree with Dan. I own, have owned and or used most lenses in the Canon L lens line under 300mm if not all of them and a few others. If you need to ask about a lens like the 24mm 1.4 then you dont need it. Its best you rent the lens or borrow it and use it for few days.

There are 2 reasons to have a lens like the 24mm 1.4L II.

#1: You want/need the 24mm lens with the highest image quality that Canon makes (over a broad f stop range with AF)

#2: You want/need to shoot at f1.4-f2 constantly (at 24mm of course)

Honestly, I only use my best lenses when Im shooting for commercial purposes (advertising and as a unit stills photog. in films) or potential comercial purposes (personal projects that are going to be on sale as large prints or publication (book) ). Believe it or not in most of my travels I take a Nikon V1 and kit lens and/or my 5D3 with the 17-40L and 40mm pancake.




Aug 13, 2012 at 06:27 PM
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