EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

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Archive 2008 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

PetKal
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p.2 #1 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

My 24 f/2.8 sharpness I'd rate somewhere around average for that class of Canon primes. The 35 f/2 I had was similarly sharp.

This sample is a JPG straight out of camera (300D), resized for web. Lens wide open.

2012 © PetKal

Edited on Jan 01, 2009 at 01:33 AM · View previous versions

Jan 01, 2009 at 12:47 AM

galenapass
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p.2 #2 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

Impressed with bobytan's crop, but not so much with Jim's crop. It makes me wonder about sample to sample variation. Some reviews look good - like bobby's crop - and some not so good like Jim's crop.

Jan 01, 2009 at 12:49 AM

Jim Schemel
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p.2 #3 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

galenapass wrote:
Impressed with bobytan's crop, but not so much with Jim's crop. It makes me wonder about sample to sample variation. Some reviews look good - like bobby's crop - and some not so good like Jim's crop.

I'm pretty sure i have a good copy.Landscape compared to a sign with text might not be the best comparison not to mention he is using a 21 mega pixel sensor, here is another shot with 100% crop.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

-Jim

Canon EOS 20D 24 mm f/14.0 1/80 sec 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Jan 01, 2009 at 01:26 AM

PetKal
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p.2 #4 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

Jim Schemel wrote:
I'm pretty sure i have a good copy.Landscape compared to a sign with text might not be the best comparison not to mention he is using a 21 mega pixel sensor, here is another shot with 100% crop.

-Jim

Probably as good as they get, Jim.
However, wide open sharpness would be more telling.

Jan 01, 2009 at 01:33 AM

bobbytan
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p.2 #5 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

You do have a good copy, Jim. And yes, you are right .... you cannot compare crops between a 12mp and 21mp body. Besides, there are other factors like shutter speed and subject or camera movement, f-stop, etc. Your crop here looks good.

Jim Schemel wrote:

I'm pretty sure i have a good copy.Landscape compared to a sign with text might not be the best comparison not to mention he is using a 21 mega pixel sensor, here is another shot with 100% crop.

-Jim

Jan 01, 2009 at 01:35 AM

Jim Schemel
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p.2 #6 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

Here is a sample wide open that i could find quickly.Hope this info is helpful to the original poster.

-Jim

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Canon EOS 5D 24 mm f/2.8 1/160 sec 160 ISO -0.3 EV

Jan 01, 2009 at 01:42 AM

galenapass
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p.2 #7 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

Thanks Jim. I do agree that the 2nd shot is a better comparison and as such it does look good. I have to say that long ago I pretty much wrote this lens off due to some of the reviews I saw online and that was the main basis for my skepticism. However, these crops that have been posted are very convincing and also demonstrates that one of the nice things about people on FM is that they generally put out the extra effort to actually show examples.

My main interest in this thread is that like the OP I am currently considering my options at the short end of the lens spectrum. This has been good information and has made me reconsider this lens. Thanks again.

Jan 01, 2009 at 04:10 AM

danmitchell
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p.2 #8 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

bobbytan wrote:
You do have a good copy, Jim. And yes, you are right .... you cannot compare crops between a 12mp and 21mp body.

Typically, in a 100% crop sample, the sensor with the lower photosite count should look sharper. With the 21mp 100% sample you are looking "more closely" at a smaller portion of the image, and any "imperfections" in the image of a given absolute size will cover more photosites.

Dan

Jan 01, 2009 at 07:56 AM

philber
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p.2 #9 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

I own an 24 f:2.8. While I don't disagree with all that has been said so far, my experience with it is that, while in every way satisfactory, this lens doesn't display the "charm" or "magic" of my better Canon lenses (35L, 135L, 300L), or my new Zeiss lenses. I can't put my finger on anything specifically wrong, like CA, or vignetting, or lack of sharpness, it is more like a lack of sparkle, a slight sense of ennui. My guess is that this cheap lens does not have the coatings that L lenses get, and that this is what I pick up. Which is why I am earmarking some of my hard-earned for the CZ Distagon 21mm as and when Mssrs Zeiss are good enough to release it, and if it lives up to what its brethren deliver.

Jan 01, 2009 at 08:37 AM

borderlight
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p.2 #10 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

Philber wrote: this lens doesn't display the "charm" or "magic" of my better Canon lenses (35L, 135L, 300L), or my new Zeiss lenses.

I leave the "charm or magic" to the content of the photo, not the lens.

Jan 01, 2009 at 01:44 PM

Geofn
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p.2 #11 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

I have both the 24/2.8 and the 24/1.4L. At f/4 and above they are indistinguishable in sharpness. The L seems to have slightly more contrast, but the difference is quite subjective. The 24/2.8 truly is a great little lens, and one of Canon's best lens values.

Jan 01, 2009 at 03:45 PM

Fr3d
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p.2 #12 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

I shoot with this lens on a 5D II the sharpness is already very good and wide open and at f8 its mindblowing. Contrast ist excellent too which contributes to the subjective impression of sharpness. Go grab one, you won't regret it.

Jan 01, 2009 at 11:44 PM

bobbytan
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p.2 #13 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

Whilst I would agree with you on the L primes, I think the 24/2.8 is at least as good as the L zooms. If you compare the shot I took against my 24-70L on the previous page, you will see that they are about the same and, in fact, the 24/2.8 shows a little more contrast and sharpness.

philber wrote:
I own an 24 f:2.8. While I don't disagree with all that has been said so far, my experience with it is that, while in every way satisfactory, this lens doesn't display the "charm" or "magic" of my better Canon lenses (35L, 135L, 300L), or my new Zeiss lenses. I can't put my finger on anything specifically wrong, like CA, or vignetting, or lack of sharpness, it is more like a lack of sparkle, a slight sense of ennui. My guess is that this cheap lens does not have the coatings that L lenses get, and that this is what I pick up. Which is why I am earmarking some of my hard-earned for the CZ Distagon 21mm as and when Mssrs Zeiss are good enough to release it, and if it lives up to what its brethren deliver.

Jan 01, 2009 at 11:53 PM

skibum5
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p.2 #14 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

EF 24mm f/2.8 - Hidden Toad?

blech, even my wide zooms trounced it to pieces
i quickly sold it off after getting tamron 28-75 and tamron 17-50 aso blows it out of the water, even the 17-40L is better

for very close subjects it is not so bad but forget it for landscape stuff, it stinks

Jan 02, 2009 at 02:33 AM

skibum5
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p.2 #15 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

bobbytan wrote:

How's this crop? Do you think this is sharp enough?

not even close....
to my tamron zooms or even the 17-40L nevermind (admittedly much different beasts) like the 135L, 70-200 f/4 IS, 300 IS, etc.

Jan 02, 2009 at 02:36 AM

bobbytan
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p.2 #16 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

skibum5 wrote:
bobbytan wrote:

How's this crop? Do you think this is sharp enough?

not even close....
to my tamron zooms or even the 17-40L nevermind (admittedly much different beasts) like the 135L, 70-200 f/4 IS, 300 IS, etc.

I would love to see some of your samples.

Jan 02, 2009 at 02:38 AM

danmitchell
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p.2 #17 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

philber wrote:
it is more like a lack of sparkle, a slight sense of ennui...

Ennui? :-)

From what I can tell the 24mm f/2.8, like all lesser lenses, lacks the effervescent sparkly bubbyness of the L lenses, and its photos are wholly devoid of the delicate resonance of yummy goodness that gently suffuses all images created with the ineffable L. Subtle charm gently wafts from their every stop, filling the viewer with utter bliss. To use anything else would be an utter shame.

Ennui...

Right. ;-)

Jan 02, 2009 at 02:54 AM

PetKal
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p.2 #18 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

danmitchell wrote:
philber wrote:
it is more like a lack of sparkle, a slight sense of ennui...

Ennui? :-)

From what I can tell the 24mm f/2.8, like all lesser lenses, lacks the effervescent sparkly bubbyness of the L lenses,
No day passes for me without learning something new and important about gear(s) on this board.

Jan 02, 2009 at 03:10 AM

bobbytan
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p.2 #19 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

Not all L-lenses are good and not all non-L lenses are poor. All the macro and T/S lenses are superb .... and so is the 85/1.8 for example.

Jan 02, 2009 at 03:26 AM

abam
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p.2 #20 · EF 24/2.8... Hidden Gem?

From what I can tell the 24mm f/2.8, like all lesser lenses, lacks the effervescent sparkly bubbyness of the L lenses, and its photos are wholly devoid of the delicate resonance of yummy goodness that gently suffuses all images created with the ineffable L. Subtle charm gently wafts from their every stop, filling the viewer with utter bliss. To use anything else would be an utter shame.

ha. that sounds like a moto guzzi ad.

=)

Jan 02, 2009 at 03:31 AM

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