Any of you guys own / have used this lens? I'm shooting 30D right now, but will be getting 5d Mark II in a few months and want to get some good quality (but not L price) primes . . . probably this one and Sigma 50mm 1.4 for starters. I know I can't expect L performance, but does this come close? Does anyone have sample shots?

I've done some review researching and it seems that you either get a good copy or a bad copy . . . I found a good deal on eBay (good copy, seller sent me a couple of 1.8 and 2.8 samples) and might jump on it if I hear anything good from you folks!

Thanks,
Danno

I wouldn't do it. The focus is really slow and its not up to par with the similar canon lenses. I have the 20 2.8 and 28 1.8 and both are really really nice. The 28 would be sweet on your new 5D II.
Just my opinion I am jealous you are getting the new 5D!
Doug

hardlyboring wrote:
I wouldn't do it. The focus is really slow and its not up to par with the similar canon lenses. I have the 20 2.8 and 28 1.8 and both are really really nice. The 28 would be sweet on your new 5D II.
Just my opinion I am jealous you are getting the new 5D!
Doug

Not until May or so, but I'm pumped! =) Thanks for your insights Doug

Go try the 28 1.8 its the poor mans 24L. It is now my go to lens and is SUPER sharp. I can't even imagine how sweet it would be on FF and if you go full frame, get the 50 1.4 its cheap decently made and produces some stunning bokeh.

I used to have the canon 28/1.8 on my 20D, and it was decent. However, I think on a full frame camera it could be very nice as an alternative to the 24L.

I wish the sigma 30/1.4 wasn't only for 1.6x crops.

L quality primes (or even better, actually) without the L price: try the Zeiss ZE. 50mm f:1.4 and 85mm f:1.4 today, 21mm f:2.8 in June. But only if you are ready to live with manual focus with autofocus confirm.

hardlyboring wrote:
Go try the 28 1.8 its the poor mans 24L. It is now my go to lens and is SUPER sharp. I can't even imagine how sweet it would be on FF and if you go full frame, get the 50 1.4 its cheap decently made and produces some stunning bokeh.

I'm definitely definitely definitely going the 50 1.4 route . . . I've read and seen such great things, I'm excited to get my hands on one. I really wanted to get a good wide prime to complement this one, but going from 50 to 28 isn't wide enough of a step for me. That's why the 20 1.8 was looking so appealing . . . especially for FF

I have one, and rarely use it, I'd always stick on the 17-40 F4 L before using it. I have it for the dark caves, but will often go for high iso and/or flash before digging it out.

That said, I got some nice shots from it. I'm out and about right now, but I'll post something from it after christmas if your interested.

I might be using it a lot more now and I've dropped and smashed my 17-40 :-(

Merv.

I wouldnt recommend it. Focus is extremely slow and not too accurate. Optical quality is not-too-great at large apertures and vignetting is *extreme*. If you stop it down its good, but if you're stopping down, theres little point in buying an F1.8 lens.

The Canon 28/1.8 is a much better alternative if you can go with something not quite as wide.