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Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM Post a Review
Reviews Views Date of last review
65 226102 Mar 31, 2003
Recommended By Average Price
92% of reviewers $1,080.59
Build Quality Rating Price Rating Overall Rating
9.63
8.29
9.0
ef24mmf_14l_1_

Description:
Professional wide-angle lens with an ultra-large maximum aperture of f/1.4. This is the first EF lens to employ both a replicated aspherical lens element to suppress distortion and spherical aberration, and a UD lens element to correct lateral chromatic aberration. Thanks to the floating construction, excellent corner-to-corner delineation is attained from 10 in. (25 cm) to infinity.
Keywords: EF 24mm f/1.4L USM
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primeshot
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Registered: Jan 21, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 0
Review Date: Nov 1, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp lens. Great IQ, build, focus speed.
Cons: None

I love the perspective on this lens; and at 1.4 there are many creative possibilities. I contemplated getting the Mark II but I cannot see why I would. This lens delivers every time.

Nov 1, 2009
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Haring
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Registered: Sep 11, 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2
Review Date: Sep 11, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: cheaper than 35L
Cons: a 24-70 can produce this image quality



The picture quality is similar to a 24-70mm....:(:(:( It is better to buy the 24 70 because you will have the zoom up to 70mm!

I sold it and bought a Canon 35L. What a big difference!

You can see a few pictures in the portfolio for real estate properties:
www.haringphotography.com
The point is that you won't see a difference between my 28-70L and this lens...:(


Sep 11, 2009
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Uracas
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Registered: Jan 8, 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 3
Review Date: May 15, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Finds light at 1.4 that cannot be seen, well built
Cons: Unsharp in many conditions


I think Darwin and Heisenburg teamed up on this lens...

Maybe I fell victim to Natural Selection when I bought this on EBay... I wonder if many used lenses there are being sold because they are not good copies.

My copy captures exotic light at 1.4 especially in low light where it exhibits apparent sharpness. But when I try to get sharp photos in bright light nothing I do helps. F8 you ask? Nope... Hood and front lighting with a totally staged shot? Nope... After hours of trying, luckily the sun will begin to set and then you can coax out a jaw dropper. The closer you try to replicate its low light performance in daylight the farther you will get from it.

I've heard reports the lens design physically precludes sharpness after 1.4. I havent disproven this. Of course at 1.4 the depth of focus is so shallow its easy to blame things on that, while the background is excused by depth of filed limitations.

Yeah I know I should send it in for calibration but its a professional lens and I am just being stubborn I guess. Besides, my experiences are too similar others to go through the expense and hassle.

So now it is a niche lens for me. I had hoped it would be my "one lens" holy grail but have resigned myself to wander the earth in search of a sharp Canon "wider than 35L" walkaround prime.

Will I buy the 24 1.4L II ? Sharper probably, but come on now Canon... you made your bones by not overcharging like Nikon, dont leave us believers in the dust.


May 15, 2009
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PhotoDude79
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Registered: Jan 28, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 580
Review Date: May 14, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $890.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp wide open, small, awesome, awesome bokeh, DOF is thin and finely feathered.
Cons: None right now

I got this lens last week from KEH and I must say it's a damn good addition to my gear. I love the DOF, it's sharp wide open. Not as sharp as the 35L but very close. Trust me get this lens and you will not be disappointed. The only thing I had to get use to is the field of view. My 50 1.8 was stuck on my 5D until I got this.

May 14, 2009
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recordproducti
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Registered: Jul 11, 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 143
Review Date: Apr 19, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Excellent build, solid, f//1.4
Cons: Less sharp than the 35L

A very nice lens. I found that it's not as sharp wide open as my 35L so I may have a less perfect copy but it's got me magazine covers no other lens could have.

I am finding that I'm moving back to my 16-35L more for wide use as it's a little more flexible and more even in sharpness across the frame but the 24L has a 'look' that no other lens can match.


Apr 19, 2009
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Norwin Uy
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Registered: Jul 8, 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 364
Review Date: Apr 12, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $800.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very sharp, even wide open. Great contrast and superb colors. Sturdy build, common 77mm diameter. Silent and accurate focus.
Cons: Extreme chromatic aberration wide open. i

This is one spectacular lens. This is one of the two L primes I own and have ever tried, the other being the 135mm f/2. The 135mm has the edge in image quality in that there is less chromatic aberration wide open, but this lens gets more use because of the focal length. It really is a wonderful perspective on full frame, but also on the 1.3x sensor. It is a wide angle perspective but has just enough reach to make for interesting portraits/group portraits. Having extensively used the 50mm f/1.4, the biggest difference has to be the contrast and colors, with the 24mm being so much more saturated so that the images straight from camera require very little processing. The L brand really speaks out in this regard.

I believe this lens is way underrated due to the more popular 35mm f/1.4 To be honest, I was looking for the 35mm and hadn't considered the 24mm until a deal came up. Needless to say my desire for the 35 has dissipated; I am completely hooked on this lens.

If you are looking for a fast prime on the wider end, you won't be disappointed with this lens.


Apr 12, 2009
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Breitling65
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Registered: May 31, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 2231
Review Date: Oct 9, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Small, light, fast for low light, great AF speed, L colors/contrast
Cons: Nothing, bit softer corners at F1.4 is understeandable to me. Nothing to compare yet, mk II not for sale yet as well.

One of the "must have" L primes, my copy is sharp wide open and no complains about. Excellent for travel lens since not as big and heavy. Amazing colors and contrast similar to 35L/85L/135L primes.
Some shots with it I did in Barcelona:

http://www.pbase.com/breitling65/image/94683244
http://www.pbase.com/breitling65/image/94684275
http://www.pbase.com/breitling65/image/94765186


Oct 9, 2008
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Kaffemonster
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Registered: May 30, 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 401
Review Date: Oct 5, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Compact, light, FOV, sharp as a razor, most wonderful bokeh I have ever seen.
Cons: None.

Swapped my 16-35L for this. Glad I did... AMAZING lens!

I am so much in love with it, it's just not natural. SHARP wide open from F/1.4, yet with beautiful bokeh. Rivals my 135L for bokeh quality.

Growing flickr set of images shot with this lens:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dk_spook/sets/72157607698321986/


Oct 5, 2008
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lextalionis
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Registered: Jul 28, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 853
Review Date: Jul 22, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $1,170.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Wonderful landscape lens and close-focus wide-angle lens. Build is worth every penny you spend on this lens.
Cons: None really other than I would recommend keeping this on a full-frame body.

Very very sharp and wonderful colors...1.4 sharpness is incredible and I couldn't notice any distortion.

Here are some sample shots taken with a Canon EOS 5D

-Roy


Jul 22, 2008
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twistedlim
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Registered: Oct 20, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 2169
Review Date: Mar 18, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, colorful, and very fast
Cons: None within the physical limits of the lens. Pricey, but then again it is f1.4.

I had one of these a while back that was OK but not anywhere near the sharpness and contrast of the 35 1.4 even after calibration. After going through a couple of copies at a local store I found a gem. It is every bit as nice as a 35 1.4.

Mar 18, 2008
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zweigelt
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Registered: Jan 13, 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 0
Review Date: Jan 13, 2008 Recommend? | Price paid: Not Indicated

 
Pros:
Cons:

I feel that there is a very limited lens-choice when photographing natural "situations" - things that happen in every day life. On FF-cameras I switch between 35 and 50, but the 35 is a bit too WA and the 50 is a bit to close - therefore on Canon-FF I prefer the 24-70, which is a pity because of the 2.8 limit.
On crop cameras the 24 L is my dream-lens! It equals about 39 mm. Just the perfect focal length and all the speed one needs.
Contrast and color is wonderful, really outstanding sharpness from 2.2 on. But even wide open this lens has given me images I donīt want to have missed.
To compare image quaity between the 24-70 on FF and the 24 L on crop? Just no comparison - the 24 L has a lot more definition, contrast and some sort of 3D-quality, the zoom can never match. I donīt have the 16-35 II (the Mark I was not so great) to compare - maybe that would be the answer, except for speed and therefore DOV...
On a crop body the 24 L is MY lens - Iīd wish Canon would make a 40mm 1.4 for FF bodies.
With all the fuss about the 35 L (which is a wonderful lens) the merits of the 24 L are not so apparent. In my oppinion and for my use though this lens is a true gem.


Jan 13, 2008
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zweigelt
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Registered: Jan 13, 2008
Location: Germany
Posts: 0
Review Date: Jan 13, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: perfect Reportage-lens on a crop camera, superb build
Cons: here in Germany very expensive (1.200,- Euro)

I feel that there is a very limited lens-choice when photographing natural "situations" - things that happen in every day life. On FF-cameras I switch between 35 and 50, but the 35 is a bit too WA and the 50 is a bit to close - therefore on Canon-FF I prefer the 24-70, which is a pity because of the 2.8 limit.
On crop cameras the 24 L is my dream-lens! It equals about 39 mm. Just the perfect focal length and all the speed one needs.
Contrast and color is wonderful, really outstanding sharpness from 2.2 on. But even wide open this lens has given me images I donīt want to have missed.
To compare image quaity between the 24-70 on FF and the 24 L on crop? Just no comparison - the 24 L has a lot more definition, contrast and some sort of 3D-quality, the zoom can never match. I donīt have the 16-35 II (the Mark I was not so great) to compare - maybe that would be the answer, except for speed and therefore DOV...
On a crop body the 24 L is MY lens - Iīd wish Canon would make a 40mm 1.4 for FF bodies.
With all the fuss about the 35 L (which is a wonderful lens) the merits of the 24 L are not so apparent. In my oppinion and for my use though this lens is a true gem.


Jan 13, 2008
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ef24mmf_14l_1_


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