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Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

c102690
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I'm in the market for a 35mm fast lens. I'm trying to decide between Canon EF 35mm 1.4 v1, Canon RF 35mm 1.8 and possibly even Tamron SP 35mm f1.4.
I do have an EF 24-70 2.8 II but looking to gradually build some prime lenses.
Ultimately, will invest in L RF lenses but those are out of my budget right now. I see the macro capability as a plus for the RF 1.8. However, after watching very slow STM autofocus compared to some EF lens, I am having a second thought on the RF 35mm 1.8.
This is going to be used for even photography...most times low light indoor event but outdoor as well. Will eventually invest in 50mm and 85.
It's also important I get a lens I can sell for about the same purchase price 6-12months from now.
Any suggestions and the why? Better if you've used either of these lenses on eos R6.

Sep 21, 2023 at 07:50 PM

Gochugogi
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I own the RF 35 1.8 Macro IS STM and I found it a great lens for flowers, small products, landscapes and general use. Sharp, 5.5 stops stabilization and relatively petite and light. Yes, AF is slower than my previous EF 35 2.0 IS USM—probably due to the front element extension design (typical for macro)—but plenty fast enough for macro and general use. I rarely use AI servo as this lens is at it best in one-shot mode. Continuous servo focus struggles with running critters and rug rats, not that anybody actually uses a 35mm lens for sports and moving wildlife. I've yet to find a flower, art work, document or landscape requiring fast AI servo...

Sep 21, 2023 at 09:25 PM

swldstn
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I decided to go with the EF 35mm f/1.4L II. Really happy with its over speed and handling. Good match to all my other RF L version glass. Don’t really want an RF f/1.2L.

Sep 21, 2023 at 09:32 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I've previously owned the EF 35/2 IS, and chose the EF 35/1.4L as an economical upgrade. I'm happy with my choice, as I've only really needed it at one wedding.

But if you can afford the EF 35/1.4L II, go for it! Great lens.

I wouldn't chose an STM f/1.8 over either EF L model, unless it was purely for weight savings.

I generally turn to Zeiss ZE 35/2 when AF isn't a pressing need.

Sep 22, 2023 at 12:11 AM

szwayko
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

Tamron 35/1.4 is the best - used - the same price like EF 35/1.4I - but much beter. A little more expensive than RF 35/1.8 but picture much more pleasent. Tamron told some years ago that this lens is the best lens in them history.

Sep 22, 2023 at 01:17 AM

Uarctos
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

Get the 35L. I'm using it on a 5D4 for low light interior shots, cocktail parties. Mine it's 12 years old and it's sharp, fast, has beautiful colors and is super reliable.

Sep 22, 2023 at 04:36 AM

tomasr
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

szwayko wrote:
Tamron 35/1.4 is the best - used - the same price like EF 35/1.4I - but much beter. A little more expensive than RF 35/1.8 but picture much more pleasent. Tamron told some years ago that this lens is the best lens in them history.

+1. Tamron 35mm f1.4 walks circles over any canon or the old sigma art design. EF 24-70 is another big step down; I'm actually just probably going to sell it off and not bother replacing unless I get into Sony or Nikon systems where the alternatives are slightly better, but not stellar by any means.

Fancy shooting landscape with sharp corners at f2.8? Maybe even f1.4? Tamron can do it easily

Sep 22, 2023 at 06:06 AM

tcphoto
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I owned the original Canon EF35/1.4 but it wasn't a great copy, it was particularly soft when shot near wide open. I sold it and didn't replace it until recently when I bought a Sigma 35/1.4. The Sigma is impressive, especially when you consider that I paid $400 for a near new copy. I shot an event back in May and it performed as I'd expected.

Sep 22, 2023 at 08:06 AM

c102690
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

Thanks for the feedback. I had Tamron 35 1.4 which I sold a few months ago. It was a very sharp copy and I want it back now. Have a WTB for an R6 and need to pair it with a great 35mm. I hardly shoot in AI-Servo that much but I do low light events and I don't want something that hunts for focus. I actually like the image quality on the RF 35 minus the vignetting when shooting wide open. I know this can be corrected in post but it's still there.
EF 35mm f/1.4L II is much superior lens but out of my budget right now. I could sell my 24-70 2.8II and replace with EF 35mm f1.4L II but I think I want to keep that lens for backup.
I owned a sigma 35 1.4 ART but didn't like it that lens for some reason. Could be I got a bad copy.
I'm thinking about Tamron or canon 35mm v1 at this point if I get a good copy. More likely a Tamron.

Sep 22, 2023 at 09:03 AM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I've seen really nice bokeh from EF 35/1.4 I, the 24-70/2.8 sounds better for events, though. I'd think that the different FL could be really helpful.Not sure how much lack of sharpness at 1.4 hurts a 35/1.4?

Surprised that the 35/1.4 II is so expensive, apparently really good though

Sep 22, 2023 at 10:52 AM

c102690
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

@AmbientMike: The 24-70 is a great lens for events and that's why I don't want to sell it. It comes in very handy. Overall, I think a good copy of either EF 35 1.4 v1 or Tamron 1.4 will do it for me at about $500 budget.

Sep 22, 2023 at 12:10 PM

Uarctos
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

My 35L is very sharp in the center at f1.4, but I only use f1.4 when it's basically dark or at some distance from the subject as the dof is relatively shallow. The other copy I've tried was quite bad. It has good bokeh, and the AF is plenty fast. And is 100% compatible with the RF bodies.

Sep 22, 2023 at 12:20 PM

johnctharp
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

35/1.4L II has a pretty busy background rendering; it really does stand out if you're using the widest aperture settings. It is otherwise technically superb of course.

This would point me toward a Sigma or Tamron fast 35 if adapting EF glass is on the table. Even when the RF 35/1.2L is released, we know it'll be a US$2000 lens...

Sep 22, 2023 at 12:47 PM

Uarctos
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I have and use the original 35L. 35L II seems sharper, but more clinical, and much more expensive.

Sep 22, 2023 at 03:36 PM

jojib
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

Love my 35/1.4 L, it's even a lot more fun to use on the R6MKII with the much vaunted eye-AF technology.

Canon EOS R6m2 EF35mm f/1.4L USM lens 35mm f/1.4 1/500s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Canon EOS R6m2 EF35mm f/1.4L USM lens 35mm f/1.4 1/3200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Canon EOS R6m2 EF35mm f/1.4L USM lens 35mm f/1.4 1/5000s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Canon EOS R6m2 EF35mm f/1.4L USM lens 35mm f/1.4 1/3200s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Canon EOS R6m2 EF35mm f/1.4L USM lens 35mm f/1.4 1/2500s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Canon EOS R6m2 EF35mm f/1.4L USM lens 35mm f/1.4 1/5000s 100 ISO -0.7 EV

Sep 22, 2023 at 04:54 PM

comotionfilms
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I currently own all three of the 35s (1.4 v1, Tamron, rf 1.8). And I still use them all.

When I want the best image, I grab the Tamron, as its miles “better” than the other 2. Very sharp, and lovely. It’s pretty big however, especially with the adapter. It’s probably my mostly used lens these days.

I grab the 1.8 when I want a small and light package, like heading out with the family. Its focus speed is okay for me, but outside of say 10 feet, I don’t really love the image. It’s okay, just not special, but I still use this lens a lot. It’s a solid, reliable choice, and I’ve made some fantastic images with it. I often hate the way this lens looks with backlit sun, for some reason, so I’ll grab one of the other 2 when I expect some sun flares. I mostly use this lens at f2.

I use the 1.4 v1 when I want a more vintage feel, especially when I expect to encounter some flair. The bokeh and rendering on the old Canon 1.4 are pretty unique when compared to the other two. I also love the way it feels on EF bodies, but less so with an adapter on the R bodies. I still really love this lens, even if it’s the least sharp of the 3. In a day and age when people can make soft and mushy fake bokeh backgrounds on their iPhones, this lens captures something different that you can’t fake. It’s a fun lens.

I also have the sigma, but it’s been so long since I’ve used it, I can’t remember much about it. Maybe I should revisit it.

Feel free to ask me anything that I didn’t cover.

Sep 22, 2023 at 10:57 PM

rek101
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

To me, the Tamron 35 1.8 is worth consideration. The Tamron 1.4 I've heard is just perfection and the 1.4 version 2 from canon is also in a class by itself, but if these are A+s, the 1.8 from Tamron is a solid A. The Tamron 1.8 is super contrasty and quite a bit better than the RF 1.8 which is fine as a walk around lens or when light isn't particularly challenging, but if your backlit or shooting during golden hour and want a professional quality look, I would look at the Tamron 1.8 which you can get used for around 300-400.

As for the Canon 35 1.4 version 1, I've owned it and I think you'll find it is a pretty vintage look. It focuses fast and it looks great in the right light, but can look pretty washed out at times with a lot of purple fringing. I think the Tamron 1.8 is much better and on the R6, you wouldn't have any focus issues.

Sep 25, 2023 at 08:09 PM

c102690
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

Great lenses..........now I'm really confused!...lol in a good way though. Love the color rendering on the pictures from @jojib.
I think I'll be fine with either of Canon 35 1.4 V1 or Tamron f1.4. I'm definitely not considering the RF version at this time.
Thanks again for your comments.

Sep 29, 2023 at 09:00 PM

Thorsten
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

I had both for a while. Here are my findings: The EF 35/1.4 v1 had long been one of my favorite lenses. I was often glued to my 5D3 and then 5D4. I loved the rendering and colors. It's not super sharp across the frame wide open, but sharp enough in the center and has great character. When I switched to the R6, I kept using it but at some point got the RF 35/1.8 "just to see". What I found is that the 35/1.4 obviously still has a bit more subject isolation, but one would need to look closely to find that. But even with that, the bokeh of the RF lens looks better to me in practically every scene. The EF 35/1.4 bokeh is a bit busy, with some double lines at OOF highlights, while the RF lens just makes the background melt away. Aside from this, I found the colors and rendering of the RF lens on par with the EF lens, meaning superb. The results really belie the small plastic lens the images come from. So eventually I sold my long beloved EF lens, which even surprised me. Aside from the superior results, the RF lens is a lot more pleasant to carry around.

Sep 30, 2023 at 01:00 AM

CelesteForza
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Canon EF 35mm 1.4 or RF 35mm 1.8 STM

The canon 35’s will simply AF better,more accurately, than 3rd party lenses. Keep that in mind when you’re shooting fast paced events.

Sep 30, 2023 at 06:26 AM

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