p.1 #1 · EF 16-35II vs N 14-24G vs S 12-24 for Canon 5D/5Dii
I am considering to get a super wide to wide angle lens, due to the need of landscape photography. Currently I use EF 24/1.4 and find it superb for all kind of purposes, including low lights, indoors, thin DoF, closeup, in addition to landscape. However, as far as landscape is concerned, I found a few times I do need a wider view angle. Here below are my considerations:
(1) EF 2.8/16-35 II : Main concern: Can it resolve well on 5D-II? I feel 4/17-40 not worse than 2.8/16-35 Mk-I, and I can borrow a 4/17-40 from a friend when needed.
(2) N 14-24G : Main concern: The protruding lens. I feel worried to use it during traveling, trekking, climbing, in busy streets, etc.
(3) S 12-24: Main concern: Sharp at f/11 or smaller apertures. This forces me to use 24/1.4L at the same time. Carrying two lenses for wide angle doesn't sound practical.
If I go either with 16-35II or 14-24G, my plan is to not carry 24/1.4L to complement it. I don't need super thin DoF in wide angle, and for low light condition, I think the higher clean ISO of 5D-ii will solve the issue. However, I feel14-24G can give me the same or similar image quality as 24L and 14L, while 16-35 II might not? Particularly when one upgrades to 5D-ii?
I prefer to shoot primes, but there seems to be no better solution if I want to shoot wider landscape.
p.1 #3 · EF 16-35II vs N 14-24G vs S 12-24 for Canon 5D/5Dii
Thank you, brunobarolo. I've seen at least all the tests and reviews on 16-9, photozone, fredmiranda, etc. They don't answer my main concerns as listed above for each lens / combination, though.
p.1 #4 · EF 16-35II vs N 14-24G vs S 12-24 for Canon 5D/5Dii
If you like primes, why not look at the (expensive) Mark II 14 Canon? Though if you were going to go that route, the Nik would probably be a much better choice. Do you mind manual focusing?
p.1 #5 · EF 16-35II vs N 14-24G vs S 12-24 for Canon 5D/5Dii
For straight forward operation (AF, auto aperture and no adapter issue), the 16-35 MkII is your answer. On the 1Ds MarkIII using up to f/5.6 or so, the outside corner performance is not so great compared to the Nikkor 14-24G. If you stop it down to f/8, it starts to sing and comes really close to the Nikkor. The remaining area of the frame, even the edge, is excellent and comparable to the Nikkor. I had a so-so copy of this lens before but my second copy is really great, BTW, and I am talking about the second copy now.
I have had the Nikkor lens since January and this lens made me buy a D700 since I didn't want to put up with the adapter issue. Well, I still use this lens on my Canon with an adapter though. The protruding front lens of the Nikkor looks vulnerable, you are right. During transport in your activity, of course, you have the cap but if you are actually shooting in a busy street, etc. you just have to excersize caution. The hood, although it looks small (well, it is a 14mm lens at the wide end) it still helps against bumps sideway. So far, I have not encountered any situation where I felt unsafe to use the lens. Again, excersize caution and if need to, cover the lens with your hand.
Another thing that people, even Nikonians, say about this lens is not being able to use filter on it. Well, I don't like CPL filter on an ultra wide angle lens anyway. If you shoot landscape and use a tripod, you can use rectangular effect filters, like Lee filters. Just handhold it in front of the lens and use a cable release to trigger the shutter. BTW, I am not familiar with the Sigma, so, I cannot say anything about it.
p.1 #8 · EF 16-35II vs N 14-24G vs S 12-24 for Canon 5D/5Dii
Hey.Underpants wrote:
If you like primes, why not look at the (expensive) Mark II 14 Canon? Though if you were going to go that route, the Nik would probably be a much better choice. Do you mind manual focusing?
14L: High price. Protruding. Colour not very pleasant (Preconception maybe).
Then I am thinking if I am to use 14L plus 24L, probably one 14-24G manual is no where worse in terms of image quality. And yes I don't mind shooting manual in super wide angle.
p.1 #9 · EF 16-35II vs N 14-24G vs S 12-24 for Canon 5D/5Dii
AGeoJO wrote:
For straight forward operation (AF, auto aperture and no adapter issue), the 16-35 MkII is your answer. On the 1Ds MarkIII using up to f/5.6 or so, the outside corner performance is not so great compared to the Nikkor 14-24G. If you stop it down to f/8, it starts to sing and comes really close to the Nikkor...
Thank you, Joshua,
That sounds very nice, since not very often do I need an aperture larger than f/8 for landscape photography. Superior image quality doesn't seem to matter as much to me in my other types of photography though.
I won't use CPL on 14-24G, but yes I would hand hold ND grads. I have thought of using a D700 just to match 14-24G, but then the resolution is not as high, which made me lose the interest in the high resolving power of 14-24G.
p.1 #10 · EF 16-35II vs N 14-24G vs S 12-24 for Canon 5D/5Dii
The best IQ is the 14-24. They get that IQ by having the big front end. You can take a P&S if you care more about weight and utility and stitch together frames if you have the time.
p.1 #12 · EF 16-35II vs N 14-24G vs S 12-24 for Canon 5D/5Dii
SoundHound wrote:
The best IQ is the 14-24. They get that IQ by having the big front end. You can take a P&S if you care more about weight and utility and stitch together frames if you have the time.
I think their weight are all within acceptable range.
I have thought of stitching images taken by 50mm, 45mm ts-e etc but never thought of doing that with 24mm... Probably this is one option! Thanks!
. Sorry. I am sure people that own this lens will chime in.