Looking for a fast(ish) prime wide angle for t1i.

[GrantH]

I shoot with my 50/1.8 usually but looking to get into either a 24, 28, or 35 so I can get a bit closer and take better interior/engine bay pics.

The 35/1.8 seems to have softness issues at wider apertures and I'm not sure I would really benefit from that narrow of a gap in focal lengths so I am really looking in the 20's range. Trying to spend 4-500. I don't care for zoom lenses, unless it is as sharp as some of the primes out there. As of now I have shot with a few different lenses and none of the zooms compare to the primes I have used. Most have been Nikon setups, but I can imagine the the differences aren't brand specific.

[Ads]

[Visitante]

The sigma 30 1.4 is a good lens for all iīve read. I know itīs not in the 20' range, but might be good tohave look.

Amazon.com: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

Itīs going to be my next purchase.

Best regards.

[sovietdoc]

Get the sigma 24mm f/1.8 I used this lens on my t1i and it was awesome. Super sharp if you step it down a little, but alright even at f/1.8

It has a super small closest focusing distance so you can literally shove it into whatever you're taking a photo of. It also has better IQ than the 30mm sigma and it's noticeably wider, so on that crop sensor, you'll be able to utilize it better.

I loved that lens.

This lens may be a bit pricey for you but it's pure quality. The reason it doesn't sit all the way up top of 24mm benchmarks is because it's "meh" in the corners on full frame, but because on a crop sensor you're only using the center of the frame, it has one of the highest stats in the center.

For example compared to canon's 24mm, canon optimizes their IQ for all around, so their center and corners are pretty qually distributed.
Sigma trows everything they got in the center and the corners suffer because of that. But on a crop sensor, the corners aren't used at all, and you're using more of the center area of the lens, and this baby 24mm excels at that. Look up MTF charts of this 24mil and compare it to other 24mil lens of it's price range in the center. You'll see what I am talkin' about.

Sigma 24mm f/1.8 all the way.

[GrantH]

Not really out of range, as anything I buy will take some saving. Thanks for the info.

Can anyone agree or denounce anything said so far?

[o hey tyler]

Can anyone denounce anything said so far?

Sure can! There's no 35mm f/1.8 in the Canon lineup. There is a 35mm f/2 though.

[jaomul]

If your not sure which prime to get out of those lengths you may be better to get a fast zoom that covers them all. It won't be quite as fast but...

[GrantH]

All these questioned would be asked about various zooms...so I don't see a difference really. What difference I can see if the difference in quality between the zooms and primes I have used. Primes are where I want to look, just not sure what focal length or company is ideal.

I know I want something in the mid to upper 20's with 30 being max. I will be using it to shoot interior shots through side windows and show coverage so close range is needed. My 50 does well, but a sharp/fast prime in a short focal length would be much better. I will use it for shoots as well, not only show coverage, so I want a quality piece. I can't afford L glass either. The 24/1.8 from Sigma may be my choice as center frame is typically where my subject lands...but shoots will be a little different. I guess I will really need to buy and hope for the best.

[Dao]

I think if you use a better lighting with the kit lens, the engine bay or the car interior photos should looks good. With the fast prime, you most likely not going to use a wide aperture anyway.

As for the sharpness goes, go take a look at MTF charts from photozone.de. You may find that at f/5.6 to f/8, the kit lens you have is not bad at all. For 28mm focal length, the center sharpness is close to the 28mm f/1.8 lens but the border sharpness is better than the 28mm f/1.8 at f/5.6 and f/8.

[GrantH]

When I shoot engine bays though, I highlight one aspect of it and not the whole bay. People don't care about overflow cans or random harness wires. I highlight something like the valve cover, turbo, supercharger, something like that. So really...I do shoot fairly wide open. I shoot most at 2.8 and depending on the object I use 1.8 as well. I have time to save/research though, and I plan to do so.

[Dao]

Take a look at the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 non VC lens as well as the Sigma lens that cover the same focal range. As far as sharpness concern they are comparable to or better than some of the wide angle fast primes that Canon offers.

[GrantH]

At 650, this one may be a bit of a reach even saving up for. I will research it more though.

[Dao]

At 650, this one may be a bit of a reach even saving up for. I will research it more though.

This one, http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-17-50mm...tamron+17-50mm

$474 after rebate at Amazon or Adorama


Used price is around $300 to $350

[GrantH]

This is a Roush Mustang I shot this weekend, as an example. It does show the full bay, but focus is on the super charger.


Here is another, focused on the LS1 valve cover.