EOS wide angle suggestions please

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Please bear with me as I generally do not ask questions like this, but am getting at my wits end. I need to replace my Sigma 28-70 2.8 lens for my Canon EOS system. When I moved to Canon, I could not tell a difference in the image quality. Now i can tell with this lens. I still cannot afford the 28-70 2.8L, but have to do something.

Having gone digital, I would like something even wider than 28 (like a 24) if possible. I am looking at the Canon 24-85, but am not sure about the reports on it. Others are suggesting the Tonkia 28-70 2.8, but I am not familar with this brand.

A fixed apature is not an absolute requirement. most of the time when I am using the wide angle, I have to step down several stops to get everyone/everything in focus anyway.

I am continuing to research the lenses, the reviews by users, and what options are available for me. Any advice or suggestions you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou in advance.

-- David Primm (dprimm@isunet.net), August 16, 1999

Answers

David,

Your question is slightly confusing - you say you are looking for wide-angle suggestions, which implies wide angle fixed-focal length lenses or zooms covering the wideangle range only (<=35mm). However, you also say that you need to replace your Sigma 28-70 f2.8, which is not really a wideangle but a standard zoom with a wideangle end to its range.

I assume you're looking for a replacement lens/lenses for a standard range zoom (moderate wideangle to moderate telephoto). If 28mm is not wide enough, then that would suggest the EF24-85mm f3.5/4.5, which I have. It has an ultrasonic motor for almost silent focusing. Wide-open performance is not as good as the "L" series glass but stopped down to, say, f8 (which you say you intend to do anyway most of the time) then you'd be really hard pushed to see a significant difference, especially if the end product is going to be a digital scan. Its also much cheaper and lighter than the L zoom. Some report that it's a little prone to flare, so be sure to use it with a hood.

If you don't mind giving up the convenience of zooms, you could do worse than to get a clutch of primes covering the required range: EF24mm f2.8, EF35mm f2, EF50mm f1.4 or f1.8 and EF85mm f1.8.

-- Mark Brown (mark@jmail.co.jp), August 17, 1999.


I agree that performance is very good with EF24-85 when talking about sharpness, but you must say that vinjetting and especially distorsion are much higher than in L- series. If that is not a problem, this lens is very usable. Quite good choise is Sigmas EX zoom too...(no USM, and in wide only to 28mm)!

-- Tuukka Jylhd (tuukkac@hotmail.com), August 18, 1999.

David, I would agree with the other poster, the Canon 24-85 USM is an excellent lens that many use for the purpose you are asking.

The Tokina 28-70 f/2.6~2.8 Pro II is an excellent lens, probably the best of the aftermarket lenses. The TOkina 20-35 f/2.8 is another excellent offering from Tokina, Moose Peterson supposedly uses this lens with his setup and highly recommends it.

You are not going to beat the Canon 28-70 L lens when it comes to wide open shooting, but stopped down, I think you're going to be more than happy with any of the lenses above.

One note about TOkina and other aftermarket lenses, they are sometimes not forward compatible with newer Canon bodies. Tokina is really good at replacing their chips to be compatible with the mfg's latest offerings, but you must decide whether you want to go through that if you upgrade bodies, such as the new EOS 3...

-- Bill Meyer (william_meyer@stortek.com), August 19, 1999.


Thankyou for the answers and suggestions. Listening to what eveyone suggested, looking at my needs, and despite what others are using, I went with the Canon 24-85. Lots of folks I know are using the 28-105, but that just does not give me a wide enough option. The little bit more has broken shots before.

Again, thanks for the help. Keep on shooting.

-- David (dprimm@isunet.net), August 19, 1999.


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