EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM vs EF 20mm f/2.8 USM

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Hi, after much deliberation I decided I would enjoy the versatility of the Zoom. However, after renting a 20-35mm I was a bit disappointed with the way the image quality dropped off in the corners. Am I expecting too much from a wide angle lens? Could it be a bad example? Will the corners be considerably shaper on the Prime? Can anyone else who has gone through this dilemma offer some insight? Jason.

-- Jason Eadie (jason_eadie@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001

Answers

Jason,

I did some testing a while back for a book project and as you discovered the 20-35 USM does not compare to the prime 20 mm. I felt the 20-35 mm had too much barrel distortion for my needs but found the 17-35 mm f/2.8L to have less distortion than the 20-35 mm and it's nearly as sharp as a prime lens. The 20 mm USM is more rectilinear than either of the zooms however.

If you don't do much architecure either of the zooms will probably be ok. I don't think you'll see much difference between them at f/8 or f/11 but the "L" version is much better wide open.

-- Joseph A. Dickerson (jadphoto@aol.com), March 01, 2001.


I have the 20 f/2.8 and have been happy. I also considered the zoom initially and sometimes I actually miss it. For my stardards, the corners are acceptable when the lens is wide open, but not ideal. However, if you stop down to f/4 it becames great. I choosed the fixed 20 because of less barrel distortions, less prone to flare than the 20-35 and easier to use in low light conditions. I agree with the previous post, if it's not meant for low light or architecure or if you plan to use it especially for nature purposes, I'd go for the zoom.

-- Roberto Lins (rlins@igc.phys.chem.ethz.ch), March 02, 2001.

Thanks for the feed back Guys, I appreciate it. Jason.

-- Jason Eadie (jason_eadie@hotmail.com), March 02, 2001.

I am in the process of deciding between the 20 f/2.8 and the 20-35 f/3.5-4.5, and I can't buy both lenses...

One thing I like from the 20mm is the close focus which would allow me to make extreme travel pictures such as a flower patch from very close in front of a mountain or a building.

The 20-35 does not have as much magnification at 20mm. To get the same magnification, you have to shoot at 35mm, but you lose the effect of the 20mm lens that gives a much wider view for the background, which I find more impressive.

Have you traveled with the 20mm?

Would the 20-35 be better for travel pictures?

Thanks.

Pierre

-- Pierre Bellavance (bellavance@videotron.ca), March 03, 2001.


I should have added to my previous message that I have the 28-135 IS Zoom Lens.

Pierre

-- Pierre Bellavance (bellavance@videotron.ca), March 03, 2001.



I also deliberated much on the prime 20mm or the 20-35 zoom. I've never regretted getting the zoom. I find I have to disagree about corner sharpness. I'm very pleased with sharpness of this lens, especially at the corners. I have taken pictures in low light and daylight, many of them wide open at 20mm. I can't see any appreciable falloff of sharpness in the extreme corners of my photos. My judgments are not based on slides either, so some printer falloff would be expected. I'm not going to say it's as sharp as the prime. I haven't compared. But I'm saying for a 20mm, it's darned good. I question if it would be a problem for anyone, considering the versatility of the zoom. I find it more than just convenient to change focal length, it's a necessity at times for framing.

-- Jim Davis (ydavis@hkg.odn.ne.jp), March 03, 2001.

Given that you have the 28-135 already and I am sure that is your primary lens I can say from experience that I would go for the 20 prime. I Can say that becasue I have done it. I have a 28-70 2.8 and the 28-135. he 20-35 offers nothing to you. The 20 is extremely sharp and has excellent contrast. If you pay extra for the 20-35 you buying a focal range you already have covered and your giving up USM and what I believe is superior sharpness. I would save the extra $$ and go 20mm

-- chris (chriscalabro@mediaone.net), March 19, 2001.

I have a canon 50e + 28-135 is. I want to bye a 20-35 3.5-4.5. What do you think about this combo for travel? it's better to bye a 20 2.8?

thanks.

-- max (cxc@virgilio.it), April 13, 2001.


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