>Indeed, if you don't mind changing lenses,
>you could put together a 35/2 - 50/1.4 - 85/1.8 or 100/2 combo, or a 24/2.8
>- 30/2 - 50/1.8 - 100/2 combo for about the cost of the 28-
>70/2.8L. Frankly, if I were to do it over again, I would probably choose
>the latter combo over the zoom lens.
That's what I exactly have (well almost; 30/2 would be great but
I have the EF35/2).
After getting a second hand 35/2 (for about 170 USD) I'm using
the 50/1.8mkI less but for the price it is great to have because
the jump from 35mm to 100mm is a bit long.
The 35/2 is the lens I have on most of the time when I'm at home.
24/2.8 is also great if I want to get a bit more unusual.
50mm is better outside because there usually is more space than
inside. 100/2 I use for portraits and other subjects as well.
I don't really care the absolute sharpness anymore so much as I
did when I was younger (well, I'm still under 40).
Now I try to concentrate more in capturing the moment and if I need
to use the EF35/2 at f2.0 the shutter speed is often already in
the 1/4-1/15 range (ISO100) which together with focusing causes
more problems with my subjects than the lens performance.
I have had the EF28-135 longer than the primes but find the max
aperture often limiting (otherwise it is great) which is why I
bought the primes.
EF 28-70/2.8 would be great but I can't justify the cost. Which is
why I bought the soon to be (already?) replaced Sigma EX 28-70/2.8.
You get it cheap now, for 20-25% of the Canon zoom price (at least
in Germany). Sigma is also lighter and smaller.
How does the Sigma perform then? Well...
I can't tell yet about the optical quality but quick checks on
slides with loop show it looks fine.
Actually this is the first ever short tele lens I have used with
which I have noticed distortion "live". I had the lens zoomed
to 70mm and was tilting the lens slowly (background was ice on
the ground, skating arena to be exact) and boy I was surprised
first when I notice it. It was not the curvy lines close the picture
borders but the "bottle bottom" or "glasball" or "fisheye" effect.
Mechanically it is also not perfect: The narrow zoom ring is too
tight (may loosen when gets used more), has no FTM, manual focusing
makes odd noises if the focusing ring is turned while the lens
points up. Also the lens shade was very tight unit I put some
liquid silicon in the shade contact surfaces.
But as long as it works I can live with these (it is not my primary
lens anyway).
Vesa
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