Canon 35mm F/1.4 L for $750

[akugami]

Topic says it all. I have the chance at a Canon 35mm F/1.4 L for $750, local seller. Wondering if I should bite. The lens seems to sell for about $1300 at most places.

Just wondering how some of you feel about a 35mm lens. Seems like it'll be great for group portraits and landscapes. Also might be good for snapping a very active toddler.

 

[ElFenix]

it's one of the reasons to own canon, along with the 85/1.2 and the 135/2

 

[corkyg]

The 35mm prime f/1.4 L is a very good lens, especially for indoor work at parties, etc. I would use that lens a lot more than my 24mm f/1.4 L. I got that when I was dealing with a 1.6X crop factor. Now that I have a 5ED and FF, I would prefer the 35mm. Sounds like a ganga deal to me if it is in good condition.

 

[Deadtrees]

Man, that's THE lens I wanna get so bad. $750??? That's just dirt cheap. Is there something wrong with that lens? If not, seller must be crazy for selling it that cheap.

Anway, if it's in good shape, how about you buy the lens and sell it to me? I wouldn't mind putting some more $$$ for your discovery. I'm serious. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[akugami]

Well...I was contemplating a 24-70mm f/2.8L. My brother owns a 70-200mm f/2.8 L so I have some of the longer ranges covered. The 70-200mm is unwieldy as a walk-around (though doable). Damned thing is like a razor but my wife as evidenced by my wife cutting off my head in half of the shots. Or not since she still manages to take blurry photos.

Toddler in the house. Figure this will get years of use taking pictures of my daughter at home and at parties for her numerous uncles and aunts. The wife has seven uncles. Planning on a second child, hopefully a boy, later on as well.

Got a 50D so have to deal with the crop factor but since I have had my DSLR less than a year I don't want or need a full frame yet.

One of the things I was wondering, besides usage of the lens, is if $750 sounds like a sweet deal for this used lens. Person says he's had it 6 months only. I of course will take a visual check, along with hauling my laptop and camera to give it a quick test.

 

[ElFenix]

35 on a 50D isn't going to get much of the group in in group photos, unless you're standing way back.

 

[arrfep]

ABSOLUTELY. I bought mine only because I was able to find it for under a grand. I shot literally every single day for six months without removing that lens. Buy if even if only to resell. Assuming it's a good condition lens, you can easily make $150, maybe $200. Definitely my favorite of all Canon lenses I've used. Unfortunately I dropped mine onto some marble in Italy and now it doesn't focus properly.

 

[ivan2]

take it fool!

 

[foghorn67]

yes, yes, and yes. One of the best lenses out there.

 

[Maximus96]

why not buy the sigma 30mm as a cheaper alternative?

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Maximus96
why not buy the sigma 30mm as a cheaper alternative?

because it's 3rd party and everyone seems to hate it. OMG focusing issues! OMG it's just not L build, etc, etc.

I personally love mine, it's on 80% of the time. It's not 85/1.8 speed, but it gets me near my 50mm I love on SLR. It's also a hell of a lot smaller/lighter. To each his/her own though.

But $750 for the 35L is hard to pass up, even if to just flip. I'd do it.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Maximus96
why not buy the sigma 30mm as a cheaper alternative?

LOL! I notice that all your lenses are Canon L. Why buy a Kia if a Lexus is available at half price?

"Canon 5D - 17-40 L - 24-70 L - 70-200 F4 L"

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: Maximus96
why not buy the sigma 30mm as a cheaper alternative?

because it's 3rd party and everyone seems to hate it. OMG focusing issues! OMG it's just not L build, etc, etc.

I personally love mine, it's on 80% of the time. It's not 85/1.8 speed, but it gets me near my 50mm I love on SLR. It's also a hell of a lot smaller/lighter. To each his/her own though.

But $750 for the 35L is hard to pass up, even if to just flip. I'd do it.

because nobody wants a lens that takes 2-3 trips to NY just to get it sharp.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: Maximus96
why not buy the sigma 30mm as a cheaper alternative?

because it's 3rd party and everyone seems to hate it. OMG focusing issues! OMG it's just not L build, etc, etc.

I personally love mine, it's on 80% of the time. It's not 85/1.8 speed, but it gets me near my 50mm I love on SLR. It's also a hell of a lot smaller/lighter. To each his/her own though.

But $750 for the 35L is hard to pass up, even if to just flip. I'd do it.

because nobody wants a lens that takes 2-3 trips to NY just to get it sharp.

bah, whatever, buy a used one that someone has already tested if you want. It's a great lens. $400 vs $1000+ is a big difference. And more cameras have micro adjustments now (tho, the flip side of this is QC might slip a little more overall, hopefully not).

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Normally I would recommend the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 as well, but only if you've got a body with AF Micro Adjustments. Otherwise it's just too risky.

But the price of that 35mm is really good. You spend more money on it now than the Sigma 30mm but if it's in good shape, you stand to make more money when you sell it. Oh, and if you go to FF you could use it too, unlike the Sigma.

 

[akugami]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
35 on a 50D isn't going to get much of the group in in group photos, unless you're standing way back.

I'm using the 28-135mm kit lens so I sorta know how far I need to be back. Should be fine for what I currently plan to use it for.

As for flipping the lens as others suggested, that is an option. I just want to get a good deal on it and am wondering about use of the lens. The cost difference between $750 and $1k, while not insignificant, is not out of my reach. Considering most people keep their lenses for years, the cost is not that bad if you consider total cost of ownership but spread out over a long period of time.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: akugami

Originally posted by: ElFenix
35 on a 50D isn't going to get much of the group in in group photos, unless you're standing way back.

I'm using the 28-135mm kit lens so I sorta know how far I need to be back. Should be fine for what I currently plan to use it for.

As for flipping the lens as others suggested, that is an option. I just want to get a good deal on it and am wondering about use of the lens. The cost difference between $750 and $1k, while not insignificant, is not out of my reach. Considering most people keep their lenses for years, the cost is not that bad if you consider total cost of ownership but spread out over a long period of time.

it is no doubt a good deal on paper. in fact, I'm a little suspect on why it's so low. but if everything checks out, go for it. worst case scenario is you have to sell it off because you don't like it.

 

[jpeyton]

Buy it yet?

 

[akugami]

Been away. Very busy past couple of days. Was dropped with a dent. Seemed to work fine but I stayed away. I'd rather pay a little extra for something that was properly taken care of.

I might just look into get the 16-35mm F/2.8 L instead. Guess I'll just keep an eye out.

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: akugami
Been away. Very busy past couple of days. Was dropped with a dent. Seemed to work fine but I stayed away. I'd rather pay a little extra for something that was properly taken care of.

I might just look into get the 16-35mm F/2.8 L instead. Guess I'll just keep an eye out.

Dropped with a dent? Haha. Shoulda said that in the first place. I'll eat a dented can of beans, but I won't buy a dented lens!

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: shocksyde Dropped with a dent? Haha. Shoulda said that in the first place. I'll eat a dented can of beans, but I won't buy a dented lens!

Roger that! It would have saved 20 notes!

 

[Shimmishim]

I get my 35L today! I will have 2/3 of the trinity as of this afternoon.

As for the Sigma 30...

I owned it and it was one of my favorite lenses. I never focus chart tested but it was awesome for everday sort of stuff.

I think people shoot focus charts too much and pixel peep like mad people.

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim
I get my 35L today! I will have 2/3 of the trinity as of this afternoon.

As for the Sigma 30...

I owned it and it was one of my favorite lenses. I never focus chart tested but it was awesome for everday sort of stuff.

I think people shoot focus charts too much and pixel peep like mad people.

I'm in the same boat, have a Sigma 30 1.4 but am looking at getting the 35L to add to my 135L .

So you think the 35L is worth the $$$$ over the Sigma 30 1.4?

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: shocksyde

Originally posted by: Shimmishim
I get my 35L today! I will have 2/3 of the trinity as of this afternoon.

As for the Sigma 30...

I owned it and it was one of my favorite lenses. I never focus chart tested but it was awesome for everday sort of stuff.

I think people shoot focus charts too much and pixel peep like mad people.

I'm in the same boat, have a Sigma 30 1.4 but am looking at getting the 35L to add to my 135L .

So you think the 35L is worth the $$$$ over the Sigma 30 1.4?

eh, IMO, no. unless of course you're definite on the path to FF. but some people will swear by the colors. It's nice, but not almost 3x what I paid for my sigma. Not to mention the weight savings.

 

[bigpow]

why not 17-55mm/f.28 since you have 50D?
35mm/1.4 @1.4 won't be as sharp as 35mm of 17-55mm @2.8 anyway