Got a new Canon 70D with 18.135mm kit lens. Is a 35mm 14 L lens a worthy second lens?

[ocabj]

ive seen most comments saying people loving the 24-70mm lol

is the 35 more sharper since its a prime lens?

24-70 to me is boring. 35 is a great walk-around prime: crisp and fast (f/1.4). The 24-70 got not real use by me because my default for portraits is the 70-200, and I would only touch the 24-70 in a short distance situation. I ended up selling the 24-70 for the 24-105 f/4L IS which made more sense (IS for video; better walk around focal range).

If I felt like spending the money, I'd get the 24-70 f/2.8L II, but I'd rather get the 35, still.

 

[KimJonNumberUn]

24-70 to me is boring. 35 is a great walk-around prime: crisp and fast (f/1.4). The 24-70 got not real use by me because my default for portraits is the 70-200, and I would only touch the 24-70 in a short distance situation. I ended up selling the 24-70 for the 24-105 f/4L IS which made more sense (IS for video; better walk around focal range).

If I felt like spending the money, I'd get the 24-70 f/2.8L II, but I'd rather get the 35, still.

Can I still do like couple shots / 3-4 people shots with the 35mm 1.4?

Ive been getting mixed comments about that.

 

[MCH-1138]

Can I still do like couple shots / 3-4 people shots with the 35mm 1.4?

Whether you can or can't do what you want with a 35mm prime is up to you. Quality of the lens and f/1.4 vs. f/1.8 aside, it will be similar to your previous D5200/35mm combo. It will also be similar to your D70 with your kit lens set at 35mm (with respect to field of view, perspective etc.).

 

[nateo200]

It will also be similar to your D70 with your kit lens set at 35mm (with respect to field of view, perspective etc.).

Which again like I said the OP should set the kit lens to 35mm only on the focal length and just see how they like the composition of it. Thats what I did.

 

[Artful Dodger]

I would add to what nateo200 has said, just go out and also shoot for a bit and see what focal lengths you "enjoy" shooting at then that will also give you a better guide if you want to invest into a prime lens. And yes, rent a lens before buying if you just can't decide which one you want the most and make the best with what you have.

The rest has been said here already…go and enjoy

 

[AlaskaMoose]

If the OP liked a 35mm lens on his cropped-sensor Nikon camera, more than likely he will like it on his new camera.

There are lots of photos samples taken with the 35mm Sigma lens at the link below. While most of the photos were taken with FF cameras and that lens, some were not

Sigma 35:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1249570&page=396

To see samples of most lenses, go here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=141406
-----------------

That said, the 70D should be a great camera for taking pictures of wildlife, birds, and the rest. Instead of buying the expensive Canon 35mm, I would use the money to buy a 400mm L prime, or even a 100-400 L zoom, and shoot some birds

 

[VirtualRain]

I previously had a nikon d5200 with kit lens and a 35mm 1.8 prime. sold that set to try something new with canon and upgrade to a a more pro consumer camera the 70D.

I liked the 35mm since it was sharp, nice bokeh and acted as a nifty 50 on a crop sensor.

thinking of going all out for canon 35mm L 1.4 lens.

Is it a good prime lens to invenst it? or put it towards like a 24-70mm 2.8 L?

I had the 35L on my Canon 7D for a couple of years, and it was my fav lens on that camera by a long shot. I now use it on my 5D3 and it's still one of my fav lenses (second only to the 85L).

I think the 35L and a general purpose zoom like the 24-105 f4 IS L on full-frame or a lens like your 18-135 is a great combo for pretty much any kind of shooting except wildlife (where a telephoto is a must).

Here's the range of shots you can do with the 35L (on a 7D in this case)...

Both of these are f2... (demonstrating you could easily do group shots or portraits)

Max shutter 1/4000 at f/1.4 (you won't get a shot like this at f2.8)...

This one at f11... (not great lighting but you can see how it's field of view works outdoors)...

 

[KimJonNumberUn]

I had the 35L on my Canon 7D for a couple of years, and it was my fav lens on that camera by a long shot. I now use it on my 5D3 and it's still one of my fav lenses (second only to the 85L).

I think the 35L and a general purpose zoom like the 24-105 f4 IS L on full-frame or a lens like your 18-135 is a great combo for pretty much any kind of shooting except wildlife (where a telephoto is a must).

Here's the range of shots you can do with the 35L (on a 7D in this case)...

Both of these are f2... (demonstrating you could easily do group shots or portraits)

Image

Image

Max shutter 1/4000 at f/1.4 (you won't get a shot like this at f2.8)...

Image

This one at f11... (not great lighting but you can see how it's field of view works outdoors)...

Image

thanks for the samples! they look really nice!

Ive had mixed comments abotu this question but would u say the 35mm 1.4 is a good portrait (head shoulder) couple shots / group shots of 3 or 4 people? I understand it will act as a 56mm on my crop sensor Canon 70D DSLR

 

[VirtualRain]

thanks for the samples! they look really nice!

Ive had mixed comments abotu this question but would u say the 35mm 1.4 is a good portrait (head shoulder) couple shots / group shots of 3 or 4 people? I understand it will act as a 56mm on my crop sensor Canon 70D DSLR

Yeah, why not?! It's the difference between a few steps forward or back... as you can see from my samples (from 7D - same crop as your 70D)... The first one could easily have been of a large group... The second was a head and shoulders portrait, and I dare anyone to try and tell me that my girlfriend is distorted maybe a bit green from lack of proper WB - but not distorted

EDIT... As you say, 35mm on a crop sensor is equivalent to ~50mm (give or take a few mm) which is the classic focal length for all kinds of photography. You simply cannot go wrong with a prime at that focal length in your kit.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Check out my sets, all portraits, all 1.2, all 50+FF:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/towhit/sets/

I swapped my 50 for a day with a guy hoping to trade his 35/1.4. On FF the 35 framing drove me mad, but on your 70D, it should rock.

Another technique: take a bunch of shots with your zoom, ignoring the focal length. Then study the exif to see which settings get used the most.

 

[dollystereo]

I would recommend the Canon EF 28mm 1.8, or the Canon 17-40L f4.0.
Both lenses are excellents, and very good value.
In a crop format, the 28mm is going to be closer to real 35mm.
The 35mm L is gorgeous, but it is expensive and better suited for a FF camera, but the Canon 28mm 1.8 is one stop slower, way lighter and very sharp.
(I have the three lenses described).
My prefered lens is the 28mm, if I only have to take one lens is this one.

 

[KimJonNumberUn]

Check out my sets, all portraits, all 1.2, all 50+FF:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/towhit/sets/

I swapped my 50 for a day with a guy hoping to trade his 35/1.4. On FF the 35 framing drove me mad, but on your 70D, it should rock.

Another technique: take a bunch of shots with your zoom, ignoring the focal length. Then study the exif to see which settings get used the most.

ive had a 35mm 1.8g on my previous DSLR, nikon d5200. loved the bokeh and sharpness it had so i do have a bit of experience with it.

the canon one should be even better!