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$599 SAVE $50 = 7.0% Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 Nokton Classic II MC BACK IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder
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Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
The Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 USM is a compact large prime lens, an alternative to the top-end 24mm f/1.4L II.
Prime lenses (fixed focal length) can be better performers than zooms because they can be optimized for just one focal length. That is, if they are optimized, as opposed to a lackluster design.
Field tests (in DAP and Zeiss Guide) show that the 24/2.8 delivers murky results on par with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, sometimes a little better, sometimes a little worse, depending on where in the frame one compares, and the focusing distance.
Performance of this lens is marginal compared to the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon, as might be expected, since it costs 1/4 the price.
Alternatives
Canon’s own 24mm f/1.4L II is a vastly better lens, but at about 5X the price.
Most users will instead opt for the 16-35mm f/2.8L II zoom.
MTF
The MTF chart shows that sharpness drops off outside the central 50% area, a finding confirmed with field shots.
Specifications
Per Canon.
| List price: | $339 street price |
| Aperture scale: | f/2.8 - f/22 |
| Filter size: | 58mm |
| Image ratio at close range: | 1:6.25 |
| Minimum focus distance | 10 inches |
| Angle of view | 84° diagonally |
| Number of elements/groups: | 10 elements in 10 groups |
| Weight: | 0.59 pounds = 268g (nominal) |
| Dimensions (with caps): | 2.6" in diameter, 1.9" in length |
Field comparison with Zeiss 21/2.8 Distagon and Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II
Two comparisons with extensive crops and a complete aperture series is available in Guide to Zeiss ZF.2 / ZE Lenses, against the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II and the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon.
Also, a field comparison against the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II is available in DAP as well as in in the Canon Wide Primes review.
Conclusions
At about $339, the 24/2.8 is worthy of consideration if you need a full-frame wide angle prime lens. Stopped down to f/5.6 - f/8 it offers reasonably good image quality.
On EF-S 1.6X crop cameras, performance should be high, since the weaker edge and corner areas will just not be seen.
