Fantastic match for 5D classic - sharper than expected, fast & sharp autofocus!
Originally I bought this lens (in 2023 June, used) as a sour-grapes lens, because I got the Tamron SP 35mm F1.4 as my perfect dream-lens and it would not communicate with my 5D classic. So, my focus shifted to get a lens that is not perfect by itself, but has a reputation to communicate very well with the 5D. I got this instead, and it was discounted because of haze. So, I did not expect much, I just wanted something that works for sure, as my nifty fifty lens died and the adapted M42 lenses hit the mirror, and can be used only to a limited degree (close focus only). The reviews said this lens is tragically soft, not sharp at all. However, it was the only Canon lens that was wide enough (I wanted 35mm or a little wider), fast enough (at least F1.8), and has an affordable price tag. (Had enough with expensive modern lenses not working because they are not backward compatible...)
I expected a hazy lens... but luckily, I see no haze on it, and no problems with shooting either. To my surprise, this lens is so much sharper than expected!!! Even at f2.2 the center of the image is very sharp - I got eyes rendered with the most amazing life-like likeness, it put even my 50mm Asahi Super Takumar to shame (which lens takes wonderfully sharp images). Did I luck out on with an unusually sharp copy? Maybe... Its colors are beautiful, both indoors and outdoors. It focuses fast, and precisely, even when I am shooting the sky with the sun. A world apart better than the nifty fifty! (Canon EF 50mm F1.8) The lens looks and feels very sturdy, and has a perfect weight to it, making it a wonderful balance / suit with the Canon 5D. (The nifty fifty feels like a plastic toy in comparison, and the shooting experience is very unbalanced, I feel the camera is not propped / stabilized enough, awkward to shoot.) There is no feel like that with this lens, balance and stability is wonderful. I had a two hours walk this weekend with the 5D and the lens on it, doing a little outdoors photography, took about 400 shots. No straps, just holding it hanging in hand by the grip, and my hand did not get tired at all! Was VERY comfortable and not tiring to carry, which I did not expect at all due to its weight, which is quite heavier than any of my other lenses. I think though, that weight helps to balance the camera, so I did not need to force the grip, and could hold it lightly, without any fear of dropping it. Also, The size is such that it just fits in my little camera bag, by reversing the hood. (The hood screws off very nicely, and screws back on in reverse to save space. It works!) My only Negative comment about it is the lens cap, which is almost impossible to take off when the hood is on - I have to remove the hood to get to it! Will replace it with a hood that pinches to remove, will solve it.
Even with the supposed haze on the lens, no extra filter on (just the hood on) I had zero flares and aberrations taking those hundreds of shots in the hard and challenging Hawaii summer daylight conditions. It takes the most gorgeous shots of the sky and the clouds... which not any lens can do!
An incredible PLUS for the hood: make sure to get the hood with it!!!! It is amazing, the inside feels like soft velvet, but it's some sort of very durable plastic as it feels like new even now despite the lens being 30+ years old. So, the inside of the lens hood is not a direct reflecting surface. I have not run across such a phenomenal lens hood ever.
So, while I have yet to experience more with it to learn to use its full potential - yet - my initial impressions after a few days are extremely positive! I expected this lens to be a placeholder until I find "the perfect" lens, and it's turning out to be a keeper!
I have been looking at Soo many lens reviews, and there's one aspect rarely touched upon: it's not just the lens by itself, it is the lens - camera body combination that is the most important! Some lenses work better on certain cameras, and fail on other bodies. For sure, if you have an 5D classic, this will be a wonderful match!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
