Fastest, Widest, Best Lens for 7D? at DVinfo.net

Kelly Langerak · July 9th, 2010, 05:09 PM

I recently shot with the 50mm 1.4 Canon lens on my 7D. I couldn't believe the quality in such low light. Now I want one, but the 50mm wasn't wide enough to get those shots of people dancing at weddings. I had to be too far back.

What do you use and have you tried these lens'. The Sigma 30mm and Canon 24mm look good as well as some of the Zeiss. Anything you people recommend that is even wider or better then those two above. I will spend the extra $ if it's well worth it over the Sigma.

Also, Nikon is an option too, but I know nothing about them.

Some options I'm considering.

Amazon.com: Zeiss Ikon 35mm f/2 Distagon T* ZE Manual Focus Standard Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Electronics

Amazon.com: Zeiss Ikon Wide Angle 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Series Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Electronics

Amazon.com: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM II Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR…

Amazon.com: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

Roger Shealy · July 9th, 2010, 06:21 PM

The Tokina 11-16mm is very good @ f2.8. If you are shooting video, you can also get an old SMC Takumar 35mm f2.0 that is close to "natural" for the 7D's sensor size and has a wonderful build and focus quality (requires M42 to EOS adapter and total package $50 -100). It's a little soft at f2.0, but most lenses sharpen a bit with 2 clicks.

Khoi Pham · July 9th, 2010, 06:39 PM

If you have the doe then get the 24mm 1.4, that is the fastest and widest, next one is the sigma 30mm 1.4, I have that one and it is my go to lens at the reception, once you use F1.4 or at the reception, F2.8 lens stay in the bag.

Jerry Porter · July 9th, 2010, 08:14 PM

The Tokina 11 - 16 f2.8 is the widest, not the fastest, but is one really FANTASTIC lens!!!!

Tim Davison · July 10th, 2010, 06:12 AM

Agreed re. the Tokina

Roger Shealy · July 10th, 2010, 08:04 AM

Kelly, I know you were asking about wide lenses, but I've fallen in love with the older SMC Takumar lenses for video. If you can pick up an excellent copy of the SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4 on ebay for around $100 you will be amazed at the quality and smooth focus (although very long pull). Simply superb if you can find a non-yellowed version or are willing to UV it in your window for a few weeks to remove yellowing. They require a a M42:EOS adapter. This lens is commonly credited among the best Bokeh for any lens for any price. I've attached 2 pics of my daughter with this lens to show and extreme range of Bokeh, although not great pictures otherwise. I use this lens for "film" video work and stick to AF lenses for most photographs and run and gun video.

As far as my "stay on the camera lens" for the 7D and T2i, I use the Tamron VC f2.8 which works very, very well. It spans from very wide to 50 and I've gotten some incredible images in low light. If I need to go wider, which is very seldom, I throw on the Tokina 11-16 and funnel the whole world in. The only downsides on the Tamron is that in extreme contrast situations, say bright noon with white on dark, the CA is visible and the manual focus is a little grabby. Other than that, the lens is bright with great colors and the OIS is fantastic. There is a raging debate on whether this or the Canon 17-55 is better and the judging seems to be split. If I had more money than I knew what to do with I'd go with the Canon ($1,100) but given i don't, I'm very satisfied with my two Tamrons ($579 with current rebate at B&H) and they are arguably equivalent optically.

Ryan Hargrave · July 10th, 2010, 08:48 AM

We shoot with the Sigma 20mm f1.8 alot. Nice and wide,b ut also pretty fast for inside low-light stuff.

20mm F1.8 EX DG ASP RF - Wide Angle Prime Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

Bill Pryor · July 10th, 2010, 09:04 AM

Fastest, widest, best lens might be the Canon 14mm L. But for a little bit more than it costs, you could buy a 5DMKII, and then a 24mm would be wide. I've read very nice things about that Tokina 11-16 but have never seen one in the flesh. Still photos I've seen from it look good. The problem I have with Tokina and Tamron zooms is the ultra short focus throw. The only ones I've used are the Tokina 16-50 and the Tamron 28-75 and Tamron 17-35. The Tokina felt the best of the three but both Tamrons were sharper.

Roger Shealy · July 10th, 2010, 10:37 AM

Bill,

The short throw is a blessing and a curse. For "premeditated work" I prefer a longer throw. When I'm out and about, being able to cradle the camera and focus without changing finger positions stop-to-stop is a nice feature. The Tokina is reasonably smooth, the Tamron is a little sticky and can be frustrating when the focus ring grabs. That one issue keeps me from giving the Tamron 5 stars. I have to stop at 4.9!

One of the features I love on the Tokina 11-16 lens is the push-pull ring for auto an manual focus. Very convenient and fast.

Roger Shealy · July 10th, 2010, 11:06 AM

Kelly,

Here's a great site for comparing lenses:

Lens Reviews - SLRgear.com!

Tyler Coscia · July 12th, 2010, 09:03 PM

It's not very fast compared to the primes listed, but I just picked up the new sigma 17-50 OS and it is pretty dang good for not too much money. Constant 2.8, and decently heavy for enhancing the image stabilization when hand holding.

Jon Fairhurst · July 12th, 2010, 09:23 PM

The fastest, widest, best lens for the 7D...

It's the one attached to your 5D Mark II.

;)

Similarly, the fastest, longest best lens for your 5D2 is attached to your 7D - if not your 2/3 or 1/3" sensor camera.

;) ;) ;)

Seriously, when the 2/3" Scarlet Interchangeable appears, it would make an amazing wildlife camera given a 35mm mount/adapter.

Liam Hall · July 13th, 2010, 01:32 AM

Jon makes a fair point.

I often shoot with a 5D2 and a 7D. Wides on the 5D2, telephoto on the 7D. That allows me to move fast and get the best out of both cameras.

Best super-wide for the 7D is the Tokina 11-16mm which at f/2.8 is plenty fast enough for most uses.

Best wide for the 7D, probably Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L - I'd get both:)

Evan Estern · July 13th, 2010, 01:26 PM

The 24 1.4L is a great lens with stunning image quality and a very good "feel." on manual focus. On the 7D it's been my mainstay as I really like the slightly wider than normal field. That said, I just sold mine and put the funds into Nikon lenses. They take wonderful images and most of them are available as fast as the Canons with the sad exception of the Nikon 24mm (F2). Still, I wanted a consistent look and focus feel (and direction to inf.) for my primes so I made that painful choice.

Kelly Langerak · July 13th, 2010, 10:08 PM

Thanks for all the tips and Roger for the link.

I will def be getting the Tokina Nikon model with an adapter.

and it looks like it's going to be the Canon 24mm 1.4

1.4 is very much needed when doing dark weddings! It saved my butt.

July 9th, 2010, 05:09 PM	#1
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Fastest, Widest, Best Lens for 7D? I recently shot with the 50mm 1.4 Canon lens on my 7D. I couldn't believe the quality in such low light. Now I want one, but the 50mm wasn't wide enough to get those shots of people dancing at weddings. I had to be too far back. What do you use and have you tried these lens'. The Sigma 30mm and Canon 24mm look good as well as some of the Zeiss. Anything you people recommend that is even wider or better then those two above. I will spend the extra $ if it's well worth it over the Sigma. Also, Nikon is an option too, but I know nothing about them. Some options I'm considering. Amazon.com: Zeiss Ikon 35mm f/2 Distagon T* ZE Manual Focus Standard Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Electronics Amazon.com: Zeiss Ikon 35mm f/2 Distagon T* ZE Manual Focus Standard Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Electronics Amazon.com: Zeiss Ikon Wide Angle 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Series Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Electronics Amazon.com: Zeiss Ikon Wide Angle 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Series Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Electronics Amazon.com: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM II Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR… Amazon.com: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L USM II Wide Angle Lens for Canon Digital SLR… Amazon.com: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics Amazon.com: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

July 9th, 2010, 06:39 PM	#3
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	If you have the doe then get the 24mm 1.4, that is the fastest and widest, next one is the sigma 30mm 1.4, I have that one and it is my go to lens at the reception, once you use F1.4 or at the reception, F2.8 lens stay in the bag. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

July 10th, 2010, 08:04 AM	#6
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	Kelly, I know you were asking about wide lenses, but I've fallen in love with the older SMC Takumar lenses for video. If you can pick up an excellent copy of the SMC Takumar 50mm f1.4 on ebay for around $100 you will be amazed at the quality and smooth focus (although very long pull). Simply superb if you can find a non-yellowed version or are willing to UV it in your window for a few weeks to remove yellowing. They require a a M42:EOS adapter. This lens is commonly credited among the best Bokeh for any lens for any price. I've attached 2 pics of my daughter with this lens to show and extreme range of Bokeh, although not great pictures otherwise. I use this lens for "film" video work and stick to AF lenses for most photographs and run and gun video. As far as my "stay on the camera lens" for the 7D and T2i, I use the Tamron VC f2.8 which works very, very well. It spans from very wide to 50 and I've gotten some incredible images in low light. If I need to go wider, which is very seldom, I throw on the Tokina 11-16 and funnel the whole world in. The only downsides on the Tamron is that in extreme contrast situations, say bright noon with white on dark, the CA is visible and the manual focus is a little grabby. Other than that, the lens is bright with great colors and the OIS is fantastic. There is a raging debate on whether this or the Canon 17-55 is better and the judging seems to be split. If I had more money than I knew what to do with I'd go with the Canon ($1,100) but given i don't, I'm very satisfied with my two Tamrons ($579 with current rebate at B&H) and they are arguably equivalent optically. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Roger Shealy; July 10th, 2010 at 08:36 AM.

July 12th, 2010, 09:23 PM	#12
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	The fastest, widest, best lens for the 7D... It's the one attached to your 5D Mark II. ;) Similarly, the fastest, longest best lens for your 5D2 is attached to your 7D - if not your 2/3 or 1/3" sensor camera. ;) ;) ;) Seriously, when the 2/3" Scarlet Interchangeable appears, it would make an amazing wildlife camera given a 35mm mount/adapter. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

July 13th, 2010, 01:32 AM	#13
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	Jon makes a fair point. I often shoot with a 5D2 and a 7D. Wides on the 5D2, telephoto on the 7D. That allows me to move fast and get the best out of both cameras. Best super-wide for the 7D is the Tokina 11-16mm which at f/2.8 is plenty fast enough for most uses. Best wide for the 7D, probably Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L - I'd get both:) __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

July 9th, 2010, 06:21 PM	#2
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	The Tokina 11-16mm is very good @ f2.8. If you are shooting video, you can also get an old SMC Takumar 35mm f2.0 that is close to "natural" for the 7D's sensor size and has a wonderful build and focus quality (requires M42 to EOS adapter and total package $50 -100). It's a little soft at f2.0, but most lenses sharpen a bit with 2 clicks.

July 9th, 2010, 08:14 PM	#4
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	The Tokina 11 - 16 f2.8 is the widest, not the fastest, but is one really FANTASTIC lens!!!!

July 10th, 2010, 06:12 AM	#5
Tim Davison Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London, England Posts: 183	Agreed re. the Tokina

July 10th, 2010, 08:48 AM	#7
Ryan Hargrave New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 14	We shoot with the Sigma 20mm f1.8 alot. Nice and wide,b ut also pretty fast for inside low-light stuff. 20mm F1.8 EX DG ASP RF - Wide Angle Prime Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

July 10th, 2010, 09:04 AM	#8
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Fastest, widest, best lens might be the Canon 14mm L. But for a little bit more than it costs, you could buy a 5DMKII, and then a 24mm would be wide. I've read very nice things about that Tokina 11-16 but have never seen one in the flesh. Still photos I've seen from it look good. The problem I have with Tokina and Tamron zooms is the ultra short focus throw. The only ones I've used are the Tokina 16-50 and the Tamron 28-75 and Tamron 17-35. The Tokina felt the best of the three but both Tamrons were sharper.

July 10th, 2010, 10:37 AM	#9
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	Bill, The short throw is a blessing and a curse. For "premeditated work" I prefer a longer throw. When I'm out and about, being able to cradle the camera and focus without changing finger positions stop-to-stop is a nice feature. The Tokina is reasonably smooth, the Tamron is a little sticky and can be frustrating when the focus ring grabs. That one issue keeps me from giving the Tamron 5 stars. I have to stop at 4.9! One of the features I love on the Tokina 11-16 lens is the push-pull ring for auto an manual focus. Very convenient and fast.

July 10th, 2010, 11:06 AM	#10
Roger Shealy Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fayetteville, GA Posts: 772	Kelly, Here's a great site for comparing lenses: Lens Reviews - SLRgear.com!

July 12th, 2010, 09:03 PM	#11
Tyler Coscia New Boot Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 7	It's not very fast compared to the primes listed, but I just picked up the new sigma 17-50 OS and it is pretty dang good for not too much money. Constant 2.8, and decently heavy for enhancing the image stabilization when hand holding.

July 13th, 2010, 01:26 PM	#14
Evan Estern New Boot Join Date: May 2010 Location: Falls Village, CT Posts: 20	The 24 1.4L is a great lens with stunning image quality and a very good "feel." on manual focus. On the 7D it's been my mainstay as I really like the slightly wider than normal field. That said, I just sold mine and put the funds into Nikon lenses. They take wonderful images and most of them are available as fast as the Canons with the sad exception of the Nikon 24mm (F2). Still, I wanted a consistent look and focus feel (and direction to inf.) for my primes so I made that painful choice.

July 13th, 2010, 10:08 PM	#15
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Thanks for all the tips and Roger for the link. I will def be getting the Tokina Nikon model with an adapter. and it looks like it's going to be the Canon 24mm 1.4 1.4 is very much needed when doing dark weddings! It saved my butt.