Canon 35/1.8 or 35/2.0?

[raid]

The 35/1.8 shows more ghost pictures with strong lights (as shown in Raid's pics) and less contrast wide open, but it clears up nicely when stopped down. The 35/2 is better in contrast wide open (sharpness is the same) and, in compensation why it' so pushed, the bokeh is harsher.
At f/5.6 or f/8 both are excellent and no difference in results. After all, both designs are very similar. It's highly a matter of taste (with the appearance as well). Best: have both... 😉
Ask any seller for hazing in both lenses. The 35/1.8 is prone to haze. The 35/2 is lesser prone to spider-web type fungus, which isn't easy to detect because the glass is so small! My 35/1.8 shows a slight haze (I use it nevertheless) whereas the very slight fungus of my 35/2 could luckily be removed without damage.

After seeing the "glow", I sent the 35/1.8 for cleaning. Now, it should show less "ghosts"and more contrast.

 

[raid]

Please, Raid, don't do this to my GAS!!!

Steve,

The 35/2.8 is tiny and is different from the rest, and the 35/1.8 is just too close to in its speed to the 35/1.5. If the 35/1.5 really delivers as is promised, then I will not need the 35/1.8 anymore. Eddy Smolov just cleaned it, and it is ready for sale.

The 35/1.8 is not that easily bought anymore. Such lenses used to be widely available on ebay for around $300. At one stage, I had three or four of them.

Sorry for the extra GAS! 😀

 

[lawrence]

35mm f1.8

35mm f1.8

The 35mm f1.8 has an old-fashioned look that can be appealing. There is a lot -- really a lot -- of vignetting at f1.8 and also some curvature of field but of course you might like this. Also the throw of the focusing is rather long compared to modern lenses i.e. you have to twist the focusing ring more to focus. And, unlike the f2, it has an infinity lock that you will either love or hate.

 

[Canonist]

Hello Lawrence,

I think that I will like the old-fashioned look. Because I scan my Films and edit the pics in Photoshop CS3, the vignetting at f 1.8 will not be a problem, if it is realy too much. I knew the infinity lock not, till I got my 50/1.8, but it´s no problem for me.