Review 3 of 10
Price Paid:
$1350.00
from Sydney, Australia Summary: This is a remarkably wide angle retrofocus lens. The focal length of 24 mm is only 40% of the image circle which Canon gives as 58.2 mm.
All this is achieved with a normal 72 mm screw in filter mount, no need for drop in type filters.
Used without tilt or shift, performance is very similar to the EF 24 mm F2.8, a very fine lens.
With shift, remarkable perspectives on interior and exterior architecture are posible.
The lens is a great boon for both architecture and landscape but is also a very capable general purpose wide angle.
Shift is more likely to be used than tilt as the depth of field is considerable with the 24 mm focal length.
It is possible to use the full 11 mm shift, however some loss of definition and darkening of the image will occur at the edges of the frame.
Best image performance across the whole frame with or without shift is at f8, best edge performance with minimal light falloff occurs at f 11.
Have your Canon service centre make the shift and tilt axes made parallel so both can be used together. Strengths: Extremely versatile super wide angle lens with excellent performance, especially considering the retrofocus design.
Automatic diaphragm function is available just like ordinary EF lenses. Weaknesses: I have not discovered any weaknesses, however this lens requires some care in order to get optimum results.
The best camera to use is an EOS 1N or 1V with the 100% viewfinder and easier manual focussing than less expensive EOS models.
The EC-D grid scren is useful, and works perfectly well as a standard screen with normal lenses.
There is some distortion detectable. This makes straight lines immediately adjacent the frame edge curve slightly in the shape of a cupids bow without the dip in the middle. Although the distortion is slight it does mean that accurate vision of the frame edges in the viewfinder is necessary.
It is necessary to meter before shifting or incorrect results will occur.
No autofocus of course.
Manual focus with the f3.5 lens requires some care. It is often more useful to use scale focussing unless tilt is used, in which case you must focus on the screen.
The lens is quite heavy, bulky and expensive for the focal length and aperture. Similar Products Used: There is really nothing quite like it out there.
Canon EF 24mm f2.8. Customer Service: Excellent from Canon Australia
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