The middle lens dilemma

Ok, when you start building your prime collection, the first 2 choices are easy:

a 50mm (STM, II, Yongnuo)

CANON EF 50mm f1.8 STM 109€












CENTER GOOD FROM: f2.0
EDGE GOOD FROM:f2.2

CANON EF-S 24mm f2.8 STM 148€












CENTER GOOD FROM: f2.8
EDGE GOOD FROM: f2.8


For most of the usage i am well covered with that.
One thing i am missing is some more DOF on the 24mm to make nice ambiental portraits. But you cannot have that in a cheap and light configuration.
The other thing is that 50mm is equivalent to 80mm and sometimes it is hard to backoff enough to frame as you like.

The other options in the cheap and light range is

CANON EF 40mm f2.8 STM 220€












CENTER GOOD FROM: f2.8
EDGE GOOD FROM: f3.2

This is a really nice lens but is too much close to the 50mm without being that fast. I think that it makes a really good pair with the 24mm if you want to travel really light or if you add a third lens like a 60mm or an 85mm.

Another option that i excluded is the

CANON EF-S 35mm f2.8 STM macro 371€












CENTER GOOD FROM: f2.8
EDGE GOOD FROM: f2.8

I think that this is a nice macro lens, 35mm is an interesting focal for macro, i like it, but it cost more than 350 euros for an f2.8.

Runners up should have at least f2 an a focal between 28 and 35 mm. Also a resonable price will be nice.

I think that the best that money can buy is

CANON EF 35mm f2.0 USM IS 516€












CENTER GOOD FROM: f2.0
EDGE GOOD FROM: f2.0

I think that this lens is the whole package: it is sharper than the 50mm and close to the 24mm at the
same aperture, stabilized, has a nice handling and fast focus. But price is close to 500 euros so i have to exclude it.

The non IS version is discontinued

CANON EF 35mm f2.0 












CENTER GOOD FROM: f2.5
EDGE GOOD FROM: f3.2

But Yongnuo make a clone that looks near or less the same quality












CENTER GOOD FROM: f2.5
EDGE GOOD FROM: f4.5

Both options are not champions in sharpness but are affordable.
a wider option is

CANON EF 28mm f1.8 USM 523€












CENTER GOOD FROM: f2.2
EDGE GOOD FROM: f8.0 (f2.8?)

It is a tempting focal and someone sells for good price, also with USM motor, but looks like the old 35mm and the YN35mm are a bit sharper...

Let's go with the 3rd party options:

SIGMA 30mm f1.4 EX DC
















CENTER GOOD FROM: f1.4
EDGE GOOD FROM: f5.6

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