Cheap prime for cheap film EOS

<p>Been thinking about an (inexpensive) wide angle prime to use on a film Canon. Anybody using these?<br>

I'm thinking 35/2 or one of the 28mm lenses. I've been seeing used 35/2 on FS boards that go pretty quickly, at almost new prices. <br>

They seem just a little expensive for what they are. Anybody here using them (now)?<br>

Please shed some light. </p>

<p>The 35/2 is excellent. I have one. It looks to be mostly plasteek, but the glass is what counts.</p>

<p>I would be a little happier with the EF 35mm f/2 if it were built as nicely as the 50mm f/1.4 USM, but it's a nice lens all the same and it's still better constructed than the ultra-cheap 50mm f/1.8. Image quality is very good.</p>

<p>the 50/1.8 is amazing all around. amazing thin focus and stops down sharp as a razor.<br>

the 28/2.8 is the next cheapest. less sharp wide open, but still stops down very nicely.</p>

<p>the 35/2 at $300 to me doesn't seem that cheap.</p>

<p>I have the 28mm f2.8. I think they're going for a bit more than I paid for mine but still reasonable. I'm well satisfied with it--using it on a crop-frame. Haven't tried it on my Elan IIe yet (haven't shot film in over a year).</p>

<p>The 28mm f/2.8 is very nice, I can say from own experience with slide film and digital. It received also very good reviews before the digital era started. If you like extreme wide angle, check out the 14mm from Samyang which is reported to be very sharp and is also inexpensive. It's negative point is mustache distortion.</p>

<p>Thomas, the 24/2.8 is also worth considering. It's image quality is outstanding, although is does share the 35/2's noisy AF motor. You should be able to get a very inexpensive used copy.</p>

<p>But which wide angle prime you get should be driven by your shooting preferences. There's quite a difference in angle of view between 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm.</p>

<p>Thanks for the input. You all (along with reading reviews) have given something to really think about.<br>

I already have a 50 f/1.8, 85 f/1.8, 28-135, and an L tele zoom so I might be set for all focal lengths that I really need. I also have a DSLR with a few EF-S zoom lenses that have me thinking that a cheap EF mount zoom just might be "good enough".<br>

I figured I could grab a prime lens for a bit more than than the 50. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>35/f2 fantastic lens and very small and thus unobtrusive. Great for Candids.<br>

<a href="http://www.flickriver.com/photos/researchphotography/sets/72157623713248582/">http://www.flickriver.com/photos/researchphotography/sets/72157623713248582/</a><br>

<a href="http://www.flickriver.com/photos/researchphotography/sets/72157623713248582/"></a>All shot with a 5D and 35mm F2.</p>

<p>Hey Doc, I've checked out many shots made by the 35 and 5D on Flickr. That's why I got so excited about using it on a film camera.<br /> Problem is that the 5D shots look a heck of a lot better those on film! <br /> Thanks for the link.</p>