I'm looking at the 35 2.0 and the 28 2.8 for indoor photography of mostly family gatherings and school events. I have searched but not found any comparison of these two lenses in terms of image quality. Appreciate any info....

-- Michael Gatton (mg143@aol.com), March 05, 2000

Answers

I haven't seen any tests on them, but I have seen several comments on both on photo.net. Comments on both lenses have been positive. About the only complaint I have seen is the lack of a USM focus motor. I don't think either has it, and I know the 28 doesn't. In general, Canon primes are excellent, so these should be fine for your purposes.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), March 06, 2000.

Hi --- The choices you cite will do quite well for indoor photos. I'd actually go wider. I quite often use the 24F2.8 or the 17-35F2.8 zoom (usially about the middle of it's range)

I particularly like the zoom as it lets one frame quickly and get shots while the action is underway - a real bonus for family gatherings.

There are a few samples on my site but the best are likley in the 'People and Events' gallery, particularly one evening (Walpurgisnacht) when we were with a visiting group of 20 Belgian youths and lots of friends in very close quarters. You can see them here:

http://www.arttech.on.ca/people/60yrs.htm

HTH, Mike

-- Mike Milton (mike.milton@sympatico.ca), March 06, 2000.

Check out www.photo.com and search your way to the lenses you're interested in. Both the EF 28/2.8 and 35/2 are there.

Just an aside: the EF 24-85 (which I own) has proven to be a very versitile lens for indoor use.

-- Jim Hicks (jhicks992@aol.com), March 07, 2000.

Thanks for the responses. I was so disappointed with the 28-80 lens that came with the Elan II that I can't bring myself to buy another zoom, and the reviews of the 24-85 and 28-105 on photo.net have been mixed as regards image quality (some say only margially better than the 28-80). I know that my 50 1.8 leaves me quite satisfied in terms of sharpness but is limiting in terms of doing indoor people shots when space is tight. So I'm looking for an alternative to the 50 when working indoors.

(Tried photo.com: "Sorry. The photo.com site is temporarily unavailable.")

-- Michael Gatton (mg143@aol.com), March 09, 2000.

The EOS 28/1.8 USM is an excellent lens, but considerably more expensive than the 28/2.8.

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), March 09, 2000.

'Can't bring myself to buy a zoom'

I can understand your reaction to the lens you mention, but the 3 F2.8L zooms by canon are simply great. The 28-70 is a particular example of a zoom without the expected limitations. They are NOT cheap, but I really have to say that, except for DOF I would not bother to switch the 28-70 for the 85F1.2L that I also own (and which is also not cheap)

-- Mike Milton (mike@arttech.on.ca), March 10, 2000.

(Tried photo.com: "Sorry. The photo.com site is temporarily unavailable.")

Sorry, Michael - I meant photodo.com. Try it out - they've redesigned the site and it's easier to navigate.

-- Jim Hicks (jhicks992@aol.com), April 04, 2000.

I have previously owned the 28 1.8 and 35 2.0. Both are really excellent lenses, though the 28 gives you more "room" to accommodate larger groups of people. I also used to have the 17-35 and 28-70 lenses, but as I usually photograph using the hyperfocal settings, I prefer to use prime lenses. Also prime lenses focus a lot closer than zooms, which for me is very important.

-- Paulo Bizarro (pbizarro@cggp.pt), April 14, 2000.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the 20mm f2.8 yet. It's an outstanding lens for indoor people shots, particularly in close quarters. The 20mm also gives a very nice "overview" perspective when used in a large room. This lens, and the 85 1.8 are my favorite reception/event lenses.

-- Scott Flathouse (seflathouse.pampa@celanese.com), May 05, 2000.