CameraPorn

Canon 28mm 1.8 EF – Like the ex you just keep going back to

This was the first lens I got when I started getting into the world of SLR photography. Like rygood, I am shooting with a Canon 30D. It’s a fantastic camera to learn on, but one of the things you always have to be mindful of is the 1.6 multiplier on the 30D you have to apply to focal lengths to get the equivalent to a full frame camera. Since my good friend Peter pointed out that a 35mm focal length is roughly what the human eye sees, making it a great length to start shooting with since it’s nice and familiar, this 28mm lens gets me pretty close that that 35mm effective length after applying the multiplier. Rock!

It’s a well built lens, and with the f/1.8 aperture, it handles low light situations very well, especially considering that it’s right in the $400 price range. Which honestly is a key point here. I’m not going to pretend this glass is as nice as one of the “L” series prime lenses from Canon in the same focal length range. But you’re looking at spending something like 1/3 what you would for that red stripe. In addition to being happy without a lot of light, it’s good for situations when you’re up close to your subject. I’ve tried out the 50mm f/1.4 lens that’s in a similar category, and it can definitely put you closer than you want to be on my 30D. But this 28mm is comfortable when you’re shooting someone sitting on the other side of a table from you.

This is a great general purpose lens for the Canon EOS bodies. I find myself coming back to it over and over when my friends haven’t stolen it for their own purposes. And, on a full frame body like Peter’s 5D, you can get some really wonderful extra wide shots. Again, don’t think it’ll treat your images as well as the L series lenses will, but your bank account will definitely thank you.