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You may be curious that why I acquired a 24/2.8 prime lens while I already have the 24-105/4 and 16-35 II both cover the 24mm focal length. That is because 24/2.8 is a tiny and good performer at a focal length most important to my style, particularly for quick snap in events.
Here is the story - my wife find herself interested in photography, she has tried the 400D & 17-85 combo (see also Canon EOS 400D Combo for Everyday Snaps) and complained that is just too much for her, she want something lighter and easier, I think she is referring to a point & shoot compact camera. After a second thought, I am not going to acquire a new toy for her, I decided to have a light prime for the 400D, such as 24/2.8, 28/1.8, 35/2, 50/1.8 II and 50/1.4 (we have also considered the EF-S 18-55 which is light zoom lens, however, it is still too complex for my wife, we want something fixed and easier, it is also not fast enough for indoor environment).
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
24/2.8 is selected for its overall performance across apertures (even wide open at f/2.8), it outperforms my 24-105/4 and 16-35 II at 24mm. 24/2.8 actually held up very well to the much expensive 24/1.4 L in color and sharpness departments.
24/2.8 works like a 38mm lens on 400D ideal for general purpose work and as an emergency backup to my 5D & 40D. It is compact & portable, thanks to the 400D's x1.6 cropped factors, this combo produces nice crop image in minimal light fall-off and bad corners effects thought certain CA (Chromatic Aberration) is present in this lens. Expected some classic high pitch sounds like "geezeeezzeee" when it is working, without USM motor, the 24/2.8 does not focus silently or have FTM (Full Time Manual) focusing, but in general it focuses with decent speed, via its internal rear focusing, it does not change length while focusing and the front element does not rotate.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
I added a EF 50/1.4 to the 400D a week later, I picked the 50/1.4 instead of the 50/1.8 II because of its better built quality and de-focus blur effect, it is a very nice lens that is also portable. The 50/1.4 works like a 80mm lens and very good for portrait application on a crop body, see the samples (we walked in a park in the afternoon, just have some few snaps of my wife and she love most that shots from the 400D & 50/1.4). I am just a bit surprised that it does rotate and extend though it is quiet during focusing.
Both 24/2.8 & 50/1.4 are tiny primes and the 400D make real portable solution for both quick snap and creative applications, now I would prefer to bring these combos instead of a P&S camera. And I will definitely, have them run on my FF 5D too, but that is in another dimension .... :P
This combo can be used in many applications, specifically, I would bring this combo to parties, weddings and other events for grouped people and half body shots. 24/2.8 is reasonably sharp at f/2.8, in the right hands, it may also work under indoor available amber light for some creative work, see also Pushing 400D to the Limit.
The following sample images tell much about the combo 400D & 24/2.8, check the EXIF for technical data.
The following sample images tell much about the combo 400D & 50/1.4, fill flash light applied, check the EXIF for technical data. Surpise why I used f/1.8 instead of f/1.4 for these shots?
Pushing 400D to the Limit
Though my wife threats 400D as a fully automatic P&S camera (she doesn't even need to care about the zoom range now), with the 24/2.8 sharp prime, I do have certain expectation on this combo. In particular, how well it would perform under low light environment to meet my dynamic work style.
The following shot was taken at iso1600 f/2.8 1/13s. This probably the limit both for the 400D 24/2.8 combo and my hand-held capability for a sharp image without the help of flash light nor tripod. The cropped samples indicate that with properly exposure control, this combo can generate some pretty nice result, and with certain noise reduction filter applied, it can be very usable at a trade-off limited loss of details, contrast and saturation.
100% center cropped image, no sharpness, no noise reduction
100% center cropped image, no sharpness, noise reduction in RAW
100% center cropped image, no sharpness, noise reduction in JPEG by an external software
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