The 35 1.4 is my love affair. I can't part with it. If I could only take 3 things on an island this lens would be one of them. It is tasty goodness. the focal length is perfect for the way I like to shoot and doesn't distort too much on the edges. just thought I would post a few from a recent e sesh where I just shot the 35... which is pretty typical for me.







As always, more on the <blog>

Great work and I agree completely on the strength of the 35 1.4. Love mine as well!!

Oh I have been eyeing this lens. I may have to sell something!! lol These are really niiice!!!!

Kerri

This is prob a dumb question....a focal length is a focal length, right?

The reason i ask is that it seems that the 16-35 lens we have shows more distortion at the 35 end that this prime does. Is there a reason for that?

Cool images Sara! That second one really cracks me up, I have this feeling it fits his personality perfectly.


Hi Mark, short answer as this can get really complicated; there's all sorts of compromises manufacturers have to make when designing a SLR zoom lens and it takes a lot to get the distortion out (which is why there are 10 or more elements of glass in a quality zoom lens). Prime SLR lenses have less compromises as they don't change focal length, so it's easier to work around the flaws of SLR lens design to make a straight image. Rangefinder prime lenses have even fewer compromises so are inherently sharper and show less distortion (but that's a whole other topic).

love that last image! love.it!

Sigma 30 1.4.....frikking un real as well. Primes are so yummy.

Thanks buddy.. yeah it totally did fit his personality. it makes me laugh too.
And thanks for the excellent answer to our friend's question

Anyone who is debating about this lens, dont debate any longer... get it. The 24 distorts too much... still really nice and I love it but this one is just perfect.

The 35 1.4 is awesome and those pictures are super awesome!!!

You make me wish I would have stayed with Canon...that 1D3 was sooo sweet, especially with primes... Come on Nikon...make some good primes!

Yeah Nikon bodies, hands down better... but you just cant beat Canon Primes... you just can't, just sayin' and I just dont think you can slack in the lens department.

You make me wish that I was a little chip implanted into your brains so that I

could witness your processing for how you get the most awesome moments and process them like no body's business!

I f'n love you girl! You rock! I leave comments on your blog all the time. I mistakenly

made a comment on Kelly Moore's blog where I said, "You rock Sarah Rhoads". I meant to leave one stating that she rocked, but... big boo boo!






Fancy meeting you two here! Hee hee! These guys are my Yoda's. I am their young, stupid, wannabe Jedi. Alrightythen...

LOVE the last one. Stunning

Sarah, those are amazing! I have the 35L too and absolutely love it! Would you mind sharing some of your tech info on these?

It's next on the list! I've got the 50L and 85L so it almost seems blasphemous not to have the 35
24-70's not getting the workout it used to but I will admit that sometimes it's invaluable.

I was just up in Seattle for a day shoot, you are so spoiled to live somewhere so beautiful! Oh, but then there's all that rain...

I love these. Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Bravo!

I love the 35L as well and use mine 90% of the time for portrait sessions. What aperture did you use on the 1st image, to keep both subjects in focus, but still get that nice blur?

I find that I am shooting mostly at 1.4 to 1.8 with the 35L, however it is sometimes difficult to judge the DOF as such close range - and therefore the percentage of keepers is low (but worth it).

really nice images!!!

Some day I will own this lens. But I think the awesomeness that these images have has a lot more to do with the photographer than the lens .

I might have to get a 5d and a few Canon primes...

as always guys...stellar shots! ill definately be making the 35 my next lense, got to start saving the pennies after the 85 1.2

those are great. you have totally swayed my decision on what my next lens will be!

Great images, the last one is perfect!

Nice shots But Sarah, what do you use for the wider shots? 24mm? 16mm?

I got this lens recently and am really liking it, its been staying on my camera a lot. At first I was having problems with DOF since I like to get really close with it, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. I like the 50 1.4 a lot too, but the colors seem to pop more with the 35

I took it to a friend's son's first birthday last weekend...I was shooting 1.8 most of the day...here's my favorite...this shot kills me


more cute kids can be found here

http://seanmophoto.wordpress.com/

Hahaha! Tawny! that is awesome. Thanks so much for the love. It is so encouraging to hear. You are a light. You make me blush
We can be Jedi warriors together. But only If we can carry light sabers wherever we go.

Why didn't you call me you punk!?
You know, I was down shooting in the midwest last week and it was crazy how harsh the light was... i love this amazing soft box we have in Seattle ALL the time


Oh and to answer some of your questions on tech specs:
I usually always shoot below a 2.8... I believe the first shot (the black and white one) was shot at a 2.0 it gives it that nice focus and blur out. But the beautiful thing about the 35 is the natural ever-so-soft vignette that it has. It is just beautiful.

Daniel U- For my wider angle shots I use the 16-35L f/2.8II.... However I haven't found myself using it as much these days but it is still a great go-to when necessary.

Ross- the 85 1.2 is the other go-to lens for me, second to my 35.... when I'm shooting a wedding that is pretty much all I use 90% of the day is the 35 and the 85.. one on each body. They are both tasty but I'm tellin' ya.. I couldn't live without my 35.

LOL, I wish I could have! I was there for 30 hours for rehearsal and wedding coverage, definitely not long enough! Next time...

I just swapped out my 24 for the 35, and I couldn't be happier. It's the perfect focal length, and I'm already in love I can't wait to shoot a wedding with it tomorrow!

wow!

Nice cone head shot

-C

i love your style and that lens is on my wish list - thanks for sharing...love the images.

You'll never look back Lauren However, I have plenty of friends that oddle over the 24 with my shooting style I am still totally partial to the 35. Enjoy the bliss of moving in tightttt

I just had a peek at your blog - I forgot how much I dig your work!