Canon Still Lenses that exhibit the least amount of breathing

[Ryan Lalonde]

LEAST amount.

I've searched high and low across the internet and haven't really gotten any answers. The local camera shop doesn't stock all the L lenses so I can't do a ton of testing.

Ideally I would have the 24 1.4, 35 1.4, 50 1.2 and 85 1.4 (I already own a 70-200)

Or i could replace all these with a 24-70 zoom.

I am only interested in breathing, I know the 24-70 trombones and the primes are faster etc.

Thanks!

 

[Timur Civan]

The 24-105 isnt tooo bad. ITs no Xenar..... but it isnt a Cooke 20-100 either.

 

[david_winters]

24-70mm. Varies based on focal length but very good overall. Search YouTube for 24-70mm breathing, I have a clip up there.

 

[Ryan Lalonde]

thanks guys

any experience with the primes?

 

[david_winters]

Here are tests I completed in March 2009, with lenses from my stills package. Shot on a 5DII. I'm still amazed at how little the 24-70mm breathes vs the Canon primes. Total reverse logic.

http://www.youtube.com/user/davidwinters

 

[Dave Weber]

Very little breath on your examples Dave. Interested to try canon lenses when I get the mount for epic.

 

[david_winters]

Hey Weber. As you know, I loved shooting Canon lenses on the R1. The 24-70 really is a killer lens for motion, accepting it's native limitations. The moving front element is solved by keeping the lens shade attached, even with a MB.

 

[David C]

+1 on the 24-70 and also its predecessor the 28-70. Very, very little breathing on those zooms... love them for video work!

 

[Ketch Rossi]

The 24-70 is a renown lens amongst Still photographers for the particular look that gives its photos, might no be clear to many but it is there, very pleasing, it does breath,
as it does the 16-35, the 24-105 and the 70-200, but better then any other zooms offered in the Canon line up of none "L' glass, make sure to get the latest edition of any glass you get form Canon, big differences!!

Primes will always be better, there is not just the question of Speed and Breathing, but the natural Artifacts of each, including better Chromatic Aberration, Flaring, Barrel distortion, Sharpness,
Detail resolving power, edge to edge, and the list goes on, must choose your weapon of battle carefully if you really are interested in getting the absolute best images of your work.

Over all current generation of Zooms in the "L" line up, offer an impressive array of benefits for very little sacrifice in Image quality, and the average viewer will not notice any difference,
not even some Pro's, but most will, and especially if viewed at 4k, wil certainly be showing their differences...

Best of luck in your choice.