Mir-24n 35mm f2 versus Sigma 30mm f1.4 for vide on t2i...

[calaedw]

I'm torn as to which lens I should get for shooting movies both interior and exterior (not events or stills) on my t2i.

I currently have an SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4 and a Vivitar 28mm 2.5.

I'd like a sharper, wider lens than my smc tak and I'm not satisfied with the quality from the vivitar. Is the Mir-24n sharp wide open? If not, where? I really like the metallic feel of the old vintage lenses and the Mi4-24n is much cheaper than the Sigma 30mm. I do not care about autofocus.

Thanks!

[pdccameras]

HI Cala,

I don't have any experience with either the MIR or the Sigma 30,
however, you really should check out the SMC screw mount 35 f/3.5 and 35 f/2 lenses. There are many fine posts and super example shots posted in this forum. A seach will turn up quite a bit of info.

I have/use both of these lenses. They are both great performers IMHO, but I prefer the 35/3.5. It is compact, sharp wide open, and superb stopped down to f/5.6 or F/8. The center sharpness is better than the edge, but not by a whole lot. Also, on your crop body this lens will exhibit very little distortion. The f/2 is wonderful and fast, but my personal favorite is the f/3.5 - especially when I don't need the speed. The used price of an f/3.5 is usually in the $60 - $70 USD range, the f/2 a little higher.

A 35mm lens on an APC will give you a 52mm equivalent FOV. Is that wide enough for you?

Hope this helps,

paul

[ManualFocus-G]

Get the Sigma. It's a stop faster, has great pop and pin sharp at f2.8. The Mir is good, but not that good imo.

[peterqd]

My thoughts - if you insist on using lenses wide open then you're going to have to spend a lot of money to beat the sharpness of your Tak. I don't know the Sigma at all. The Mir is extremely sharp at 3.5+ but you won't like it wide open.