RF 15-35 f2.8 vs. RF 24 f1.4: Wide-angle lens recommendations

[bejjet]

I currently own three RF lenses: the 24-105mm f/4, 50mm f/1.8, and 28-70mm f/2. I'm only a hobbyist and I enjoy capturing family events, doing travel photography, and might eventually try astro. I’m now considering adding a fast wide-angle lens to my kit since I don’t have one yet. I’m torn between the 15-35mm f/2.8 and the new 24mm f/1.4. Renting isn’t an option where I live, so I guess the real question is whether I’d actually need anything wider than 24mm for what I shoot. Budget is not a concern for this purchase.

Has anyone faced a similar decision between these two lenses (or even the 24mm f/1.8)?

[ebiggs1]

The 15-35mm without hesitation. Zooms always before primes. They are way more flexible and you will get 24mm included in the zooms FL.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

I agree with Ernie.  Having owned the 15- 35 a few years now, I will say it's one of my favorite lenses.  Curious what body you will be using it with?

[AtticusLake]

You haven't said what camera you're using -- is it full frame, or crop?  It makes a difference.

I've been shooting landscapes for a while now, mostly on full frame, and even there 24mm is often not wide enough for me.  I have the 15-35, and I love it, and I've used the wider focal lengths a lot.

And shooting in daytime, I'm rarely opened up more than f/10.  So for me, the wider focal length would matter a lot more than the brightness.  And the flexibility of a zoom is super useful.

However, if you're thinking about wide-angle astrophotography, like the aurora, then the f/ number may matter too.  I have a 33mm f/0.95 for that.

If your camera is crop, you might want something even wider.

[justadude]

I do quite a bit of astrophotography.  If you are going to shoot anything like the Milky Way, or aurora, you will wish you had wider than the 24mm.  The 15-35mm f/2.8 is a great option from all I've heard from others that own it.  

If you are going to use the lens ONLY for astronauts photography, a more budget friendly option would be a prime.  I have owned three different versions of the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 (EF, RF, & Pentax mount).  These lenses are very popular with night sky photographers.  However, I did sell them last year once I tried the Venus Optics Laowa RF 15mm f/2 Zero-D lens.  It has a very solid build, and is machined much nicer than the Rokinon lenses, and lens distortion is a lot easier to correct on the Laowa than the Rokinon.

[justadude]

"If you are going to use the lens ONLY for astronauts photography"

Astrophotography, not astronauts photography.  This is why we shouldn't type replies at the same time we are having a conversation with our wife.  🙂  lol

[ebiggs1]

Hey ya never know astronauts are people too. 😁

[justadude]

"Hey ya never know astronauts are people too."

True, but with a 14mm lens they would look like fat astronauts.  😄