Canon EF 20 mm F/2.8 USM Lens

The Canon Camera Company, Japans largest camera maker, entered the 35mm single lense reflex camera market in 1959 with the Canonflex R. Large, heavy and well built the first Canon SLR suffered from some awkward design elements and a limited set of not always reliable lenses. It was quickly overshadowed by the Nikon F, which went on to be the "professionals choice" for the next 17 years.
Meanwhile Canon started over in 1964 with the all new Canon FX, which was soon joined by the FT, FP, TL and Pellix. These cameras shared little with Canonflex models except one thing, the breech lock lens mount. Briefly stated, Canon's breech lock was a reverse bayonet mount, with the male fittings on the camera body and the female fitting on the lens. To mount a lens on a camera, you matched the red dots on the camera and breech lock ring and turned it clockwise until it was snug. Though it underwent some modifications, for the next 20 years the breech lock lens mount was a Canon trademark for both the FL and FD series lenses. In the mid seventies, however, Canon dropped the original design in favor of something that was the most thorough redesign of the FD lens system up to that time. Though the basic principal was retained, Canon redesigned the lens mount so that it acted like a bayonet mount lens. Thus a new FD lens mounted on the camera by matching the dots and twisting the lens clockwise until it locked in place. To dismount, one pressed the silver button on the lens and turned it in the opposite direction until it was free. Finally, these New FD lenses were lighter and more compact than their original FD brass and glass counterparts. Canon did this becaue a new market had emerged, one they helped create with the "so advanced,it's simple" Canon AE-1. Until the AE-1, SLR's had been the camera for professionals and photo hobbyists. The AE-1 opened up a whole new market of casual amateurs who wanted to take better pictures. Thus the lenses had to be 1)easier to use, and in some cases, less expensive.
However,Canon still had to pay attention to advance amateur and professional market, and that meant having an extensive line up of lenses,from the widest of wide angles to the longest telephoto. The Canon 20mm f 2.8 is one of that series. It's not the widest wide angle, since Canon made a 17mm wide angle as well, nor would it be the only one of its kind since Canon had a 20mm f1.4 super-speed model for available light use. Yet,it is the most practical of the two lenses and with a 90 degree point of view, it's plenty wide for me. It's also a nice compact design that fits easily on my existing AE-1, AE-1program and A-1. It can also be used on my older F series cameras. This one I got through e-bay has had some use, but is still in good shape,with a focusing ring that doesn't move too easily. That's a plus, even if this lens has so much depth of field to make focusing a rather casual affair. I've already got it on a camera, and look forward to using it when spring looks more like spring.

I use my Canon 7D mostly to shoot video. Mine came with a zoom that's totally mediocre and I bought right away a 50 mm 1.4 lens that works magic in low light situations. However 50 mm is too narrow in most situations. I needed a wider lens of good quality, that opens decently AND that I could afford ! This is this one. Got it for $220 on Ebay, practically new really and I love it. In most cases it opens wide enough, the focal length allows for a broad field o0f vision without distortion. It is now my default lens on the 7D.

I recommand it to anyone who has a Canon (D)SLR and has needs and demands that a cheap zoom cannot fuilfill. Changing lenses as needed is not an issue at all. With small budgets and a demand for quality. fixed focals that open wide is the way to go.

I shoot weddings and have been using the Sigma 24 1.8 for 2 years, mainly on a cropped sensor body for its macro capability, low light capacity and descent focal range on a crop camera during reception stuff. On tight timing situations, the Sigma's AF goosed too many shots, its slow and tracks, and having experienced the USM of Canon's 50 1.4 and 100 f2, this lens was my logical choice. The thing that sucks, is that its not a 1.8, but the fast focus is worth the loss of a stop, as long as you have a juicy flash, that and dancing couples faces look a lot better at 2.8, or 3.2 than they ever could at 1.8, IMO

I have used it to shoot from an elevated angle. The result were disappointing.....I paid $300 but I don't think it is even worth more than $100 to tell you the truth.
The colors are lifeless, "burnt-out". There are no details on the images. You can see the samples on my site: www.usafromabove.com Look for the huge house with the red roof. You will see what I am talking about. Normally, I use the 17-40 L on my elevated system. I thoguht the 20mm would be a good replacement even if it not as good as the 17 40. I think even the 18-55 Canon kit lens produces better images. Add a few hundred bucks and buy a decent lens.

Very nice wide angle on 5D. Very nice. Just the ticket for out doors, See everything. Crisp and clear. Prime is the way to go I'm convinced, A little more trouble to swap out lens's . Still keep me zoom for walk around, But for the serious, I takes a lot better pics when you have the chance to plan them.