I puchased and evaluated this expensive 24mm f/1.4L lens hoping that its performance would be significantly better than L-zoom lenses. It performs better than the EF 24mm f/2.8 consumer prime lens and gives good central image performance at f/2 and f/2.8. Corner sharpness is mediocre unless the lens is significantly stopped down.

50% MTF Performance Data
Link to Methods Used

Microcontrast performance of the EF 24mm f/1.4 L is excellent at f/2 and f/2.8. In the f/stop range commonly used for landscape and architectural photography, the L-prime offers no advantage over using an excellent L-zoom such as the EF 17-40mm f/4L. Corner sharpnes of the 17-40mm f/4 L is better than the 24mm f/1.4 L at f/8 (see below).

Corner Image Sharpness and Chromatic Aberration with EOS-1Ds

Image sharpness and lateral chromatic aberration (CA) varied among the lenses tested. Mild lateral chromatic aberration in the far corners of images is a common finding in wide angle lenses used with the EOS-1Ds. Examples below in the table are from the upper left corner of this chart. Comparison with the EF-S 10-22mm lens on the 20D is included mostly for my own reference database.

Center Image Sharpness with EOS-1Ds

Central image sharpness varied among the lenses tested. There was no central chromatic aberration. Examples below in the table are from the center of this chart.

Linear Distortion at 24mm

Light Drop Off (Vignetting)

The lenses tested all have significant light drop off from the center when shot at wide-open aperture. The table summarizes how image field illumination evens as aperture is closed.

Conclusion

The EF 24mm f/1.4L lens offers generally excellent center of field lens sharpness from f/2 on and very acceptable performance at f/1.4 in image center if you need it. Edge performance is probably acceptable for most applications, especially if you can stop the lens down to f/8. This lens significantly outperforms the consumer EF 24mm f/2.8, but at a significantly higher price. The EF 24mm f/1.4L lens is an excellent lens. However, its performance doesn't quite match the stellar performance of the EF 35mm f/1.4L. If corner sharpness is important to you and you have enough light to stop your lens down to f/5.6 or f/8, a quality L-zoom (e.g., EF 17-40mm f/4L) outperforms the L-prime except for slight linear distortion.

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© 2005, William L. Castleman
Initially posted 7 April, 2005; revised 14 April 2005