If I were much fussier, I would say that the optical quality could improve faster from wide open, but the fact remains that the quality wide open is already excellent and when stopped down, the quality is still higher than all the other alternatives at the same f-stop values

my other primes (85mm & 50mm, both the lower end) take better quality photos than this thing.

With the TS, you gain some optical quality however - while the EF (this lens) has excellent distortion and aberration control, the TS is nearly distortion and aberration free, a truly remarkable achievement.

Straight off, the AF is a good quality USM drive, making it faster, more quite (or basically more existent) than many of the competitors

It is classic L quality, both inside and out

The optical quality is superb and you get the option of opening up to f/1.4.At the end of the day, the only thing holding this lens back is the price

The speed problem is also true of the newer version, but the real problem with both f/2.8 options is the existence of good quality zooms that are as fast (such as 17-55mm options for APSC or 24-70 options) offering very comparable quality, some even with IS and USM

I mention this first because one might be confused as to how to properly utilize a 24mm F1.4 lens.

Ultimately this issue attests to the fact that autofocus is never 100% accurate with any lens, but I see less misfires with my Canon 50mm f/1.4 and my Sigma 85mm f/1.4 lenses, so the fact that this L lens with a steep L price cannot autofocus consistently is a bit disheartening

I made the plunge and dropped $1529.00 down for my first L lens and boy, what a disappointment!

It is classic L quality, both inside and out