50mm 1.2 lens or new camera body?

[germinal]

My problem or question goes as follows


Sometimes my 2.8 zooms are not giving me enough light! now.. I want more light so I need at least a 1.8 lens

There are cheap canon 50mm-85mm (f1.8 ) primes which I could get.. but resale value is not that great I think..


or I could sell my 5D body and get a new 5D mk2 for ISO6400 (1 stop advantage over a 5D) I 'd also love to try the video capabilities!


On the other hand I can buy a nearly new Canon 50mm 1.2 L zoom, giving me 2 stops advantage over my 2.8 zooms. Store price is around 1300 and I can get it for 900 euro's.


On the other hand I'm not quite sure 50mm is the best focal length!


what should I or what would you do?? it's purely for concerts!


currently I'm using 24-70L 2.8L the 70-200 2.8L and a 5D

[narlus]

the 50 f/1.4 is a TON cheaper and just a 1/3rd of a stop slower. focus speed/accuracy is decent, and much better than the f/1.8 version. you should definitely have at least one fast prime in yr bag; the other option would be the 85 f/1.8 (or one of other the Ls, if you want an excellent but higher priced option).

the 5D2 is a great body as well.

[René Damkot]

Also, while f/1.2 let's in a lot of light, DoF is extremely shallow. Same goes for 1.4 for that matter ;)

[tfd888]

If it were me, I would get either the 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8 and if you could swing it get the 5D2.

As was said above, even though you will be getting more light, your DOF is going to be quite shallow at 1.4 and for that matter even 1.8.

[thatkatmat]

I think I'd figure out which Focal Length I need first. I think the 35, and 50L's are the most common L walkaround primes. I don't have issues with you getting the very best quality you can on the first go round with primes but they are expensive so make sure you know what suits you best.....You can use your 24-70 to figure out which FL is best for you....or maybe rent the 50 and 35L first. Also, you might want to check out the Canon 50mm 1.4 and Sigma 50mm 1.4, both are excellent and pretty good values.

[shkspr]

the fast f's are great for quick focus and a bright finder, but i try to shoot 2.8 to 4 so that a little shift in position doesn't ruin a shot. 2.8's are awesome. i keep a body with a 50/1.8(metal) for those REALLY low light shots handy just in case. (usually an xs body with no batt pack to be small)

just 2 bits

[alessandro2009]

...


On the other hand I'm not quite sure 50mm is the best focal length!


what should I or what would you do?? it's purely for concerts!


currently I'm using 24-70L 2.8L the 70-200 2.8L and a 5D

If you see your exif for the most used focal length in these situation this could help you.

Remember also a little crop could help you when necessary ...

[The Moose]

Why think about resale value? Buy what works for you and use it. Obviously you're happy with the versatility of the 24-70/70-200 combo and you don't really want to part with it so I'd take the 5D2.

[divamum]

I'm a big fan of the 100 f2, the sister lens to the 85. I've had both, but for performance shooting I find the extra reach helpful and, as many reviews state, the 100 is generally sharper at f2 than the 85 at 1.8. The only disadvantage to it is that one does need to keep the shutter speeds a little higher to handhold (on the 1/focal length rule of thumb), but in practice it's not that big a deal. Great lens.

Of course a 5d2 will give you amazing ISO performance, but given that the 2 lenses mentioned can be had 2ndhand for around $320, I'd say that they're worth trying first :D