Just one prime lens, which one?

I just sold my excellent 85 1.8 because I bought the 85L. Let me tell you, this lens is AWESOME for portrait with wonderful bokeh. While the AF of 1.8 is much faster than the 1.2, I feel that AF on the 1.2 is much more accurate. I can see me 'forcing' myself using this focal length more than before now.
Check out the pics I took yesterday, wide open, on 40D:
http://picasaweb.googl​e.com/suparmanwidjaja/​LENSSamples#
(You can download the originals to see how sharp/accurate the focus was)

And did I tell you about the bokeh yet?

I do like the 85L quite a bit. And with a 5D, it shouldn't be too long.... my garage is kinda tight. Outside wouldn't be a problem. I don't want to lug around too many lenses that all, with the 5D, I'll get rid of the 17-55 and 10-20, keep the 70-200, 50 1.4, get a 24-70 and 17-40 and eventually another prime. That'll be 5 lenses.

swidjaja wrote in post #7920560
I just sold my excellent 85 1.8 because I bought the 85L. Let me tell you, this lens is AWESOME for portrait with wonderful bokeh. While the AF of 1.8 is much faster than the 1.2, I feel that AF on the 1.2 is much more accurate. I can see me 'forcing' myself using this focal length more than before now.
Check out the pics I took yesterday, wide open, on 40D:
http://picasaweb.googl​e.com/suparmanwidjaja/​LENSSamples#
(You can download the originals to see how sharp/accurate the focus was)

And did I tell you about the bokeh yet?

the bokeh is creamy, love it. i'll have to see how great the 50 1.4 is first, maybe i'll resell it and get a 85.

The 85L is a quirky niche market lens, but if it fits your needs there is no better lens out there

If you check out the 85 1.8 thread https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=140371 the bokeh is pretty good. I think I'd go with 85 1.8 and the 135 F2. The upside to the 135 is you could shoot some low light indoor sports or events, and when you do trade up to a FF, it will be a good portrait lens.

fatalimage wrote in post #7920595
the bokeh is creamy, love it. i'll have to see how great the 50 1.4 is first, maybe i'll resell it and get a 85.

Which one? Canon or Sigma? I heard sigma has very creamy boleh.
I also had the canon 1.4 but I sold it at the same time I did 85 1.8 as well. The bokeh was not that great and the picture was kind of hazy at 1.4-1.8, but it was definitely a good lens with great AF (much better in my experience than the credit people give to it). I tried looking for some samples for you but did not find any because I did not use the focal length that much (which is why I sold it), and most pics I took was at 2.0 or smaller aperture.

hmh,for portrait??
in my opinion: 85L.
if u need 2 combo lenses,then would be: 85L + 135L or 35L + 85L.

cheers

swidjaja wrote in post #7920844
Which one? Canon or Sigma? I heard sigma has very creamy boleh.
I also had the canon 1.4 but I sold it at the same time I did 85 1.8 as well. The bokeh was not that great and the picture was kind of hazy at 1.4-1.8, but it was definitely a good lens with great AF (much better in my experience than the credit people give to it). I tried looking for some samples for you but did not find any because I did not use the focal length that much (which is why I sold it), and most pics I took was at 2.0 or smaller aperture.

i thought the pictures were with the 85 1.8

iqbal624 wrote in post #7918343
I would not do the 85 1.8 + 135L... (personally) I would rather go with the 85L mki and a Sigma 50 1.4 or actually a 35L or the excellent budget canon 28 1.8

On crop a 50mm - 85mm combo is good (80 - 136 FF equivalent on a XXD series camera).

THe 135 might be a bit long on crop. Though if the OP is going FF in the future... I guess he could still use the 50mm as a "normal" lens.

Get the Sigma 50 1.4 if you're going to get 50mm. Just test it first (it's a Sigma )

zshaft wrote in post #7926915
hmh,for portrait??
in my opinion: 85L.
if u need 2 combo lenses,then would be: 85L + 135L or 35L + 85L.

35mm is OK, but not great for portraits maybe.

KenjiS wrote in post #7918395
Then it was a 24-105 f/4L IS, 50mm f/1.4 and 200mm f/2.8L

This is the exact combo I have right now (FF).

I'll add the following lenses over time:
85mm 1.8
135L
70-200 2.8L


and


24-70 2.8L IS (that's not a typo... I'm just optimistic ).

I might get a UWA one day... still waiting for Canon to bring out a 14-24 type lens (that's actually good).

I also might go for a 400mm odd length lens one day... if I decide I like birds.

Enough dreaming... I better get working so I can make some money for all this stuff.

If the lens fairy were leaving it under my pillow, I'd pick the 800 5.6. Can't ever have too much reach.

Its a toss up for me between the 35L and the 50L. I still can't decide which one of those will be my next purchase. I'll have to rent both to compare.

ALT1MATE wrote in post #7928214
Its a toss up for me between the 35L and the 50L. I still can't decide which one of those will be my next purchase. I'll have to rent both to compare.

Not having actually tested those lenses myself. I have to say go for the 35L (on reputation) over the 50L. Many say the 50 1.4 is a better/just as good lens... and they say the Sigma 50 1.4 is even better than the Canon 1.4.

Still I guess it depends... but from what I've READ, the 35L has a better reputation for quality over the 50L.

Stealthy Ninja wrote in post #7918135
Personally, I'd go for the 85 1.8 AND 135 f/2L combo over ONE 85 1.2L. (which is what I am doing... getting the combo that is).

Agree
Rob.

Stealthy Ninja wrote in post #7918135
Personally, I'd go for the 85 1.8 AND 135 f/2L combo over ONE 85 1.2L. (which is what I am doing... getting the combo that is).

I think this is a great suggestion. Unless your shooting style will allow you to use only one focal length, the "one prime" route will be very limiting. I just purchased the 85L and it does produce stunning results, but it is a niche lens. I've never owned the 85 1.8 but from all reviews would be a great addition to the 135L. The 135L is one of my favorites. Sharp, fast and great IQ. I think you'd be much happier with the two focal lengths.

24LII