I need some lens advice

So here's the deal, I've got about 1100.00 to spend on a new lens, I need something longer and had settled on the 70-200 f4 IS, but recently I have spent way too much time on these forums and the 135L thread has made me second guess the 70-200. I shoot with a 5D classic and do mainly landscapes, portraiture, and occasional weddings. From the wedding standpoint I think that the versatility and further reach of the 70-200 will come in handy when working from the back of a church, but the image quality, speed, and bokeh keep me going back to the 135L. Please share your thoughts.

Thanks,

-Dave

Do you currently have the 70-200 f4 or are you questioning your thoughts? Also what other lenses might you currently have?

iAMB wrote in post #8627638
Do you currently have the 70-200 f4 or are you questioning your thoughts? Also what other lenses might you currently have?

Just questioning my thoughts, I haven't actually placed the order yet.

and my current lens lineup is 17-40L, 35L, and an 85 1.8

Get the EF 70-200/4 L IS lens and do not look back.

"From the wedding standpoint I think that the versatility and further reach of the 70-200 will come in handy."

It does, but that 135L is well the 135L! Umm, too bad you didn't have two bodies, or I'd tell you to go with the 135L all the way. You might really like that versatility you were talking about. During a wedding I doubt anyone wants to waste that bit of extra time to switch out lenses =/

Hard choice! I'd wait! Don't go spending the money just yet!

Get the 70-200 f/4 IS. I just got one today and wow...I also debated the 135L, but the 70-200 was so much more versatile I couldn't resist. Both have amazing image quality. The 70-200 is one of the, if not most, sharpest zoom lenses. If you're shooting in low light, use that 85 1.8 of yours.

I shoot quite a few weddings a month and never use the 70-200 f/4L thatI have. It is too slow. I do think I would use the 135L though.. It seems like a great lens.

What is your style of wedding photography? Do you go in mostly for record shots and typical reception record shots, or do you take more close-ups, portraits and the like? Do you shoot primarily with flash or available light?

You are shooting with a full frame 5D, so you don't the extra focal length boost of a crop body. I would go for the extra reach of the 70-200. I would also save up a little extra and go for the 70-200 f/2.8 for a little extra light. Another way to go would be to pick up the 135L AND a 40D body. You would get the extra reach (about 216mm) from the crop sensor and get the speed, IQ and shallow depth of field of the 135. 40D's are pretty reasonable right now and are very competent cameras. One more option would be to go with the 70-200 f/4 and trade your 5D classic for the 5D MII. The low noise and outstanding high iso performance of the 5D MII would buy you at least the one stop difference between the f/4 and f/2.8 zoom.

Just my 2cents.

Paul

For weddings f/4 is wayyyy to slow. I also debated weather i should get the 135L or the 70-200 2.8. I decided on getting the 70-200 first solely because i also shot motocross. If it wasnt for that i would have got the 135 no questions ask.

I say if you do decide to go the 70-200 route, get the 2.8 NON IS instead of the 4 IS. The extra stop will really benefit you over the IS

Before you get a f/4 lens you should check how this, in comparison to f/2.8 and faster, affects the AF if at all. I had the same problem several years ago that you present. The f/4 was slower than I wanted (for one thing it does affect the AF of my camera) and the f/2.8 is a beast to carry and use. I went for the 135L, which gave me a fast lens, and a x1.4 TC, which gets the focal length very close to 200mm.

jr_senator wrote in post #8628860
Before you get a f/4 lens you should check how this, in comparison to f/2.8 and faster, affects the AF if at all. I had the same problem several years ago that you present. The f/4 was slower than I wanted (for one thing it does affect the AF of my camera) and the f/2.8 is a beast to carry and use. I went for the 135L, which gave me a fast lens, and a x1.4 TC, which gets the focal length very close to 200mm.

Forgot about the 1.4 TC - You'd only lose one stop, so you'd end up with a 190mm f/2.8 - NICE!

Good call!

P.

I went through the same dilemma before I got my 70-200 2.8 ... 135L is an awesome lens however I prefer the flexibility of having a quality zoom lens than stuck with the set focal length. I just love zooming in and out

gasrocks wrote in post #8627950
Get the EF 70-200/4 L IS lens and do not look back.

x2

Based on what you said and your needs for a lens, it sounds like 70-200.

Either the 70-200 f2.8 IS or 135L would be great for weddings. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

seanzky wrote in post #8630205
x2

Based on what you said and your needs for a lens, it sounds like 70-200.

x3 for 70-200
i take 35L and 70-200 f4 with me when I don't know what mode I am in