Help with decision: Samyang 35mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, or Canon 70-200 f4L?

I recently traded my 7d for a 5dc. I had a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens and a Helios 44-2. I'm looking at buying a new lens. What has me drawn to the Samyang manual focus lenses is the superb image quality and large aperture. I ordered a Canon EE-S focus screen for the 5d, and plan to buy either the Samyang/Rokinon/Bower 35mm f/1.4 or the 85mm f/1.4 or the Canon 70-200 f/4 non-is. I have owned the 70-200 in the past and know it's a great lightweight sharp lens.

I am wanting to get into more people photos and portraits, so the 35 and 85 draw me to them. I really enjoy the full frame depth of field and the f/1.4. I'm not so sure the f/4 of the 70-200 will give me the "look" I want. I need persuasion on which to purchase as my primary lens for the 5d for a couple months.

I plan to shoot cars, people, and random shots walking around such as sunsets/barns, etc.

I can't stop looking at this photo using the 35 f/1.4 on a 5d(NOT MY PHOTO):

Hard to say considering they are 3 completely different focal lengths. I would say 85mm for portraits and thin DoF but indoors it would be too long. 35mm is nice indoors but is too wide for head shots or shoulders. 70-200mm would give you the most options for focal length but obviously is a different lens altogether. I probably didn't help much but I'd say you need 2 lenses. The 35mm + any one of the other 2.

Yeah, I plan on buying one of the others, but it will be a month or two before I do.

Why not the 35 f/2 and 85 1.8? That would fit in the price range for the 85 1.4. You could always re-sell later down the road once you've saved up money. No one prime lens will really get the job fully done.

Hey civicseth,

Samyang in the topic = I read it
Thats actually my picture you posted (funny circumstances).
If you want to get into portraits and love DOF (i'm a bokeh addict) get the 1.4 lenses! To my mind a 70-200 f4 wont make you happy...

I also wouldnt recommend buying a 35/2. Quite a lot people say: try it - if you like it buy something better (35L, Samyang 35 1.4)... well why bother anyway with it?
Gonna pick up my Samyang 85 1.4 today and cant wait to try it out

For today I like 35 mm most for portraits. Of course not for headshot..but to be honest... basic headshots? pfff

What would I do? Get the Samyang 35 1.4...use it (MF doesnt hurt - especially with the foccusing screen) - next month buy the 85 1.4

Thanks for the advice, and I love the photos you've taken with yours. Keep posting in that thread, and I'm about to pull the trigger on the Samyang.

Thank you

Only thing missing right now is time... :/ Hope to get some shots today.
Do it

civicseth wrote in post #12642990
...I am wanting to get into more people photos and portraits, so the 35 and 85 draw me to them. I really enjoy the full frame depth of field and the f/1.4. I'm not so sure the f/4 of the 70-200 will give me the "look" I want. I need persuasion on which to purchase as my primary lens for the 5d for a couple months.

I plan to shoot cars, people, and random shots walking around such as sunsets/barns, etc.
...

Good one lens solution for all of it - Tamron 28-75 2.8
$450 new with six years warranty.
75mm at F8

35mm and 85 is a great duo, that's pretty much all I use for day-to-day photography. I also own the Samyang 85, and it really is a marvelous lens for the money.

Of course, if you don't need f/1.4 and would rather take the versability of an AF zoom there's the Tamron 28-75, as kf095 said. Maybe a 28-75 as a walkaround lens + 85/1.4 for portraits would be an optimal compromise?

I ended up buying the Samyang 35 1.4, and will most likely be buying the Samyang 85 1.4 once I sell my Sigma lens. I'm happy with the 35mm thus far, and hopefully I become better at using manual focus.