85 1.8 for travel

Hi everybody

In a few weeks I'm going to France for a couple of days to visit the WO2 sites (it's only a 200 mile drive from where I live ) I'm taking my 5d and 17-40L with me, but I want something longer aswell. I find my 70-200 2.8 IS a bit to heavy when traveling, and 80% of the shots I take are wide angle. So now I'm considering to buy a lighter lens for the few occasions I need more reach. I was thinking about an f/4 version, but it seems stupid to own 2 70-200s. So now I'm leaning towards the 85 1.8. I do a lot model photography, so that might be a nice add-on to my current line-up.

Does that sound like a good idea? Or are there any other options I didn't think off?

Thanks in advance!
Bert

Funny the 2 lenses I want to ad to my set up are 17-40 and 85 1.8. for some of the very reasons you mention. I am slowly getting away from 2.8 zooms, especially for travel. If only Canon had a better small non L wide angle prime the 3 would make a perfect travel trio.

It's a great 2 lens combination that I travel with frequently. Once in a while I add in the 35 1.4 for indoor low light situations.

85 1.8 is a great and versatile lens, especially for indoor sports. If I didn't have another use for it I wouldn't personally get it for travel, a short tele prime isn't in my opinion that useful in that situation. What about a 28-135 IS - lots available used and very versatile range on FF? 24-104 f/4 L is the best for FF "walk around"/travel in my opinion but probably too pricey.

I just came back from a vacation. 17-40, 85, 135.

I don't usually miss the 41-84 gap even though I have gear to cover that range so, I would say, go for it.

The 85 would be a great addition, but the 135L would be better.

gonzogolf wrote in post #13065227
The 85 would be a great addition, but the 135L would be better.

I disagree considering what the OP is looking for. Yes its probably a better lens but 85 is a little closer to normal which would probably make it more versatile not to mention its smaller, lighter, and much less expensive. The OP also mentioned he is usually at the 70 end of his 70-200.

Back on point I notice you have a 50 compact macro, why not just take that and crop a bit.

Interesting, I bought the 85 f1.8 today and got my 16-35 II yesterday, which replaces my 17-40. I'm going to China next year and am also debating on whether to take the 70-200L 2.8 IS due to its weight and instead take the 85 and the 135L for that range.

Its a tricky one as the IQ and versatility of the 70-200 makes me want to take it.

I liked my 85 mm f/1.8 so much that it was always strapped on as a sort of 'walk around' lens. Seems just about every time an opportunity presented itself, the 85mm was too LONG. And if you think about walking around streets of France or even Belgium where you live, the streets are narrow and the scenery is tall.

My advice would be a 35 or 50 mm or just stick with your short and long zoom choices.

dave

Thanks a lot for all the replies. It's nice to see other people's opinions and experiences. I can always take my 28-70L, but during a 3 week holiday this summer I haven't used it once. So I assume it'll stay in my bag this time as well.

During the year I absolutely adore the 70-200. It's my favorite lens and I use it all the time. But for some reason during holidays I always switch to wide angle. Maybe my 70-200 needs a few weeks off from time to time as well

I thought about getting a samyang 85 1.4, but I'm traveling with a group of people, so I wont have a lot of time to mess with manual lenses. I'm dead slow with manual focus Maybe I can pick up a used 85 1.8. They can be found here around €250 and selling it again won't give a big loss if I don't like it.

I have the 85mm, and it is a great lens. I also have a 70-200 f/4...I had a 55-250 before the 70-200, and I will tell you, I am thinking of picking up another for travel. You can pick them up for around $150 now, and it is small , light, and has very good IQ..I would suggest the 55-250 to add to your 17-40..as the 85mm is a great lens, I don't think it is going to give you the reach.

perfect for France !!! my country has really dark cathedrals or churches, narrow streets, nice museums (indoor), indoor market, night street shows .. etc .. so fast lenses are much more versatile as walkaround than any zooms particularly heavy one like 70-200L2.8 ..unless you bring a micro tripod with you.

I only travel with 24L and 85L .. but I would surely do it as well with sigma 24F1.8 and 85F1.8 ...

The last time I went to Europe I brought my 85 1.8 along with my 35L, 50 1.4, and 24-105. I wished I had used it more. But certainly I didn't notice it weighing me down or anything like that unlike my 35L and 24-105. I don't think you can go wrong with getting an 85 1.8 if you want a retentively light weight fast prime for travel.

Thanks again for the input!

Another question: would the 85 1.8 be interesting for model photography as I already have a 70-200? In general I use f/2.8 - 4.

I know, I ask a lot of questions

Cpt.Vanquisher wrote in post #13070544
Thanks again for the input!

Another question: would the 85 1.8 be interesting for model photography as I already have a 70-200? In general I use f/2.8 - 4.

I know, I ask a lot of questions

I don't do model photography but my belief would be "not very"; unless there's times when you don't want the weight. I doubt there any image quality improvement and I believe the 70-200 2.8 is felt to have nicer bokeh. You'd probably need to go to the 85L to get improvement over the 70-200 -- unless you really need 1.8 of course.