Parents prime lens choices on a FF....

I like primes better than zooms, just my personal preference so If you had to choose between two prime focal lengths what would they be to cover your indoor as well as outdoor portraits of your child or children? Got a two year old and one due next month, so I want to get my FL covered with primes.

I'm leaning towards either a 35/50 and 85/135 combo....

Thanks for looking

For me I dropped the 24-70mm f/2.8 L for the Canon 35mm f/1.4L and a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 it works a lot better than the 24-70mm I would not hesitate to recommend this combo to anyone.

gotaudi wrote in post #13658740
For me I dropped the 24-70mm f/2.8 L for the Canon 35mm f/1.4L and a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 it works a lot better than the 24-70mm I would not hesitate to recommend this combo to anyone.

that's funny, I have just been doing a little research on the sigma 85. Is the sigma that much better than the canon 85 1.8? $550 difference.

I think the 35/85 or 50/135 would work really well for me.

3 yr old and 9 months old here. Had sigma 30mm f1.4 for my 1dmk2 and 85mm f1.8. Now with 5d, just got 35L. 50mm on FF seems nice sometimes but then for other times it is too close. so I think 35L with either 85/135 is better choice.

bobbyz wrote in post #13658937
3 yr old and 9 months old here. Had sigma 30mm f1.4 for my 1dmk2 and 85mm f1.8. Now with 5d, just got 35L. 50mm on FF seems nice sometimes but then for other times it is too close. so I think 35L with either 85/135 is better choice.

Thanks I even thought about the 70-200 2.8 IS until I saw the price...lol
My price range would be about $900 at the high end for a longer FL prime.

You already have the 35L. Get the 135L. The focus is fast and and keep up with your kids(older one). 35L for indoor use and 135L/35L for outdoor.

BTW, I own both 35L and 135L. 135L is my most use lens outdoor for portrait.

My choice: 35L and 135L

Since you have 35L, I'd recommend 85 & 135.

Love my sigma 85. Used to have the canon 85 1.8 and boy the sigma is THAT much better. Totally worth it imo.

drive_75 wrote in post #13659047
You already have the 35L. Get the 135L. The focus is fast and and keep up with your kids(older one). 35L for indoor use and 135L/35L for outdoor.

BTW, I own both 35L and 135L. 135L is my most use lens outdoor for portrait.

Awesome, thank you. Yeah he will be playing t-ball this year, so def want something with more reach. Do you also like the 135L for tight indoor stuff as well or it doesn't get used very often?

kin2son wrote in post #13659087
Since you have 35L, I'd recommend 85 & 135.

Love my sigma 85. Used to have the canon 85 1.8 and boy the sigma is THAT much better. Totally worth it imo.

Can't really afford three primes, looking for two. One short FL and longer FL. Thanks for response. It just comes down to sigma 85 or 135L since they are about the same price...

adamg5 wrote in post #13659104
Can't really afford three primes, looking for two. One short FL and longer FL. Thanks for response. It just comes down to sigma 85 or 135L since they are about the same price...

Do you or you don't own the 35L already?

If only 2, I prefer 50 & 135. I often find 35L a tad too loose. 50 just feels um....normal and right.

135 is great for outdoor and wherever you have space to work with.

adamg5 wrote in post #13659090
Awesome, thank you. Yeah he will be playing t-ball this year, so def want something with more reach. Do you also like the 135L for tight indoor stuff as well or it doesn't get used very often?

I love the 135L indoor as well. But only when I have enough light. For indoor I mostly shoot from head to shoulder only with 135L.

kin2son wrote in post #13659140
Do you or you don't own the 35L already?

If only 2, I prefer 50 & 135. I often find 35L a tad too loose. 50 just feels um....normal and right.

135 is great for outdoor and wherever you have space to work with.

Yes I have the 35L, but often thought about selling and just having a 50/135 combo. I'm starting to get used to the 35 on a FF, felt like everything was pushed away too much at first. I guess I got so used to having the 35 on a crop T1i....
The 35 seems to get sooo much more praise than any 50 out there. They (50s) seem to all have some sort of issue, while the 35L issue for most is just the FL being a little too short.
Thanks for you opinion, I appreciate it.

i like the 85L on mine.

adamg5 wrote in post #13659214
Yes I have the 35L, but often thought about selling and just having a 50/135 combo. I'm starting to get used to the 35 on a FF, felt like everything was pushed away too much at first. I guess I got so used to having the 35 on a crop T1i....
The 35 seems to get sooo much more praise than any 50 out there. They (50s) seem to all have some sort of issue, while the 35L issue for most is just the FL being a little too short.
Thanks for you opinion, I appreciate it.

I know exactly how you feel. Used to have the sigma 30 before I upgrade to ff and loved the focal length. After I upgraded to ff, I couldn't help myself but to get the 35L as everyone praises about it. I even thought about the 24L over 35L (glad I didn't!).

Guess what, quite often I find 35L too wide and have to crop a little. 50mm focal length seems to be just right for me....

OP don't be afraid to try sigma 50, I've been thru canon 50 1.8 and 1.4 and finally settled on the sigma. My copy is great straight out of box. If you have focus issue, just try a few copy till you find a good one. It's worth it imho.