Still undecided: 35 f/2, 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8

I'm going to pick up some lenses... two days from now, and I'm still sort of hesitant.

Here's what I want: I have a 24-70 which is great, but bulky and f/2.8. My 50 f/1.8 doesn't cut it as I find that the AF is TERRIBLE. Sometimes I just want to go on a stroll and will hesitate to take the Red-Ringed Brick with me. Sometimes I want to take a picture in low light without flash, and 2.8 is a bit slow (and the 50 is as good as nonfunctional). So I figured I could get primes: the 35 is tiny, and the 85 f/1.8 is recognized for its fast and accurate AF in low-light. Problem solved? Sort of.

The 35 is f/2, and it's not USM, so while I've been told it focuses better than the 50 1.8, I'm not expecting any miracles in low-light. The 85 may be very good, but then again it's also a bit long for indoors. Plus, they're two lenses (duh).

So here I was thinking: hey, could I not wing it with just one? Originally I was set on the 35 mm length as I like the pictures that it allows, but 50 also works OK for street photo. I don't really need the reach of an 85 for the situations I expect to use it in (if I want to take a real portrait, it'll be in decent light and I'll be able to use my 70-200).

The problem is that I simply don't have enough room in my camera bag to accomodate all 3, plus the 24-70, 70-200, flash, batteries, etc. So I need to choose. One would be better, two if really necessary. Which would you pick? Just the 50? 35 and 50? Is there really a point to having two lenses just 15mm apart? Should I stick with the original plan and take the 35 and the 85?

Halp!

I'd get the 85 1.8, it's an amazing lens

There are many amazing lenses, but I don't need all of them for various reasons. Do you feel I should pick the 85 over the 50? Why?

I like the 85 it's nice for portraits.

Easy solution... get a bigger camera bag!

The 85/1.8 will not seem all that long indoors on your full frame camera.... that's more of an issue for crop camera users.

Get a bigger camera bag... with primes there is no single lens that does it all... the whole idea is to be able to change focal lengths when you wish.... Then I'd suggest the 28/1.8, 50/1.4 and 85/1.8. That's a great trio on full frame camera... but I also wouldn't want to be without one of my favorite FF lenses: 135/2. And another favorite, my 20/2.8. Of these five, I'd leave the 28/1.8 and 50/1.4 at home without much concern if I had a 35/1.4. But I don't... yet. I'm hoping Canon announces a 35/1.4 II soon, so I can pick up an original at a bargain price

Currently in my camera bag with 5DII: 24-70, 20/2.8 and 135/2. Oh, and 300/4 with 1.4X, but the latter is because I often photographing wildlife/birds when walking around. There's also a set of macro extension tubes in the bag, since the 24-70 does nicely for closeups, but can sometimes use a little help. That's my basic walk-around kit.

Get a 50 1.4 and call it a day. The other two lenses you have can cover pretty much everything that the 50 1.4 can't and vice versa. The 50 1.4 is awesome on the 5DII. Small, light and very capable.

amfoto1 wrote in post #14138995
Easy solution... get a bigger camera bag!

The 85/1.8 will not seem all that long indoors on your full frame camera.... that's more of an issue for crop camera users.

Get a bigger camera bag... with primes there is no single lens that does it all... the whole idea is to be able to change focal lengths when you wish.... Then I'd suggest the 28/1.8, 50/1.4 and 85/1.8. That's a great trio on full frame camera... but I also wouldn't want to be without one of my favorite FF lenses: 135/2. And another favorite, my 20/2.8. Of these five, I'd leave the 28/1.8 and 50/1.4 at home without much concern if I had a 35/1.4. But I don't... yet. I'm hoping Canon announces a 35/1.4 II soon, so I can pick up an original at a bargain price

Currently in my camera bag with 5DII: 24-70, 20/2.8 and 135/2. Oh, and 300/4 with 1.4X, but the latter is because I often photographing wildlife/birds when walking around. There's also a set of macro extension tubes in the bag, since the 24-70 does nicely for closeups, but can sometimes use a little help. That's my basic walk-around kit.

the 50 is narrow in doors, even for a FF, but great outdoors. if AF is a problem, manual focus;

35mm f2 looks like a good FL for indoors, and small enough to enjoy. The 24-70 is a sweet lens, but it's huge and yes, I think about the weight if I'm on a long trip.