talk me out of swapping 35L and 85L for 50L

I've got this thought eating away the back of my mind about swapping my 35L and 85LII for a 50L, just to save space/weight in the bag and recover some money maybe.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 35L and 85LII. Just that I find I'm not using the 35L that much, and I do also have the Samyang 14mm and 17-40L to cover the wide end, maybe making the 35L a bit redundant as I don't use/need the f/1.4 much. I also have the 135L for the longer shots.

You're going to ask what I shoot. I enjoy shooting macro, landscapes, and family portraits. I've got the landscape (see above) and macro (Sigma 150 and MPE65) sorted.

For portraits I use the 85L and 135L a lot. Probably use the 85L more, but do find I'm a bit too close and it doesn't feel very (not sure if this is the right term) versatile. I mean that, say I'm at a family gathering outdoors, I put on the 85L and get some good closeups/candids, but miss out on the group shots and have to swap on the 35L. I always wonder if I had the 50L, it might be a bit more versatile there?

What's holding me back is the focus shift (breathing?) issues? I've seen guys posting about not liking it, having issues with it. Also seen guys saying it's not a problem, only happens in very specific scenarios so just avoid those and you're alright. I see it as a bit of a risk from my point of view, knowing there's guys complaining about it. At least with the 85L I know what I've got.

So please give me cases either way. I'm not really interested in getting a cheaper or alternative 50mm lens and trying it for a while. I've had a taste of the f/1.2 aperture and can't go back.

Another thought I've had is simply selling the 35L and keep the rest. That's probably the smartest and thriftiest solution, so open to that if that's what you reckon.

There is no way I would trade the 85L.

sell the 35L and add a bit more and get the 50L

i would not personally get rid of the 85LII

I have the 35/2, 50/1.8, and 85/1.8, and I think I'm headed the way of selling all of my small primes in favor of the 50L. I just love the focal length, since 35 isnt wide enough, and just feels like an oddball FL, and the 85 is too specialized.

I also love the 24mm FL a lot, but have that covered by a zoom. Really considering the 50L myself.

I understand the logic, I would if the 50L performed anything like the primes you're considering swapping for it. It doesn't. The glass inside it is sweet but the AF is junk, at least for me.

In the tone of voice of a slightly hysterical friend:

Are you nuts? The 35mm f/1.4L and 85mm f/1.2L represent the BEST glass in your bag! You'd be completely bonkers to let them go! To be replaced by WHAT? A 50mm lens? A 50mm lens with an iffy reputation, no less? C'mon, man, a 50mm doesn't do 35mm well, and it certainly doesn't do 85mm very well either. Give your head a shake!

There, that was something like what I'd say to a friend if he'd ask me to talk him out of a similar proposition (if I were against the proposition).

By the way, I don't own either a 35mm f/1.4L, an 85mm f/1.2L or a 50mm f/1.2L, although I fall asleep most nights dreaming of them. Personally, I wouldn't give up the 85mm f/1.2L for anything if I had one--the 35mm I might consider. 50mm is, to me, a very useful focal length, but I don't know about swapping these for the 50mm. I do mean the 50mm is not 35mm nor is it 85mm bit. Having said that, my 50mm is the most used focal length that I have. So there you have it! You have to do what is best for you!

Even if it were the one lens for you, one or the other but not for both (not unless for sure you were getting some money.

Gotta agree with Dillan. I can't see getting rid of an 85L and 35L for a 50L. If anything like others have said, sell the 35L and add to it for the 50L.

Thanks guys. Certainly adding the voice of reason, which is what I wanted. I know it'd be hard getting rid of the 85L. Looks like I'll take the conservative approach, definitely keep the 85L and will consider selling the 35L if it doesn't get much use in the next few months.

Sell neither and buy the Sigma 50mm f/1.4. It's a pretty low risk "experiment".
If you don't like it, you can sell it and lose maybe $50-$75. Consider that the price of renting the lens...

Keep the lens you have. 35 to 50 is not that big of a difference...just walk in.

andrikos wrote in post #14561681
Sell neither and buy the Sigma 50mm f/1.4. It's a pretty low risk "experiment".
If you don't like it, you can sell it and lose maybe $50-$75. Consider that the price of renting the lens...

I love the standard 50mm lens as well. As a kid it was all I had on my Pentax Spotmatic. I just went through the whole Sigma / Canon 1.4 or 1.2 thing and in the end decided that in the long run, the 1.2 was worth the extra dough, especially if you love the focal length and want to work in that 1.2 - 2.0 range with sharp images - that's what it's built for . . .

I was definitely impressed with the Sigma, it's a great lens with excellent optics and build quality, but the hit & miss autofocus focus issue put me off. I just picked up the 50L today and have been very impressed with the testing I have done so far. Seemingly no focus issues whatsoever as long as you are precise . . .

Good luck with your decision

85L>50L when you have the space to back up

35L > 50L for IQ
50L > 35L for bokeh

You have to ask yourself versatility vs IQ. As far as I'm concerned, 85L is better than 50L in term of IQ at wide open. Would you rather give up your IQ mindset and switch to versatility? Don't get me wrong, 50L is amazing lens, I've used it for 3 months now and love every moment of it because of its versatility - my reason to get it instead of 85L - and IQ. However, since you use to 85L and 135L IQ, you will be a bit disappointed with 50L, but to be honest with you, its not that far off from 85L - we just make it sound really bad. My suggestion is rent 50L for a weekend to see if you like it. Before I decided to get 50L, I rented 35L - too wide for my taste, 85L - too long in some instances, and 50L - just perfect for me.

Thanks again guys. Will keep what I've got. You've eased my mind.