85mm & 135L Redundant?

Are having both 85mm 1.8 and 135L redundant? I mean they are really close in focal lengths, but both of these are AMAZING lenses....

Just curious as to what people think?

I use the 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 135L, but mostly i love my 135L on my Full frame.

Same goes for the 35L and 50L and i have both. Both lenses produce different results so honestly all you're really comparing is build, IQ differences and dof. If you use the 135L the most, keep the 135L.

I love my 135L, use is whenever I can make it work. But there are times when its too long for a portrait shoot indoors and I switch over to the 85 1.8. I had the same doubts as you, but I find I use both. Maybe you will, maybe you wont.

yeah same boat.. i have two of them and use my 135L mostly... just wondering if i really need the 85mm but I've decided to keep it...

dtufino wrote in post #14573320
yeah same boat.. i have two of them and use my 135L mostly... just wondering if i really need the 85mm but I've decided to keep it...

Ask yourself what would you use if you didnt have it? Would you drop to a 50 prime? Or a zoom?

gonzogolf wrote in post #14573290
I love my 135L, use is whenever I can make it work. But there are times when its too long for a portrait shoot indoors and I switch over to the 85 1.8. I had the same doubts as you, but I find I use both. Maybe you will, maybe you wont.

I was the same way. I couldn't find any way to get the 135L to work for me. But using the 85 on a crop camera it worked fine for me whereas on ff, i sucked at framing. I might pick one up in the future again.. but i might go back to a 70-200 route. Even then when i owned a 70-200 f4L, i couldn't work with it lol.

I own both, but already one year I never use 135L any more ..
In my case 24L+85L+180L(for macro or as light tele)+300L(action/spor​t) can cover all my needs .. I mostly go out with one or two lenses max and 2 bodies (depends of the subject) ..

The focal lengths are 2/3 the Canon trinity (even though yo mentioned the 85mm 1.8 - the FL is the same as the L). Would so many people consider them redundant if the sort of put them in the must have category?

Do you feel they are too much? If you do get rid of the one you like the least. I shoot on a crop, and I kept both. A lot of people say both of those focal length are too long for a crop; I decided for me they were not. Ultimatly only you know the right decision for you.

for me, the difference between 50 and 85 is much greater than the difference between 85 and 135.
So I tend to pack 50 and 135. Or, 50 and 85..
but not 85 with 135.

Any lens is redundent if you don't use it. Only you know how you use your gear and only you can answer this question. For me, I use both...but that is me, not you.

Hogloff wrote in post #14574471
Any lens is redundent if you don't use it. Only you know how you use your gear and only you can answer this question. For me, I use both...but that is me, not you.

I was going to say the same thing. You own both. Do YOU think they are redundant? Personally, I am very happy with 35/85/135. They all serve different purposes and give me a different feel to the images created with them. I find this trio to be very versatile.

Hogloff wrote in post #14574471
Any lens is redundent if you don't use it. Only you know how you use your gear and only you can answer this question. For me, I use both...but that is me, not you.

+1, what's it matter what others think....I'm guessing you think they are, in which case...There you have it.

You know, people always say if you have a 50 + 85 it's redundant or a 24 + 35, or a 35 + 50, etc.. etc.., if each gets used for different purposes the it isn't redundant. It would be redundant if you use both for the same exact thing and get very similar results. If the 135 is the portrait lens for head shots and the 85 is the portrait lens for full body shots, or whatever each use is for then keep them both.

Btw, most people do not consider the 85 + 135 combo redundant as they are pretty far in terms of focal length. The holy trinity for some people is the 35, 85, 135 combo (or 24mm).

Anyways whatever you decide to do, goodluck to you!

dtufino wrote in post #14573244
Are having both 85mm 1.8 and 135L redundant? I mean they are really close in focal lengths

Difference in FOV and usage is huge between these two lenses. So, I'd would say no, it isn't redundant.

It isn't redundant. 135L for outdoors mostly, indoors head and shoulder shots. 85 1.8 if area is a bit tight. I have both of them, both are TACK sharp!