5dmk2 or 85L?

I love to have fullframe body. Is it wise to invest now the 5dmk2 body or 85L would be better? I have 85 1.8 though.. I wish I had the 5d classic but afraid something might get wrong with it, cost of repairs etc. I want to plunge buying bnew 5dmk2 body. But investing on lens is also my option. No complaints on 85 1.8 on 7d but, don't have real world experience with either 5d2 body or 85L Any thoughts? thanks

What makes you think you need the 85L? What is your 1.8 not doing for you that you think the L will solve?

The 85 1.8 is a *fantastic* lens at a great price. I wouldn't consider the L unless you could make a solid case for why you need it. Considering you can get a 5D2 for less than an 85L, and you already have the 85 1.8, for me this is a no brainer. Get a 5D2.

CincyTriGuy wrote in post #15291486
What makes you think you need the 85L? What is your 1.8 not doing for you that you think the L will solve?

The 85 1.8 is a *fantastic* lens at a great price. I wouldn't consider the L unless you could make a solid case for why you need it. Considering you can get a 5D2 for less than an 85L, and you already have the 85 1.8, for me this is a no brainer. Get a 5D2.

+1. I'd buy the 5D2 instead. The 85LII is an amazing piece of glass but if you're not shooting at wide apertures, it's kinda a moot.

If i were you and you don't plan to shoot any sports or need the crop of the 7D, sell the 7D, pick up the 5D2 and then sell the 85 1.8 to get the 1.2 .

I understand why you are asking this....about a year ago I decided that I was going to upgrade my 85mm 1.8 to the 85mm 1.2. It has been my favorite lens since. Many of the pictures I take are portraits, which is what made me want it so badly seeing all the wonderful example pictures using it. I debated getting it because so many people on this (and other) forums said that it was not the same on a crop camera. Since I have a 7D I wondered if I would not like it. Unfortunately I have no local dealers to try it beforehand....So given B&H has a open return policy I tried it out...and still have it to this day. (I included an example of it I have handy taken with the 7D @ F1.2...even though giving the small jpg size, does not give the detail captured justice.)

The main drawback with it is on a crop camera it gives you the reach of a 136mm lens, which is sometimes difficult to compensate for and get the picture you want. That, and that I always wanted a FF camera I recently purchased a 5D Mk ii as well. (After saving another year.) It compliments the 7D really well....I use the 7D for the kids sports and for most other pictures I have used the 5D Mk ii.

I made the right choice for me getting the 85L first...It is by far my favorite lens for either camera. (If you think about it from an investment sense, a lens will hold it's value, a camera body will not...so you can get back your $$ with the lens, even if you decide it was not right months later.) That would be my recommendation...altho​ugh I do not think you could go wrong with either choice. If you have specific questions or want to see other examples...given I have the same equipment, just let me know.

Andy

BryantFC wrote in post #15291495
+1. I'd buy the 5D2 instead.

From any real POV the 85/1.8 will do better on a 5d2 than the 85L (well perhaps the 50L) on a crop body.

What do you shoot? If you shoot anything that moves, or has the potential of moving, haha, the 85 1.2 is prob not your best bet...

the 85L is a dreamy lens that'll make your mouth water BUT - it can't reach it's full potential on a cropped body camera

so you're kinda facing a dilemma.. I'd say go for the Mark II and then save up for the 85L. who knows, by the time you save up the money you might want a different lens. but i don't see the point in buying a lens that can't perform to it's maximum ability on the body i currently have. just my opinion, it is your money and ultimately you choose how to spend it.

Go for the MK2 or even the 70-200mm F/2.8

I would agree with sentiments that the 85L wouldn't show it's best on a cropped body. Remember too that all the heavy glass makes it a tad slow in focusing. Depending on what you shoot therefore, the 85/1.8 would do the job nicely.

I think we all dream of what the 85L is capable of but if you really want to experience it to it's full potential, then I would suggest getting a FF body first. My 2c naturally

Given the posts added....I will say I figured you knew that the 85L has a slower than average ability to focus. I would not argue that and I was surprised no one said that already...but it is possible if you work with it to get pictures using the 7D and 85L combo of moving subject. I included an example here shot with the 7D and 85L @ F1.6...Yes in this example, lighting was HORRIBLE, the environment is gray and boring, and I have no clue why my son picked out those colors to wear for the game...but you get the point that is possible. I could have done this with the 85mm 1.8 and increased the ISO....but like I said before, I love to try to always use the 85L.

For the record, it is not easy to get good action shots with the 5D Mk ii either. (No matter what lens you are using.) So I assume that is not your goal.

Andy

Thanks for your inputs guys. I think 85L is one of the best L lens out there. But really want to have FF now I think I'd be better served with 5dmk2 body + my 135L would be awesome. I'm looking an option of getting a used one. 135L is sharp on my 7D, I don't know what magic would be on FF.

135L on a FF is definitely some kind of magic

Shot this out on the harbor walk today in Sevastopol, Ukraine. Little girl tossing a small bill in the Accordion player's grocery bag

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …andylangeland/8​223061670/

With the lenses you already have I'd sell the 7D and get a 5dmkiii or 6D.

Get the 5D MKII first.

You are getting a lot of advice here and far be it for me to jump in but I will.
I have the crops and I have the FF's and also the 85 1.8
If you have the 135L which is a lens I would like to add to my mix, then you Need a FF.
When I frst got my 70-200 2.8 II last year and took pic's on my t2i (it was all I had at the time) the words that just sort of fell out of my mouth were.......WOW....this lens needs a FF camera to do it justice.
Rightly or wrongly I got a 5D2.
Now I have a 5D3 too.
I DON'T have the 135L or the 85L.
I do have the 24-105 and the 70-200 mentioned above plus the 85 1.8.
A wide angle too. 17-40

The FF is what makes these lenses Shine.
Yes, the lens will hold it's value and the bodies won't but think about it for a moment.
The 7D at 85 is what 136
You have a 135L
That lens rocks and even though Many have sold it once they got the Big Dog (70-2002.8L II) I still want it cause it has it's own unique qualities.

On A Full Frame!

Save a little more and get the 5D III
It's like every picture is in focus.
I like my 5D2 but MAN........this camera just takes great pic's!!!

My poor T2i's are just sitting in the bag with less than 2K shots waiting to be bought.

Whatever you decide, all the best to you.