Which lens to buy next?

Hey guys,

I'm on the prowl for my next lens! However, I need help deciding. I've been dreaming about getting the 85L for a while now. I currently own a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II which I use constantly for events, portraits, etc. However, the 85L just seems wonderful with the f/1.2 aperture. For portraits, I've been using the 70-200, and so far, I've been very satisfied with it. One question, will the 85L make my portraits that much nicer to justify spending almost $2000 on it?

Or should I buy a wide/normal zoom? During group shots at parties, I have been using my 28mm f/1.8. Hate the distortion on a FF. Should my money go towards buying a good wide/normal zoom lens? I'm looking at either the Canon 24-70 or Tamron's 24-70 with VC. I really like the idea of the VC.

So... buy 85L for sliiiightly better portraits? Or buy a needed 24-70?

Why not buy the 85mm f1.8, it is optically excellent and around $400. You could then take the $1600+ you saved and put it into a Tamron 24-70 VC and still have a little bit of cash left over.

Don't get me wrong the 85mm f1.2 is amazing and drool worthy but I don't think it delivers 5x the image quality of the excellent 85mm f1.8.

My suggestion would be to consider the new Sigma 35/f1.4 for your group photos using FF & the Tamron 24-70 VC which will both compliment your 70-200 MKII and should satisfy your needs.

Regards whatever your decision, Ron

mrfixitx wrote in post #15646278
Why not buy the 85mm f1.8, it is optically excellent and around $400. You could then take the $1600+ you saved and put it into a Tamron 24-70 VC and still have a little bit of cash left over.

Don't get me wrong the 85mm f1.2 is amazing and drool worthy but I don't think it delivers 5x the image quality of the excellent 85mm f1.8.

I have the 85 f/1.8. So far loving it. It's also faster on autofocus than the L version, WEIRD! haha. I've always wanted a lens with 1.2 aperture. The size of the glass at the front element is just sexy as hell. :P but so far, I'm leaning towards keeping the f/1.8 version and investing in another lens

Silverfox1 wrote in post #15646287
My suggestion would be to consider the new Sigma 35/f1.4 for your group photos using FF & the Tamron 24-70 VC which will both compliment your 70-200 MKII and should satisfy your needs.

Regards whatever your decision, Ron

Thanks a lot Ron! I'm really leaning towards the 24-70. for wide lens, i honest don't mind a slower lens than f/1.4. I won't be shooting groups at 1.4 anyway. Rather leave the fast lens to the telephoto lens.

a couple other lenses to consider might be the tamron 28-75 and the sigma 85.

I say get the 24-70 if you need it. I adore that lens (the mark 1) - it lives on my 5D. That and while I've not had my hands on the 85 1.2, I've heard from a couple friends that while it's a killer lens, it's not much better than the 1.8 and really isn't worth it unless you're going to using that extra stop a lot.

fashionrider wrote in post #15646382
It's also faster on autofocus than the L version, WEIRD! haha.

It's not weird at all, the 1.2 has to move a TON of heavy glass.