135L or 60D + 85 1.8

Trying to decide what move I should make next. For close to the same price I can either get the 135L to put on my T3, or I can upgrade to the 60D and get the 85 1.8.

*Edit* 5Dc and 85 1.8 is also considered.

Specifics:

What I shoot: Amateur who basically uses the camera for shooting family, and mostly my 10 month old son as he grows up. There will be times I shoot other stuff I'm sure (cars, landscapes, etc) but primarily will be family portraits/general pics.

Current Equipment: I have a T3, 28-135, and 50 1.8, Yongnuo 468ex II

Expectations: Body wise I am thinking that the step up out of the rebel line into the 60d will give me better IQ which is my overall goal, high quality pics. Lens wise, I just got the 50mm and I can already see I want to have something with more reach as well. I love Bokah and that's where the longer length/faster prime comes in.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Wow..

Me personally I would get the Lens.. But.... Instead.. Keep the T3 and get a nice used 5Dc and the 85...

No sense in going from T3 to 60D.. Just more bells and whistles... Go FF!

ItsMike wrote in post #15931412
Wow..

Me personally I would get the Lens.. But.... Instead.. Keep the T3 and get a nice used 5Dc and the 85...

This OP. Once you put the 135L on a FF body its just a complete package. When I had my 135L, I always shot wide open on my 5D2 and the images were just stunning and sharp. One of the best lenses I have ever used.

ItsMike wrote in post #15931412
Wow..

Me personally I would get the Lens.. But.... Instead.. Keep the T3 and get a nice used 5Dc and the 85...

Interesting, I have actually been debating this combo as well. I will edit and throw this in as well because it also is in the mix.

Yeah, 5Dc and 85 is the best. Such a nice combo and so cheap.

I think the 135 will be a bit too long on the 1.6 crop for a lot of what you want to shoot.

In your shoes I'd go 5Dc and 85 f1.8 for now. The FF will give you options of a wider FOV with your current lenses.

135L is an odd choice for family photos, IMO. Park your 28-135mm at 135mm for the afternoon and see how fun it is to shoot kids with it. All you have now is the 28-135 and the 50mm f1.8, so you need new glass WAY more than a new body. I'd dump both of those lenses and get a couple of nice zooms covering at least 17-200mm. Maybe the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 (great all around/portrait lens) and a decent telephoto of your choice. Maybe a 70-200 F4L.

I would just buy the 85 f1.8. The 135 is very long on a crop for a lot of stuff. The 85 can be used for more. If you bought the 85 and tried it on your t3 you may find you don't need a body upgrade

How often do you shoot at 135 on your 28-135? If often, the 135 makes sense because it is a fantastic lens. If you don't need the f2 bokeh, consider a 70-200 f4, which is much more versatile and still quite a nice portrait lens. Depth of field (and to some extent bokeh) is a function of focal length, aperture, and camera-subject-background distances.

The 60d will be an improvement, as the t3 isn't Canon's best, but I doubt you will see a major difference for the type of shooting you describe.

Thanks for all of the feedback so far. Looks like the 85 1.8 is a pretty constant so I am probably going to try to pick one of these up pretty soon. The 70-200 f/4 is another lens I have looked at, and may pick up as well.

135 may be too long on the crop, I was mostly basing this off of the fact I know I want more reach than the 50, and I have been sucked into the 135 pic thread and drooled for the better part of 2 days.

5Dc+135L believe me, I never lie.

CanonYouCan wrote in post #15931647
5Dc+135L believe me, I never lie.

I believe you, at this point it is out of the budget, but may do me well to save a little more and go to a full frame once I have mastered the T3.

The T3 and 60d do have different sensors, but I wouldn't expect to really see a big jump in IQ if I were you. So don't consider a 60d for that reason.

Consider the 60d if you want a larger grip, better battery, top LCD (you will appreciate it when you get used to it), better VF, more customizible, back wheel, 1/3 stop increments for ISO, etc. If you want the extra body features, then that's why you get the 60d, if you don't need them, don't.

85mm is a better choice on a crop body. It is fast, sharp, and light weight.

The 60D is a much nicer camera than the Rebels from an ergonomics (control) standpoint. A lot of people on here call it "a glorified Rebel" and insist that the only option for every photographer is to spend the huge dollars to go full frame, but in my view the price leap for FF wasn't worth it when I upgraded my T1i. FF calls for fancy glass.

The 85 1.8 was pretty tight on the 60D. I didn't use it much and ultimately sold it, although it's a great little lens. I find I either want fairly wide (24-35mm) or long (200+). But these are highly subjective issues.