Thinking about switching up my gear.

First a bit of info on what I like to shoot. Portraits and street photography is my primary interest right now. I am thinking of going with a 5DMIII/Sigma 35/85L and most likely the 24-105L. That means giving up both of my 5D classics and t2i, plus 135L to help pay for the switch. My question is how many of you would consider this a switch for the better as opposed to another alternative?

Maybe the 5DIII/35/85f1.8 instead of the 85f1.2? I do like the 135 with the exception that it's a bit long even on ff when I'm shooting portraits.

Well if you shoot street and portraits, I think you are covered with the 35 and 85. I'd skip the zoom for now until you feel a need for it.

Hogloff wrote in post #16257006
Well if you shoot street and portraits, I think you are covered with the 35 and 85. I'd skip the zoom for now until you feel a need for it.

I still do take pics of the grand kids in the studio and outside so the zoom is nice in that they don't always stay exactly where they should when taking pics.

zooms are boooring :P

shoot the 35 and crop a tad if you need to, or jump backwards matrix style if you need to go wider. Simple.

Thorrulz wrote in post #16256456
First a bit of info on what I like to shoot. Portraits and street photography is my primary interest right now. I am thinking of going with a 5DMIII/Sigma 35/85L and most likely the 24-105L. That means giving up both of my 5D classics and t2i, plus 135L to help pay for the switch. My question is how many of you would consider this a switch for the better as opposed to another alternative?

Maybe the 5DIII/35/85f1.8 instead of the 85f1.2? I do like the 135 with the exception that it's a bit long even on ff when I'm shooting portraits.

I know shooting all primes is far from convenient, but I think trading the 135L for the 24-105L leaves you with one less show stopping lens and without a proper sports lens entirely. Even if you get an 85 1.8, will you really get the colors from it you've come to expect from your 135L?

I know that whenever I go from my 100/2 to my 200 2.8, the difference in color and IQ is striking.

clarkent1 wrote in post #16257609
zooms are boooring :P

shoot the 35 and crop a tad if you need to, or jump backwards matrix style if you need to go wider. Simple.

For the most part I do agree that zooms can be on the boring side. At 50 years old though I don't know if any kind jumping is doable by me. At least long term

mickeyb105 wrote in post #16257657
I know shooting all primes is far from convenient, but I think trading the 135L for the 24-105L leaves you with one less show stopping lens and without a proper sports lens entirely. Even if you get an 85 1.8, will you really get the colors from it you've come to expect from your 135L?

I know that whenever I go from my 100/2 to my 200 2.8, the difference in color and IQ is striking.

I agree about the wow factor of the 135L. Nothing is set in concrete until about the 8th of this month so I figured it would be a good time to get some responses before I press buy.

I'd love to know what you're thinking as of now, Thorrulz.

goaliejake22 wrote in post #16271723
I'd love to know what you're thinking as of now, Thorrulz.

Agreed! Coming up on 8 days fast . . .

I would definitely sell 2 5d and 1 rebel for the 5D3. It is a great all around camera, now that it has a great AF system on it. I have never had a 135L, but I am pretty sure I would have a hard time selling it. I would go with the 85 1.8 if it meant I could keep the 135L. I have had both 85mm, and they are both great lenses, the 85 1.8 will focus much faster and is about 1/3 to 1/4 the price.

Having a fast zoom is a good idea though too. Are you planning on going through the Canon CLP for the 15% discount off the refurb price? You get a 1 year warranty from Canon, and will get it in 2 days.

Team Speed, that's what I think I would love to do.

Sometimes it's harder to sell stuff than you think it is in your head hah.

I think I could sell all my stuff (lenses and cams) and come up somewhere near a clp 5d3, sigma 35 and canon 135L. Sounds good to me, just a lot of gear shuffling.

Thorrulz wrote in post #16256456
First a bit of info on what I like to shoot. Portraits and street photography is my primary interest right now. I am thinking of going with a 5DMIII/Sigma 35/85L and most likely the 24-105L. That means giving up both of my 5D classics and t2i, plus 135L to help pay for the switch. My question is how many of you would consider this a switch for the better as opposed to another alternative?

Maybe the 5DIII/35/85f1.8 instead of the 85f1.2? I do like the 135 with the exception that it's a bit long even on ff when I'm shooting portraits.

Hi Rick,

Just had a really good look through your Flickr, and I've seen a lot of your shots in here too, of course.
So, I'll start off by saying "NO!" to the 24-105L. Yes, I have one. Yes, it gets used plenty (just came back from a 3-week Euro trip and it took over 2,000 of the 2,500 shots!) BUT, the sharpness is only "adequate". It's a "convenient" lens. But for portraits or street work, nahh, not gonna happen. Not when there are so many more "appropriate" lenses available. That f/4 is "so-so" at best, and within that focal range are the prime spots for portrait and street...
(Yes, you can shoot portraits and street with ANY lens, but lets not quibble over semantics.)

I'm semi-pro, so for me cost is a factor, and I couldn't be happier than my current setup (6D/7D plus various lenses), so I'd also say, check out the 6D. But if you really want a 5D3, go for it. It's a fine toy!!!

But lenses? Honestly - do try the Sigma 85 f/1.4. If you can get the AF spot on, you'll be stunned at the images. VERY hard to judge between it, and the Canon 85L. And waaay cheaper!

Plus something wide, and you'll be OK....try that Sigma 35 you mentioned. I'm thinking of changing my Sigma 30 to the 35 soon, as, from what I've seen the 35 is a lot better (and, FF, of course!).

Regards,

Simon