135L or 2nd body?

Now that I have a 70-200 f/2.8 IS, I am wondering if I should sell my 135L, in order to get a backup body. I feel like my zoom could easily handle the type of portraits that I was doing with the 135. The only problem, is budget only allows for about $200- $300 plus what I could sell the 135 for. So a 2nd FF sensor is not doable right now. I am starting to do shoot events, and even hope to begin as the primary shooter for a wedding (I have only been the 2nd shooter so far) so a backup body is definitely required. I am just not sure whether to keep what I got, and then just rent a backup body, or go ahead and get something like a 7d or 70d right now.

keep it and rent a second body.

Personally, I'd keep it. I have both and I have no intentions are selling the 135L. We did a comparison a week or so ago on my friends camera with my 135L and his 70-200. At 135, the 70-200 was nice but the bokeh on the 135L was nicer. I feel the 70-200 could do the job but the 135L does the job a little better.

the flying moose wrote in post #16676727
Personally, I'd keep it. I have both and I have no intentions are selling the 135L. We did a comparison a week or so ago on my friends camera with my 135L and his 70-200. At 135, the 70-200 was nice but the bokeh on the 135L was nicer. I feel the 70-200 could do the job but the 135L does the job a little better.

This.

If you need a second body I'd suggest the tamron 70-200 2.8 VC. That will put enough coin in your pocket to get a second body.

Keep what you already own. If a second body is important you could alway get a refurbished 60D body for about $500. It is a very capable backup. Or even a used 7D.

It really depends on your usage.
If you rarely use the 135L and don't feel its benefits, than sell it. A second body like a 7D will help.

But, I love the 135L and I would not sell it. Its an amazing lens and its a different tool for me than the 70-200. The colours and bokeh are something you can't replicate with the 70-200.
If you do use the 135L, I would suggest you can postpone and save some money and later buy a second body, that would be more idle.

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #16676897
Keep what you already own. If a second body is important you could alway get a refurbished 60D body for about $500. It is a very capable backup. Or even a used 7D.

or for the same $500, the 5D (aka "classic" or Mark I).

swap the 135L for a 135SF and voila! you have just liberated funds for a photo-junket. or go retro with the non-L 85mm f/1.8.

but then again, maybe red rings are your thing.

ymmv.

daleg wrote in post #16679148
or for the same $500, the 5D (aka "classic" or Mark I).

swap the 135L for a 135SF and voila! you have just liberated funds for a photo-junket. or go retro with the non-L 85mm f/1.8.

but then again, maybe red rings are your thing.

ymmv.

According to the respective MTF Charts, there is a great deal more between the 135L and the 135SF than just the red ring.

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …_lineup/ef_135m​m_f_2l_usm

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …35mm_f_2_8_with​_softfocus

I'd definitional look at the classic 5D as a second body. There's still a lot of pros using it today.

Ask yourself if you need the AF on your 5D3. If not, sell it, keep your 135 and buy two 6D's or a 6D+7D and a nice 17-40.

I love the 135L and it's hard to say "sell it", but for events, having a second body is in my experience more critical than having an great lens whose focal length is otherwise covered by a good lens.

tim1970 wrote in post #16676612
Now that I have a 70-200 f/2.8 IS, I am wondering if I should sell my 135L, in order to get a backup body. I feel like my zoom could easily handle the type of portraits that I was doing with the 135. The only problem, is budget only allows for about $200- $300 plus what I could sell the 135 for. So a 2nd FF sensor is not doable right now. I am starting to do shoot events, and even hope to begin as the primary shooter for a wedding (I have only been the 2nd shooter so far) so a backup body is definitely required. I am just not sure whether to keep what I got, and then just rent a backup body, or go ahead and get something like a 7d or 70d right now.

Heya,

The fact that you're willing to give up the 135L says you don't use it often enough to care. But, you say "could" which implies you haven't tested the 70-200 for the type of portraits you're talking about. That's a big deal, dropping a lens, for a "could" which you may or may not have even tested yet, just based on having another lens with the focal length. The 200 at F2.8 will have more compression than the 135 at F2. But are you going to always do it at 200mm? The 135L is only replaceable, at least to me, at 200mm there. If you shoot below that, then it's not.

But hey, if a 2nd body means more gigs, that means more income, which leads to more lenses and fun stuff anyways. So do what's best for your business in photography.

Very best,

Thanks for the advice MalVeauX. You are exactly correct. I have not had a chance to do a portrait shoot with the zoom. I was just basing it off of the fact I have that focal length covered with the 70-200. I absolutely love the 135, and use it all of the time up to now. Something tells me though, that I will continue to find uses for it, even though I own the 70-200 now.

I do believe I am going to keep the 135. Some of my best shots as a 2nd shooter at a wedding has come with this lens. I can always rent a backup body if I need to, until I am able to own one.

MalVeauX wrote in post #16680905
Heya,

The fact that you're willing to give up the 135L says you don't use it often enough to care. But, you say "could" which implies you haven't tested the 70-200 for the type of portraits you're talking about. That's a big deal, dropping a lens, for a "could" which you may or may not have even tested yet, just based on having another lens with the focal length. The 200 at F2.8 will have more compression than the 135 at F2. But are you going to always do it at 200mm? The 135L is only replaceable, at least to me, at 200mm there. If you shoot below that, then it's not.

But hey, if a 2nd body means more gigs, that means more income, which leads to more lenses and fun stuff anyways. So do what's best for your business in photography.

Very best,

It's not just the body that you need a back up for if you are going to start doing weddings. What if your 24-70 starts giving error codes? At least the 85 and 135 can back up the 70-200 to a degree. I would keep the 135.

The back ups don't have to be as high quality but you do need them. The above mentioned 5Dc maybe with an older Tamron 28-75 or maybe a 50D with a 17-50 non VC.

After having used your 5d3, you won't be happy with anything less.