85mm 1.8/1.4 or 135 f2?

Coffee400 wrote in post #17132556
Im not sure how much use you would get out of either of these lenses as you already have the 100, but i vote for the 135L. I owned the 85 1.8 which I used on a crop body, but I was not a fan of it (I'm aware that many people are, but it quickly became my least used lens). After upgrading to full frame I picked up a 135L and it quickly became my most used lens. For very similar field of view on the FF that the 85 had on the crop, I put this down to other characteristics of the lens. For me, for closely cropped portraits and for outdoor portraits, I much, much prefer the 135L.

Ive never owned the 85 1.4, but have used one a few times, and found the experience to be similar (although a little better) than the Canon.

You probably didn't like it because your depth of field is much wider on a crop body, so that means you get much less background blur on crop sensors. Now with the 135, you get lots of background blur.

I brought a 85 1.8, sold it when I got a 135L, but I really missed that focal length so I got a 85 1.4. The 135 is great, but it has limited uses. However, it performs so well in those uses that I just can't part with it. The 85 is such a practical focal length on full frame. I would choose it over the 135L just because it may get more use.

CRCchemist wrote in post #17132671
your depth of field is much wider on a crop body, so that means you get much less background blur on crop sensors.

Now that's some exaggeration right there.

Plenty of folk shoot the 85 F1.8 on APS-C and the backgrounds are destroyed. The depth of field is equivalent to a single stop. Not "much wider."

Very best,

Follow your heart. For me, 135L for sharpness/bokeh. You have a lot of power in your arsenal.. and it's relatively lightweight

In fact the 135L is so good i can't sell it and I keep it as a "compact wow portrait prime" on top of my 70-200 2.8L II.

Realistically, I'd say: DEFINITELY TRY EACH ONE OF THEM.

Life is too short to always be wondering whether you'd enjoy it or not. Sell your Macro if you don't have have enough and take turns with each lens. It's money and you can always earn more.

If you want to keep your Macro, buy and try each lens once and compare it with your macro.

^ I agree, smart purchases and user's opinion are good, but first hand experience is best.
Buy used, try it and sell it if you don't like it.

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #17132977
^ I agree, smart purchases and user's opinion are good, but first hand experience is best.
Buy used, try it and sell it if you don't like it.

Buy new, try it for 30 days, return it and pay nothing if you don't like it. Bless Amazon!

carpenter wrote in post #17133402
Buy new, try it for 30 days, return it and pay nothing if you don't like it. Bless Amazon!

This is why I hate buying new.... chances are it's used anyway. Might as well buy used and save lots of money.

Talley wrote in post #17133654
This is why I hate buying new.... chances are it's used anyway. Might as well buy used and save lots of money.

Not sure what the process is for Amazon returns for things like lenses. Do they go back into the mix of new items? I would think that would be poor business practice if so. That said it's rare that I will ever buy a new lens. Just too much money to be saved, by waiting finding a great deal on something mint.

carpenter wrote in post #17133402
Buy new, try it for 30 days, return it and pay nothing if you don't like it. Bless Amazon!

I know there are people who do what you suggested, but when you and any critical mass of other people do that, it increases the costs of the things you decide to buy that you choose to keep! Bless economics!

It does depend how the OP will be using the lens; it sounds like it's going to replace a macro (of which the Canon 100mm is excellent). I've owned both the 85 f1.4 and the 135 f2...and sold them both. I am not a fan of primes, I guess; I'd rather stay where I am and zoom my lenses than have to relocate and adjust for the new lighting such a move might necessitate. But to each their own.

I am an old wedding / portrait photographer and I found the canon 85mm 1.8 and the canon 135mm 2.8SF lens to be a great combination. Of course, I have the soft focus tuned off on the 135 and the lens is sharp as can be.

I own a 5d3 and the images it produces with a 135 strapped on the front are magical. I do not have any experience with the 85s though.

Bob Kupecky wrote in post #17134552
I am an old wedding / portrait photographer and I found the canon 85mm 1.8 and the canon 135mm 2.8SF lens to be a great combination. Of course, I have the soft focus tuned off on the 135 and the lens is sharp as can be.

Would you suggest getting that soft focus 135mm? It is very well priced. I'm thinking of picking up a copy.