85mm 1.8/1.4 or 135 f2?

Personally, I would go for a flavour of 85mm. If you need the macro, then keep the 100, if it is not important then sell it, and use the money for the nicest 85mm.

I keep coming to the precipice of getting the 135mm to complete my trinity and then drawing back. As other's have said, the 85mm is a more versatile f/l, allows you to communicate with your subject more easily, and there is plenty of background compression and bokeh when shooting wide. After the initial euphoria of the 135mm, I'm not sure how much I would use it.

Waiting patiently for Sigma to come up with an Art version of the 85mm. The Canon 1.8 is fantastic value for money, but the CA in some contrasty shots can be awful.

I do mainly portraits, single person full body at the widest, but mostly tighter framing (5D3).

Although I also have the 100L that I love for macro, for portraits I prefer the 85/1.8 (indoors) and the great 135L (outdoors).

CRCchemist wrote in post #17134635
Would you suggest getting that soft focus 135mm? It is very well priced. I'm thinking of picking up a copy.

KEH has one in EX condition for $248.00.

How could you go wrong? It is not USM, but still is a solid performer and wickedly sharp when the soft focus is turned off.

https://www.keh.com …soft-foc-ef-mount-lens-52

Bob

I love the 135. It is a magic lens. It is the ONLY one I would keep if forced to choose!

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pbZE​Ei

I have both the 85 1.4L IS and the 135 f/2. Both are wonderful lenses.

If I had to choose only one at this point, it would be the 85 1.4 because it is ridiculously sharp AND it has IS. Contrary to what some others say, IS IS important, critical, even, in handheld shooting, even for shorter focal lengths, as Canon is finally admitting/proving with its release of IS even in 24mm focal length.

The only downside of IS, apparently, is a bit of extra weight. I say apparently because I'm not sure how much extra weight IS actually adds; I just know that the newer lenses with IS tend to be heavier, but maybe they'd be heavier anyway.

Because it lacks IS, the 135 f/2 is limited either to tripod shooting, studio, or to outdoors with good light. The 85, with IS, is more versatile.

The 85 is damn heavy, though. That's a downside. So is the price.

Kirth Gersen wrote in post #17134980
After the initial euphoria of the 135mm, I'm not sure how much I would use it.

Wise man. For too many people, the 135 ends up sitting on the shelf/in the bag most of the time. As another person here said, it should be shot more than it is actually shot.

there is something special about the 135 f2, more so if you pick up a 5d Classic which would make a perfect portrait combo. the 85 is great but the 135 is awesome.

I've had both of these lenses. In my experience, the Canon 85 1.4L IS suffers from a bit of purple fringing but is light and easy to use. The 135 is an outstanding performer but was an awkward focal length, especially indoors. I now have the Sigma 85 1.4 ART. It's sharp, produces a pleasing bokeh, but at 2.5 pounds can get a little heavy after a while, especially on a 1Dx.

Surprised to hear you say the 1.4 is light. I must be a weakling. To me, it's damn heavy--and not really very compact, either, with its uber-fat barrel. Definitely not a lens I will be carrying around.

James P wrote in post #18879050
I've had both of these lenses. In my experience, the Canon 85 1.4L IS suffers from a bit of purple fringing but is light and easy to use. The 135 is an outstanding performer but was an awkward focal length, especially indoors. I now have the Sigma 85 1.4 ART. It's sharp, produces a pleasing bokeh, but at 2.5 pounds can get a little heavy after a while, especially on a 1Dx.

I don't have the 85 1.4L, but its a favorite focal length. So is the 100, but the 135 was so awkward for me. Its performance is outstanding if you can shoot it. The 85 is MUCH more usable much more often.

ShallowDoF wrote in post #17151576
I love the 135. It is a magic lens. It is the ONLY one I would keep if forced to choose!

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pbZE​Ei Shallow Tulips

Thats some pretty weird blur in there.

85 Art and 135 Art!

mcluckie wrote in post #18879185
I don't have the 85 1.4L, but its a favorite focal length. So is the 100, but the 135 was so awkward for me. Its performance is outstanding if you can shoot it. The 85 is MUCH more usable much more often.

Yeah. It's too often just too tight. But damn that lens is nice.