Second try, Your recommendations on a two lens setup

I shoot a canon 6D.

I typically shoot indoor portraits chest up. I shoot full body levitation/composite style as well but these are typically not in studio.

If need be I will shoot full body portraits but normally don't do them unless its the composite work.


Lenses I have: 24-105L and 100mm 2.8L

I love both lenses but I feel its time to upgrade quality.
I will be selling these when I can find a buyer and would like to buy another two lenses.

Walking around/full body shot lens and a portrait lens.


My current thoughts are 85mm 1.2 II or the 70-200mm 2.8 II(even tho I have seen a lot that the IQ is the same as the 2.8 just no IS) and the canon/tamron 24-70 mkII

I was also thinking about getting the Sigma 50mm Art lens in place of the 24-70 as a walk around/full body lens.

I do not mind using primes AT ALL. I want whatever yields the best results for the money spent.


I would like to be around 2,500. Obviously my ideal set up will cost me more than that.


I have seen and read a lot of reviews and samples that show the Canon series lenses are typically better IQ when all is said and done.

I also do not do large prints of any nature. So even shrank down most differences may not be noticeable, besides contrast and color differences from the lenses.

I know I posted a very vague post before this asking for a portrait lens and I appreciate all the people who took time to answer.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #17402450
My current thoughts are 85mm 1.2 II or the 70-200mm 2.8 II(even tho I have seen a lot that the IQ is the same as the 2.8 just no IS) and the canon/tamron 24-70 mkII

I honestly think this is as good a place to start as any. It is a well thought out plan and part of the lens swap game is you don't really know till you've spent time with it anyway.

Yeah my only issue with this is the IQ from which lenses.


I'm fine with any of the above. I'll keep watching videos online comparing them. Maybe I can see if I can rent them cheap.

Sadly no local places do rentals

The 16-35/4.0L IS and the 85LII is the best two lens combo for me.
Add a nice 35/1.4 to make it my favorite trinity, and add a 70-200 for the best 4 lens setup.

But that's all based on my shootings.

I would love the 16-35 but I feel like it may be a little too wide.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #17402450
I love both lenses but I feel its time to upgrade quality.
...
I also do not do large prints of any nature. So even shrank down most differences may not be noticeable

So basically you want to "upgrade" your lenses, even though you admit that you won't notice the difference? What are you trying to gain by changing?
The 100L is an excellent lens, so "upgrading" it isn't really possible (from a quality standpoint). The only reason to replace it would be to get a wider aperture, or a different focal length.
It sounds a bit like you're bored with your current lenses and want to try something different?

Do you plan to shoot apertures wider than f2.8? Is autofocus important to you, or are you okay with manual focus? When you say you'd like to be around $2500, does that include what you'll get for selling your current lenses, or in addition to it? Are you okay buying used lenses, or do you want new? Is there a reason you only want a two lens setup, vs. 3 or more lenses?

From what you've said, an 85 f1.2 and 24-70 f2.8 are a reasonable combination; the 85 for portraits and the 24-70 for full-body shots. They're out of your price range new, but used should be okay.

100mm is a little tight for me since my photo room I use indoors is like 12 feet wide
Its great but I would like a wider aperture for natural light since I absolutely hate studio lighting anyways
I do not care about AF since I honestly don't use it.
I wouldn't mind three lenses but I prefer something for full body that is universal instead of constantly having to change
I don't mind walking around tho, as stated, so another prime lens would be fine.

I don't mind used gear at all, I normally purchase through KEH anyways.


The $2,500 is including me selling the old lenses.

I can go higher but I want another strobe and Boom stands for the two lights ill have


I may add the reason 24-70 is so appealing is because I shoot skateboarding and I enjoy the wide angle aspect.

But I am at the point where I just may buy a cheap 15mm for this since its distorted and doesn't need super nice quality.

35A and an 85L and don't look back if you want a two-lens solution indoors.

Just one? Well, the 50A stays on my 6D indoors unless I am taking a group shot or non-person perspective shot.

I only shoot single subject pictures I should add.

I don't do weddings or groups for now.

That will be a battle for another day.


Right now my main focus are the things I actually like.

I'm assuming you mean the 35mm art lens?

I love the 35mm but I am afraid it may be a little too small.

Nick Aufiero wrote in post #17402891
100mm is a little tight for me since my photo room I use indoors is like 12 feet wide
Its great but I would like a wider aperture for natural light since I absolutely hate studio lighting anyways
I do not care about AF since I honestly don't use it.
I wouldn't mind three lenses but I prefer something for full body that is universal instead of constantly having to change
I don't mind walking around tho, as stated, so another prime lens would be fine.

I don't mind used gear at all, I normally purchase through KEH anyways.


The $2,500 is including me selling the old lenses.

I can go higher but I want another strobe and Boom stands for the two lights ill have


I may add the reason 24-70 is so appealing is because I shoot skateboarding and I enjoy the wide angle aspect.

But I am at the point where I just may buy a cheap 15mm for this since its distorted and doesn't need super nice quality.

Heya,

Look into:

Samyang 85mm F1.4
Samyang 35mm F1.4

Inexpensive, sharp, manual focus, so you're not buying AF/IS and can focus on good optics and wide aperture for natural light. If you convert over, then sell your other lenses (maybe keep the 100L for macro purposes later down the road, or not).

Or, go expensive (and still fully manual) and get ready for Zeis stuff.

Or, just change your line up. 85L and 50ART and you're set.

Or... realize you just have GAS, since you're not printing large or at all, and this is strictly for web, and you probably would get similar results from a basic set of primes than the top L's for this purpose.

Very best,

Yeah I would Like to print, I just do not atm.

I Always want my clients to have the capabilities.


I love the zeiss stuff but the newer ones seem to be quite a bit.


I really love the mobility of zooms but I may snag a cheap one for when the family and I adventure around.


I really like the 85mm II but for the price I can get a used 70-200. Now I'm seeing that the tamron is quite a good competitor as well for this lens.

I hate making these decisions.


haha


Thanks for the help guys.

I will continue researching and browsing images.


I may just try find a bulk deal on lens rentals and getting a couple for like 3 days and doing my own testing.

^ After reading through this thread it sounds like you have put a lot of thought in to the reason behind change up your lenses and what you intended subject and desire final photo result will be.
That is great work. Congrats to you.

For me, here in Japan, renting is not an option. and the 'local' camera store is about 3 hours away.
It does have almost every lens for all cameras on display, and most you can pick up and mount to a camera to test in store. Even use your own memory card for home analysis.
It is good, but not real-world test shooting.

For me, buy an lens used and a fair price allows me all the time in the world to use it at my leasure.
It is currently a hobby for me and my free time is the occasional magic hour after work and wekeends.
I bought a used 100mm USM, enjoyed it for 4 months and sold it for the cost of the postage.

Something buying used even just to try fo ra few months can save you money over rental costs, and then your nice pressured and rushed into just 3 days. I would want to pay for a rental and have it rain all weekend.

If you are seeking advice of lenses, I recommend trying them yourself.

I don't like the 35mm FL on my 6D, its very good but I enjoy my 24mm and 50mm combo much more.
I enjoy my 100mm lens and find it to be all the reach I need for my style of photos.
Others swear that the 135L is magical, and the 85L is perfection.

After owning (buy, sell, then buy another) I have been through about 12 FL in 8 months.
The cost was very minimal compared to renting each lens and the time spent was leisure.
I know what lenses I enjoy and what lenses I don't need.

I hope you find ones that fit you best. Good luck.

Nicky.

To only have two lenses, a popular combination for me is the 24-70 and the 70-200.
The Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mak II is hands one of the best Canon makes. A close second is the 70-200 f/4 L IS. I still have both.
The 24-70 gets a bit more complicated. The Canon 24-70 f/2.8 Mark IIis sharp, however no IS. The other Canon 24-70 f/4 L IS. And Tamron has two features in one. The 24-70 f/2.8 VC Vibration Compensation. Like you I have the 24-105 f/4 L IS as well. Not bad at all.
I do have a few primes listed below. However my priorities would be building a base of versatility and great reasults.
Have fun in the decision process Nick.

24-70 and the 85L (85 1.8 if you cannot swing the L).

Nick5 wrote in post #17403991
Nicky.

To only have two lenses, a popular combination for me is the 24-70 and the 70-200.
The Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mak II is hands one of the best Canon makes. A close second is the 70-200 f/4 L IS. The 24-70 gets a bit more complicated. The Canon 24-70 f/2.8 Mark IIis sharp, however no IS. The other Canon 24-70 f/4 L IS. And Tamron has two features in one. The 24-70 f/2.8 VC Vibration Compensation.

+1

I have the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC (I'm a stabilization junkie), and the Canon 70-200 f/4L IS. They make a nice pair. If I didn't already have the 70-200 f/4, I'd get the f/2.8L IS MkII. No complaints regarding the Tamron.

I also have the Sigma 35 f/1.4 Art, which is a sweet lens, but maybe too wide of a prime for what you're shooting.