Upgrade from Canon 50mm 1.8 to Canon 85mm 1.2L or Canon 85mm 1.8 is it worth it

I have the Canon 50mm 1.8 VII lens. I have a Canon 7D and have always loved the 135mm f2L lens but even if I get it, with a crop camera, I wouldn't get the same look. I was told to get the 85mm 1.2 (which is super expensive) or the 85 1.8. Any good advice from anyone on which lens I should get? If I did get an "L" lens, I would probably get it used.

On the 7D, i would say yes. I have tried the 7d/85mm 1.2 combo, and is extraordinary.

Any other camera (i.e.: 1d, 5d, i would say no, it is not worth it), but 7d + 85mm 1.2, yes.

I've used 135L on a crop camera for years, it works great, you just need lots of room for portraits.

If you need a strong background blur for your portraits, then 85mm f1.8 is a good choice for a crop camera - it is not stellar, but quite decent. You will see a significant improvement (in terms of the background blur) compared to your 50mm lens. I don' think you should consider 85mm f1.2 at this point, given it's price. It is also not an easy lens. Perhaps you should also consider third party 85mm f1.4 options (e.g. Rokinon 85mm f1.4 is a nice lens and very cheap, but fully manual - you'll definitely need to use a tripod and LiveView focusing to get the focus right).

anitaw2 wrote in post #18451146
I have the Canon 50mm 1.8 VII lens. I have a Canon 7D and have always loved the 135mm f2L lens but even if I get it, with a crop camera, I wouldn't get the same look. I was told to get the 85mm 1.2 (which is super expensive) or the 85 1.8. Any good advice from anyone on which lens I should get? If I did get an "L" lens, I would probably get it used.

For less money than a used 85/1.2, you can buy a used 6D and a used 135L and be much further ahead for a lot of things like portraits and other non action type shots. But do you need 85mm or 135 on the 7D? Also look at the Sigma art 85, Tamron 85 VC, and the new 85/1.4 IS if you want the 85 length.

I have the 85mm f1.8, and I love it. It is fast focusing, compact, and just fun to shoot for a short, telephoto prime. It is a great little lens for portraiture shooting. And the price is cheap. You can find used 85mm f1.8 lenses for less than $300 on Amazon. It is a little gem of a telephoto lens that is fun to play with.

anitaw2 wrote in post #18451146
I have the Canon 50mm 1.8 VII lens. I have a Canon 7D and have always loved the 135mm f2L lens but even if I get it, with a crop camera, I wouldn't get the same look. I was told to get the 85mm 1.2 (which is super expensive) or the 85 1.8. Any good advice from anyone on which lens I should get? If I did get an "L" lens, I would probably get it used.

I'd say go middle of the road with a Sigma 85mm F1.4, or get the classic Canon 85mm F1.8.

It's still a lot of working distance on an APS-C, but the look is similar, and they're great lenses for not a lot of cash.

I wouldn't stress the 85L. Lots of cost for not a lot. If you had to go through 100 photos shot at F1.4 vs F1.2, you'd be hard pressed to know which was which with 100% correlation. Don't get sucked into the idea of F1.2 being superior.

You could just get the 135L and grab an older full frame like a 5D classic or 1Ds series.

Very best,

I have the 135mm f2, the 100mm f2, the 100 2.8 macro and used to have the 85mm 1.8. If your looking for a lens with performance like the 135mm f2 (without the expense), I would recommend the 100mm f2. The look is very similar, but it's smaller and less expensive. After buying the 100mm f2, I sold my 85mm 1.8 as the 100mm had less CA wide open, better bokeh and a preferable focal length. Before making a decision, I would look into the 100mm f2. It's really good.

anitaw2 wrote in post #18451146
I have a Canon 7D and have always loved the 135mm f2L lens but even if I get it, with a crop camera, I wouldn't get the same look.

If you shoot:
- Full-frame with 135/2
- Crop with 85/1.2
With both lenses wide open, you are going to get the very same framing, DoF and overall look.
But the Full-frame shot will have higher image quality.

So, unless you really need a crop sensor for other special reasons, I rather recommend getting a 135/2 and upgrade to a full-frame camera.

i wouldn't get it for a 7D...you could buy a cheap FF body, and use a cheaper fast lens, and still get shallower DOF than the 85 at f1.2 on your 7D

Time to upgrade the 7D to FF. Love my Canon 70-200 f4 L on my 5D3. If I need razor thin dof then the Canon 85 1.8 comes out.

Get a used 6D and or even a 5D II , and either the 100f2, 100L, 135L and enjoy the bokeh. Even your 50mm will become a whole new lens on fullframe!

You are all reading my mind. I was really debating getting a full frame. My 7D is great for sports, but since my daughter is almost done swimming, I was debating getting a full frame. For lenses, I have the Canon 50mm 1.8, sigma 17-55mm 2.8 and the Canon 70-200 f4. I just do photography for fun, but I am seriously thinking of starting to do a little work on the side. It's nice to have the opinion of other photographers. You all are a great help! Now if I can find a used Canon 6D at a good price, I'll be happy.

I agree with many here suggesting FF + 135L is the way to go. In fact the main reason I recently moved to FF (a used 6D) was because I already had this beautiful lens, and I knew it would shine on FF. And that's exactly what happened.

go full frame first, then figure things out.

you may find out that your 50 is still cool... or not, but the 135 will be amazing. You can decide after going full frame.