135 L or. . . I don't know!

So, my 30th is fast approaching, and my wonderful wife asked if there's a lens I want. The only lens I would like (and is anyway affordable) is a 135 f/2 L (otherwise the 50mm f/1.2L would be on the list!). The thing is, she said she's more than happy to co-ordinate between her and my family, and hers to get everyone to chip in to pay for one, and. . . . I'd have the most awesome portrait lens that I would treasure for ever. If not, well, I don't know - she's sorting something out for me, and said I'd still get it, but a very scaled down version if she gets me the L (plus my family, and in-laws will just chip in as opposed to getting me different things).

Now, if I don't go for the L, there's next to no chance of me being able to afford it for around 20 years - the kids are growing fast, and their demands on my wallet are also growing! But, I still have my 85mm f/1.8 (her present to me last year ), so it's not as though I'm without a great portrait lens. . . .

If you like the FL, I don't think you can go wrong buying the most affordable L prime that I can think of. If it were me, I'd want the 35L, which would be great indoors around the house and isn't too much more expensive.

Personally, I think 135 woudl be a bit long on a 20d...so I say have a fun birthday with whatever they have planned, and wait for the next lens announcement....

but then again, it is a great lens...

just my 2 cents

awesome for portraits, awesome for indoor events (think of those kid music performances on a poorly lit school auditorium stage), awesome for sports (fast fast fast focus). Get the 1.4x tc with it -- this lens performs really well with that combo and adds a lot of versatility.

I love mine. Can't take a bad photo with it.

I was thinking about the same thing. Either the 135L, or the 15mm Fisheye. I spoke to my wife about it...and she said either one would be a great addition...but since I have been wanting the 15mm fishy for a while, I opted to get that instead. Should be here soon...

As for the 135L...that might show up later this year...once we move...or around that time. Who knows...it's on my list...and from what I hear, is a great lens. I doubt many owners would have a hard time recommending it. Go for it!

I think David nailed it. The 135 is a little long on a crop body but it offers all the things in his reply. There will be many uses for this fast ,sharp, contrasty lens.
I know you will love it.

Stan

Well, when I was talking about it with my wife, I said it would only be useable outdoors because of the focal length, and she quickly piped up "yes, but you spend increasing amounts of time outdoors with the boys", which is true. Hmm, atm it's looking like the lens .

goatee when i had my 30d id never use my 135 on it as i did find it too long but its a dream on my 5d

I don't think you'd regret going for the 135L. Just about everything about it is good. Plan to add a 1.4 TC to it for your next birthday and it'll be even better.

I'll be the alternative viewpoint: I loved my 135L on a 20D when I shot it. It gave superb head and shoulders portraits outdoors or at a distance indoors. And as David mentioned good at school events, kids sports, etc. It lived on my camera.

Thanks for the votes of confidence for it on a crop body. To be honest, I love my 85 on a crop body, and 105mm isn't that far from 135 and is useable indoors carefully - though the extra 2 stops of light that the 135 has will be lovely, not to mention the colours, contrast, and razor sharp focus. . . Hmm, I think I'm definitely falling for the 135 . The TC is a great idea for next year's pressie - is the 2x TC useable, or should I stick to the 1.4?

1.4xTC has been better for me. Used to have a 2xTC, but sold it. Didn't think to keep it, but didn't really like it. The 1.4xTC will never leave.

Ah, go with the 135L. Once you've used it a while, you'll love it. I've used it on both 1.6 crop, 1.3 crop and FF bodies and it's just a lovely lens all the way around.

Mark

Mark hath spoken. You can count on his advice, should you need further persuasion.

Hmm - 85% of the polled results (with no hanging thingummies) so far go with the lens. Will talk to the wife tonight