Canon 85mm F1.2L Mark II

Your reputation won't hinge on whether you have an 85L or not.

I "had" 135L at 5D, great lens, excellent combination...

but....

when I discovered the "magic" of 85L... love at the first pic.

try one, it's pretty difficult to test a 85L and to not fall deeply in love.

EOS_JD wrote in post #5310913
There is no doubt the 85 1.2 is a magical lens. When starting out with weddings, you may not have the time to compose shots the way you want as most are pretty fast moving. Learn the job first. Get experience. Get a couple of sharp fast zooms to compliment your primes.

The 135 you have is also an outstanding portrait lens - with a beautiful bokeh. You also have the 85 f1.8 which is a cracking lens too. The 300 f2.8 could be used but it's a little on the big side to be carting around at weddings.

My chocie with the cameras you have would be a 24-70L f2.8 or a fast prime on the 1D MkII and the 70-200 f2.8L IS on the 30D.

The 70-200 is my most used lens. The 85 is way down my list. I use my 85 or my 50 f1.4 only in very low light or where I can't move around in a church and the focal length is appropriate.

I'm not in any way saying it's a bad lens as it is probably the best portrait lens you can buy but starting out at a wedding??? No. You will probably find it hard to control the depth of field unless shooting a static subject.

Zooms may nnot be quite as sharp but they are sharp[enough and that's why many pro's use their 70-200 for assigmnents - commercial, weddings etc.

Do not underestimate your 85 f1.8......

I am using 85L (60%), 35L (30%) and 17-40L (10%) for my wedding shots.

the 85 1.2 II is a killer lens. i have used it to shoot portraits, cycling events, and and soon weddings.

I had the 85 1.8, and i know some people say there is not much difference, but quite honestly it smokes it.

If you look around you can find used ones for 1500, which is a steal considering some places are now charging 1800+ for it....i got a refurbed one for $1599....

This is a great lens and w/ the price tag, i think it also requires some commitment to photography...

I have the 85mm/1.2. My wife also has the 85mm/1.8 on her camera. They are both excellent lenses. As someone has stated, do not underestimate the magical qualities of the 85mm/1.8. I don't think my L copy smokes it in any way either, as I rarely shoot it wide open, and when I do, I usually take a second shot stopped down, because of the razor thin DOF that you get shooting wide open at 1.2. I bought the 85mm/1.2 L only after reading this darned board, and that was during my CAS phase (Canon Acquisition Syndrome). I may get flamed for saying this, but honestly wished I had saved my money towards something other than this beast. I can't really tell the difference other than looking at the exif data between the two lenses as far as IQ is concerned with the 5D.

But I'm not gonna sell it either, as I generally don't ever sell my lenses after I buy them.

canoncad wrote in post #5416801
I am using 85L (60%), 35L (30%) and 17-40L (10%) for my wedding shots.

We all have our own ways of working U suppose. I'd like to use primes mopre however the flexibility the zooms provide makes these my favoured lenses (except in very low light).

Please don't think I'm puting down those who shoot with an all (or mainly) prime set up