Approve the Cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and our Privacy Policy.
OK
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Guest
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Register to forums    Log in

 
FORUMS Cameras, Lenses & Accessories Canon Lenses 
Thread started 19 May 2009 (Tuesday) 10:14
Search threadPrev/next
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

WWYD: Complimenting my zooms w/ primes

 
Dorman
Goldmember
Avatar
4,661 posts
Joined Feb 2006
Location: Halifax, NS
     
May 19, 2009 10:14 |  #1

Hi all - I have my zooms and current bodies sorted for the immediate future. I would like to add a FF body down the road but my crop 30D's are still delivering and aren't ready to be replaced just yet.

I'm currently working with the 30D's, 17-40L, Tamron 28-75 F/2.8, 70-200 F/2.8 ISL, and 100mm F/2.8 Macro.

I am considering letting the macro go due to lack of use, and I want to add a high quality fast prime to my bag. I have the opportunity to pickup some top end primes used locally at good prices, and I need some advice. I want to choose to best option for my crops today that will also work for me down the road on FF. My initial gut reaction was the classic 35L / 85L combo, (this is because I seem to favor around 20-24mm and 50mm on my walkaround zooms) however I'm also keen on the 135L. Here's the deals I have available locally (from reputable photogs in the area).

24L MKI - approximately $750 USD. Signs of wear on the lens itself, but optics are perfect. No box or accessories other than caps/hood.

85L MKII - approximately $1650-1750 USD, mint condition with all boxes/accessories.

My thoughts are that I can sell the macro, and use some savings to do one of the following:

1. Buy a brand new 35L and wait on the rest.
2. Buy the used 24L and search for a good deal on a used or new 135L.
3. Splurge on the 85L and wait on the rest.

My shooting is a bit all over the place (as is this post, sorry!), you can visit my site (portfolio) or flickr below for a sense of what I'll be using the lens(es) for. I must say that I am not a portrait photographer which makes me hesitant about the 85/135, however they do seem to be versatile. I have shot a number of weddings in the past which I see these being useful for, but I'm really buying for personal shooting/wants.

Thanks!



  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
kevindar
Cream of the Crop
Avatar
5,050 posts
Likes: 38
Joined May 2007
Location: california
     
May 19, 2009 10:40 |  #2

thats a great deal on the 24. I would get it. If you dont like it you can sell it for a profit.
135L on a crop? good for outdoor shooting. Its long. the 2.8IS is so good, that you may find you prefer the very useful IS, and the zoom versatility vs one stop of light and size of 135. thats what happened to me. bought it and sold it.
I own the 35 1.4, sigma 50 1.4, and 85 1.2, and am extremely happy with all 3. the sigma is the best bang for the buck, and a fantastic lens. and to give you a perspective, I own the canon L 2.8 zooms from 16-200.
my 2 cents.


My Flickr (external link)
Gear List
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1205576

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Dorman
THREAD ­ STARTER
Goldmember
Avatar
4,661 posts
Joined Feb 2006
Location: Halifax, NS
     
May 19, 2009 10:44 |  #3

Thanks Kevin. I know it's a great deal on the 24L, that makes it hard to turn it down. I can definitely see the 24/35 being a daily focal length versus the longer lenses. You may be right, the 70-200 is just that good that it may make the 135 redundant.

My other option would be to rock the 24L and keep the 100mm macro for a longer prime, leaving no budget for anything else at this time. I could then look at filling the gap with something else down the road. I was an early adopter of the Sigma 50mm F/1.4, unfortunately my copy was abysmal.



  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Kuma
Senior Member
Avatar
996 posts
Joined May 2007
Location: The Igloo spirit remains
     
May 19, 2009 11:02 as a reply to  @ kevindar's post |  #4

Having the same thing in mind here. I'm not much of a portrait photographer either. I'd like to go farther with landscape and candids though. Maybe doing a little product shooting now and then. I had thoughts of picking up a FF body next rather than getting a UWA. Seems to me the 17-40 would have you covered on the wider side on a FF body until you decided to add wide primes later on. If it were me I'd think about adding the 135L and maybe 85L.




  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
kevindar
Cream of the Crop
Avatar
5,050 posts
Likes: 38
Joined May 2007
Location: california
     
May 19, 2009 11:36 |  #5

Dorman, bummer about your sigma. I have to say, having a body with microfocus adjustment, does make a difference.
Dont get me wrong about 135, as I thought it was a stellar lens, it is as good as people say. However, for shooting people, I find I need between 1/60 to 1/125 second to stop their motion. on a cropper, you need 1/200 second to stop your hand motion with 135. Hence I found the IS more than compensates for the one stop of light in the focal range.
85 1.2, is in a different league of course. Its shorter focal length makes it more hand holdable. its 2.5 stops faster than 2.8 zoom, and the bokeh is out of this world.


My Flickr (external link)
Gear List
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1205576

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

973 views & 0 likes for this thread, 3 members have posted to it.
WWYD: Complimenting my zooms w/ primes
FORUMS Cameras, Lenses & Accessories Canon Lenses 
AAA
x 1600
y 1600

Jump to forum...   •  Rules   •  Forums   •  New posts   •  RTAT   •  'Best of'   •  Gallery   •  Gear   •  Reviews   •  Member list   •  Polls   •  Image rules   •  Search   •  Password reset   •  Home

Not a member yet?
Register to forums
Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more... and all is free. Don't be a stranger - register now and start posting!


COOKIES DISCLAIMER: This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and to our privacy policy.
Privacy policy and cookie usage info.


POWERED BY AMASS forum software 2.58forum software
version 2.58 /
code and design
by Pekka Saarinen ©
for photography-on-the.net

Latest registered member is arohastories
931 guests, 171 members online
Simultaneous users record so far is 15,144, that happened on Nov 22, 2018

Photography-on-the.net Digital Photography Forums is the website for photographers and all who love great photos, camera and post processing techniques, gear talk, discussion and sharing. Professionals, hobbyists, newbies and those who don't even own a camera -- all are welcome regardless of skill, favourite brand, gear, gender or age. Registering and usage is free.