Looking to revamp the lens lineup (faster primes), need input

Hey all,

I currently own the following lenses:

Tokina 11-16 2.8,
Canon 17-55 2.8
Sigma 24mm 1.8
Sigma 30mm 1.4
Canon 50mm 1.8
Canon 100mm Macro.

I'm considering selling the 17-55 2.8 (~$850) and 50mm 1.8 (~$80) and getting an 85 1.8 (~$350) and 50 1.4 (either Canon or Sigma, $300-$400). So my new lineup would look like this:

Tokina 11-16 2.8
Sigma 24 1.8
Sigma 30 1.8
Canon/Sigma 50 1.4
Canon 85 1.8
Canon 100 Macro

As you can see, I'm trying to go to a faster lineup of prime lenses. I enjoy the 17-55, but feel I'd enjoy an 85 1.8 and 50 1.4 even more.

I'll probably also upgrade my 40D to a 50D b/c my Sigma 30 1.4 has backfocusing issues and I want to try microadjusting it.

Do you guys see any fault in my plan? Are there any fast primes I'm missing that aren't $1,000+ that I should consider? I understand I'm completely lacking reach with my lineup, but my shooting style doesn't require it. I may get a 135 2.0 at some point, but that's further down the line.

That final set-up would be very similar to my ideal set-up.

Funnily enough my wishlist is a Tokina 11-16mm and Canon 135L.

I can only say good things about both the Canon 50 f1.4 and in particular the 85 f1.8.

My only comment is the closeness of those focal lengths.
I know my 50mm misses out sometimes because I seem to use my 30mm or 85mm the most.

Already having the 100, do you still see yourself using the 85? Is it the f1.8 your after in wanting the 85?

giving up 17mm-24mm on a crop would be a big issue for me.

tonedef78 wrote in post #8568834
That final set-up would be very similar to my ideal set-up.

My only comment is the closeness of those focal lengths.
I know my 50mm misses out sometimes because I seem to use my 30mm or 85mm the most.

Already having the 100, do you still see yourself using the 85? Is it the f1.8 your after in wanting the 85?

Hmm, maybe I'll skip the 50mm for now and see how that goes.

It is the 1.8 that I'm after. I use the 100 for strictly macro work.

nureality wrote in post #8568880
giving up 17mm-24mm on a crop would be a big issue for me.

I'd have to look through Lightroom and see if I'm right or not, but I feel like I don't use my 17-55 in that range very often.

Also considering a Sigma 20 1.8, though.

Why do you need both the Sigma 30 1.4 and 24 1.8? To me those focal lengths are so close together it's too much overlap. I'd just keep the 30 1.4 and ditch everything else around that focal range (17-55, 24 1.8 and 50 1.8 ). An 85 1.8 would be a good idea though

So:
11-16 2.8
30 1.4
85 1.8
100 2.8

Seems like a good line-up... Unless you use 50mm and 30mm together a lot. I wouldn't, because they're so close.

On the Sigma 30mm note. I tried 6 of them, and NONE would focus properly on my 40D (all different amounts of front-backfocus too...). In your case, I'd just trade all of those in for a 24L II, from what I've seen it gives fantastic results as a wide-to-normal prime on crop.
24 could warrant a 50mm though.

TweakMDS wrote in post #8569099
Why do you need both the Sigma 30 1.4 and 24 1.8? To me those focal lengths are so close together it's too much overlap. I'd just keep the 30 1.4 and ditch everything else around that focal range (17-55, 24 1.8 and 50 1.8 ). An 85 1.8 would be a good idea though

So:
11-16 2.8
30 1.4
85 1.8
100 2.8

Seems like a good line-up... Unless you use 50mm and 30mm together a lot. I wouldn't, because they're so close.

On the Sigma 30mm note. I tried 6 of them, and NONE would focus properly on my 40D (all different amounts of front-backfocus too...). In your case, I'd just trade all of those in for a 24L II, from what I've seen it gives fantastic results as a wide-to-normal prime on crop.
24 could warrant a 50mm though.

Well, I don't need any of this stuff .

I would keep the 24 1.8 b/c the min focus distance is insanely short (7.1") and allows for some really creative images. The 30 1.4's min focus distance is 15.7". The two lenses would be used in entirely different ways.

I'd much rather have three different decent primes than one really really good prime, but the 24L is always an option in the future.

As for the focus issues on the 30 1.4, that's why I'm gonna upgrade to a 50D. Prices should start coming down on used 50Ds once people start selling them to upgrade to the 7D.

I'm thinking I'll hold off on the 50 1.4 and go with:

11-16 2.8
24 1.8
30 1.4
85 1.8
100 2.8 Macro