24-70 L vs. Primes

Hey guys. I got my 24-70L about a month ago. I like it. It's pretty sharp and just a great walk around. I mostly shoot street photography, candids and landscapes. I leave my apartment sometimes having no idea where I'm going, I just want to go shoot. So that's why the 24-70 was a great fit.

However there are things I don't like about it:

1. The sharpness wide open. It's not as sharp as the prime images I see posted here and on pbase, which is expected. However even a few stops down I think the primes are superior.
2. Size. Not weight, size. It's a bit large and draws attention, which is something I try to avoid.

So I'm thinking about switching from:

17-40L (you guys helped me decide on this, thanks!)
24-70L

to:

17-40L
85 1.8 or 50 1.4
135L*

What do you guys think? I know I'll love the 135. My biggest hesitation is whether the 85 will be too long. Also, wondering if constantly switching lenses would be a problem.

All opinions are greatly appreciated.

*Let's be honest, I'm getting this lense eventually either way

For street photography I don't think primes are a great idea, but if you don't mind lugging stuff and changing lenses, your plan sounds good.

Breeson never used much more then a 50mm i'd have to say primes are great for street photogrpahy. I took this with my 85 the day i bought it

85 can be a bit long indoors for portraits sometimes (just sometimes) but i've had no problems outside with it

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm leaning toward keeping the zoom (although I'm still getting a 135 eventually).

Now that I really think about it, I rarely can set up a shot how I want it. I think I'll miss a good deal of shots if I don't have a zoom. It's just the image quality wide open that irks me.

I think the right decision may be to keep my 24-70 and upgrade my 50 1.8 to a 50 1.4.

Just trying to consider all my options.

Seeing has u have it covered up to 70mm why not get the 85. Once you use primes for a a while you know where you need to stand that's one great thing they teach you, position.

I tried the 24-70 i might get it one time but i'd not use it for street photogrpahy myslf. You're very aware when it's on the camera. So are people on the street

If you have been using the zoom – just take a look at what focal lenghts you end up using and ask yourself whether you would have had time to switch lenses. If you use mainly the 50mm length, then the 1.4 would be a good choice.

I have the 135 and the 85 primes and I love them, but they are not that much better than the 70-200 f4 – just have the extra stops.


Good luck.

Graham

I know what you mean about the 24-70. I was on campus recently taking pics of the football stadium and a woman came up to me and said, "Are you spying on somebody?" Yep, that's my spy lens, the discrete little 24-70L with hood.

Also, I know many street photographers use prime lenses.

That's a classic

You have to wonder how people like that are allowed out on their own