85mm vs. 100mm f2.0 vs. 135mm ??

So here is the little dilema I have... I currently have 85mm and it's a great lens for the $$. But I'm tempted to go to 135L, because it's an L and bokeh "supposed" to be better.

So for weddings/portraits:
1. Which lens is the best?
2. Which lens is the best for the money?

How do these 3 or even 4 (100mm f2.8 macro) compare?

Have you thought about an 85L?

I did... I even came close to buying one at one point.. But I cant justify the pirce.. I'm a part time wedding/portrait shooter

Ah I see, it is THE portrait lens though, its almost magical the colours and bokeh that come out of it.

the 85 18 is a great lens do not discount it .. i have own both and love the L still .. the 135 on full frame is totally a lot of fun at a distance. really depends on shooting style

I shoot with 50D's so the 85/1.2 suggestion would work for me.

But on a 5D I would think you'd lean more toward the 135L just for the reach during a ceremony when you need it and also for the portrait value.

Note: I don't own either but have used both on a cropped body. That f/1.2 on the 85mm brought tears to my eyes once I got the hang of the shallow DOF. The 135L is more forgiving and really creams the background.

They don't. Apples to oranges. Each has their own use depending on the task at hand. (as most primes do).

You really do weddings with one body and one lens? I'd think you'd be better off with a zoom perhaps. At least rent a 70-200/2.8 IS lens and then see what mm you use most. Should give you an idea of the 85 vs 100 vs 135 thing.

I would consider the 70-200mm non is 2.8 which is about the same price as the 135mm if you don't mind the weight.

If you don't like Flash ..... probably 85L1.2 .... for indoor use, nothing more than F1.4 is really usable without flash to get real fingers and not gloves .
I love my 135L2.0 but for indoor even this one is not open enough .. (I only use 24LII1.4 and sometimes 50F1.4, unluckily wide open 50mm is not sharp enough).
Outdoor use .. any good lens would be allright even zooms L series .....

gasrocks wrote in post #9289694
At least rent a 70-200/2.8 IS lens and then see what mm you use most.

That's where I'm at. I'd rather have the faster primes for a wedding because low light is almost guaranteed. I can always rent something longer during those times I have to be in the back. The key is to know this beforehand of course.

But it all depends on the setting and your style. What other wedding photographers use may not be the right answer for you. Experience is the best tool.

gasrocks wrote in post #9289694
You really do weddings with one body and one lens? I'd think you'd be better off with a zoom perhaps. At least rent a 70-200/2.8 IS lens and then see what mm you use most. Should give you an idea of the 85 vs 100 vs 135 thing.

I sold most of my gear few weeks ago... I had 70-200 f/2.8 IS and will be getting another one, getting 24-70 soon...

I have the same question. I mainly shoot portraits of my kid. I start out with 50mm F1.4, then I upgraded to 24-70L, but I found out F2.8 is not fast enough indoor, and also, the bokeh is not good. Now I have a 85mm F1.8, and 135mm F2. The reason I get the 135mm L is because I cannot justify the price of the 85 L .. it is tooo expensive. Even a used MK I cost about CAD$ 1400. And I wonder if it is THAT ($1000) much better than the 85mm F1.8, and also wondering how would it compared with the 135mm. I mean .. with a 135mm, the longer focal length isolate the subject more. But the 85mm @ F1.2 will have a more blur background? It would be nice if someone who has both lens to take some test portrait to compare the bokeh between 135mm @ F2 vs 85mm @ 1.2 with the same composition.

If you have a 5D, the best outdoor portrait lens is a 135mm 2.0. second choice would be the 100mm 2.0.

gte357s wrote in post #9292493
It would be nice if someone who has both lens to take some test portrait to compare the bokeh between 135mm @ F2 vs 85mm @ 1.2 with the same composition.

Add the 100mm f/2 to that!! Post