adding one more lens 135 f.2. Is it worth the money ?

Basically, photography is just my hobby, but for the last 6 months, I have been asked to take pictures of friends, from kids, senior, and weddings.

I just heard very good thing about 135 f.2

From all the lenses I have, with 5D mark II, I used 85 1.8 and 24-105 the most while the 70-200 f4L IS mostly stays in the bag, not because I don't like it, but because it is too obvious, I got lots of look from other people while I am out taking pictures of my kids playing in the playground.

What is the best option from your point of view ?
1. Trade 70-200 F4L IS with 135 f.2
2. Buy 135 F.2 and is it worth the money ?

aaaaaaaahhhhh..... Well. Yes it's worth the money. I think zooms and primes have their place, if you can afford the 135 outright, have at it. It's a great lens with a large following for a good reason.
I hesitate at first because it's somewhat of a specialty lens, being a longer focal length and what not and your gear list is already packed with long lenses. Either way, great lens that everyone would enjoy.

Your story sounds like mine. I had a 70-200 4.0L and rarely used it. I found I simply didn't use the range much. Sold it and bought the 135L. I used it more in one week than the 70-200 in a year. Awesome lens and with a 1.4 converter it still get's you close to 200 at 2.8. If you're not using a lens or feel uncomfortable with it, you won't go wrong with the 135L

Hobby and a short project? You have it covered with your 85/1.8 and 70-200/4 L IS. If you are dying to use this as an excuse to get another lens, 50/1.4.

I am the 3rd. I bought the 135L and sold my 70-200 F4 IS. I also have 85 1.8 at a point of time. The reason is exactly the same, I can't use it, F4 is not fast enough without a flash most of the time, at least in Vancouver and where I go with my kid. If you can't use it, no matter how good it is, it is useless. Whether you can use it heavily depends on where you are and what you shoot, so, only you can answer. I am happy with my choice. If I am going to get a telephoto zoom again, I probably will get 70-200 F2.8 IS. But it is expensive, and huge.

And to be honest, you may not found alot of difference between 85 1.8 and 135 L on 5D. If I am to do it again, I will consider the following also:

keep 85 1.8 for low light, sell the 70-200 F4 IS and get the 70-200 F2.8 IS
Sell the 85 1.8 and get the 85L
Sell the 85 1.8 and get 135L and 50mm (50L or Canon 50 1.4 or Sigma 50 1.4) - this is where I am moving.

If money is not a concern, I would get the 85L or 135L and 70-200 F2.8 IS

Go for it. It's sharper than anything else you have and is a great lens. Get a 1.4 TC along with it, and you can basically replace your 70-200.

I hardly ever use my 70-200 2.8 IS anymore - the 135L is always with me. It's light, small, black, and performs.

Another yes vote here.

It's an awesome lens if you like to shoot with available light and have good hand held technique. It's also shorter and lighter (not to mention darker) than most tele-zooms so it's less obvious. I wouldn't hesitate to use it wide open since it's so sharp.

Get the 135L. It is a brilliant lens and I always enjoy using it. The only reason I keep the 70-200 f/4 IS is for trips to the zoo, etc. when I do need the extra focal length. Otherwise, the 70-200 stays at home while I carry the 135L all over the place.

blissonearth wrote in post #9451252
...is it worth the money ?

YES!

Excepting Mike & Gene, you guys are a bunch of enablers .

OP, as you already know, the 135L is an awesome lens at what it does. If you want it, get it with no reservations. Personally, I don't use mine that much, but I do use it enough to justify keeping it . My 70-200 f/2.8 IS is usually the better low light lens, imo, due to its IS and 200mm reach.

YES! For me it is THE lens.

The shot below is a very heavy crop (1/12 of the whole frame) of a guy going quite fast by me on his bicycle. Wide open this lens is sharp to the bone.

No doubt that 135L is the lens .... after you get it. it's as if glued to the 5DMKII ..
Any Zoom will just get dust as mine a 70-300DO..

The 135L is a wonderful lens. If you want it, get it.

One thing worth pointing out - a 5D sized camera with the 135L mounted is not really less conspicuous than a 5D with a 70-200/4 mounted. You might think that the black lens calls less attention to you, but it doesn't really. No matter how you slice it, that is still a big rig to the casual outside observer.

I dunno. On the other hand if you use it without the lens hood, it does not appear much bigger than my tiny 30mm with lens hood on. I for sure think that the colour (black) and its compact size is a big benefit for it. Also, I just plain don´t like white lenses

yes it is