Which L should I buy next?

I'm planning on using my tax return money to buy another L lens and I've narrowed it down to the following:

• 85 1.2 MKII
  
• 50 1.2

I would consider getting 24-70L since you already have wide angle and a medium telephoto, you might want something in between. I shot many weddings, events, and portraits using those 3 lens combo, By the way this is just my opinion, but your 50 1.4 works just fine for what you do so no need to get the 50L, (although it's soft wide open, shoot at f1.8 or higher) and you can save tons of money by getting 85 1.8. Unless you are planning to do video, no need to get 5d mk II, invest first on lenses. Anyway, just my 2 cents, it's your money.

For the price of either of those lenses, could you almost get a 35L and a 135L (used)? Correct me if I am wrong. I suggested this on another thread as well.

Edit: (especially if you sold the 50 f1.4 since you probably wouldn't need it if you had the 35L)

24-70L

I always recommend that a photographer base a lens battery on a top-line medium-range zoom lens such as the 24-70L. This is a work horse lens; especially for the full-frame format.

An additional consideration might be to sell your 70-200mm f/4L lens and replace it with the IS model. I am able to use my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens 4-5x more often than I ever used my non-IS version. This is due to the fact that I can hand hold this lens at 1/60 second cranked out to 200mm and get sharp images. I can also shoot at 1/30 second but need to be careful regarding the hand hold. However, the keeper rate at 1/30 second is respactable.

the 85L offers much more bang for the buck compared to the 50L. The common view seems to be that the 50L is overpriced for being just half a stop faster then the 50 1.4 and given it focus shift and wide open softness while the 85L owners seem to be willing to buy it all over again even if it was 3000$ given it's unmatchable DoF and sharpness wide open . A more useful prime combo would be 35L+85L. 50L is too close to both of them. Yes, I'm a bit biased but since you like the candid style shooting, the 85L also offers more working range while the 50L would be too "in your face lil kid!". As for the Mk2, i don't see why you would buy that yet. For that money you could buy a couple of extreme lenses, and since the 5D isn't too shabby either...

On full frame, I personally am not a huge fan of the 50mm FoV. I happen to have a 50L for the weekend. I love the FoV on my 1D3, not so much on the 5D. So take this advice as the biased advice that it is.

My favorite lens is my 35L. On a 5D, it's an absolutely awesome focal length. I consider that my "normal" view. 35L is light, sharp, and fast.

For pure "wow" factor in an image, the 85L is hard to beat. That piece of glass is ridiculous. That being said, I find it to be a very niche focal length.

So my recommendation would be 35L or a 24-70 if you think you'll use a zoom.

rent before you buy

This makes me think 135L. Yes, you have the 70-200 4, but this baby is small and light (relatively speaking) and a full two stops faster. Definitely bang for the buck compared to some other L lenses.

Personally, I love the 50L on the 5D. It's probably on my camera more than any other single lens. To my eye, 50mm on a FF sensor yields an image that is the most neutral and natural in terms of perspective and framing, i.e. not "squeezed" in any way.

However, as others have mentioned the difference between the 50L and the 50 1.4 is not all that great. For the type of photography you talk about doing, I would think that the 35L would be a more practical choice. The 85L would probably be less practical (i.e. useful in fewer situations than the 35L), but it may also be a bit more inspiring and special than the 35L. It does fantastic portraits. But for children at a birthday party, I'd opt for the 35L.

35 is the classic FL for full-frame photojournalism. On the 5D, the 35L is absolutely remarkable. I use it for kid photography all the time, indoors. I do have to say, that my history probably biases this choice. For many years I carried my Leica with the 35 Summilux (along with a 50 and 90) and that was all I needed. 35 was used most of the time.

mcruzer82 wrote in post #9498924
I'm planning on using my tax return money to buy another L lens and I've narrowed it down to the following:

• 85 1.2 MKII
  
• 50 1.2

My current gear list:
5D Classic, 40D, 17-40L, 70-200 f4L, 50 1.4

I'm leaning toward the 50L but thinking the 85L might be more logical considering what I already have.

Just to give some background -
I'm still a beginner here trying to figure out what I like to shoot most. I Took a 3 month intro to photography course last year and been hooked ever since. So far I've done 1 family wedding and two photo shoots of my co-workers children. Besides those few paying gigs, it's pretty much just a hobby for me. I would like to eventually do birthday parties and more children photography. I prefer to shoot more candid/photojournalist style shots as opposed to studio style portraits.

Any comments/help/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

And just to throw something crazy in here. Would it make sense at this point in my experience level to even consider getting the 5D MKII instead of a new L?

Of your two choices, of course the 85mm makes more sense. For candid photography, the 135mm 2.0 is a beauty! This would give you a relatively light, fast and very sharp medium telephoto.

It seems like you are hot to trot in buying something ( which is OK if you have money )...but the lenses you are talking about are quite specialized. People usually identify a need for those lenses and then purchase them rather than the other way around. Get yourself a good zoom like the 24-70L, continue taking photos and determine what is holding you up from taking the photos you really want. At that time you won't need to ask anyone, you will know what is limiting you, be it your 5D, your lack of a nice wide prime for portraits ( 85L ) or maybe you have everything you need and what is limiting you is your ability.

The 50 1.2 is a lot easier to use then the 85 1.2. However I like the pics from the 85 1.2 better then the 50. They look creamer then the 50mm.

85L

Hogloff wrote in post #9507757
It seems like you are hot to trot in buying something ( which is OK if you have money )...but the lenses you are talking about are quite specialized. People usually identify a need for those lenses and then purchase them rather than the other way around. Get yourself a good zoom like the 24-70L, continue taking photos and determine what is holding you up from taking the photos you really want. At that time you won't need to ask anyone, you will know what is limiting you, be it your 5D, your lack of a nice wide prime for portraits ( 85L ) or maybe you have everything you need and what is limiting you is your ability.

I agree with this. Buy what you truly need not what you think you need. But it's your money. I recommend renting these lenses and see how you like them and whether you will be using it much before forking up the big dough.