What would you pair with your 85L.. 24LII or 35L?

I shoot anything. I can find anything to shoot with 8mm or my 70-200 2.8L is with TCs. No fix focal length for my needs as long as it is low light capable. I would be traveling super light, maybe a 5D2+ 5mdh+flash+85L+_ ? either of the 2. I am sure not alot will travel with 85 being the widest and 135 the longest so the 135L is out of the picture right now.

Overall, the majority has set the holy trinity for its reasons... but could a 24Lii + 85LII be a killer combo?

Again, I have pretty much most of the focal lengths covered with the exception of hardcore wildlife which i wont do. I jwant to buy something.. I have a tendency to look at my bank account and be like "WTF did i spend my money on?" So I want something asap.

Please be advised that his thread is not an insult to those who have to work really hard to buy something.

On a full frame camera the 35 and 85 are the holy grail of lenses for a lot of people, including me.

I would do the 35L. For one, I have it and really like it. And secondly, I find it to be a good all around lens. If I want to do portraits, I don't feel like I'm using a landscape lens (24mm)--especially on a FF. Or if you want to kind of do a landscape you can do that too. The thing with the 24, which I know it's a great lens, but if you're looking for something that is a little more "versatile" I would do the 35. Mostly it's because I find 24 too wide to do something like a head shot or something like that...

But do what feels right, are you willing to pay the $$ for the 24?

jcolman wrote in post #9543979
On a full frame camera the 35 and 85 are the holy grail of lenses for a lot of people, including me.

Thanks for the input

aebrown wrote in post #9543995
I would do the 35L. For one, I have it and really like it. And secondly, I find it to be a good all around lens. If I want to do portraits, I don't feel like I'm using a landscape lens (24mm)--especially on a FF. Or if you want to kind of do a landscape you can do that too. The thing with the 24, which I know it's a great lens, but if you're looking for something that is a little more "versatile" I would do the 35. Mostly it's because I find 24 too wide to do something like a head shot or something like that...

But do what feels right, are you willing to pay the $$ for the 24?

I appreciate the time checking this thread out. Unfortunately, I am willing to pay retail for 24L II

I shot with 24L II and 85L for a year. Exclusively those two. Well, for 99.99% of the shots. A great combo!

thanks

The 35L is the natural complement to the 85. A moderate wide and moderate tele work together quite nicely. Doesn't help you if that's not your style of shooting though.

I've gone from 35/85 to 24/50/135 as my "minimalist" kit. It's not as easily gratifying as the former, but I find in the end it's the more flexible combination and most importantly - it works for me. But of course, YMMV significantly. The answer to your question lies within your shooting style and personal preferences. If in doubt, the 35L is a very comfortable place to start.

P99 wrote in post #9543960
I shoot anything. I can find anything to shoot with 8mm or my 70-200 2.8L is with TCs. No fix focal length for my needs as long as it is low light capable. I would be traveling super light, maybe a 5D2+ 5mdh+flash+85L+_ ? either of the 2. I am sure not alot will travel with 85 being the widest and 135 the longest so the 135L is out of the picture right now.

Overall, the majority has set the holy trinity for its reasons... but could a 24Lii + 85LII be a killer combo?

Again, I have pretty much most of the focal lengths covered with the exception of hardcore wildlife which i wont do. I jwant to buy something.. I have a tendency to look at my bank account and be like "WTF did i spend my money on?" So I want something asap.

Please be advised that his thread is not an insult to those who have to work really hard to buy something.

The 35L compliments the 85L really well! The 35L is definitely a nice compromise between 24mm and 50mm. I find that if i need either of the two FOVs i can just step forward or step backwards. With the distortion of the 24mm FOV, it's hard to make it a 50mm.

Regardless, for a walk around kit for trips, i'd take a 24L II and a 50L. I do't think it'd take a 35L + 85L combo because the 85L is too heavy for long walks in the woods or long walks in the city. long walks being 3 hours or something similar to that case.

35L and 85L are a amazing combo. The only primes I ever needed. Combine both those primes with the zoom trinity and I had my dream setup. I had to sell my 85L because i bought a car, but its paid off now. Guess what lens i have been saving for =]

90% percent of my shoots are with 24L1.4II + 135L2.0 ... almost perfect on a FF ... no need of a flash on my 5DMKII.. 35mm is too standard, indoor you get more interesting pictures with a 24L1.4II.
I have a 50F1.4 and a 70-300DOIS both getting dust ...
I use a very old 300L2.8nonIS for outsport (Formula One, Quad Bike racing)

35L & 85L all the way!

I am also a favourite for 35/85. 35 Seems to be my prefered focal length to shoot almost the most subjects with the same lens.

But I do find it sometimes not wide enough, so I've picked up a 24mm 2.8 this week. It's very small and light, so I wouldn't notice it when it's in my camera bag, but I will have 24mm available when the need is really there.

24L is too wide to complement the 85L. For a two lens kit, you can't beat the 35L + 85L combo. For a 3 lens kit though, you could go for either the 24L+50L+85L or for the trinity 35L+85L+135L. Overall, you will find the 24L too wide for a "normal" lens. The 35L is just right, not as tight as a 50mm, giving just the right dynamic and flexibility without screaming "wideeee". Get the 35L would be my advise. And if you ever want something really wide you can always add a 17mm f/4 TS-E L later on.

35L for me. It's my main wedding combo. 35L on a body and 85L on a second body.

I love my 35L / 85L combo. Those two lenses probably get used 90% of the time by me.