Those of you who own BOTH the 16-35LII AND the 35L on FF...

If you were told you could only keep ONE of the two, which would it be? The 16-35LII or the 35L?

Perhaps put in a different way, if you had choose from the following options, which would it be?

1) 16-35 F2.8L II + A "cheap" prime like the 85/1.8

OR

2) 17-40 F4L + 35 1.4L

I'd go with option #2.

The 35L is just simply superb.

I adore my 16-35 as well, and it's really tough to choose between the two (which is why I have both).

I only use the 16-35 for the range of 16-28mm. The 35L is always mounted on my 5D2, it's my default, go-to lens, no doubt about it.

I would keep the 16-35II. For my shooting it just gets used alot more. I dont think without the zoom I could get wide enough for all my subjects.

EDIT: However, of the two options you posted I would probably go with #2 since the 17-35 is an excellent second for the 16-35II...

Score is currently tied!

Thanks for the input.

Option 2. If you don't need the extra stop, the 17-40, IMO performs identically to the 16-35. However, if you need the extra stop, you need the extra stop.

I think that should be the determining factor.

actually it really depends on what you shoot and these two options seem to serve different purposes.

option 2

I would think the 35 L would be much more useful for low light and I know I would never give up that lens, so option 2 for sure. You can always pick up a 85 f1.8 later as there are tons of them on the used market.

Lots of people really like the 35mm focal length. I find it too short and too long for most things.

I'd say option #3

24L + Sigma 50.

Option 2, for sure.

It depends on what your current configuration is, and what you're using them for.

I like option 1 because its offers more variety. Excellent wide angle + a damn good lens for portraits. (if you intend on getting the 85 1.8)

I like option 2 because it offers more or less the same wide angle results, but adds a really solid low light prime.

I went through a change of lenses recently. I thought that working with a series of F4 zoom lenses and backing them up with strong primes was the way to go; for the longest time it was manageable. Then you miss a shot or two because the action changes from far/near (or vice versa) and some lenses can't accommodate that switch as well as others.

I went from 17-40L/24-105L, to 16-35LII/24-70L. I still have my 50mm 1.4 and my 85L, but I find that I generally don't need to switch out my lenses as often.

In relation to zoom lenses and light, every little bit helps.

Option 2... Because I just picked up the 35L

Option 2.

I'm about to pick up the 17-40 and when I moved to FF, the 35L will be my walk around prime.

I have both and I go for my 35L 90% of the time.