Dilema - let the 70-200 go for the 135L or not...

I am making some additions to my lens lineup and I'm looking for either a push in the right direction, or some sense slapped in to me regarding letting my 70-200 F/4 IS go for the 135L.

My thoughts on the 70-200:

I purchased the 70-200 F/4 IS to replace my 70-200 F/2.8 IS last fall. I wanted something lighter, smaller, easier to carry, and less noticeable. it fits this bill quite well. While the IS is handy I am finding F/4 restrictive for my uses.

I would consider myself more of a wide angle and environmental shooter, using telephoto to a much lesser degree - but when you need it you need it. As such the zoom is usually used at or near the longer end of its range.

When using telephoto I find myself working at the minimum focusing distance quite often, this is a bit restrictive on the zoom, and is where the lens performance is at its weakest (though the lens is very sharp otherwise).

My thoughts on the 135L:

I find 135mm to be a comfortable telephoto field of view on my 5D, it is quite usable in many situations, and on my 30D it is nice for tight framing.

The lens is small, light, discreet, sharp, and very fast to focus (I rented one for a day).

Nice minimum focusing distance, capable of pseudo macro w/ a set of tubes. Nice fast aperture for shallow dof.

I can't explain why I want the lens, but I'm always blown away by the images others produce with it, and I'm drawn to the idea of the prime (I'll be adding the 35L to my bag in the near future).

The question:

I have been using my 100mm F/2.8 Macro (non-L) and have been trying to convince myself that it is "close enough" to the 135L, and that I should keep my 70-200 F/4 IS. I have a local photog looking to purchase my 70-200 which would give me the cash for the 135L.

I am on the fence about giving up the versatility of the zoom for the speed and capabilities of the prime. Should I go for it or not?

Cheers.

2.0>4.0

Do it!

Let me motivate you:

5D + 135L

The 135 can make even a mere mortal look like a pro.

Yusef wrote in post #10349765
The 135 can make even a mere mortal look like a pro.

I feel guilty.

More motivation for OP!

Yusef wrote in post #10349765
The 135 can make even a mere mortal look like a pro.

TRUE!

Go for 135L You will love it.

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yeah, i gave the 70-200 2.8 to my wife when i got the 135. i love it for all the reasons you mentioned, plus just the sheer quality of the images it produces. i was also always a bit disappointed with the clarity from the 70-200, but i'm not sure if the f4 is different. from your gear list, you might end up wanting something more mid-range to go along with it. i'd probably recommend a 50. the two together you'll have great options. i'd say go for it.

I'd say got for it. I had the 70-200 f4 IS but I found I didn't use it as much as the 100L prime. I agree the 135L is probably better than the 100L but I love the MFD of the 100L.

You could sell the 70-200 and the 100 macro and get the 100L instead but if you need the f2 then the 135L is a cracker of a lens. I had it but sold it for the 85L which till today I regretted. The 135L is that good

this is the reason I sold my 24-70mm and bought the 135mm L lol

these people MADE me.

Thanks for the feedback so far everyone - I was expecting it to be in favor of the 135L, but little did I know that it would be unanimous across the board!

I certainly will be adding something in the mid-range to complete my line-up, I had originally thought about the 35L or 50L, however I'm also considering the 24-70L which I've had in the past and regret selling. My day-to-day kit would then be 17-40 / 24-70 / 135, or 17-40 / 50L / 135L

Keep the evidence and wisdom coming, cheers!

Ill be selling my 70-200 f/4L non IS for a 135L in August. I borrowed my friends for a day, absolutely loved it. I find the FL great for FF (which I will be getting too) and its very versatile. I can do everything from automotive to portraits which is what I want. Plus the bokeh is amazing

135 is a special piece of glass, just get it .. you won't be sorry.

damn... i wasn't looking at this lens... but now I'M motivated...

elninomudo wrote in post #10349891
yeah, i gave the 70-200 2.8 to my wife when i got the 135. i love it for all the reasons you mentioned, plus just the sheer quality of the images it produces. i was also always a bit disappointed with the clarity from the 70-200, but i'm not sure if the f4 is different. from your gear list, you might end up wanting something more mid-range to go along with it. i'd probably recommend a 50. the two together you'll have great options. i'd say go for it.

So your wife is stronger than you?:p Op Get the 135L and soon down the road you will get another 70-200 which will be the II version! That's exactly what I did!