35L to compliment 135L for rock concerts?

i've sold everything except my 135L which is going to be my workhorse for concerts. i generally shoot at places that don't have any photo pit or anything, so i usually go for tighter shots from the periphery. i'm thinking to switch off and get some full band shots--or even just a different perspective if i'm able to get up close--that the 35L might be the ticket.

another reason i'm hoping that the 35L would be a good compliment, is because i'm hoping then it could double as a walk-around lens. i had a 35mm f/2 on an Xsi which i found just a little too long for this purpose, so i'm hoping that full-frame 35mm might be just the ticket.

has anyone used the 35/135L combo for concerts? i'm going to be shooting a music festival with venues ranging from a church, dive bars, and a giant outdoor tent. or any comments from people using the 35/135 combo as their main kit in general, would be greatly appreciated.

the 35L is a big investment for just a hobby, but i don't really think the 35mm f/2 would be sufficient. when i had one i never really tested it in low-light, but i'm guessing the dinosaur of an AF motor would probably hunt pretty bad?

any thoughts are appreciated, thanks!

Not really a rock concert, but here's a shot from an Easter concert (rock style):

i wish the 35 f/2 wasn't such a dinosaur because i could buy it, the 50 1.4, and the 85 1.8 for well under the price of a 35L. haha

Moooney wrote in post #10399590
i wish the 35 f/2 wasn't such a dinosaur because i could buy it, the 50 1.4, and the 85 1.8 for well under the price of a 35L. haha

you pay for what you get.

Ah but would you use it all? (;

You never tried the 35mm 2.0 in low light and you are assuming that there would be focus problems? I have this lens and have used it in a variety of settings and never had focus problems with it. It may pay to rent one and try it. If it works, you'd be saving a lot of $$$ over getting the 35mm 1.4. Plus its a smaller lens to carry around.

If money is no object, then just get the 1.4... it is a great lens.

nightcat wrote in post #10399622
You never tried the 35mm 2.0 in low light and you are assuming that there would be focus problems? I have this lens and have used it in a variety of settings and never had focus problems with it. It may pay to rent one and try it. If it works, you'd be saving a lot of $$$ over getting the 35mm 1.4. Plus its a smaller lens to carry around.

If money is no object, then just get the 1.4... it is a great lens.

money is an object, but i justify it by buying lenses used, using them for however long and then selling them for generally what i paid for them if need be. as is everybody, i'm just trying to figure out the ideal kit for me, and if i can do that with two lenses i'd be more than happy to invest in the 35L.

but your words on the 35 f2 are encouraging. perhaps i should give it another shot, although i didn't like its plastic build, and noisy AF motor.

My kit right now is a 35L, 135L and 5D2, so take that for what it's worth.

I'm planning on adding a 16-35L (because I shoot in tight venues) and an 85 (maybe the Sigma) in the near future. The 35L does make a very good general use lens on the 5D, but I find that I often need something a bit wider or something in between 35 and 135...but it all depends on how/where you shoot. The 35 and 135 are my go to lenses for many situations.

Here's a set from this weekend (dive bar) with the 35L and a few from the 135L: http://www.photos.fahr​enheit128.com …_darlins_061910​#h322fe208

these are always such tough questions to answer. your basically asking which focal length would work for you. i could never get away with shooting with 2 primes for concerts. ,y main kit is a 16-35, 28-75 and 70-200 zoom of which the UW and tele take care of most of what i need. i stick the 16-35 on my 40d and 70-200 on my 5D2.

then depending on venue i can put the UWA on my 5D2 and the 28-75 on the 40d if i am in a small venue.

this has given me the most versatility. and i need that when i absolutely need to get shots for a publication.

i have a 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 or when light is terrible and i have use of my friends 28 1.8 if i need something wider for a small club.

but when i have 2 or 3 songs and HAVE to get my shots, i need the versatility of my zooms.

I don't know I'm going to do for certain. I probably should give the 35 f/2 another try since it is about 600% cheaper.

I like my 35L for tight clubs. I find that I almost always wish it were 24mm though.

I've just gone through some recent club and stage (access) shots.

I tend to agree that going a bit wider, 28mm, for example might give you more flexibility. Personally, I use a 17-40, a lot, mostly in the 28mm range or wider. It's only f4 but generally works for me.

I just pulled the trigger on a used 35L. If it doesn't work out, I will simply sell it a loss of shipping costs at most. Thanks for your help, folks.

Moooney wrote in post #10412711
I just pulled the trigger on a used 35L. If it doesn't work out, I will simply sell it a loss of shipping costs at most. Thanks for your help, folks.

Awesome move! You'll like the lens. Also consider the 24mm ii if you ever need something even wider!