Low light lens (not 50mm f1.8 mkII)

I am looking for a low light lens to shoot in natural light. I currently shoot with a 50D but plan to go FF (either a 5Dc or 5DImkII) in the near future.

I am considering either a 85L or 135L. Are their any xxD users who have used either of those lenses or both? How does the xxD perform with these lenses.

I will be mainly shooting portraits of toddlers and maybe some low-light street photography. I need good background separation and bokeh.

I am currently using my 100mm f2.8 macro and 70-200mm f4 IS with good results but looking for a lens to create a similar/better bokeh but with a shorter camera to object distance/object with background distance. I hope this makes sense.

OR

postpone the additional lens and go with the FF body upgrade first?

Thanks.

I would say 85L, as a 135 would be a bit long on 50D. Even on FF, the 135L might be a tad long unless you plan on doing lots of portraiture work.

I'm guessing you seldom shoot below 50mm; going FF body would render your 17-55 nonfunctional.

I would not choose an 85L for toddlers. The AF is a bit slow for that IMO. I was shooting mostly wide open when I rented the 85L, so maybe if you stopped down a bit, it would help with the toddlers. Not sure how the 135L performs in this aspect.

135L is definitely long for a crop. I'd suggest the 85 f/1.8 for the quick auto focus.

85L is a it long too...

Consider the 50 or 35L or 24L solution. :3

Omaru wrote in post #10878760
85L is a it long too...

Consider the 50 or 35L or 24L solution. :3

Well, I suggest the 85 if he's comfortable doing it with his 100 macro/70-200 but wants a wider aperture. If this is still too long, I'd say the 50mm Sigma.

Honestly if my goal was to go full frame I might keep the 100 macro and get a full frame body rather than buy a lens now that might not be suited (as well) to the new body when you do upgrade. If you arent ready to do that, then the 85 1.8.

Never having owned a crop sensor body, but doing the math, lenses certainly change functionality. I've had the 70-200 ƒ4 IS (a very sweet lens, but I flipped for the new 2.8 II), but it sure seems long on a crop body -- 112-320. If you want a shorter lens, get a full-frame body. I'm sure the 70-200 would be perfect for toddlers (yuck) and, since I do street myself, I know it's good there. The 85 on a crop still seems long, and the 135 seems nuts for kids on a crop body. You could be next door...

I think that lens is perfect on a ff body, so thats my suggestion. If you want better bokeh, get a 2.8IS version. I can't think of a better fixed length lens. As much as I love primes, theres a time for versatility. My primes are only for studio or close quarters in low light.

We just spoke about same choice .
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=928716

.. in short ..85L is a beast, AF is not really an issue as soon as you understand how to use it (I use 85L1.2 for action and sport). 135L2.0 is just not fast enough for night use on a crop (50D).

But if you choose one of these lens, welcome to a versatile world where you can shoot indoor, outdoor, day, night and get a thin dof and best bokeh lenses can produce, deep colours, and a high level of micro contrast.

I kept my former FD85L1.2 more than 20 years, and now I start to use it again with a NEX5.. so 85L1.2II is like a long term investment and won't obsolete before decades.
It has nearly no defaults (maybe a bit slow AF, if you didn't prefocus, but after AF catched the subject it can follow any dogs, cars, quad bikes in AIfocus).

Thanks for all the responses. There is a part of me wanting to go with the shorter focal length lens (85) so I do not have to compensate with the crop body (50D), then there is the other part which is saying just go to a FF body and be with it.

I'm on a tight budget of about 2K, so if I go FF, I'll get a 5Dc and a 135L then replace my 17-55 f2.8 with a 24-70.

Get a EF 35mm f/2 they are cheap, sharp, reasonably quick focus and can be used on full frame (if you don't mind a little vignette)

50D + Sigma 30/1.4 = awesome
forget cheap and slower lenses 50/1.8, 35/2, 28/1.8, 24/2.8, etc

Best is 35, 85, 135....

Get the 35L. I want one to pair with my 85L

What's your most used lens at the moment? With that lens, what is your favorite focal length for what you do?

To me it makes sense to buy an expensive prime in the range that you use most.