35L or 85L

Hey guys, I just sold a lens so I finally have a bit of money to spend on a new lens. I really want to get into street photography and so far, I have the 50mm f/1.4. I want to take candids but to me, I think 50mm on my 7d is too close.

I was considering something a bit longer like the 85L or even the 135L. But many people on POTN and other sites say the 35L or even the 24L are good lenses for street photography but I really don't know which one to pick. It's easier to find the 24L,35L, or the 135L but is it better to wait and get the 85L when someone decides to sell it?

For a crop, 24L....

airfrogusmc wrote in post #11282055
For a crop, 24L....

+1. A 35 mm eq. lens is just a gift on street. Dam, why can't i afford that 24L
Keep in mind that 7d is a big camera, the lens will make it look even bigger so be careful and don't shoot children I got accused of being a pedophile several times now....and my set up is smaller than 24L+7d

Don't you think 24L is a bit wide for candids? I really don't want to be up in their face and take pictures of them...

Wondertwins wrote in post #11282117
Don't you think 24L is a bit wide for candids? I really don't want to be up in their face and take pictures of them...

It would gives you a 38 field of view on a crop. Thats not to wide for me. I go out on the streets with my 5D (FF) and just a 35 all the time. I think its the perfect FL for the streets.

Wondertwins wrote in post #11282117
Don't you think 24L is a bit wide for candids? I really don't want to be up in their face and take pictures of them...

I use 30 sigma and i find it too close. Usually u want context and getting wide is the only way you can do this. Plus getting close is the easy part - it will come naturally. The hard part is running away D
To be serious, nope 24 is just just perfect

24L II

24L. I find my Sigma 30 is a good length for general street photography on my 7D.

Just start with an 85mm 1.8 and see how you like it... its what, 1600$ cheaper and almost as good as the 85L.. could buy the 35mm L (A lens I personally love) along with the 85 1.8 and call it a day.

Kento wrote in post #11282262
Just start with an 85mm 1.8 and see how you like it... its what, 1600$ cheaper and almost as good as the 85L.. could buy the 35mm L (A lens I personally love) along with the 85 1.8 and call it a day.

That's true. Or buy the 85 1.8 and Sigma 30 for less than one of those L lenses.

hieu1004 wrote in post #11282297
That's true. Or buy the 85 1.8 and Sigma 30 for less than one of those L lenses.

yep. BUT 85 will be in disadvantage due to the ENORMOUS CA everywhere ( thought of buying one, took one shot, saw it and bye bye), in street u can't control the lighting and i, for instance, often end up shooting in high contrast areas at the end of the day
Though the sigma 30 is a nice alternative, never failed me.

palaima wrote in post #11282930
yep. BUT 85 will be in disadvantage due to the ENORMOUS CA everywhere ( thought of buying one, took one shot, saw it and bye bye), in street u can't control the lighting and i, for instance, often end up shooting in high contrast areas at the end of the day
Though the sigma 30 is a nice alternative, never failed me.

It is a pain, but if you learn to work around the CA, it'll be fine. All primes have CA to some extent when shooting high contrast areas, it's just the 85mm is a lot worse. Mine goes away when I stop down a couple and if it is a problem, it is not hard to remove in PP. I shoot wide open A LOT - Lightroom and/or PS rids the problem without too much trouble,.

hieu1004 wrote in post #11282942
It is a pain, but if you learn to work around the CA, it'll be fine. All primes have CA to some extent when shooting high contrast areas, it's just the 85mm is a lot worse. Mine goes away when I stop down a couple and if it is a problem, it is not hard to remove in PP. I shoot wide open A LOT - Lightroom and/or PS rids the problem without too much trouble,.

yep, but trouble nonetheless. My siggy wide open doesn't have such case of CA as my 100 f2, and the 85 i tried did even worse :/
BTW 85L is ENORMOUS You won't be able to be "stealth"

palaima wrote in post #11283131
yep, but trouble nonetheless. My siggy wide open doesn't have such case of CA as my 100 f2, and the 85 i tried did even worse :/
BTW 85L is ENORMOUS You won't be able to be "stealth"

Gahhh, I finally found an 85L mkI but you guys are making me reconsider the 85L....

btw palaima, what lens do you use along with your XTi for the street shots? Can't seem to find the lens description in your EXIF on your flickr

Well if you think the 50MM is to close then the 35 or 24 is not going to be a good choice.
I have tried the 35, 50, and 85 II and think theres nothing that Canon makes that compares to the quality ive gotten from the 85 II.

After the 85 i would choose the 35 followed by the 50 which i ended up returning.

For me, the 85L II has given me pictures that look 3-D ish which i havent seen from any other lens i own or have tried. Hope that helps...