Hi guys,

I'm trying to make up my mind on getting a 50mm 1.4 or a 35mm f2 (or a 28mm 1.8 USM for a bit more).

I will use it on a 5D MKII at night, at the reception. I will also carry a 7D with the 17-55 2.8 + flash on it.

What do you think is a better option? The 50mm 1.4 always there or a 35/28 mm + an 85mm?

I'm using the 50mm 1.8, but better focusing + 2/3 stop would be great.

I find that my keeper rate with the 85mm is not great.

Thanks for your input.

I'm confused by your question... you're basically asking which is the better focal length, and IMO, that is a question that really depends on your style of shooting and what you prefer.

RichardLavigne wrote:
I'm confused by your question... you're basically asking which is the better focal length, and IMO, that is a question that really depends on your style of shooting and what you prefer.

Nope,

I'm talking about versatility vs specialization.

I'd be more worried about if the focal length works for you or not. I prefer 35 over 28 and for some strange reason I really dislike 50mm on slr cameras, but love it on a rangefinder.

I agree that it comes to personal preference and shooting style. Personally, I love the 50mm FL and have one in every one of my 35mm kits. I have Canon, Olympus, Konica, and Kiev/Contax setups with the last three being film kits. I shot 50/28 for a while but replaced the 28 with the 16-35. I also have 40mm lenses and think I make like that focal length even more in certain situations. I loved it with a rangefinder and have really gotten used to shooting in on SLRs. 35mm is close enough to 40mm that I could probably shoot at that FL, but I'm not completely comfortable with it. I tend to shoot my 16-35 in the 21-28mm range.

Personal preference for sure. We've got a 35, two 50s, and an 85, and I prefer the 35 over the rest.

tobicus wrote:
Personal preference for sure. We've got a 35, two 50s, and an 85, and I prefer the 35 over the rest.

Which 35?

zalle wrote:
tobicus wrote:
Personal preference for sure. We've got a 35, two 50s, and an 85, and I prefer the 35 over the rest.

Which 35?

35/2, Nikon AF-D. The 1.4 looks neat, but I can't justify the price, and I'm in love with the small size of the 35/2.

I recently picked up the 35mm f2 and I love it. I shoot with 5dcs and find that focal length to work real well for wedding stuff. I have been using it a lot for getting ready shots, almost exclusively for group shots and it stays on one of my cameras for the whole reception. Eventually I will grab the 35L.

Now that I've picked up the 35 I rarely use the 50mm 1.4. The 50mm focal length doesn't really do much for me anymore so I think I'll sell that once I get the 35L. Until then I need to keep it around for when f2 isn't enough. My other most used lens is the 100mm f2 and I have a 70-200L and 16-35L that I use here and there throughout the day.

Have a 35L, 50L, 85L II, I find myself using the 85L II all the time at weddings now...love love love it! However we have 5D III's...and it can actually focus wide open or near wide open. So there could like your problemo!